Convenience Stores

Itasca, Ill. -- Jewel-Osco has appointed Scott Hays as VP operations for the Chicagoland supermarket chain.

Most recently a district manager with Albertsons LLC’s Southern division, Hays will lead the operations team to support Jewel-Osco’s marketing and merchandising initiatives, including the company’s upcoming remodels and opening their five newly acquired Dominick’s locations.

The Zippo brand is familiar to anyone who has ever smoked and apparently there is enough equity in the name to support two stores inside Las Vegas casinos.
 
The zippo brand is synonymous with those old fashioned lighters that required users to refill with liquid fuel and occasionally replace the flint.  Not anymore, at least according to Zippo executives, who contend Zippo has made the transition to that of a lifestyle brand while its traditional lighters enjoy enduring popularity.
 

A few months ago, Amazon.com made a disruptive splash in the world of home delivery with the announcement of its drone project. The new Amazon Dash mobile ordering device for AmazonFresh customers may not be as attention-grabbing as unmanned aircraft bringing goods to your door, but its potential to disrupt how consumers select and purchase items is much greater.

Virginia Beach, Va. — Divaris Real Estate has announced four leases totaling 29,099 sq. ft. of retail space in the Hampton roads area of Virginia.

PetSmart has taken 14,286 sq. ft. at Peninsula town Center in Hampton. As the chain’s exclusive representative in Virginia, the Richmond office of DRE represented PetSmart in the negotiations.

Ulta has signed a lease for 10,500 sq. ft. in Crossways Shopping Center in Chesapeake. DRE’s Virginia Beach office represented the landlord, JLP-Chesapeake in the transaction.

Phoenix — Leslie’s Poolmart has announced plans to open 22 retail locations across the country on April 11. The new stores will open in these cities:

• Gilbert and Tucson, Ariz.
• Anaheim, Corona, Costa Mesa, Menifee, Riverside and Sylmar, Calif.
• Bradenton, Clearwater and Punta Gorda, Fla.
• Marietta and Snellville, Ga.
• Mishawaka, Ind.
• Houma and Lake Charles, La.
• Mooresville, N.C.
• Miamisburg, Ohio
• Lancaster, Pa.

Dollarama has appointed Johanne Choinière as chief operating officer, effective May 12. Choinière will be responsible for overseeing retail store operations as well as logistics, distribution and supply chain management.

"I am pleased to welcome Johanne to the Dollarama team. A seasoned operator with an excellent track record and strong leadership qualities, she is an ideal candidate to help support and drive our continued growth and prosperity," said chairman and CEO Larry Rossy.

Montreal -- Dollarama Inc. has named Johanne Choinière as COO, effective May 12. In this role, Choinière will be responsible for overseeing retail store operations as well as logistics, distribution and supply chain management.

Since 1999, Choinière was employed at Metro Inc., where she held increasingly senior positions across the organization, including senior VP merchandising for Metro Ontario and, most recently, senior VP of Metro's Ontario Division.

Chicago — Fresh Thyme Famers Market has leased 25,000 sq. ft. at Cress Creek Square in Naperville, Ill., from Arthur Goldner & Associates. Office Max will vacate the space, and the grocer will open in 2015. CBRE represented Fresh Thyme in the transaction.

The center also hosts Binny’s, Blast Fitness and Car Quest as well as several smaller lifestyle stores and restaurants.