Sales & Marketing

Bentonville, Ark. -- Wal-Mart Stores announced that Bill Simon, president and CEO of Walmart U.S. since June 2010, is leaving the company. He will be replaced by Greg Foran, 53, president and CEO of Walmart Asia, who will take up the post on Aug. 9, reporting directly Wal-Mart president and CEO, Doug McMillon. Simon will be available on a consulting basis for the next six months to ensure a seamless transition.

Rite Aid has appointed former Roundy’s executive Darren Karst as EVP and CFO, effective Aug. 20, to succeed Frank Vitrano, who has announced he will retire in Sept. 2015. Karst will report to Rite Aid’s chairman and CEO John Standley.

Karst will be responsible for all aspects of the company’s finance, accounting, treasury, tax, investor relations, legal, risk management, internal assurance and asset protection functions.

By Tyler Roye, Co-founder and CEO, eGifter

Timberland has elevated Stewart Whitney to brand president, effective Oct. 5. Whitney, who has led Timberland’s growth in the Asia Pacific region since 2008, will report to Patrik Frisk, who has held the position since the brand’s 2011 acquisition by VF Corporation and was promoted to coalition president, Outdoor Americas for VF, in April.

Midvale, Utah – Sportsman’s Warehouse Inc. is opening a store in Spokane, Washington, in early 2015. This location will be the first of eight planned stores that will open during 2015, making a total of 63 retail stores open and operating by the end of 2015.

The National Retail Federation has joined the growing chorus of voices expecting a surge in consumer spending during the next five months to compensate for a weak start to the year.

Cincinnati -- Macy’s reported a series of new initiatives in its multi-year strategic program to enhance environmental sustainability, including a plan to begin replacing fluorescent fixtures in its store with LEDs.

Oak Brook, Ill. — Inland Real Estate Income Trust announced the acquisition of the 86,800-sq-ft. Pick ‘n Save Shopping Center in West Bend, Wisconsin. Lou Quilici, senior VP of IREIT Business Manager & Advisor, Inc., assisted Matthew Tice, VP of Inland Real Estate Acquisitions in the purchase of the property.