Mass Merchant

Hudson’s Bay Co. has looked to a Toys “R” Us veteran as its pick for its next CEO effective Jan. 5, although current CEO Richard Baker will stay on as governor and executive chairman of the retailing company.

Gerald Storch, an industry veteran with over 30 years of experience, oversaw the expansion of Toys “R” Us online and international business. Prior to joining the toy giant, he was vice chairman of Target Corp., where he founded Target.com, and ran the chain’s grocery business. 

Walmart has announced the 75 winners of its Food Pantry Holiday Makeover campaign, which gifts a food pantry organization with a $20,000 grant for renovations. 

Mansfield, Connecticut - Charter Realty and Development has leased space at the East Brook Mall in Mansfield, Connecticut, to Dollar Tree. Dollar Tree has taken 9,733 sq. ft. and will be joining anchor tenants Kohl’s, Dress Barn, TJ Maxx, Michael’s, Olympia Sports, Radio Shack, and Applebee’s.   The 151,377-sq.-ft. center has signalized access from Route 195 (Storrs Road) and services 34,000 student, faculty and staff members of the University of Connecticut and Eastern Connecticut State University.

Janesville, Wisconsin - CBL & Associates Properties announced that DICK'S Sporting Goods and ULTA Beauty are coming to Janesville Mall in Janesville, Wisconsin. The two new stores will be situated in the former JC Penney location. Construction is expected to begin in January with the grand opening for both stores scheduled for fall 2015.  

A fresh round of unionization efforts appear to be in store for major retailers next spring after organized labor won a favorable ruling regarding how elections are conducted.

Baton Rouge, Louisiana - JLL’s Capital Markets experts announced the sale of Coursey Commons Shopping Center on behalf of Blue Ridge Real Estate Company. Wal-Mart Stores purchased the Baton Rouge, Louisiana shopping center for $10.9 million. The 67,775-sq.-ft. center is anchored by a Walmart Neighborhood Market and includes Sally Beauty Supply, AT&T Mobility, UPS store and Weight Watchers.  

North Shore, Long Island, New York - Faith Hope Consolo, chairman, and Joseph Aquino, executive VP, of Douglas Elliman's Retail Group are the exclusive leasing and marketing team for the newly named Krypell Plaza at 15 Northern Boulevard, a two-building retail center being completed at the corner of Glen Cove Road.  The center will be anchored by international jewelry designer Charles Krypell in a multi-level location.  

Consumers are doing even more holiday shopping from their desktop computers this year, according to a new report from comScore.

The Internet analytics company reports that U.S. consumer spending from desktop computers for the first 44 days of the November-December 2014 holiday shopping season is up 15% from last year, to $42.5 billion.