STORE SPACES

New York -- The retail industry is still assessing the impact of two major deals that occurred within 24 hours of each other. On Tuesday, May, 1, shoe manufacturer Wolverine Worldwide Inc. and equity firms Blum Capital Partners and Golden Gate Capital agreed to acquire footwear giant Collective Brands Inc., operator of Payless Shoe Source, in a deal valued at $2 billion, including assumption of debt. And on Wednesday, May 2, Ascena Retail Group said it will acquire Charming Shoppes Inc., parent company of Lane Bryant, for about $890 million.

Redlands, Calif. -- Atlanta-based Arby's Restaurant Group has licensed Esri’s Business Analyst software and business data to help with corporate decision making. Arby's is using the location-based system to more accurately assess its restaurants and trade areas including growing, remodeling, and relocating restaurants.

"Esri's Business Analyst has saved our GIS analyst countless hours and has had a positive impact on the Business Development department," said Dave Conklin, senior VP business development, Arby's Restaurant Group.

Hoffman Estates, Ill. -- Sears Holdings has expanded the availability of its in-store professional apparel shop to 91 Sears and Kmart stores nationwide. The concept, called, "Scrubology," is already open in 39 stores and offers work apparel and uniforms for professionals in industrial, service and healthcare fields.

The concept is a partnership with Work 'N Gear.

Minneapolis -- Target Corp. said it has initiated remodels to expand the fresh food offerings at 90 stores across the nation, with the work expected to be completed on June 24, 2012.

The June stores will be the second of three cycles of remodels for Target this year. Stores scheduled for the June remodel cycle span markets across the country, from Des Moines, Iowa, to El Paso, Texas, and Dayton, Ohio.

By the end of the year, more than 1,100 Target stores will offer the expanded fresh food layout.

New York -- Pompei A.D. announced that Vanessa Rose has been promoted to chief marketing officer.

Previously, Rose was executive director of business development at Pompei A.D. As CMO, she will be responsible for overseeing the firm’s current expansion in the United States including Hawaii, as well as globally in Dubai and throughout Asia.
 

New York -- CBX announced the appointment of Marco Marcellini as a creative director in the retail environments group.

Marco, a native of Florence, Italy, brings over 12 years of experience as an architect and interior designer working on a wide range of high-end projects including retail, educational, cultural, corporate interiors, hospitality, and residential. In this new position at CBX he will be specializing in translating identities and brand strategies into 3D environments.

Milwaukee -- Interior Systems, which specializes in interior design, branding, seating and decor for the restaurant, retail and education industries, announced the appointment of Tony Lutz as its new president and CEO. Founder and former president and CEO, Lindsey Bovinet, is actively continuing with the company as chairman.

Prior to ISI, Lutz worked in advertising at Bell Atlantic in Philadelphia.
 

San Bernardino, Calif. -- In celebration of Earth Day, Stater Bros. said that six of the company's newest supermarkets in California have earned the prestigious EPA GreenChill Gold Award for meeting tough environmental standards and using ozone-friendly refrigerants. The certifications are good for one year. Four of the locations also received GreenChill Gold Awards in 2011 (Grand Terrace, Moreno Valley, Cathedral City and Carlsbad).

Stater Bros. is the only Southern California grocer to have six stores that are certified at the Gold Level.