Retail

Dallas -- Real estate investment firm The Cogent Group said Tuesday that it has acquired 15 KFC properties in North Carolina. The properties are leased to a franchisee.
 
The 15 units are located in prime retail corridors in the North Carolina Triad market consisting of Greensboro, Winston Salem, and High Point, with above average unit sales. The properties are subject to long-term triple net leases having an initial term of 20 years, plus renewal options.
 

ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J. — LG Electronics USA has launched what it claims is the industry's first top-load washer with steam technology certified "asthma and allergy friendly" by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA). 

In addition, the new high-efficiency top-load washer is designed to deliver superior high-efficiency performance, offering uniquely gentle but deep cleaning capabilities, with the added benefit of odor reduction, the company said. 

Cincinnati -- The Kroger Co. announced the promotion of Jeff Burt as president of the company's Central division. Kroger's Central Division operates 136 food stores primarily in Indiana and Illinois.

Burt, 50, has been group VP of perishables merchandising and procurement since 2010. He succeeds Bob Moeder, who recently announced his plans to retire this spring.

New York -- Duane Reade announced that its 250 plus stores are integrating into Niantic Labs' new mobile game, Ingress. The drugstore chain is one of the first retail partners in the New York metropolitan area for "Ingress," which blends the physical and virtual world to create a one-of-a-kind gaming experience.

CARLISLE, Pa. — Ahold has appointed the former head of one of its European supermarket chains to an executive position in its U.S. division.

Ahold USA said it appointed Jan van Dam as EVP supply chain and e-commerce, in which he will focus on supply chain for the company's four U.S. divisions, Stop & Shop in the New York area and New England, Giant-Landover and Giant-Carlisle. He will also be responsible for the company's e-commerce business with Andrew Parkinson, president and general manager of online grocery company Peapod, reporting to him.

Toronto -- Mood Media announced that it is consolidating its portfolio companies — Muzak, DMX and Mood Media — into a single global brand under the Mood banner. Mood acquired Muzak, which was founded in 1934, in 2011.  

“It’s the end of an iconic American brand,” said Lorne Abony, chairman and CEO Mood Media, in a New York Times report.
    

Arlington, Va. -- The passage of comprehensive tax reform and a more level playing field between online retailers and Main Street retailers for sales tax collection top the Retail Industry Leaders Association’s public policy priorities for 2013.

According to RILA, the retail industry pays among the highest domestic effective tax rates at 36.4% more than 10 percentage points higher than the average for all other industries.

TORONTO — Canadian consumers eager to get their hands on a Target loyalty card can now apply for one. Target Canada announced that pplications for its REDcard products - the Target Debit Card and the Target RBC‡ MasterCard - are now available online at Target.ca/redcard. Guests planning to shop at Target stores in Canada with a REDcard will receive an additional 5% off Target's already low prices, applied instantly at the time of purchase.