Personnel Updates:
Alco Stores has promoted Ricardo Clemente to Senior VP of Human Resources, Store Operations and Loss Prevention.
Big Lots former executive Boris Zelmanovich has become the Senior VP and CMO for The Pantry, an independently operated convenience store chain in the southeastern United States.
Build-A-Bear Workshop’s board of directors has appointed Sharon Price John as CEO and Chief President Bear. She replaces Maxine Clark, who announced earlier this year her plans to retire from her chief executive bear position. Clark will remain a member of the board.
Costco Wholesale announced that VP Mike Pollard has retired.
Dollar Tree has promoted Gary Philbin to President and COO. He has served as COO since 2007. Bob Sasser continues to lead the company as its CEO.
Family Dollar has named Brad Rogers as the company’s Senior VP of Real Estate. Rogers replaces Keith Gehl, who announced his retirement from the company at the end of June.
Gordmans has appointed Geoffrey Ayoub as Senior VP Planning, Allocation and Analysis.
HSN announced that its HSNi division has promoted Judy Schmeling to COO and CFO. Schmeling has served as HSNi’s EVP and CFO since 2001. In her new role, she will be responsible for supply chain operations and customer care functions in addition to providing ongoing leadership for finance and information technology. HSNi has also promoted two senior finance executives, Michael J. Attinella and Patrick Vonderhaar, both of whom will report to Schmeling. Attinella was appointed CFO of HSN and chief accounting officer of HSNi. He joined HSN in 2001 and most recently served as SVP, chief accounting officer and corporate controller of HSNi. Vonderhaar was elevated from VP and corporate controller to CFO for Cornerstone Brands. In addition, Rob Solomon has been appointed Exec VP, Customer Care and Operations Administration, HSNi, and Bob Monti as Exec VP, Supply Chain and Logistics, HSNi, and both will report to Schmeling.
Overstock.com has promoted Brian Popelka to the position of Senior VP of Customer and Partner Care.
PetSmart Inc. has named David K. Lenhardt as CEO replacing Bob Moran, as part of its planned management succession. Mr. Lenhardt, who joined PetSmart about 13 years ago in the services, strategic planning and business development unit, was President and Chief Operating Officer there. Mr. Lenhardt will also be appointed to the board of directors. Mr. Moran will retain his title as Chairman, a position he was appointed to a year ago. Joseph O’Leary, who was Executive VP of Merchandising, Marketing, Supply Chain and Strategic Planning, has replaced Mr. Lenhardt as President and COO.
PetSmart has appointed Carrie Teffner as the company’s new Senior VP and CFO. In November, the company announced that its CFO, Chip Molloy will resign in early 2014. He has just left the CFO post and will remain on as a special advisor until March next year.
QVC, has appointed former Hershey’s executive Ted Jastrzebski as the company’s new CFO. Jastrzebski succeeds Dan O’Connell, a 25-year QVC veteran, who announced his plans to retire in spring 2013.
RadioShack has promoted Marty Amschler to Senior VP of Franchise.
Restoration Hardware Holdings has appointed former Williams-Sonoma brand president Richard Harvey as the company’s CMO for RH Kitchen and Tableware.
Target Corp., announced that Sid Keswani, most recently Senior VP for the Southeast Region, has left the company. He has joined Stripes LLC as Senior VP, Store Operations.
Tiffany & Co. has named Anthony Ludru Senior VP of North America.
Toys “R” Us announced that Antonio Urcelay has been appointed interim CEO of the company. Urcelay will also continue to serve in his current role as the President of Europe, which he has held since July 2010. He replaces Gerald L. Storch, who will no longer serve as the company’s CEO, but who will continue to serve as Chairman of the Board.
Walmart has appointed Dan Bartlett, former senior counselor to George W. Bush, as its Exec VP of Corporate Affairs. His responsibilities will include overseeing external communications, government relations and sustainability, as well as the Walmart Foundation, which contributed more than $1 billion in cash and in-kind donations last year.
Walmart’s Exec VP Corporate Affairs, Leslie Dach, has stepped down.
Industry Insight:
Build-A-Bear Workshop Inc. plans to close an additional 50 to 60 stores in the next two years.
Costco Wholesale Corp. is looking to open approximately 150 locations over the next five years.
Hhgregg expects to open 5 new stores during the next twelve months.
Meijer is opening two 190,000-sq.-ft. supercenters in Portage and Warsaw, in northern Indiana.
Shopko plans to open five new Shopko Hometown stores in WY, MN., and WI (3)., in late fall.
Green Initiatives/Sustainability:
Target was named by Armstrong World Industries as its 2012 Flooring Recycler of the Year, an award that recognizes organizations that make significant environmental contributions by recycling VCT materials during demolition projects, resulting in waste reduction in landfill materials, transportation, and energy.
Target was recognized for its commitment to waste reduction as demonstrated by their efforts to reclaim over 1.2 million pounds of vinyl composition tile (VCT) from multiple stores throughout the United States in 2012. Target began implementing recycling of their vinyl composition tile (VCT) in 2011 under the Armstrong VCT Recycling Program. Most recently, Target recycled over 20,000 pounds of VCT from a store in Las Vegas.
Target announced that its first 24 store locations in Ontario (Canada) have been awarded LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) certification. As previously announced, the discounter is seeking LEED certification for all 124 stores scheduled to open in Canada this year.
