Consumer Affairs & Relations

Neiman Marcus posted another quarter of declines for its second quarter.   For the period ended January 28, 2017, the chain reported total revenues of $1.40 billion, a decrease of 6.1% compared to $1.49 billion for the second quarter of fiscal year 2016. Comparable revenues decreased 6.8%.   

It’s a homecoming of sorts for Mark Breitbard.     Gap Inc. on Tuesday named Breitbard as president and CEO of its struggling Banana Republic division.       Breitbard served as CEO at The Gymboree Corporation from 2013 until he stepped down in early 2017. From 2010 to 2013, he held leadership positions across Gap North America, where he was instrumental in delivering the product-led resurgence of Gap’s North America business.    

There is another development in Walgreens’ quest to acquire Rite Aid.  

Malls and shopping centers are not endangered, but evolving species, International Council of Shopping Centers CEO Thomas McGee told the Miami Herald this week.   “There is stress in the department store segment and closures. When you look at those stores as a percentage of retail square footage, it’s small,” McGee said in a wide-ranging interview with the paper. “But those spaces are big and prominent and they need to be handled in a systematic way.”  

Albertsons on Friday appointed Jonathan Mayes to the post of senior VP external affairs and chief diversity officer. In his new role, he will head up the company’s diversity and inclusion efforts, as well as its government relationships, philanthropy and sustainability departments.   

Shoptalk has announced a partnership with the Retail Industry Leaders Association focused on RILA’s newly launched (R)Tech Center for Innovation.   Through the partnership, Shoptalk will support the (R)Tech Center for Innovation as a member of the (R)Tech Innovators Network.   

Walgreens Boots Alliance on Friday named two executives to the chief marketing officer and chief merchandising officer positions, promoting Adam Holyk and Joe Hartsig, respectively, to those roles.   Both will assume their new roles as of April 1 and report to Alex Gourlay, co-COO for Walgreens Boots Alliance.  

The Buckle reported earnings for its fourth quarter that missed expectations amid a rough market for teen retailers.    Net income for the quarter ended Jan. 28 was $36.0 million, or $0.75 per share ($0.74 per share on a diluted basis), compared to $98.0 million, or $2.04 per share ($2.03 per share on a diluted basis).   Buckle’s net sales fell 15.7% to $280.0 million, from $332.0 million for the prior year.   Same-store sales for the quarter decreased 16.1%.