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CARLISLE, Pa. — Ahold USA has appointed former Jewel-Osco executive Nick Bertram as its SVP store strategy and execution.

At Jewel-Osco, Bertram oversaw operations across Illinois, Indiana and Iowa. He was also SVP of Supervalu and worked in executive positions at Walmart in Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio and Pennsylvania. His new position at Ahold USA will be based out of the company's Carlisle, Pa., headquarters. 

Denver — Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage plans to open freestanding locations in Beaverton and Bend, Oregon in August.

The Woodlands, Texas – Conn’s Inc. is opening a Conn’s HomePlus store in Phoenix. The location marks the specialty chain’s second store in the Phoenix metro market and third store in Arizona.

Conn’s operates 72 retail locations, with 58 in Texas, six in Louisiana, three in each Arizona and Oklahoma, and two in New Mexico.

Chicago — Sleepy’s has signed into two Chicagoland shopping centers as part of the mattress chain’s expansion in the mid-west.

According to Mid-America Asset Management Inc. www.midamericagrp.com, which handles leasing for both centers, Sleepy’s has taken 6,075 sq. ft. at Cicero Annex in Chicago and 6,507 sq. ft. at Willow Creek Center in Glenview. The Chicago location plans to open this summer; the Glenview store opened recently.

PITTSBURGH — GNC Holdings has named Carmine Fortino as EVP, business development. Fortino has extensive experience in the natural products industry and was also a former director of General Nutrition Centers, Inc. from 2007-2011.

"Carmine is a great addition to the GNC senior management team. His background in multichannel development across the health and wellness segment will enhance our approach to new market opportunities as we continue to implement GNC's proven growth strategy," said Joseph Fortunato, GNC's chairman, president and CEO.

Big 5 Sporting Goods Corporation saw a slight uptick in customer traffic and same-store sales improvement for each of its major product categories — apparel, footwear and hardgoods — which contributed to a 4.4% same-store sales increase for the second quarter ended June 30 compared to the prior-year period. 

Net sales for the quarter increased to $239.9 million from $226.6 million for the second quarter last year. 

SILVER SPRING, Md. — Regency Centers Corp. and a co-investment partner have acquired the 31,316-sq.-ft. Shoppes of Burnt Mills in Silver Spring, Md., just north of Washington, D.C., for $13.6 million. Regency’s share of the off-market acquisition was $1.7 million.

CANTON, Mass. — Dunkin’ Donuts recently opened two new stores at Great Wolf Lodge resorts in Michigan and Virginia. These are the second and third restaurants to open from a franchising agreement between Dunkin' Donuts and Great Wolf Resorts, which debuted its first Dunkin' Donuts location in 2009 at the Great Wolf Lodge in Concord, N.C.