Convenience Stores

Atlanta -- Global Franchise Group said Wednesday it is expanding its Puerto Rican presence via a multi-unit operator.

A.M.A. Pretzels International opened two Great American Cookies stores in Puerto Rico -- in Plaza Carolina in Carolina, and Plaza Rio Hondo in Bayamon.

"Global Franchise Group is thrilled to have such outstanding multi-unit franchisees expand the Great American Cookies brand in Puerto Rico," said Global Franchise Group chief development officer John Barber.

Cincinnati -- Kroger on Tuesday announced the planned retirement of VP and pension investment officer, Rich Manka. His retirement is effective July 15.

"Throughout his career, Rich has been a trusted member of Kroger's leadership team," stated Mike Schlotman, Kroger's CFO. "Pension plan trustees and participants alike have benefited from his vast knowledge and influence on investment strategies and plan designs. We thank Rich for his contributions to our company and industry and wish him the very best."

Dallas -- 7-Eleven will rebrand convenience stores in Ohio’s Cuyahoga and Lorain counties as part of a 19-store lease from Allentown, Pa.-based Lehigh Gas Partners LP.

The effective date of the leases will vary, but all leases are expected to be in place by March 31, 2013.

New York -- Walmart plans to test the use of in-store lockers to hold goods ordered on its website until shoppers can pick them up, Reuters reported.

Neil Ashe, president and CEO of the discounter’s global e-commerce division, discussed the test, which will get underway this summer in about 12 locations, On Tuesday at the chain’s e-commerce media day. The event was held at its global e-commerce offices in San Bruno, Calif. Ashe also said that Wal-Mart is set to surpass $9 billion in annual online sales this year.

As part of a multi-phase revitalization of The Wilder Cos.’ Wayside property in Burlington, Mass., the company announced that Ethan Allen and Starbucks, along with Potbelly Sandwich Shop, will open in high-visibility locations.

WASHINGTON — The days of online retailers getting an unfair advantage by not having to comply with state tax laws are numbered as the U.S. Senate has just passed the marketplace fairness amendment as part of the fiscal 2014 budget resolution.

In response, the National Retail Federation released the following statement from President and CEO Matthew Shay:

“We sincerely want to thank Senators Enzi and Durbin for continuing the fight for fairness on behalf of America’s small businesses owners.

Fourth quarter same store sales increased 3% at Dollar General as the company capped of another record year and indicated it would open 635 stores this year.

Total sales for the company’s 13 week fourth quarter ended February 1, increased 0.5%, to $4.21 billion compared to $4.19 billion during the 14 week fourth quarter the prior year. Excluding the extra week from the prior year’s fourth quarter, sales would have increased 8%. The company said its same store sales increase was driven by consumables and a mix of increased transaction size and customer traffic.

Atlanta -- Jones Lang LaSalle’s Capital Markets announced that the firm has closed the sale of Bethesda Walk in the Lawrenceville suburb of Atlanta, on behalf of DLC Management Corp., Tarrytown, N.Y.

Solon Mack Real Estate purchased the 68,271-sq.-ft. shopping center, which is anchored by a 44,271-sq.-ft. Walmart Neighborhood Market that opened in mid-2012.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed.