Human Resources

Boston -- Popular jewelry retailer Alex and Ani implemented a mobile point-of-sale application that all but eliminated customer lines and helped increase sales by 318% over the previous holiday season, Mobiquity announced.

CITY OF COMMERCE, Calif. — Former Food Lion CEO, and current board member for 99 Cents Only Stores, Richard Anicetti, is assuming the role of interim CEO for the discount retailer. In addition, Michael Fung will join the company as interim chief administrative officer overseeing finance, information technology, real estate and various administrative functions of the company.  

In connection with the foregoing changes, Eric Schiffer, Jeff Gold and Howard Gold are no longer employed by the company. 

Jacksonville, Fla. -- Regency Centers said Wednesday it has appointed Joanna Rotonde to lead the company’s acquisitions and dispositions activities in the northeastern U.S.

Rotonde will focus on the expansion markets of Boston, Philadelphia and metro New York, and is charged with identifying, evaluating and structuring profitable property acquisition and disposition opportunities within Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania.  

Rotonde previously served as assistant VP for Urstadt Biddle Properties.

Albany, Ore. -- Vintage Real Estate announced said Wednesday it has appointed Betsy Penson as general manager of its recently acquired Heritage Mall, located in Albany, Ore.

Most recently Penson was general manager/marketing director for CenterCal Properties’ Blackhawk Plaza in Danville, Calif. Earlier in her career she was the general manager and marketing director for a 400,000-sq.-ft. lifestyle center, The Streets of Tanasourne in Hillsboro, Ore., and the general manager of the Lancaster Mall in Salem, Ore.

Jorge A. Plasencia was the inaugural recipient of the Goya Hispanic Achievement Award presented this week in New York.

Goya, the largest Hispanic-owned food company, and the Spain-U.S. Chamber of Commerce created the award to recognize a Hispanic leader or organization in the fields of business, arts, science and social responsibility.　 The award was presented to Plasencia at an exclusive gala dinner at the New York City Public Library, attended by more than 250 people.

Mooresville, N.C. -- Lowe’s announced that it plans to hire 45,000 seasonal workers at its U.S. stores, 13% more than a year earlier, and add 9,000 permanent part-time employees as the housing rebound spurs remodeling.

The permanent part-time positions include store associates focused on direct interaction and expertise for customers. Employees in the permanent positions will be scheduled to work during peak weekday shopping times.

PHOENIX — PetSmart announced that its current president and COO David K. Lenhardt will assume the role of CEO, effective June 14, following the annual meeting of stockholders. Lenhardt will also be appointed to the board of directors at that time. Bob Moran, current chairman and CEO, will be appointed executive chairman.

New York -- Dollar General Corp. will open 635 new stores in 2013, creating some 6,000 jobs. The chain will also relocate 550 stores this year.

With the addition of these jobs in 2013, Dollar General said it will have created approximately 30,000 jobs in the last six years.