Human Resources

CINCINNATI — Kroger posted a loss in the quarter ended Jan. 28, attributing the loss to costs associated with consolidating its pension plan for union workers.

The grocer, which counts among its banners Kroger, Ralphs and Food 4 Less, lost $306.9 million in the quarter, compared with a profit of $278.8 million in the year-ago period.

Total sales in the quarter rose 7.7% to $21.4 billion. Excluding fuel, sales rose 5%. Same-store sales increased 4.9%.

New York City -- J.C. Penney Co. has promoted Elizabeth Sweney to the position of chief merchant, Women’s Wear Daily reported.

Sweney is a 12-year-company veteran. She served as executive VP and general merchandise manager of women’s apparel.

Cincinnati -- The Kroger Co. reported on Thursday that it posted a loss in the quarter ended Jan. 28, attributing the loss to costs associated with consolidating its pension plan for union workers.

The grocer, which counts among its banners Kroger, Ralphs and Food 4 Less, lost $306.9 million in the quarter, compared with a profit of $278.8 million in the year-ago period.

Total sales in the quarter rose 7.7% to $21.4 billion. Excluding fuel, sales rose 5%. Same-store sales increased 4.9%.

Dallas -- SRS Real Estate Partners said that Glori Rodriguez has been named a senior marketing coordinator in the South Florida office.

Rodriguez will be responsible for executing the national and local marketing strategies for the South Florida office including broker transaction support, identity building, and lead generation initiatives.

Prior to SRS, she was a business development coordinator at Bureau Veritas N.A.

Columbus, Ohio -- Casto announced that Bruce Engelhardt has joined the firm’s property management team where his primary focus will be on a retail portfolio totaling 1.8 million sq. ft. of shop space.

Most recently, Engelhardt was the group manager of the Open-Air Division at Jones Lang LaSalle.

Los Angeles -- Guess Inc. has appointed Chet Kuchinad as chief people officer and Amber Tarshis as senior VP marketing.

Kuchinad joined Guess on Feb. 1. His experience also includes senior executive roles at Nike and Starbucks Coffee Co.

Tarshis joined the company on Feb. 13. She most recently served as chief marketing officer for The Hub TV Network, a joint venture between Discovery Communications and Hasbro.
 

Philadelphia -- Marcus & Millichap Real Estate Investment Services said that it has promoted Mark E. Taylor to first VP investments.

Most recently, Taylor held the title of VP investments. He specializes in the sale of retail shopping centers and net-leased property investment real estate.

Garden City, N.Y. -- Sabre Real Estate Group said that Douglas Bomzer has joined the firm as a senior associate.

Previously with Breslin Realty, where he specialized in retail tenant representation, Bomzer earlier was a residential real estate broker in the Franklin Square office of Prudential Douglas Elliman. His clients include Dots, Ulta, Maggiano’s, Chili’s, Pet Supplies Plus and Bolton’s.