Consumer Affairs & Relations

New York -- Cache announced that it has appointed Jay Margolis as chairman and CEO of Cache. Concurrent with the appointment, Thomas Reinckens will step down as chairman and CEO.
 
Margolis most recently served as president and CEO of Limited Brands’ Apparel Group (Express and Limited Stores), where he was responsible for revamping the product line and leading the successful operational turnaround of the businesses. Prior to Limited Brands, he was president, COO & director of Reebok International.
 

Minneapolis -- Winmark Corp. announced today that the name of its recently launched women's resale brand will be Style Encore. The company also announced that Susan Baustian, formerly the company's brand director for its children's resale franchise Once Upon A Child has been named as the brand director for Style Encore.

By Jeff Weidauer, [email protected]

Arlington, Va. -- The passage of comprehensive tax reform and a more level playing field between online retailers and Main Street retailers for sales tax collection top the Retail Industry Leaders Association’s public policy priorities for 2013.

According to RILA, the retail industry pays among the highest domestic effective tax rates at 36.4% more than 10 percentage points higher than the average for all other industries.

NEW YORK — Iconix Brand Group has gained a controlling stake of the apparel brand, Buffalo David Bitton from Buffalo International.

Iconix now owns 51% of the brand and as part of the deal, formed a new joint venture company with Buffalo International. Iconix will control this joint venture and consolidate its results.  Buffalo International will be the core licensee for the new joint venture.

The Global Food Safety Initiative has named three new members to its board of directors. The appointments were effective as of January 2013.

Joining the board are:

John Carter, senior director own brand and product quality assurance, Metro Cash & Carry, Germany

Anthony C. Huggett, VP quality management, Nestlé, Switzerland

Jian Xu, VP China Resources Vanguard Corporation, China

Former converse executive Jack Boys is the new CEO of Cole Haan following Nike’s recent sale of the brand to a private equity firm.

Apax Partners completed the previously announced acquisition of Cole Haan from Nike and named Boy’s to the role of CEO effective immediately. Boys became CEO of Converse in 2001 and remained in that roles following Nike’s acquisition of Converse in 2003 through 2010. Prior to Converse, he was vp of global marketing at The North Face and has previously held positions with Avia, LeCoq Sportif and CVEO Corporation.

NAPERVILLE, Ill. — OfficeMax partnered with Chicago Public Schools and wide receiver Brandon Marshall to surprise 100 local teachers on Thursday with a $100,000 total donation in essential school supplies for their classrooms. 

TORONTO — The Home Depot Canada has joined other Canadian retailers in complying with the government's planned phase out of the penny.

However, the retailer noted that many Canadians were unaware of the phase-out, and wanted to ensure its customers that it is doing its best to inform them of the change. As of Feb. 4, the penny will no longer be in circulation. 

WASHINGTON — The National Retail Federation took aim at President Obama and Congress for not doing enough to improve the jobs situation and boost the economy.