Education

Walmart is stupid to take on Amazon.com head-to-head in too many areas, according to Wharton marketing professor Stephen Hoch who, along with other members of academia and one retail futurist, weigh in on the competitive situation that promises to impact the entire retail industry.

Chapel Hill, N.C. — Silverspot has signed a lease for a 52,500-sq.-ft. movie theater at University Mall in Orange County, N.C. Four new boutiques, a high end sporting goods store and a new fine dining option have also signed leases recently.

The new tenants are part of a redevelopment plan being carried out by owner Madison Marquette.

Silverspot at University Mall, a theater and casual dining concept, will be the fifth U.S. location for the company, a division of Cines Unidos, one of the largest theater companies in South America.

LG Electronics has started construction on its new $300 million environmentally friendly North American headquarters project in Englewood Cliffs, N.J.

More than 300 supporters, including elected officials from New Jersey as well as neighbors, local businesses, union leaders and LG employees, gathered at 111 Sylvan Ave. for the official start of demolition.

O’Connor Capital Partners, a privately owned, independent real estate investment, development and management firm, has named Glenn J. Rufrano as chairman and CEO.

Rufrano was a founding partner of the O’Connor Group, the firm’s original incarnation, and has served on the board since 2010. He has also acquired a full partnership stake in the firm.  

Ascena Retail Group has appointed Judith Langley as EVP and chief merchandising officer of Dressbarn.

“Judi is an outstanding merchant with deep specialty and large retail format experience. She will play a key role in the evolution of the Dressbarn brand and we are delighted to have her joining the team,” said David Jaffe, president and CEO of Ascena Retail Group.

Aaron's has promoted VP of finance Steven A. Michaels to VP of strategic planning and business development. Additionally, Robert W. Kamerschen, SVP and general counsel, will add corporate secretary to his responsibilities, and Kimberly R. Rivera is joining the company as VP of learning and development.

"This is an exciting time for all members of Aaron's as we continue to strengthen our management team and build a platform for sustainable growth," said Ronald W. Allen, Aaron's chairman, president and CEO.

Walmart split with its Indian joint venture partner of seven years recently and the smart folks at the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School of Business put the situation in perspective and offered insight into future possibilities for a market that still boasts more than 1 billion potential consumers and promising long-term prospects.

FoodMinds, a food and nutrition consulting and communications agency, has appointed former Campbell Soup executive Juli Mandel Sloves as SVP and Julie Alessi, RD, as a senior account executive.

Sloves, a 12-year veteran of Campbell Soup Company with more than 20 years of communications experience, was most recently senior manager of global R&D communications at Campbell. Prior to that, she led nutrition and wellness communications for Campbell North America brands.