Mass Merchant

So much for the weak economy. A record number of people, 161 million to be precise, are expected to celebrate Halloween this year, according to the National Retail Federations annual survey.

NRF has been conducting the consumer intentions and actions survey for 10 years and the outlook for this year is the brightest ever with average spending per person expected to increase to $72.31 from $66.28 last year.

Former Asda executive and Walmart Canada CEO David Cheesewright has a new role that opens up some intriguing growth possibilities, given his new responsibilities include oversight of geographic areas where Walmart doesn’t currently operate stores.

Former Walmart senior executive and longtime board member Jack Shewmaker is among a group of four business leaders slated for induction into the Arkansas Business Hall of Fame. The induction ceremony will be held Friday, Feb. 10, 2012.

Bentonville, Ark. -- Wal-Mart Store announced the appointment of David Cheesewright as executive VP, president and CEO of a new regional management team. In this newly created role, he will lead Walmart's retail operations in Canada, the United Kingdom and Sub-Saharan Africa, and will oversee business development in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Canada.

Cheesewright will assume his role immediately and report directly to Doug McMillon, president and CEO, Walmart International.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — In her new role as president and CEO of Walmart Canada, Shelley Broader will be tasked with addressing new competition from Target and other retailers expanding into Canada. Broader, who joined Walmart Canada in 2010 as chief merchandising officer, will assume her new role effective immediately.

Prior to Walmart, Broader held a range of key positions with Michael's and Hannaford Bros.Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.

SIDNEY, Neb. — Cabela’s Inc. announced that Scott Williams will be joining the company as EVP and chief marketing and e-commerce officer, reporting to Tommy Millner, chief executive officer.

Previously, Williams served as president of Fanatics Inc., a vertically integrated online retailer of team and league licensed sports apparel and collectibles, which he joined in 2010. While at Fanatics, Williams led business and financial results with specific emphasis on marketing, IT, business development and manufacturing.

Sidney, Neb. -- Cabela’s announced that Scott K. Williams has been named executive VP and chief marketing and e-commerce officer.

Previously, Williams served as president of Fanatics, a vertically integrated online retailer of team and league licensed sports apparel and collectibles, which he joined in 2010. Prior to that, he was a corporate VP Wal-Mart Stores from 2006 to 2010.

DENVER — Quiznos will open restaurants in Meijer locations in Michigan, the quick service restaurant announced Wednesday. The relationship between Quiznos and Meijer is the most recent in a series of successful partnerships and store openings in Quiznos’ non-traditional development strategy, the company announced.