Consumer Affairs & Relations

Irving, Texas -- Michaels Stores has named Chuck Rubin as CEO and a member of the board of directors. Rubin is currently the president and CEO of Ulta Beauty.

Rubin will assume his new roles after a brief period of transition, at which time Michaels will discontinue the “Office of the Chief Executive Officer,” established on an interim basis in May 2012. Charles "Chuck" Sonsteby, a member of the Office of the CEO, will continue as Michaels’ CFO and chief administrative officer.

WASHINGTON -- Retail sales ticked up in January as consumers adjusted their spending in response to the increase in payroll taxes and rise in gasoline and energy prices. According to the National Retail Federation, January retail sales (excluding automobiles, gas stations and restaurants) increased 0.3% seasonally adjusted from December and increased 5.4% unadjusted year-over-year.

WAYNE, N.J. — Gerald Storch, is vacating his role as CEO of Toys"R"Us after seven years of service. He will retain his title of chairman of the board and will continue as CEO until a successor is found.

Storch joined Toys'R'Us in February 2006 after spending more than 10 years at Target in roles of increasing seniority. At Target, Storch helped develop the Super Target concept and grow the company's grocery business. Prior to joining Target, he was a partner at McKinsey & Company, specializing in retail and financial services.

Grand Rapids, Mich. -- Meijer is investing more than $160 million in new store construction and remodeling.

The investment includes the construction of six new Meijer supercenters, and five major remodel projects.  Michigan, Indiana and Illinois will each welcome two new Meijer supercenters. The remodels planned at an additional four Michigan stores and one Meijer location in Illinois.

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J.  -- Health and beauty aid manufacturer, CCA industries announced that its president and CEO Dunnan Edell has died unexpectedly. 

Wayne, N.J. -- The search is on for a new chief executive of Toys “R” Us with the announcement that Gerald L. Storch is stepping down as CEO of the company. The news comes just weeks after the world's largest dedicated toy retailer reported that its same-store U.S. sales fell 4.5% during the holiday season, and that its total sales fell 4.7%. 

CHICAGO — Hilco Trading has named Farla Efros as EVP and COO of its SD Retail Consulting unit. The move is part of the company's strategic efforts to expand the breadth and depth of its senior management team. In her new role, Efros will be responsible for the firm’s merchandising and strategy practice area.

New York -- J. C. Penney Co boosted its borrowing capacity under a bank credit facility by $100 million to $1.85 billion and expanded an option to borrow more at a later date.  

"As we enter the second year of our transformation, today's announcement reflects the confidence of our banking group in our long-term strategy and further strengthens our liquidity position as we continue to execute our plan," J.C. Penny CFO Ken Hannah said in a statement.