Retail

Oakbrook Terrace, Ill. — Mid-America Asset Management has announced three new retail leases in Chicago’s northwestern suburbs. Mid-America represented the landlord in each transaction.

Charles Schwab signed a lease for 4,339 sq. ft. at Shops of Uptown in Park Ridge, a northwestern suburb of Chicago. The store is expected to open next spring. The 70,800-sq.-ft. center features Trader Joe’s, Houlihan’s and Jason’s Deli. Colliers International represented the tenant.

Issaquah, Wash. – Costco Wholesale Corporation is reportedly cooperating with the U.S, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in an ongoing investigation of prescriptions for controlled substances. According to Reuters, the DEA served Costco with warrants and subpoenas related to the investigation.

Costco announced its cooperation in an SEC filing and has made no other public comment. The DEA has been investigating pharmacy chains and distributors across the country in regard to prescription drug misuse and abuse.

NEW YORK — Néstle plans to launch a cup version of its popular Butterfinger candy bar next year, and will introduce the Butterfinger Peanut Butter Cups in a Super Bowl commercial.

The company calls it one of its biggest candy launches and said it will be the first time it showcases one of its brands during the big game.

Washington, D.C. – Many online retailers are starting or have started their holiday preparations early this year. According to Shop.org’s eHoliday survey conducted by Prosper Insights & Analytics, 74% of online retailers had started preparing for the 2013 holiday season by July of this year, and 51% plan to start their holiday promotions by Halloween.

Somerville, Mass. – Merlin Entertainments has reportedly broken ground on a new Legoland Discovery Center location at the 50-acre, mixed-use Assembly Row development in Somerville, Mass. According to the Boston Globe, the 44,000-sq.-ft. store will open in May 2014.

The store will be the only Legoland location in New England and employ about 100 people. Other retailers planning to open stores at Assembly Row include Nike, Brooks Brothers, Chico’s, and J.P. Licks.

Kroger has named Michael L. Ellis as the company’s president and chief operating officer, effective Jan. 1, 2014, completing the succession plan announced in September. The company expects its board of directors to elect Ellis at the next board meeting in Dec.

New York -- Walmart brought together 10 moms in Nashville, Tenn., on Wednesday night to air their thoughts about the economy , the federal government and their own household incomes. The gathering — one of several that occurred in different locations throughout the nation — was part on an annual focus group organized by the chain, reported CNNMoney. This year, the discussion focused on a subject very much in the headlines: budgets.

Woonsocket, R.I. – CVS/pharmacy is launching myWeekly Ad, a digital circular powered by the CVS/pharmacy ExtraCare program. The new circular serves up a personalized version of the sales ad for each customer.

Upon signing up, each user will immediately see which of their favorite items are on sale that week, including frequently-bought items or deals in categories that might be of interest to that specific shopper. Personalized ExtraCare savings and rewards can also be found all in one place.