Supply Chain & Merchandising

DALLAS – United Commercial Realty has named Robert Luleff as SVP. Robert is well respected in retail real estate and has consistently been a top performer in the Dallas-Fort Worth market. 

Luleff will join UCR’s retail services platform and will be instrumental in serving both the company’s institutional shopping center owner clients and 100+ national and regional retail clients.  Currently, he is handling the office product project leasing at Southlake Town Square, as well as various leasing assignments in the DFW area.

New York City -- VP Corp. plans to open 400 U.S. stores across its various brands during the next years. The company, whose stable of banners include Vans and The North Face, discussed its plans at an investor conference held recently in New York City.

In addition to the U.S. expansion, VF is looking to open some 225 stores in Europe and 80 in Asia. The expansion is expected to bring the company’s global store count to 1,500 units.

NEW YORK — After Apple began giving consumers the option to receive paperless receipts, it seems that other retailers are following suit, according to published reports.

Sam’s Club has installed multiple self-checkout lanes at its club in Bentonville as part of a test that is reportedly limited to three clubs. At the Bentonville location, the two self-checkout lanes are easily identified with a large triangular overhead sign that says, “Self Checkout” Additional signs at the entry to the checkout lane call out the payment process with the words, “scan, pay, go.” Nearby, two additional self-checkout payment terminals are positioned on opposite sides of a table for shoppers with smaller purchases.

Warrendale, Pa. -- Apparel retailer Rue21 plans to double the size of its current 189,600-sq.-ft. distribution center in Weirton, W. Va. Development plans call for the construction of 180,000 sq. ft. of additional storage space, additional receiving docks, and improved truck circulation areas.

Canton, Mass. -- Casual Male Retail Group reported net income of $5.3 million for its fourth quarter, up from $3.6 million in the year ago period. The retailer also said it will expand its superstore format, Destination XL, with 10 to 14 new stores due to open this year.

Sales for the quarter ended Jan. 29 were up 0.7% to $111.5 million, from $110.7 million a year ago. Same-store sales rose 2.9%.

Fort Wayne, Ind.-based Do it Best Corp. announced the appointment of new merchandise managers to replace three retiring managers, effective April 1, 2011.

The co-op appointed Gary Loosle for lawn and garden – green goods, Josh Meyer for paint and sundries, and Chris Steinlicht for rental and store supplies.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. -- Walmart announced it has eliminated more than 80% of the waste that would go to landfills from its operations in California by implementing a comprehensive waste reduction program. The results far exceed national average where EPA estimates only 45% of waste is diverted from landfills and the California rate of 65%.

The program is now being rolled out across the chain’s 4,400 stores, Sam’s Club locations and distribution centers in the United States, moving the retailer closer to its global goal of creating zero waste.