Chain Store Age Executive Fax articles from June 2003

Chain Store Age Executive Fax archives from June 2003

New stores, new markets.(retail store openings)(Brief Article)
June 6, 2003... Ukrop's will open four stores in Richmond, Va., over the next two years, raising its store count in the Virginia markets of Fredericksburg, Petersburg, Williamsburg and Richmond to 31 locations.... Shaw's Supermarkets added a unit in South...

Face off: Borders vs. Barnes & Noble.(new store openings)(Brief Article)
June 6, 2003... New store openings for Borders this fall include: Landover, Md., at The Capital Centre; Maple Grove, Minn., at The Shoppes at Arbor Lakes; Rockaway (N.J.) Town Square Mall; Avondale, Ariz., at Gateway Pavilions; and Carlsbad, Calif., at The...

Unemployment still big factor, retailers post modest May gain.(Illustration)
June 6, 2003... It turns out the wet weather in the Northeast didn't spoil the party, but rather spurred consumers to flock to shopping centers during the Memorial Day holiday weekend. Still, a lack of "fashion excitement" and the continued economic malaise is...

Gap Inc. promoted Marka Hansen to president of its Banana Republic division.(Brief Article)
June 6, 2003... Gap Inc. promoted Marka Hansen to president of its Banana Republic division. Hansen has been with Gap for more than 15 years, and is credited with playing a major role in the turnaround of the Gap brand. Also, Gap elected Howard Behar as a...

Bombay Co.(chairman James Carreker was appointed CEO)(Brief Article)
June 6, 2003... Bombay Co. chairman James Carreker was named CEO. He fills the vacancy created when Carmie Mehrlander resigned last year....

Wild Oats Markets, Inc. named David Clark senior VP of operations for the company's Natural Grocer format.(Brief Article)
June 6, 2003... Wild Oats Markets, Inc. named David Clark senior VP of operations for the company's Natural Grocer format. He most recently served as CEO and president of Homeland Stores....

Family Dollar.(appointed Keith Gehl senior VP of real estate and store construction)(Brief Article)
June 6, 2003... Family Dollar named Keith Gehl as senior VP of real estate and store construction.

Vivendi sells its Spencer Gifts unit.(Vivendi Universal)(Brief Article)
June 6, 2003... An investment group led by Gordon Bros. and Palladin Capital will spend an undisclosed sum to acquire Spencer Gifts from Vivendi Universal. The 700-store chain is best known for selling off-the-wall gift items in malls in North America.

Uni-Marts execs to buy the company.(through HFL Corp, a privately held concern)(Brief Article)
June 6, 2003... The top brass of Uni-Marts are preparing to buy out the company via HFL Corp., a privately held concern controlled by Uni-Marts chairman and CEO Henry Sahakian and his brother Daniel Sahakian, a director of Uni-Marts.

No longer toying around with Wal-Mart.(Albertson's and Toys "R" Us sign multiyear agreement)(Brief Article)
June 6, 2003... Two retailers have expanded their partnership as a means to topple Wal-Mart. Albertson's and Toys "R" Us signed a multiyear agreement this week in a move that will bring the latter retailer's Toy Box format to more than 2,300 Albertson's...

The hard line: Sears pushes appliances.(price cuts on appliance part of strategy to boost sales, compete with home centers)(Brief Article)
June 6, 2003... Recognizing that the appliance industry is much more competitive than it was just a few years ago, Sears is actively promoting its harder side. The announced price cuts this week on appliances as part of a strategy to boost sales and more...

Is Ahold Shopping U.S. Foodservice?(Royal Ahold may want to sell all or part of division)(Brief Article)
June 6, 2003... Reports circulated this week that Royal Ahold is looking to sell all or part of its U.S. Foodservice division, which made headlines this year when it was discovered that the unit had inflated operating earnings by roughly $800 million. People...

The 'Whole' Truth at Bread & Circus.(health food chain to put on banner of its owner, Whole Foods Market)(Brief Article)
June 6, 2003... Bread & Circus, the 12-store health-food chain in Massachusetts owned by Whole Foods Markets, is doing away with its own banner and putting on that of its owner. The change will occur over the next 10 days. Whole Foods, which operates roughly...

This week's retail news nuggets.(Paper Warehouse and Penn Traffic Co. filed for bankruptcy protection; other news items)(Brief Article)
June 6, 2003... Separately, specialty chain Paper Warehouse and grocery retailer Penn Traffic Co. filed for bankruptcy protection. Penn Traffic also named Steven Panagos as chief restructuring officer. He is credited with helping lead Crown Books out of...

New stores, new markets.(various retailers)(Brief Article)
June 13, 2003... Fry's Electronics will open its first store in Washington next month in Redmond.... 99 Cents Only Stores will open four stores in the Houston area later this month. It plans to have a total of 15 stores in the Houston market by yearend. The...

FMI: food sales grow 1.6% in 2002, independent chains fare well.(Food Marketing Institute)(Brief Article)
June 13, 2003... The food industry is one tough cookie. Despite the weak economy, war, low consumer confidence, food security concerns and fierce competition, half of all food retailers reported a sales increase of 3.4% or higher last year. According to the...

'George' goes solo at Wal-Mart's Asda.(George brand clothing stores)(Brief Article)
June 13, 2003... Capitalizing on the strength of its George apparel brand, Asda, the British division of Wal-Mart, will open two freestanding George stores this September. The stores, which will average 10,000 sq. ft., will be located in Croydon, south of...

Visa, Mastercard finalize settlement.(Brief Article)
June 13, 2003... Visa USA and MasterCard International signed off on more than $3 billion in settlement payments to a class action of retailers led by Wal-Mart, Circuit City and Sears. Visa's share of the payment is $2.025 billion over 10 years. MasterCard's...

May Department Stores Co. has elected Andrew Hall as chairman of its Houston-based Foley's division.(Brief Article)
June 13, 2003... May Department Stores Co. has elected Andrew Hall as chairman of its Houston-based Foley's division. He succeeds Mark Weikel. Hall joined May in 1993 as director of financial reporting. Last year, he was appointed senior VP, CFO of Foley's....

Toys "R" Us named Amy Parker senior VP of marketing.(Brief Article)
June 13, 2003... ... Toys "R" Us named Amy Parker senior VP of marketing. Parker joins the toy giant from Michaels Stores, where she was senior VP, marketing and advertising.

FAO, Inc.(Jerome Kollar promoted to CFO)(Brief Article)
June 13, 2003... ... FAO, Inc. promoted Jerome Kollar to CFO. He replaces Raymond Springer, who had been with the retailer for four years and assisted with its bankruptcy reorganization. Kollar most recently served as FAO's senior VP of finance....

Gap, Inc. named Susan Wayne as executive VP of marketing of its Old Navy division.(Brief Article)
June 13, 2003... Gap, Inc. named Susan Wayne as executive VP of marketing of its Old Navy division. She comes from advertising firm Leo Burnett.

Former Rite Aid CFO pleads guilty.(Frank Bergonzi)(Brief Article)
June 13, 2003... FORMER RITE AID CFO PLEADS GUILTY Frank Bergonzi, a former CFO of Rite Aid, pleaded guilty this week to a charge of conspiracy to commit accounting fraud. The charge is rooted in the corporation's overstatement of profits in the late 1990s. The...

Lowe's: specialty sales aiding comps.(Brief Article)
June 13, 2003... Lowe's reported this week that specialty sales have been boosting its comparable-store sales results, which are expected to rise roughly 3.5% for the year. Specialty sales--which include sales of products that Lowe's also installs, special...

Fleming Cos. allowed to sell stores.(Brief Article)
June 13, 2003... A U.S. Bankruptcy Court judge gave Fleming permission this week to sell 40 company-owned retail stores to three separate parties. The wholesaler, which has been shedding its retail operations, will sell its Minnesota-based, 31-store Rainbow...

Safeway, Disney stores trim staff.(Brief Article)
June 13, 2003... Safeway will eliminate 940 corporate positions, representing roughly 13.5% of its administrative work force. No store employees will be affected by the cutbacks. A company spokesman said 416 employees were given pink slips yesterday. An...

This week's retail news nuggets.(briefs)(Brief Article)
June 13, 2003... Pier 1 Imports enlisted Customer Communications Group and Cohorts to help it grow its share of customers who use its credit card.... KB Toys signed a partnership with Zodiac Girlz, for which it will become the exclusive toy licensee for the...

New stores, new markets.(retail stores)(Brief Article)
June 20, 2003... Look for Organized Living's upcoming store at Chandler (Ariz.) Fashion Center.... The Home Depot hopes to open in a former Ames site in South Lebanon Township, Pa., by next February. Elsewhere, the chain will open in a former bowling alley in...

Best Buy sheds Musicland group, eliminates annual cash drain.(Brief Article)
June 20, 2003... Analysts and industry pundits applauded Best Buy's decision to sell its Musicland division this week. The retailer was so eager to get rid of the money-losing unit--it had been looking for a buyer since March--that it didn't even ask for a cash...

Fleming may now sell wholesale biz.(Brief Article)
June 20, 2003... What was once the largest wholesale grocery company in the United States may soon now add up to little more than a hill of beans. After stating last year that it would get out of the supermarket business, Fleming said this week it is...

Latest weekly sales tally up slightly.(retail sales boosted by Father's Day)(Brief Article)
June 20, 2003... Father's Day gift buying helped push retail sales in a positive direction, both on week-to-week and year-over-year basis. Retail same-store sales were up 0.3% for the week ended June 14, compared with the previous week. For the year-over-year...

Circuit City.(appointed Michael Foss as senior VP and CFO)(Brief Article)
June 20, 2003... Circuit City appointed Michael Foss as senior VP and CFO.

Sears.(named Andrea Zopp senior vice president, general counsel)(Brief Article)
June 20, 2003... Sears has named Andrea Zopp senior VP, general counsel, effective July 1. Zopp previously held a similar position at Sara Lee Corp.

Starbucks.(hired Sandra Taylor as senior vice president of corporate social responsibility)(Brief Article)
June 20, 2003... Starbucks hired Sandra Taylor as senior VP of corporate social responsibility. She succeeds Dave Olsen, who will maintain his post as senior VP of culture and immersion. Taylor previously was VP and director of public affairs at Eastman Kodak...

1-800-Flowers.com.(Pamela Knox resigned as senior vice president of marketing)(Brief Article)
June 20, 2003... Pamela Knox resigned as senior VP of marketing of 1-800-Flowers.com.

Aeropostale.(appointed Ann Joyce senior VP, CIO and Tom Clendenin senior VP, director of marketing)(Brief Article)
June 20, 2003... Aeropostale named Ann Joyce as senior VP, CIO and Tom Clendenin as senior VP, director of marketing.

Kash 'n Karry.(Shelley Broader named president and COO)(Brief Article)
June 20, 2003... Shelley Broader was named president and COO of Kash 'n Karry, effective June 23. She replaces Michael Byars, who is said to be considering other positions within the company.

Guilty: former Rite Aid CEO off to jail.(Martin Grass sentenced to eight years for criminal conspiracy)(Brief Article)
June 20, 2003... One week after former Rite Aid CFO Frank Bergonzi admitted guilt in his part of an accounting scandal, Martin Grass, the former CEO and son of company founder, followed suit. Grass was sentenced to eight years in jail after pleading guilty this...

Tupperware nixing sales at Target.(will no longer sell its merchandise within Target stores)(Brief Article)
June 20, 2003... Home parties have been the bread and butter of Tupperware's business since its inception, and the food-storage container purveyor wants to keep it that way. That's why Tupperware announced this week that it will no longer sell its merchandise...

Spiegel looks to retain key employees.(asks bankruptcy court judge to approve employee retention plan for 225 key workers)(Brief Article)
June 20, 2003... Seeking to retain top executives who can help it emerge from Chapter 11, Spiegel Group asked a bankruptcy court judge this week to approve an employee retention plan for 225 key workers. The deal is reportedly worth roughly $26.4 million,...

Retail pairings continue to flourish.(Brief Article)
June 20, 2003... Marshall Field's, a division of Target Corp., partnered with art-services company Look Gallery to bring in-store boutiques to 13 of its department stores in the Detroit, Chicago and Minneapolis metro areas this August. The shops will offer...

This week's retail news nuggets.(Albertson's opened its Hispanic supermarket format in San Ysidro, California, other news itesm)(Brief Article)
June 20, 2003... Albertson's opened its Hispanic supermarket format, Super Saver, in San Ysidro, Calif., in the San Diego area. The store marks the first expansion of Super Saver beyond Los Angeles.... Kohl's Food Stores, the division of A&P, is preparing to...

New stores, new markets.(various retailers)(Brief Article)
June 27, 2003... The Container Store will take over a former Sears location in Washington D.C., its first store in that area.... Hannaford Bros. will open a store across the street from ShopRite in Warwick, N.Y., some time next year.... Look for Ikea's new...

Book sales, mall traffic soar after latest Potter release.(Harry Potter)(Brief Article)
June 27, 2003... Is it possible for one teenage boy to single-handedly spur consumers to flock to bookstores, malls and other retail establishments overnight? If that boy happens to be Harry Potter, then the answer is yes. The release of the fifth installment...

A&F settles worker uniform lawsuit.(Abercrombie & Fitch)(Brief Article)
June 27, 2003... Abercrombie & Fitch (A&F) merchandise is still a hot seller among America's teens, but don't expect many of the retailer's store employees in California to be wearing the goods on a daily basis anymore. A&F reached an agreement this week with...

Northeastern exposure at Home Depot.(store base to increase)(Brief Article)
June 27, 2003... The Home Depot is looking to boost its store base in the Northeast, where it currently operates roughly 300 stores. The retailer plans to add 31 stores in that region this year, an area it identifies as extending from Virginia to Maine. Home...

Kroger CEO resigns, pres. assumes post.(David Dillon takes over as CEO following resignation of Joseph Pichler)(Brief Article)
June 27, 2003... David Dillon was promoted to CEO of The Kroger Co. He takes over the role from Joseph Pichler, who will continue to serve as chairman. Dillon most recently served as president and COO of Kroger and is expected to take over the role of chairman...

Stacey Lavalle Fraser rejoined Gap, Inc. as senior VP of women's design at Old Navy.(Brief Article)
June 27, 2003... Stacey Lavalle Fraser rejoined Gap, Inc. as senior VP of women's design at Old Navy. She most recently was with Tommy Hilfiger. Before that, she was a designer for Baby Gap....

Winn-Dixie.(vice president of public relations Mickey Clerc retires)(Brief Article)
June 27, 2003... Mickey Clerc retired from Winn-Dixie. He had been employed with the grocer since 1961, most recently serving as VP of public relations....

Kmart.(Karen Austin to take over advertising and marketing responsibilities)(Brief Article)
June 27, 2003... Kmart tapped its CIO, Karen Austin, to take over advertising and marketing responsibilities. She takes over the duties from Barbara Firment, senior VP of advertising, sales and in-store presentation, whose departure from Kmart remains...

Frank Curci resigned as CEO and president of Tops Markets.(Brief Article)
June 27, 2003... Frank Curci resigned as CEO and president of Tops Markets. He had been shifting to a new role as COO of Giant Food.

Chain goes beyond just Beds & Baths.(Bed Bath and Beyond acquires Christmas Tree Shops)(Brief Article)
June 27, 2003... Bed Bath & Beyond bought 23-store chain Christmas Tree Shops for about $200 million in cash. The privately held holiday yuletide and seasonal-gift chain had sales of roughly $370 million last year.

Elder-Beerman agrees to takeover bid.(by Wright Holdings Inc.)(Brief Article)
June 27, 2003... Elder-Beerman agreed to be acquired by Wright Holdings, Inc. this week, a company that was formed specifically for the acquisition of the 68-store chain. The deal ends a bidding war that had included an investor group called EB Acquisition,...

Dell, Sears partnership terminated.(Brief Article)
June 27, 2003... After four months of testing, Dell ended an agreement with Sears that allowed customers to shop for Dell products via kiosks placed in Sears stores. The partnership had been running in three Florida Sears stores and another in Austin, Texas. In...

New concepts at Hy-Vee, Office Depot.(Brief Article)
June 27, 2003... Hy-Vee opened a store in St. Joseph, Mo., this week that reflects the company's vision of the future. The 74,000-sq.-ft. store--built at a cost of some $14 million--was described by chief executive Ron Pearson as "a store of the 21st century."...

This week's retail news nuggets.(industry briefs)(Brief Article)
June 27, 2003... May Department Stores Co. cut roughly 1,500 positions, or 1.3%, of its total work force. The job cuts will affect employees in sales-support jobs, as well as some divisional and area sales managers.... Dunkin' Donuts opened its 100th in-store...