Retail

Los Angeles -- Mother's Day spending will be nearly flat this year as more Americans return to work and have less spare time, according to a new report by market research firm IBISWorld.

The report forecast a 0.2% rise in purchases on Mother's Day gifts this year over last year, for a total of $17.1 billion.

Pleasanton, Calif. -- Safeway announced that Robert Edwards, currently the company's president, will succeed Steven Burd as CEO when Burd retires as chairman and CEO on May 14. Edwards, 57, will also join the company's board of directors.

"Since he arrived here in 2004, Robert has successfully met every challenge he has faced," Burd said. "He has demonstrated the ability to lead the company in all facets of its operations, and has earned the respect of the entire organization."

Ocean Springs, Miss. - A new e-commerce site providing hanging kitchen pot racks and wall racks, HangingintheKitchen.com, opens today.

The site continually updates inventory and also offers social media pages on Twitter and Facebook that offer product reviews, special offers and tips.

New York -- SL Green Realty Corp. and The Moinian Group announced they have appointed Winick Realty Group to exclusively market the former Daffy’s location at 3 Columbus Circle, in Manhattan.
 
The multi-level retail site is situated in the center of the 57th Street corridor, in close proximity to the new Nordstrom location that is set to open in 2018.     

New York -- Columbia Sportswear Company has appointed Shawn Cox as senior VP of retail, a newly created position that will report directly to president and CEO Tim Boyle. In his new role, Cox, 49, will be responsible for leading the company’s brick-and-mortar retail and e-commerce operations in the U.S., Europe and Canada.


New York -- Cache said Monday that it has appointed Arnold Cohen as executive VP/chief marketing officer for the women’s apparel chain.

Cohen’s background includes eight years with American Eagle Outfitters, where he was involved in creating the first mobile concept, the early iteration of Martin and Osa, and the back-on-campus initiative that rolled out to 50 colleges.

Los Angeles -- Shopping center owner Caruso Affiliated said Monday that it has launched a new parking technology, FlashPark, at The Grove retail and lifestyle destination in Los Angeles.

The technology allows smartphone users two free hours of parking and eliminates paper tickets and cash.

Matthews, S.C. -- Family Dollar Stores said Monday that Charles S. Gibson, executive VP – supply chain, will leave the company to pursue other interests, effective April 30.
 
“Charlie has overseen the growth and development of our supply chain network and has been a valued part of our team,” said Howard R. Levine, Family Dollar CEO. “We appreciate the contributions Charlie has made to the company’s success, and we wish him all the best in his future endeavors.”