Retail

Arlington, Va. -- The passage of comprehensive tax reform and a more level playing field between online retailers and Main Street retailers for sales tax collection top the Retail Industry Leaders Association’s public policy priorities for 2013.

According to RILA, the retail industry pays among the highest domestic effective tax rates at 36.4% more than 10 percentage points higher than the average for all other industries.

CARLISLE, Pa. — Ahold has appointed the former head of one of its European supermarket chains to an executive position in its U.S. division.

Ahold USA said it appointed Jan van Dam as EVP supply chain and e-commerce, in which he will focus on supply chain for the company's four U.S. divisions, Stop & Shop in the New York area and New England, Giant-Landover and Giant-Carlisle. He will also be responsible for the company's e-commerce business with Andrew Parkinson, president and general manager of online grocery company Peapod, reporting to him.

By Jeff Weidauer, [email protected]

TORONTO — Canadian consumers eager to get their hands on a Target loyalty card can now apply for one. Target Canada announced that pplications for its REDcard products - the Target Debit Card and the Target RBC‡ MasterCard - are now available online at Target.ca/redcard. Guests planning to shop at Target stores in Canada with a REDcard will receive an additional 5% off Target's already low prices, applied instantly at the time of purchase.

New York -- Winick Realty Group said Tuesday it has been appointed the exclusive broker for Desi Shack, a fast-casual South Asian restaurant concept with one current location in Midtown East.

Desi Shack plans to open two more locations within the next 12 months, seeking sites measuring 600 sq. ft. to 1,500 sq. ft. in the Financial District, Midtown East, Midtown West, Flatiron, Union Square, the Upper East Side and the Upper West Side of Manhattan.

ROSEVILLE, Calif. — Revionics a provider of end-to-end merchandise optimization solutions has renewed its software contract with Family Dollar. This renewal agreement will extend Family Dollar’s services with Revionics Price Optimization. Family Dollar will be leveraging Revionics’ solutions in each of its more than 7,600 stores in 45 states.

FOOTHILLS RANCH, Calif.  —  The Wet Seal Inc. on Friday announced that its COO is resigning as the struggling retailer initiates a corporate workforce reduction as part of a broader cost-saving initiative. In other moves, it will shutter two poor-performing Arden B stores.

The struggling chain, which also authorized a $25 million stock buyback program, said president and COO Ken Seipel resigned effective immediately. His position will not be filled. Instead, Seipel's duties will be shared between CEO John Goodman and CFO Steve Benrubi.

MINNEAPOLIS — Supervalu has named Sam Duncan president and CEO.