Walmart

Oakbrook Terrace, Ill. — Mid-America Asset Management Inc. has announced six retail leases in four Chicago shopping centers.

Walmart chief marketing and merchandising officer Duncan Mac Naughton told investors during an October meeting that the retailer would have the largest share of voice during the holiday season and that was certainly evident during November, according to data released this week from Kantar Media Ad Intelligence and Placed.

Walmart International president and CEO Doug McMillon isn’t due to replace current Wal-Mart Stores president and CEO Mike Duke until February, but when he does the most pressing matter on a long list of priorities will be executing the company’s digital vision.

Target spent an estimated $28 million on advertising November 3-7, which netted it nearly 12% of retail traffic during Thanksgiving weekend, according to data released this week from Kantar Media Ad Intelligence and Placed.

New York -- Michael’s has leased a 21,400-sq.-ft. former Circuit City store at the Torrington Fair shopping center in Torrington, Conn.

Wal-Mart, Price Chopper and Petco anchor the center, which is now 100% leased, although there is an outparcel that may be developed in the future. Charter Realty & Development www.chartweb.com and Lornell Realty made the deal.

Chicago -- A majority (88%) of retailers are using social media as part of their 2013 holiday marketing blitz. But they still remain divided about mobile marketing, with only 38% using it this year, down from 50% in 2012.

Columbus, Ohio -- Big Lots announced the appointment of three general merchandise managers as part of realigning the merchandising organization into customer-centric categories of food and consumables, furniture and home decor, and seasonal, toys and electronics.

Trey Johnson was promoted to senior VP, general merchandise manager for food and consumables.

Big Lots has added three general merchandise managers as the company continues realigning the merchandising organization into three customer-centric categories: food and consumables, furniture and home décor and seasonal, toys and electronics.

Even before its final round of deals kicked in at Walmart on Friday morning the retailer announced that sales had exceeded last year’s record-breaking results with 10 million transactions completed between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. on Thanksgiving.

Hampstead, Md. – Jos. A. Bank is one more retailer planning to start Black Friday while it’s still Thanksgiving. The retailer will hold its annual Black Friday doorbusters event from 8 p.m. – 1 a.m. Thanksgiving night and 6 a.m. – 1 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 29.