Personnel Updates

• David’s Bridal (68) has appointed Nancy Viall as Chief Merchandising Officer.

• Do it Best Corp. (148) announced it has promoted Alex Gilliom to Category Management Business Analyst, Justin Heins to a Database Administrator; and Andrew McDermitt to a Senior Software Developer.

• H & M Hennes & Mauritz LP (28) announced Karl-Johan Persson has stepped down as CEO and taken on the role of Chairman. Replacing him as CEO is Helena Helmersson.

• JCPenney Company, Inc. (72) named Wendy Santana as VP of Business Development, Jill Feldman as VP of Marketing, and Roger Worak, as VP of Customer Engagement and Insights. Also, Dan Matarelli was tapped as VP of Digital Marketing, Robin Beuthin was named VP of Creative Marketing, and Jeff Csuy was named as VP of Merchandise Strategy and Operations.

• Rite Aid Corporation (47) announced Andre Persaud is assuming the role of Exec VP, Retail.

• Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. (109) has promoted Richard Ashworth to President of Walgreens.

Financial Focus

• Stein Mart Inc. has entered into a buyout agreement with a private equity firm. The transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2020.

Mergers and Acquisitions

• Sunpro announced the acquisition of Stone Lumber Co.

Industry Insight

• The Children’s Place Retail Stores Inc. announced it is relaunching Gymboree. The brand, which went out of business last year, will be available on a new website and in shop-in-shop locations in more than 200 Children’s Place stores across the U.S. and Canada.

• Dollar General Corp. said it plans to create more than 8,000 new career opportunities in fiscal year 2020 through anticipated store and distribution center growth.

Real Estate

• Macy’s Inc. plans to close approximately 125 of its least productive stores during the next three years. In 2020, the company plans to open an additional 50 Backstage in-store locations in Macy’s stores and seven additional freestanding, off-mall Backstage stores, and will remodel an additional 100 Macy’s stores in 2020.

• Saks Incorporated has closed its 16,000 sq. ft. Saks Fifth Avenue men’s store at Brookfield Place in lower Manhattan, NY.

• Sephora USA Inc. will open 100 new store locations across North America in 2020.