Retail

Cincinnati -- Macy’s on Monday announced a series of changes to its senior executive leadership team, effective immediately. The changes include the creation of the newly-created role of chief omni-channel officer, which will be filled by Robert B. Harrison, previously Macy’s EVP for omni-channel strategy. Harrison, who will join the company’s executive committee, will report directly to Macy’s chief executive Terry Lundgren.
 

Woodland Hills, Calif. -- Great American Group said Friday it has been selected to handle the liquidation of Bakers Footwear Group, offering discounts for products in 56 of Bakers Footwear Groups’ remaining stores, as well as online at Bakersshoes.com.

Bakers locations in Alabama, California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Virginia are part of the sale event.
 

New York -- Mexican supermarket and restaurant operator Gigante has entered into a joint venture with Petco Animal Supplies to open at least 50 stores in Mexico and other Latin American countries over seven years, Reuters reported.

The first two Petco stores will open this year in Mexico City and Guadalajara, Gigante said in a release to the stock exchange.

The financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

Oakbrook Terrace, Ill. -- A Friday report by Mid-America Real Estate Corp. found that 2012 shopping center construction in the Chicagoland area grew 10% year-over-year, after a four-year decline.

According to the 2012-2013 Chicagoland Shopping Center Report, square footage increased from 1.02 million sq. ft. of space in 2011 to 1.14 million sq. ft. – a difference of about 113,000 sq. ft.

Armonk, N.Y. -- Online fashion retailer Privalia said Friday it is working with IBM to boost its expanding online sales business through mobile and social channels.

Privalia organizes online flash sales, a phenomena that offers personalized, limited-time offers to consumers at attractive prices.

By Bradley W. Snyder, [email protected]

Carson, Calif. -- A Friday report by the Associated Press said that the home of Los Angeles’ professional soccer team will likely be getting a new name.

The Home Depot Center, which also includes facilities for tennis, track and field, baseball, basketball and other sports, as well as serves as an official training site for U.S. Olympians, is nearing the end of the $70 million, 10-year naming rights period, and Home Depot spokeswoman Jean Niemi told AP that the retailer does not plan to renew the deal.

Philadelphia -- Teen and tween retailer Five Below will open 60 stores this year, including its first-ever locations in Texas.

The retailer said it will open four to five stores in Austin, Texas, and 10 to 12 stores in Dallas by late summer, with the potential for more than 100 stars in the Lone Star Sate stores over time.