New York City — Subsequent to its successful re-launch in 2017, the iconic toy retailer FAO Schwarz continues its international growth strategy, propelling the brand into new global markets, channels and categories. FAO Schwarz also recently revealed plans to build a new 20,000-square-foot flagship location in the heart of New York’s historic Rockefeller Plaza in time for the holiday 2018 season.
retailers
Cincinnati and Blackburn, U.K. — The Kroger Co. and EG Group, a privately-held petrol forecourt convenience store retailer based in Blackburn, Lancashire, U.K., have agreed to the sale of Kroger’s convenience store business unit to EG Group for $2.15 billion. The companies expect to close the transaction during the first quarter of Kroger’s fiscal year.
Milwaukee — The Bon-Ton Stores Inc. has unveiled the 42 store locations that will be closing as part of a previously announced “store rationalization program.” The closing locations are in addition to five other recently announced store closures, four of which the company completed at the end of January.
New York City — RD Management LLC, one of the nation’s largest privately held real-estate development and management organizations, has hired Christopher Bowen as chief development strategist to manage the redevelopment project of University Mall in Tampa, Fla. Bowen brings over 25 years of national commercial development experience.
Cincinnati — The Kroger Co. has named key leadership promotions to support Restock Kroger. Steve McKinney, currently president of the Fry’s Food Stores division, has been promoted to senior vice president of retail divisions for the company, effective February 5, 2018. Monica Garnes, currently corporate vice president of produce-floral merchandising, will succeed McKinney as president of the Fry’s division.
Boca Raton, Fla. — Office Depot, Inc. has unveiled its market makeover of 14 stores in Austin, Texas, including a flagship location — “BizBox: Powered by Office Depot” — that integrate the company’s recently launched BizBox offering into its retail locations.