eCommerce

MATTHEWS, N.C. -- Family Dollar Stores announced that it has named Brad Rogers to the position of VP real estate development. Rogers will report to Keith Gehl, SVP real estate and facilities.

“Accelerating new store growth is a key element of our strategic agenda,” said Gehl. “Through Brad’s leadership we will continue our aggressive growth in both new and existing markets to provide budget-conscious customers with a compelling shopping experience in more areas of the country.”

Oxnard, Calif. -- New York City-based Centro Properties Group announced that Wet Seal has opened a 6,000-sq.-ft. store at Esplanade Shopping Center, located in Oxnard, Calif. 

The new store celebrated its grand opening on April 16.

Centro Properties Group is the owner of Esplanade Shopping Center.

Atlanta -- A report released Monday by First Data Corp., which tracks year-over-year same-merchant activations, redemptions and reloads of merchant-branded prepaid cards in the United States, including spending, gift, incentive and promotional cards, revealed that delayed post-holiday redemptions and incentives drove activations in first quarter 2011.

MINNEAPOLIS -- Best Buy said that it plans to open hundreds of wireless device stores, as well as expand online and in China in an effort to be more competitive as consumers up their online shopping. The chain is also scaling back the size of its signature namesake format. 

In an analyst conference Thursday, the retailer unveiled plans to shrink square footage at big-box stores by 10% over the next three to five years, a move that Best Buy said will eventually save $70 million to $80 million annually.

The timing of Walmart’s new ad campaign couldn’t be better with Easter a week away, and a considerable amount of sales volume associated with that holiday still in play. Walmart should be able to get its share of that spending as the heavy rotation of ads reminds shoppers of its everyday low prices on the broadest assortment in the land and an easy price match guarantee.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.  -- HSN announced that Betsy Olum has been appointed general manager beauty and merchandising strategy.  She will report directly to Lynne Ronon, HSN EVP merchandising.

Kokomo Ind. -- The Bon-Ton Stores said Thursday that it has signed a letter of intent with Simon Property Group for a 60,000-sq.-ft. facility at Markland Mall, located in Kokomo, Ind.

According to the department store retailer, the existing building will be remodeled by November, at which time Bon-Ton will open a new store under the Carson’s nameplate, replacing its current Elder-Beerman store presently located in Kokomo Mall.

TARRYTOWN, N.Y. -- Kraft Foods announced that its premium coffee brand, Gevalia, will be available for purchase in supermarkets, mass merchandisers and other retail outlets across the United States beginning in August.