Finance & Capital Management

New York -- Barnes & Noble Inc. on Tuesday reported a smaller-than-expected loss of $28.4 million in its fiscal first quarter, down from $87 million a share, a year earlier. The chain has been cutting spending in its Nook e-reader division and moving toward a spinoff of the business.

Revenue fell 7% to $1.24 billion, including a 5.3% drop at the company’s retail segment.

RetailMeNot, a leading marketplace for digital offers, has added Eric Korman to its board of directors.

Korman recently served as president of Ralph Lauren's digital and global e-commerce division, where he was responsible for the company's digital businesses, marketing and operations, across all markets. In addition to leading the digital division, Korman is credited with establishing and managing Ralph Lauren's customer intelligence and experience management group, a global enterprise function supporting all global business channels.

As part of its continued long-term profitable growth strategy, Toys“R”Us has appointed a number of executives to key leadership roles.
 

General Mills is in the process of acquiring leading natural and organic food company Annie’s for $46 per share in cash, for a total transaction value of approximately $820 million.  

The transaction consideration represents a 51% premium over Annie’s 30-day average closing price of $30.47 as of Sept. 5. Annie’s will continue to be headquartered in Berkeley, California.

Avon EVP and CFO Kimberly Ross, who joined the company in 2011, has resigned effective Oct. 2. VP and corporate controller Robert Loughran will be appointed acting CFO while the company finds a permanent replacement.

Barnes and Noble continues to narrow its losses. In the first quarter of fiscal 2015, the company’s comparable sales were bolstered by improving physical book industry trends, merchandising initiatives and store promotions.

Francesca's saw improvement in sales trends for its apparel, accessories and gift categories in the second quarter of 2014. But these were offset by weak jewelry sales, which took a bite out of the retailer’s gross profit.

Five Below has signed a lease for a new distribution center in Oldmans Township, New Jersey. The 1,045,000-sq.-ft. facility, located at 5 Gateway Blvd. in Pedricktown, will replace the company's existing 421,000-sq.-ft. facility located 12 miles away in New Castle, Delaware.

Lakewood, Colo. -- Einstein Noah Restaurant Group announced the appointment of Frank G. Paci as president and CEO, effective Sept. 15. Paci succeeds Michael Arthur who has filled the position on an interim basis since February 2014. Arthur will continue to serve as a board director.

Secaucus, N.J. -- The Children's Place announced the appointment of Robert Vill as group VP, finance, effective Sept. 8. He will report to Michael Scarpa, COO and CFO.