Personnel Updates:
Family Dollar has promoted Beth MacDonald to be the new VP, Assistant General Counsel and Assistant Secretary.
Office Depot announced that Steve Schmidt has been named President, International.
OfficeMax announced that it has appointed Jim Barr as Exec VP and Chief Digital Officer.
OfficeMax announced that Michael MacDonald, Exec VP and President of the Contract Division has notified OfficeMax of unusual and difficult family circumstances that have resulted in a sudden and unexpected need to resign.
OfficeMax announced that Ryan Vero, Exec VP and Chief Merchandising Officer has left the company. The company said it has already started its search for a replacement.
Target merchandising executive Casey Carl was given added responsibilities for the retailer’s online businesses, following a series of snafus related to an August relaunch that resulted in the departure of former online president Steve Eastman.
Carl will serve as President of Multichannel with responsibility for Target’s digital platforms including mobile, social and Target.com, while retaining his prior responsibilities as Senior VP Merchandising for entertainment, toys, sporting goods and electronics.
Toys”R”Us has named the leadership team for its retail business operations in Southeast Asia and Greater China, following the recent announcement of its new joint venture agreement with Li & Fung Retailing. With this agreement, the existing Toys “R” Us business operations in the region, which had previously been licensed, are now majority owned and controlled by Toys “R” Us.
Monika Merz, currently President and CEO, Toys”R”Us, Japan has been named president, Toy “R”Us, Asia. Pieter Schats has been named Managing Director, Toys“R”Us, Southeast Asia and Greater China. Prior to this, Schats served as CEO of Toys LiFung (Asia) Limited, which previously operated the Toys“R”Us business in Asia under a licensing agreement.
Trans World Entertainment has named Tom Seaver CFO. After a short transition period, former Chief Financial Officer John Sullivan will be leaving the company with over 20 years of service.
Industry Insight:
99 Cents Only Stores plans to open 12 stores in the second half of fiscal 2012.
Family Dollar is expanding into California for the first time with the opening of four new stores in Ontario, Rialto, Riverside and Fontana.
