Retail

Montreal -- Dollarama Inc. has named Johanne Choinière as COO, effective May 12. In this role, Choinière will be responsible for overseeing retail store operations as well as logistics, distribution and supply chain management.

Since 1999, Choinière was employed at Metro Inc., where she held increasingly senior positions across the organization, including senior VP merchandising for Metro Ontario and, most recently, senior VP of Metro's Ontario Division.

Basel, Switzerland – Switzerland’ largest food retailer, Coop, has rolled out Reflexis Task Manager to its stores. Coop uses the application to: communicate efficiently and effectively between corporate, field, and stores; improve planning; and benefit from feedback, sharing of best practices, and real-time visibility into task execution.

Littleton, Colo. — General Growth Properties plans to redevelop its 1.3 million-sq.-ft. Southwest Plaza in southwest Denver. The multi-million dollar project will renovate Center Court with open-air cafes, new seating areas, free WiFi access for social networking, new directional signage, indoor fireplaces, skylights and light coves.

Chicago — Fresh Thyme Famers Market has leased 25,000 sq. ft. at Cress Creek Square in Naperville, Ill., from Arthur Goldner & Associates. Office Max will vacate the space, and the grocer will open in 2015. CBRE represented Fresh Thyme in the transaction.

The center also hosts Binny’s, Blast Fitness and Car Quest as well as several smaller lifestyle stores and restaurants.

Washington, D.C. - The National Retail Federation is urging maritime management and the union representing dockworkers along the U.S. West Coast ports to expedite pending contract negotiations and reach agreement on a new deal well in advance of the expiration of the current contract this summer. NRF believes expedited negotiations would strengthen the supply chain and provide shippers and retailers the certainty they need to utilize the West Coast ports during the holiday shipping period, which begins in July.

Washington, D.C. - The National Retail Federation is moving forward with the creation of a program that will allow retailers to access to information on cybersecurity threats identified by other retailers, government and law enforcement agencies and partners in the financial services sector.

Chattanooga, Tenn. — In an April 11 conference call, CBL & Associates Properties provided an in-depth review of its business strategy, including a number of initiatives designed to enhance shareholder value.

On the conference call, the Company outlined the following goals and objectives through a slide presentation:

Position the portfolio to produce sustained same-center net operating income (NOI) growth of 2-4%, about double the current range of 1%-2%;

Cheshunt, U.K. -- Tesco U.K. buyers and category managers are using KSS Retail PriceStrat’s science and analytical tools to help plan and understand the impact of potential offers. Facing increased competition and consumer price sensitivity due to a slow economic recovery, Tesco has made price and promotion key areas of focus.