Retail Execution

Houston -- Brixmor Property Group said that Petco will open a new 12,150-sq.-ft. store at Merchants Park, in Houston.

Brixmor, based in New York City, is the owner of Merchants Park.

GREENSBORO, N.C. — The Fresh Market, a high growth specialty retailer of high quality food products, has announced the resignation of Randy Kelley as SVP real estate and development who will leave the company to pursue a new business opportunity. Kelley will remain with the company through early spring.

A new smartphone app Walmart unveiled to suppliers on Thursday has the potential to drive improved in-stock levels and increase associate efficiency.

New York -- Walmart will open as many as 115 small-format stores this year, according to Bill Simon, president and CEO of Walmart U.S.  

Simon discussed the chain’s store portfolio during a presentation at Raymond James Institutional Investors conference. He noted that Walmart’s smaller-format stores (below 60,000 sq. ft.) are making inroads against dollar stores, supermarkets and drug stores and will play a key role in the company's future.  

New York -- A Friday report by Reuters revealed that J.C. Penney CEO Ron Johnson was well aware that the retailer’s deal with Martha Stewart would step on Macy’s toes, but testified in court that the company decided to move forward anyway.

Attorneys for Macy’s in New York state court on Friday presented Johnson with an email he sent to a Penney board member saying that Stewart would have to break her agreement with Macy’s if Johnson was going to “pull off” a deal with her.

New York -- RKF said it has arranged a 2,100-sq.-ft. lease for GNC at 302 Canal Street in downtown Manhattan.

The new store, which will consist of 1,050 sq. ft. on both the ground floor and basement of the building, is located less than one block east of Broadway near Mercer Street.  It will become GNC’s 47th Manhattan location when it officially opens this spring.

With this latest lease transaction, RKF has arranged five retail leases in New York City on behalf of GNC.

Dallas -- SRS Real Estate Partners said that Cody Persyn has been named VP of the company’s Houston office.

Persyn will focus on disposition, investment sales, and land brokerage.

Royal Palm Beach, Fla. -- Jones Lang LaSalle Retail announced that the firm has been retained by Clarion Partners as the exclusive leasing and management agent for Coral Sky Plaza in Royal Palm Beach, Fla.

The 233,000-sq.-ft. strip center is anchored by BJ’s Wholesale Club and is currently 97% leased.

Coral Sky Plaza is tenanted by Ross Dress for Less, Bed Bath & Beyond, Buy Buy Baby and BJ’s Wholesale Club. Jones Lang LaSalle said it is currently seeking high-impact retailers to fill a vacant endcap space.