Mass Merchant

Walmart continues to deploy new capabilities through e-commerce and mobile channels — and as part of its digital agenda, the board has added Instagram CEO and co-founder Kevin Systrom to its ranks.

The entrepreneur, software engineer and co-founder of photo-sharing service Instagram has become the 15th member of the board. Systrom will also serve as a member of the company’s technology and e-commerce committee and its compensation, nominating and governance committee (CNGC).

Newport Beach, Calif. – Investment real estate services firm Lucescu Realty has sold three retail shopping centers in Utah for $225.6 million. The properties included The Family Center at Fort Union in Midvale, Utah; The Family Center at Taylorsville in Taylorsville, Utah; and The Family Center at Orem in Orem, Utah.  

Redmond, Wash. – Microsoft will open its first flagship location, on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan.

In addition, Microsoft plans to open 10 new stores across the U.S. in time for the 2014 holiday season, while the flagship New York store is being built. Microsoft has not given a specific timeframe for when the flagship will open, but said it has been planning the store for five years. It will open in a spot currently occupied by luxury accessories brand Fendi, a few blocks south of an Apple store.

Dublin, Calif. - Ross Dress for Less will open a new store in Southern California, on Oct. 11. The store is located in the La Mesa Center in the city of La Mesa, a suburb of San Diego.  

This new opening is part of the retailer’s 2014 expansion program, totaling approximately 75 new locations during the year. 

By Bill Davis, Director, MB&G Consulting

Belk’s fall charity sale of the year will take place Saturday, Nov. 8 from 6–10 a.m. at all Belk stores, helping thousands of participating charities across the retailer’s 16-state footprint.

The four-hour, in-store shopping event is an excellent fund-raising tool for participating organizations that sell $5 tickets to their supporters. It’s also an opportunity for customers to give back to local nonprofits while taking advantage of special in-store discounts on purchases during the event.

Dublin, Calif. – DD’s Discounts, a division of Ross Stores Inc., will open a new store in Houston, on Sept. 27. The store is located in the Mission Bend Shopping Center in the Mission Bend neighborhood.

Including this new location, DD’s Discounts will operate more than 150 locations in 15 states and is on schedule to complete its expansion plan to open approximately 20 locations in 2014.

H&M’s new Fifth Avenue flagship in Manhattan is the fast-fashion giant’s largest store in the world, a whopping 57,000 sq. ft. — the size of a football field.

The interior is bright and buzzing with energy. Just inside the entry, mannequins are arranged on a tiered staircase display, echoing a fashion-show runway.

Beyond its sheer size, the store is a standout for a number of reasons.