Chain Store Age Executive Fax articles from August 2004

Chain Store Age Executive Fax archives from August 2004

New stores, new markets.(Brief Article)
August 6, 2004... Chico's plans to open its first store in High Point, N.C., next month at Oak Hollow Village.... Later this year, Best Buy will open in Valdosta, Ga.; Idaho Falls, Idaho; Salisbury, Md.; Hattiesburg, Miss.; Pinehurst and Rocky Mount, N.C.;...

Cool weather cools July sales, apparel sector declines 1.3%.(Illustration)
August 6, 2004... July sales soared at luxury apparel chains, with Saks Fifth Avenue Enterprises, Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus all reporting strong same-sales gains: 12.8%, 6.1% and 16.6%, respectively. However, overall apparel specialty sales decreased 1.3% in...

Royal Ahold appointed Alex Gibbons as its CIO, effective immediately.(People In The News)(Brief Article)
August 6, 2004... Royal Ahold appointed Alex Gibbons as its CIO, effective immediately. He will oversee the grocer's U.S. and European IT operations. Gibbons, a founder of the Transora data exchange, joins Ahold from Pillsbury/Diageo, where he served as CIO.

Wet Seal gave its CEO, Peter Whitford, the added post of chairman, effective Aug. 18.(People In The News)(Brief Article)
August 6, 2004... Wet Seal gave its CEO, Peter Whitford, the added post of chairman, effective Aug. 18. He replaces Irving Teitelbaum, who has been chairman since 1984. Teitelbaum will focus on his duties as chairman and CEO of lingerie chain La Senza Corp.,...

Robin Burns is stepping down as CEO and president of Intimate Beauty Corp. and Victoria's Secret Beauty Co., a division of Limited Brand.(People In The News)(Brief Article)
August 6, 2004... Robin Burns is stepping down as CEO and president of Intimate Beauty Corp. and Victoria's Secret Beauty Co., a division of Limited Brands. The company has yet to name a replacement.

Alloy, Inc.(People In The News)(Jim Johnson)(Brief Article)
August 6, 2004... Alloy, Inc. gave its COO, Jim Johnson, the added post of CFO. Sam Gradess, Alloy's former CFO, will remain with the company as a director and executive VP.

New value-priced supermarket chain.(Extreme of Albertson's, will take over the seven locations )(Brief Article)
August 6, 2004... Seven Albertson's stores will take on a new look next month. Extreme, a subsidiary of Albertson's, will take over the seven locations on Aug. 26, and change them over to the value-priced Super Saver format. Five stores will be located in...

After field's, target sells Mervyn's.(Brief Article)
August 6, 2004... Chalk up another retail division to list as "discontinuing operations." Following the sale of its Marshall Field's division, Target is selling its West Coast department store chain, Mervyn's, to an investment consortium based in the San...

Home depot invests in Texas IT center.(Lone Star State )(Brief Article)
August 6, 2004... The Lone Star State will be taking on a new IT project on behalf of The Home Depot. The home improvement retailer said this week that it will create a new information-technology center in Austin, Texas, and a separate customer-service center...

Wal-mart denies public-assistance claim.(California)(Brief Article)
August 6, 2004... Wal-Mart this week challenged research that claims the state of California paid roughly $86 million in public assistance to Wal-Mart employees in 2001 due to low wages and poor benefits. The research, from the Labor Center at the University of...

This week's retail news nuggets.(Brief Article)
August 6, 2004... The Children's Place signed a nonbinding letter of intent to acquire the Disney Store chain from Walt Disney Co., or operate it under a license agreement.... Colonial Properties Trust bought three properties from Ross Matz Investments, Inc. for...

New stores, new markets.(Brief Article)
August 13, 2004... Boater's World opens later this month in Chattanooga, Tenn., near Hamilton Mall.... T.J. Maxx just added a store in Manteca, Calif., its second store in San Joaquin County. zThe chain also will open later this month at Hermitage (Pa.) Towne...

Toys 'R' Us prepares to split; considers sale of toy business.(Brief Article)
August 13, 2004... Toys "R" Us might soon be more accurately described as Toys "Were" Us. The Wayne, N.J.-based toy giant is exploring the possible sale of its global toy business while it takes steps to separate Babies "R" Us from its toy business. The chain is...

Los Angeles adds burden to builders.(city council )(Brief Article)
August 13, 2004... Big-box stores received a development setback this week in Los Angeles. The city council gave preliminary approval to a proposed ordinance that could restrict supercenters. The council voted 12-1 to endorse a proposal that would require large...

Ross stores goes lower with dd's.(Brief Article)
August 13, 2004... Ross Stores is preparing to launch dd's Discounts, an off-price concept targeting lower-income shoppers. The company describes the concept's merchandise as brand-name fashions at prices 20% to 70% lower than at moderate department and national...

SuperValu.(People In The News)(Brief Article)
August 13, 2004... SuperValu named Matthew Desmond corporate VP of real estate. In addition, Desmond was elected as an officer of the company.

Spartn Stores.(People In The News)(Brief Article)
August 13, 2004... Spartan Stores shareholders elected two directors: Gregory Josefowicz, president and CEO of Borders Group, and Craig G. Sturken, Spartan's chairman, president and CEO.

Design Within Reach.(People In The News)(Brief Article)
August 13, 2004... Design Within Reach, the high-end furniture chain, appointed Tara Poseley as VP, merchandising. She worked for 15 years at Gap.

The Bombay Co.(People In The News)(Brief Article)
August 13, 2004... The Bombay Co. appointed Paul Myrick to VP, real estate. Myrick previously was a real estate executive for Kinko's. The Bombay Co. also named Sean Bogue as VP of financial planning and analysis. Most recently a consultant for Bombay, he also...

Chico's FAS.(People In The News)(Brief Article)
August 13, 2004... Chico's FAS appointed Chuck Nesbit as senior VP of strategic planning and business development. Nesbit will have joint oversight of the retailer's new Soma intimate apparel initiative. He previously spent 20 years with Sara Lee Corp.

Kirkland's senior VP of merchandising and general merchandise manager Chris LaFont resigned to pursue other interests, the company said.(People In The News)(Brief Article)
August 13, 2004... Kirkland's senior VP of merchandising and general merchandise manager Chris LaFont resigned to pursue other interests, the company said. Al Oliver, VP of merchandising, will take over the job until a replacement can be found.

Victor Alfaro resigned from youth-apparel chain Wet Seal where he was the creative director.(People In The News)(Brief Article)
August 13, 2004... Victor Alfaro resigned from youth-apparel chain Wet Seal where he was the creative director. The chain also announced the appointment of Gary White to the new position of senior VP, stores and operations.

Dillard's unloads its credit business.(Brief Article)
August 13, 2004... Yet another credit portfolio has been outsourced. Dillard's agreed to sell its private-label credit-card business to GE Consumer Finance for about $1.25 billion. With the deal, GE takes over the sixth-largest private-label credit-card division...

At Kmart: fewer store sales, HQ cuts.(Brief Article)
August 13, 2004... Kmart Holding Corp. revised the maximum number of stores it plans to sell to The Home Depot to 19. Under the revised agreement, Kmart will sell no fewer than 13 stores for $173 million in cash and up to 19 stores for $288.5 million. Previously,...

Chains pay to settle antitrust case.(Brief Article)
August 13, 2004... New York's tableware conspiracy caper has run its course. The result: Federated Department Stores and May Department Stores Co. agreed to pay the state less than $1 million each in civil penalties, resolving antitrust allegations. The chains...

This week's retail news nuggets.(Target Corp. to test radio-frequency identification technology )(Brief Article)
August 13, 2004... Target Corp. will begin testing radio-frequency identification technology at a distribution center and 10 stores in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.... Borders and Starbucks Corp.'s Seattle's Best Coffee have inked a deal to allow Borders to...

New stores, new markets.(Brief Article)
August 20, 2004... 99 Cents Only Stores will open its second store in Ventura, Calif., bringing its total store count to 211.... Luxury accessories company Ghurka opened a flagship in Chicago on Michigan Avenue.... Acme Markets is opening two new grocery stores...

In back-to-school retail sales, college kids spend the most.(Brief Article)
August 20, 2004... Retailers selling back-to-school merchandise may want to focus their efforts on students attending school away from home. According to a survey conducted by BIGresearch on behalf of the National Retail Federation, the average college student...

Casual Male gets bigger and taller.(Brief Article)
August 20, 2004... Men's big-and-tall apparel retailer Casual Male expanded its corporate waistline this week by acquiring Rochester Big and Tall Clothing for $15 million in cash. The move gives Casual Male a greater presence in the big-and-tall suit and...

Costco branches into the afterlife.(Brief Article)
August 20, 2004... Taking a page out of "Six Feet Under," Costco began selling six models of caskets at two of its stores in the Chicago area this week. Made by Universal Casket Co., the caskets, which cost $799.99 and are sold through in-store kiosks, can be...

Restoration Hardware.(People In The News)(Brief Article)
August 20, 2004... Restoration Hardware named former Krispy Kreme COO John Tate as its new executive VP, COO. He replaces Tom Bazzone, who resigned last December to join Michaels Stores....

Bebe stores.(People In The News)(Brief Article)
August 20, 2004... bebe stores elected its CEO Greg Scott to its board....

Wilsons Leather.(People In The News)(Brief Article)
August 20, 2004... Wilsons Leather gave Peter Michielutti, executive VP, CFO, the added position of COO....

Sears.(People In The News)(Brief Article)
August 20, 2004... Sears named Rodney Birkins, a former J.C. Penney executive, senior VP of sourcing, effective Sept. 1. Sears also named Paul Jones to head its men's apparel business. Jones formerly served as senior VP of men's wear merchandising at Kohl's....

Debbie Nash resigned as VP, general merchandise manager of retail at Gymboree.(People In The News)(Brief Article)
August 20, 2004... Debbie Nash resigned as VP, general merchandise manager of retail at Gymboree. Her responsibilities will be assumed by Kip Garcia, senior VP of merchandising, kids....

Linda Siluk will resign as senior VP, CFO of Party City.(People In The News)(Brief Article)
August 20, 2004... Linda Siluk will resign as senior VP, CFO of Party City. While her successor has been chosen, his name will not be announced until mid-September....

Limited Brands.(People In The News)(Brief Article)
August 20, 2004... Limited Brands appointed Jill Granoff as COO and Sherry Baker as president of its Victoria's Secret Beauty unit.

A new look for an old toy landmark.(Brief Article)
August 20, 2004... Taking a page out of its Times Square rival's handbook, FAO Schwarz' flagship store on Fifth Avenue in New York City will feature a mini-amusement park and a food court when it reopens in time for the holiday season, according to the New York...

Study: if you serve them, they will buy.(Brief Article)
August 20, 2004... When customer-service representatives pay better attention to basic customer concerns, sales follow. That's the finding of a new survey by Boston-based The Forum Corp., which reported that consumers are most likely to buy when the...

National Stores buys out Factory 2-U.(Brief Article)
August 20, 2004... Factory 2-U Stores agreed to sell all of its assets to a group of entities called Factory 2-U Acquisition for $28 million. The group consists of National Stores, The Alamo Group, Garcel and The Ozer Group. National Stores operates 72 Fallas...

Amazon buys Chinese retailer Joyo.com.(Brief Article)
August 20, 2004... The world's biggest e-retailer has just added its seventh global Web site. Amazon.com is spending roughly $75 million to acquire Chinese Web merchant Joyo.com, which sells books, music, movies and toys. The move gives Amazon entry into China's...

This week's retail news nuggets.(Brief Article)
August 20, 2004... BJ's Wholesale will test a new concept in New York called ProFoods Restaurant Supply, designed to meet the needs of small restaurant chains. It will be open only to representatives from restaurants and foodservice institutions.... Urban Retail...

New stores, new markets.(Brief Article)
August 27, 2004... Columbus Commons opened its doors in Philadelphia with IKEA as one of the tenants. Lowe's, Best Buy, Pier 1 Imports, R&S Strauss and Linens 'n Things are all slated to open there later this year. More recently, Best Buy opened at Kentucky Oaks...

At halftime, Gap eyes new store formats, overseas expansion.(Brief Article)
August 27, 2004... Will Old Navy and Banana Republic soon be joining their sister chain Gap overseas? It's not off the meter, as the retailer announced this week that it is looking for new ways of restarting its international expansion after a three-year pause....

General Growth 'rouses' up mall world.(Brief Article)
August 27, 2004... Marking the third big acquisition between mall owners this summer, General Growth Properties is spending a total of $12.6 billion to acquire Columbia, Md.-based Rouse Co., which owns all or part of about 50 retail properties. Among Rouse's...

Kohl's to pursue the Sunshine State.(Brief Article)
August 27, 2004... After making its entry into the Golden State, Kohl's is now planning on entering the Sunshine State. At a recent meeting hosted by the International Council of Shopping Centers in Orlando, Fla., Jim McPhail, Kohl's real estate manager, said the...

Sears named Luis Padilla as president of merchandising, a new position for the company.(People In The News)(Brief Article)
August 27, 2004... Sears named Luis Padilla as president of merchandising, a new position for the company. He most recently was executive VP of merchandising at Target's Marshall Field's unit, which was sold to May Co. Following his appointment, Sears said it was...

Saks, Inc. named Stephen Byers as executive VP of stores, visual merchandising for its Carson Pirie Scott unit.(People In The News)(Brief Article)
August 27, 2004... Saks, Inc. named Stephen Byers as executive VP of stores, visual merchandising for its Carson Pirie Scott unit. He most recently was senior VP and territory director of stores for Kohl's....

ShopKo.(People In The News)(Larry Gentry promoted)(Brief Article)
August 27, 2004... Larry Gentry was promoted to senior VP of store operations of ShopKo....

Bon-Ton Stores, Inc. named its vice chairman, Byron Bergren, as its new CEO and president.(People In The News)(Brief Article)
August 27, 2004... Bon-Ton Stores, Inc. named its vice chairman, Byron Bergren, as its new CEO and president. He replaces Tim Grumbacher, who will continue as chairman. Bergren came on board with the acquisition of Elder-Beerman, where he had served as CEO and...

Royal Ahold.(People In The News)(Karel Vuursteen)(Brief Article)
August 27, 2004... Karel Vuursteen stepped down as chairman of Royal Ahold. He will remain a member of the board until next May. Director Rene Dahan will serve as interim chairman.

Kmart, home depot finalize store sales.(Brief Article)
August 27, 2004... Kmart finalized a deal to sell 18 stores to The Home Depot for $271 million. It originally planned to sell 24 locations. Kmart plans to offer jobs at other stores to roughly 1% of those affected by the swap.

Web sales will reach $300 billion in 2010.(Brief Article)
August 27, 2004... Tools, hardware, garden supplies and home decor products will experience above-average growth over the next six years on line, as consumers become increasingly comfortable buying products that historically have seen slow growth on line. That...

Men practicing the art of browsing.(Brief Article)
August 27, 2004... As men learn to shop new retail formats, such as dollar stores and the many specialty formats, browsing has become increasingly important for them. According to New York City-based WSL Strategic Retail, browsing is the male consumer's way of...

Fair Labor Standards act takes effect.(Brief Article)
August 27, 2004... This week marked a new era in overtime pay with the new Fair Labor Standards Act. Yet, while the law was written with the intention of removing ambiguities from overtime rules, there has been some disagreement about the number of workers who...

This week's retail news nuggets.(Brief Article)
August 27, 2004... Wal-Mart reduced its sales forecast after disappointing back-to-school demand. It now expects August same-store sales to be either flat or up just 2%, down from its previous forecast of a 2% to 4% increase.... The Home Depot will pay $5.5...