San Francisco — Jeff Kirwan, president and CEO of Gap brand, will leave Gap Inc. A search is underway for a new president of Gap brand. In the interim, Brent Hyder, currently serving as Gap Inc.’s executive vice president, global talent and sustainability, will oversee the brand.
retailers
Cincinnati — Kroger has opened its Culinary Innovation Center in downtown Cincinnati. Kroger commenced construction on the 12,000-square-feet, LEED-designed Center in March 2017. The commercial kitchen features multiple cooking stations, spaces and capabilities, including technology that allows video streaming of educational sessions to Kroger associates across the country.
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.
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.