Retail

MARYSVILLE, Ohio — The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company has named Ivan Smith as EVP, general counsel and corporate secretary. The 10-year veteran of the company replaces former EVP Vincent Brockman, who resigned to "pursue other interests."

"Ivan possesses tremendous legal knowledge and experience and has been a strong leader throughout his career," said Jim Hagedorn, chairman and CEO. "His sound judgment and business acumen will serve ScottsMiracle-Gro well in the years to come."

Weymouth, Mass. -- Whole Foods Market has opened at Pleasant Shops in Weymouth, Mass., according to Federal Realty Investment Trust, one of the center’s joint venture owners.

The 40,000-sq.-ft. store, Whole Foods’ 23rd location in Massachusetts, will employ 140 full and part time workers.

By Niclas Qvist, Pricer

BRISBANE, Calif. — Global specialty retailer Bebe reported retail sales of $109 million for the fourth fiscal quarter ended July 6, a decrease of 8.5% compared to $119.1 million for the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2012. 

Comparable store sales for the quarter decreased 7.1% compared to a decrease of 2.5% in the fourth fiscal quarter of the prior year. The decrease was primarily driven by the negative comparable store traffic during the quarter, with April being the most negative. 

Hollywood, Fla. -- A.R.E. (Association for Retail Environments) has appointed Todd Dittman executive director, succeeding Klein Merriman, who will retire in August. In this role, Dittman, a marketing and finance executive with more than 20 years of experience, will lead A.R.E. and manage Pave, the industry educational foundation, and the Retail Design Institute, working with each organization’s volunteer officers and boards of directors. The appointment is effective Aug. 1.

New York -- The London Candy Co. has taken 1,000 sq. ft. on Bleecker Street in Manhattan’s West Village, according to RKF, which brokered the deal.

The new candy and coffee shop will replace the retailer’s existing location at Lexington and East 94th Street.

New York -- Uniqlo is expanding its U.S. footprint. The Japanese apparel retailer, a division of Fast Company, will open 10 more U.S. stores this fall, in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and California.
 
The new locations, all in shopping centers, will bring the brand’s presence in the United States to a total of 17 sites.

The 10 new Uniqlo locations include:

A five-year plan spearheaded by Walmart, Gap and other U.S. retailers requiring factories in Bangladesh to be inspected within a year is under fire, according to a Bloomberg report.