Mass Merchant

WASHINGTON — The Retail Industry Leaders Association announced that Louis D'Ambrosio, president and CEO of Sears Holdings and Joseph DePinto, president and CEO of 7-Eleven, have been named to its board of directors.

Kansas City, Kan. -- Legends Outlets Kansas City said Wednesday that the region’s first Chico’s Outlet and Soma Intimates Outlet will open on June 24 at the Kansas City outlet shopping destination.

The Chico's Outlet's new store will be located between BCBG MaxAzria and Five Guys Burgers & Fries, and the Soma Intimates Outlet's new store will be located between Gymboree and Claire's.

Milwaukee -- A Wednesday report by the Milwaukee Business Report said that the Village of Greendale (Wis.) has approved a Walmart and garnered one of several approvals needed for a Macy's at the village’s board meeting held Tuesday.

The board approved rezoning, a special use permit and other plans needed for a 92,000-sq.-ft. Walmart slated to include a pharmacy and grocery with two out-lots for future developments.

NEW YORK — Private-label sales across all three major retail channels reached new highs in 2010, according the Private Label Manufacturers Association.

New York City -- Discount grocer Aldi has made its U.S. mall debut, opening in Westfield Chicago Ridge, an 800,000-sq.-ft. enclosed shopping center in Chicago Ridge, Ill. The mall is a property of The Westfield Group.

The 20,000-sq.-ft. store offers the same prices and products as other Aldi stores, and also features the retailer’s current interior prototype elements. The store is entered through the mall entrances.

Tokyo -- A Monday report by the Financial Times said that Walmart’s chief executive in Japan has resigned suddenly, just over a year after he assumed the position.

Toru Noda became CEO of Walmart Japan and Seiyu, its Japanese supermarket chain, in February 2010. He has cited personal reasons for the unexpected departure.

Noda will be replaced by Steve Dacus, former COO of both Walmart Japan and Seiyu.

Discount grocer Aldi has made its U.S. mall debut, opening in Westfield Chicago Ridge, an 800,000-sq.-ft. enclosed shopping center in suburban Chicago Ridge, Ill. The mall is a property of The Westfield Group.

Brightly lit and colorful, the 20,000-sq.-ft. Aldi resembles a prototypical Aldi in most respects.

London -- A Tuesday report by Bloomberg said that the COO of Wal-Mart’s Asda supermarket unit has quit after just six months in the position.

Bloomberg, which sourced a report in the Daily Telegraph, said that Simon King, a former head of Tesco PLC’s Turkish operations, left immediately. No successor has yet been named.