Supply Chain & Merchandising

LENEXA, Kan. — A little more than two weeks after bringing in former Safeway executive Steve Rempel as its new president and CEO, Balance Innovations has named Jay Atkinson its EVP of business development. 

In this role, Atkinson will be responsible for managing the national sales team, as well as the development and execution of the company's sales strategy.

ISSAQUAH, Wash. — Costco reported net sales of $8.1 billion for May 2013, an increase of 7% from $7.6 billion during the same period last year.

For the 39-week period ended June 2, the company reported net sales of $77 billion, an increase of 8% from $71 billion during the same period last year.

The company’s same-store sales rose 5% in May, but they were lower than anticipated because of the negative impact of changes in gasoline prices and foreign exchange rates.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Linens and ladies’ casual and career sportswear buoyed Stein Mart’s total sales for May. The company reported total sales of $107.3 million for the month, an increase of 3.6% from $103.6 million for May last year. 

Comparable store sales increased 8.2%.

Atlanta -- A just-released report by Jones Lang LaSalle Retail found that three trends — in retail investing, retail expansion and e-commerce — are making national borders increasingly irrelevant to the retail industry. According to Jones Lang LaSalle’s “Global Capital Flows,” retail investment captured 25% of the total global market share of real estate investment in first quarter 2013.

SPARKS, Md. — McCormick has appointed Lawrence Kurzius as the company’s president, global consumer and chief administrative officer. 

In this role, Kurzius will be charged with McCormick's consumer business globally as well as several of the company's corporate functions, including IT, supply chain, R&D and quality assurance. Kurzius will also chair the Global Consumer Strategy Council in his new role.  

New York -- Ann Inc., which runs the Ann Taylor and Loft,  reported that its fiscal first-quarter net income dropped 27%, as unseasonably cold weather held back sales of spring and summer clothing and led to discounts. The retailer also cut its revenue outlook for the year.

Atlanta -- Jones Lang LaSalle has announced that its retail group, in an exclusive deal, will lease and manage Shenandoah Plaza in Newnan, Ga. Anchoring the 146,121-sq.-ft. property are Big Lots, Rent-A-Center and Goodwill.

The property is currently 100% occupied. John Bemis, southeast retail market lead, and Janine Christian, senior VP, will direct JLL’s team on the assignment.

Washington, D.C. -- Los Angeles, New York and Chicago top the list of the cities with the highest organized retail crime activity, with Miami and Atanta rounding out the top five, according to a study by the National Retail Federation.

The NRF’s ninth annual Organized Retail Crime (ORC) Survey found that while organized crime has inched down slightly, it remains widespread. Over 90% (93.5%) of retailers said they had been a victim of organized retail crime during the past year, down from 96% the prior year.