News

CINCINNATI -- Macy's Inc. has announced the planned locations for three new Bloomingdale's Outlet stores to open in fall 2011. They will join the first four Bloomingdale's Outlet stores opened in fall 2010 as the concept was launched.

• Stores will open in the following shopping centers:

• Miromar Outlets, Estero, Fla. (25,000 sq. ft.t; opening planned for September 2011);

With Mother’s Day right around the corner, General Growth Properties teamed up with Broyhill to give shoppers an opportunity to enter a contest to win mom an entire Broyhill living set, valued at more than $4,000. To enter, customers can simply visit a participating mall’s Facebook page and in 150 words or less, tell why “mom” is the best! The grand prize is a seven-piece furniture set, featuring pieces from the Perspectives collection, including a sofa, two chairs, square coffee table and more.

A Reuter’s report this week quotes the manager of a Target store in Rogers, Ark., regarding the fact that Mike Duke, president and CEO of Wal-Mart Stores Inc., is an occasional visitor in his store. Well of course he is. And so are hundreds if not thousands of other Walmart employees.

NAPERVILLE, Ill.  -- Former Walmart merchandising and store operations executive Michael Lewis was named EVP and president of retail at OfficeMax. Lewis will report to OfficeMax president and CEO Ravi Saligram and have responsibility for all aspects of the company’s retail business including merchandising, store operations and real estate.

New York  City -- Three Stop & Shop stores in the Boston area on Monday will launch a software app from ModivMedia that allow customers with iPhones to scan grocery items and add them to an electronic shopping cart, The Boston Globe reported.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill.  -- Sears Holdings announced that through April 23, customers can trade in their old automotive, lawn and garden, marine or power sport battery to be recycled through any Sears Auto Center nationwide and receive a $10 Sears gift card.

David Krause has been appointed SVP of category management at the Brookshire Grocery Co., based in Tyler, Texas. Krause spent the past 11 years as a principal consultant and senior manager at Capgemini where he worked with U.S. grocers to evaluate, refine and standardize processes in fresh foods, category management and supply chain. 

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — Just in time for Earth Day, Fresh & Easy has introduced its private-label household cleaning and paper products.

The retailer's Green Things line, which now is available in stores, features household cleaners that are made with plant-based formulas, are biodegradable and pH-neutral and also are made without such chemicals as 1,4-dioxane, phosphates, dyes or perfumes.