BRIEFLY IN BUSINESS

Dunes Waterfront Resort GM promoted to VP

Newport Beach Visitors and Convention Bureau Vice Chairman Andrew Theodorou was promoted from general manager to vice president of Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort in Newport Beach. Theodorou, who also serves on the board of the Newport Chamber of Commerce, will continue managing the 100-acre facility with a 386-site RV park, 450-slip marina and the beach.

He will also take on new responsibilities of improving tourism in the area and plan community events. Theodorou is credited with developing the resort’s restaurant the Back Bay Café into an acclaimed eatery. He also worked on concepts such as offering mobile cottages for people who don’t own RVs but want to stay at the park, renovating the boat launching facility and other aesthetic improvements.

Theodorou, a Trabuco Canyon resident, has also helped plan events such as waterfront concerts in Newport Beach, boat shows, corporate events, and the city’s Fourth of July festivities. He was recently awarded the rank of “commodore” by the Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce for his services.

Pioneer retail store at South Coast Plaza

Pioneer Electronics will open its first retail store in South Coast Plaza in August. The Pioneer Co. store plans to offer its high-end sound and home theater systems at the store in Costa Mesa.

Pioneer executives are looking at conducting research for future product development and test new products, available in Japan, at the store. Company officials said in a news release they will collect data for product research by interviewing customers and store staff.

Pioneer plans to use focus groups and surveys with interior designers, architects and home entertainment specialists.

Fletcher Jones employs new strategy

Newport Beach luxury car dealership Fletcher Jones Motorcar implemented a new operating strategy to keep its No. 1 spot as the nation’s best-selling Mercedes-Benz dealership.

The dealership believes the “Three Ps” philosophy ? people, products and processes ? will help Fletcher Jones meet sales targets in a mixed market for automobile sales. The dealership had annual sales of $569 million in 2005 and employs 600 people.

Fletcher Jones has opened a new off-site facility “Stuttgart West” in Irvine to house additional inventories. It’s also in the midst of a $20-million expansion that includes relocating the airport shuttle hub, new vehicle prep station and other services to Irvine.

The expansion is part of the auto dealership’s effort to streamline operations, time and pass on the cost savings to its customers.