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New York City -- Retailers across the nation issued updates on their environmental initiatives in the days leading up to Earth Day, April 22. Starbucks Coffee Co. released its tenth annual "Global Responsibility Report," noting it has reduced water use, increased its renewable energy purchases and is testing a new energy management story (see story here).

Naperville, Ill. -- OfficeMax announced that Michael J. Lewis will assume the role of executive VP and president of retail, effective May 2. He will have full responsibility for the retail P&L and all aspects of the retail business, including merchandising, store operations and real estate.

Most recently, from 2010 to early 2011, Lewis served as global head of a merchandising center for Wal-Mart Stores,

New York City -- Loehmann's Holding Co. announced that Joan Durkin has been appointed CFO and senior VP finance. She assumes the CFO role from Joe Melvin who successfully led the company out of Chapter 11 in early March.

Durkin most recently served as VP finance for Brown Shoe Co.

Rumors that Target would open in San Francisco’s Metreon center have now been confirmed: Terranomics announced it has brokered a signed lease for Target to open in the Wesfield-owned center.

The lease for 99,677 sq. ft. was only just officially signed, San Francisco Business Times reported. The Metreon will soon begin construction on a multi-million dollar remodel that will make room for Target, and will recreate the ground level as a food collection of Bay Area restaurant concepts.

Anaheim, Calif. -- Pacific Sunwear of California announced that Michael Kaplan will join the company as senior VP and CFO, effective May 2. He will be replacing Mike Henry who became interim CFO in November 2007 and was named CFO in January 2008.

Most recently, Kaplan was CFO of Harbor Freight Tools, a 349-store retailer of proprietary branded tools. Prior to joining Harbor Freight Tools in 2010, he was a senior executive of Gap Inc. from 2005 to 2010.

I’m not much of a follower of astrology and the signs of the zodiac, but I do know that 2011 is the Year of the Rabbit on the Chinese calendar.

It seems somehow fortuitous that speed and agility define a year that is all about economic recovery. And retail is moving forward at a rate that, while not exactly hare-like, is at least faster than the proverbial tortoise.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- After opening 80 stores last year and with plans for another 90 units this year, Big Lot’s made several merchandising moves to facilitate its planned growth.

The nation’s leading closeout retailer announced it has hired former Sears merchandising executive Doug Wurl to serve as its EVP merchandising. He assumes responsibilities previously held by John Martin who was named EVP administration with responsibility for store operations and human resources.

Millcreek, Pa. -- Chestnut Hill, Mass.-based WS Development and Olympic Realty & Development Corp. announced that they have closed on 42 acres of land in Millcreek, Pa., in conjunction with Walmart.

The land is the future home of Millcreek Town Center, a 350,000-sq.-ft. open-air shopping center, which will include a new Walmart and approximately 160,000 sq. ft. of additional retail and restaurant space.