Large Chains

NEW YORK — Royal Ahold executive Kimberly Ross is joining beauty company Avon as EVP and CFO, reporting to Andrea Jung, Avon's chairman and CEO.

Ross currently is EVP and CFO and a member of the executive board of Royal Ahold N.V., a Netherlands-based international group, with more than 2,970 stores and supermarkets spanning Europe and the United States.

MONTVALE, N.J. — Grocer A&P has announced the launch of a brand-new line of Angus beef in its stores.

Woodson & James choice Angus beef, exclusive to A&P banner stores, will replace the current beef steak and roast offerings in all A&P, Pathmark, Superfresh, Waldbaum's and Food Emporium stores beginning May 27.

The new and exclusive Woodson & James Angus beef line features U.S. Department of Agriculture choice Angus beef that is grain-fed and single-sourced.

NEW YORK — Creative agency Kaplan Thaler Group has been tapped to run Supervalu’s latest ad campaign, according to a blog posted on the Kaplan Thaler Group site Monday.

As lead creative agency, the Kaplan Thaler Group’s responsibilities will encompass advertising, digital and direct marketing across all Supervalu banners — including Acme, Albertsons, Cub Foods, Farm Fresh, Jewel-Osco, Shaw’s/Star Market, Shop ‘n Save, Shoppers Food & Pharmacy, Hornbacher’s and Save-A-Lot.

SAN FRANCISCO — Fresh & Easy has announced the opening dates for its first two stores in San Francisco.

The retail chain said that the stores, which will open on June 22 and Aug. 24, will create more than 50 jobs. What's more, Fresh & Easy also invites area residents to nominate a local, nonprofit organization to receive a $1,000 donation for each new store opening. Based on the nominations from the neighborhood, store employees will select the winning charity.

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid has appointed David Kelly as group VP construction, the retail pharmacy chain said Monday.

Kelly, who has worked in real estate and development for more than 25 years, will start work May 31 and will have overall responsibility for all store planning and construction services, in addition to having a role in various segmentation initiatives, including Wellness, value and co-branded Save-A-Lot/Rite Aid stores. He will report directly to SVP, CFO and chief administrative officer Frank Vitrano.

New York -- Bombay Company said Kroger Co. has introduced select Bombay furniture, accessories and gifts at 180 of its stores, Furniture Today reported. 

The merchandise mix includes “mirrors, vases and novelty accents, as well as furniture pieces such as chairs, upholstered pieces, accent tables and iconic Bombay coffee tables," Bombay said in a release. 

Chelmsford, Mass. -- Kronos announced that Bi-Lo has renewed its contract for Kronos’ selection and hiring solution.

The Kronos solution is designed to allow Bi-Lo to identify candidates who are likely to perform better and stay longer. Also, hiring managers spend less time weeding out unqualified applicants and are able to fill positions more quickly.

FAIRFIELD, Conn. — The Stop & Shop Supermarket Company announced that it has finalized its acquisition of five New Jersey Shore-area Foodtown supermarkets previously owned by Norkus Enterprises Inc. The transaction involves stores in Freehold Township, Manalapan, Neptune City, Point Pleasant Beach and Long Branch. Stop &Shop currently operates 10 stores in Monmouth and Ocean counties.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Winn-Dixie president, chairman and CEO Peter Lynch expressed confidence in the grocer as it heads into its fourth quarter, maintaining that the grocer's estimated adjusted EBITDA will come in at the lower end of the $100 million to $130 million range for fiscal 2011, a 52-week period ending June 29, in light of relatively flat third-quarter results.

LAKELAND, Fla. — Supermarket chain Publix has confirmed the termination of the lease arrangements with The Little Clinic within select store locations in Florida and Georgia.

The move marks the end of Publix’s five-year partnership with The Little Clinic, which is part of Solera Capital’s portfolio. Solera Capital had acquired The Little Clinic’s predecessor in 2005.