Retail

Indianapolis -- Simon Property Group announced that it has named Liz Zale as senior VP in a newly created role overseeing corporate affairs and communications, effective May 1.  

Zale's responsibilities will include supervision of Simon’s investor relations, public relations, corporate communications, and government relations functions.
 
She previously served as senior VP investor relations for Nielsen Holdings.

New York -- Multibillion dollar transactions drove U.S. retail and consumer deals during the first quarter of 2013, according to PwC US.

For the three month period ending March 31, 2013, there were a total of 27 deals in the retail and consumer sector with disclosed values greater than $50 million, accounting for $39.8 billion in deal value. Deal volume increased 59% from the 17 deals during the first quarter 2012, while deal value rose 590% from $5.8 billion in first quarter 2012.  

Melville, N.Y. -- A&G Realty Partners announced Monday that former executive VP of real estate for Charming Shoppes, Jonathon Graub, has joined the firm as principal.

Graub will leverage his background to advise clients on strategic growth opportunities and to assist with their real estate operations.
 

PORTLAND, Ore. — Columbia Sportswear Company has appointed Shawn Cox as SVP of retail, a newly created position that will report directly to president and CEO Tim Boyle.

In his new role, Cox, 49, will be responsible for leading the company’s brick-and-mortar retail and e-commerce operations in the U.S., Europe and Canada.

Cox has 24 years of experience developing, managing and improving profitability of branded retail networks with operations in the U.S., Europe, South America, Middle East and Asia.

GOODLETTSVILLE, Tenn. — Dollar General and Procter & Gamble are teaming up to honor a Florida mom as its official Every Day Hero for the month of May.

SEATTLE — Starbucks reported that its second-quarter profit rose 26% to $390.4 million, up from $309.9 million last year, amid sales increases in the Americas and Asia regions.

Total net revenue for the quarter ended March 31 rose 11% to $3.56 billion, not quite the $3.58 billion Wall Street expected. Global same-store store sales grew 6%, driven by a 4% increase in traffic and a 2% increase in average ticket, marking the 13th consecutive quarter of global comp growth greater than 5%. 

New York -- Giving a much-needed boost to J.C. Penney Co., George Soros’ Soros Fund Management bought 17.4 million shares of the troubled retailer, according to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  

The stake, which was seen as a vote of confidence in returning CEO Mike Ullman, makes the billionaire investor the fourth-largest Penney shareholder, with a 7.9% stake.

New York -- A Friday report by CNBC said that Goldman Sachs has lined up a $1.75 billion financing package for J.C. Penney Co., backed by the retailer’s real estate and other assets.

The news, which has not yet been confirmed by Penney, comes a day after investor George Soros reported a 7.9% stake in the company.

Earlier this month, Penney borrowed $850 million from its $1.85 billion revolving credit facility to boost its cash position and buy inventory.