Finance & Capital Management

Dublin, Calif. -- dd’s Discounts, a division of Ross Stores, Inc. will open a new store in Arizona, on Sept. 27. The store is located in the Squaw Peak Plaza in Phoenix.  

Including this new location, dd’s Discounts operates approximately 150 locations in 13 states and is on schedule to complete its expansion plan to open approximately 20 locations in 2014.

Brown Shoe Company has invested in Jack Erwin, a men’s brand that offers high-quality, handmade men’s shoes directly to consumers.

“We looked at several companies and Jack Erwin really stood out to us as a great incubator brand with high growth potential and an interesting, new business model,” said Diane Sullivan, CEO, president and chairman of Brown Shoe Company. “Lane and Ariel, the founders, have an unwavering commitment to quality and detail and represent the next generation of business in our industry.”

Pittsburgh -- GNC Holdings named Jeffrey R. Hennion as executive VP, chief marketing and e-commerce officer. Hennion most recently served as president and CFO of mobile commerce provider Branding Build.

Prior to Branding Brand, Hennion led GNC's marketing and e-commerce efforts in 2011 and 2012.  He also spent 10 years with Dick's Sporting Goods in a number of senior leadership roles, including executive VP, chief marketing officer and head of e-commerce.

With word this week that Walmart will rebrand its small format Express stores under the Neighborhood Market banner, there will be plenty of interest in an upcoming presentation by the retailer’s vp of small formats.

Marc Lieberman, vp of small formats for Walmart U.S., is slated to speak at a Doing Business in Bentonville event on Thursday, October 9. at the John Q. Hammons Center in Rogers, Ark., from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m.

Omnichannel investments are driving solid top line growth at Pier 1 Imports but having the opposite effect on profits as the company transitions to an integrated digital business model.

Boston -- Gordon Brothers Group, a global advisory, restructuring and investment firm specializing in the retail, consumer products, industrial and real estate sectors, appointed Kenneth S. Frieze as CEO, effective Oct. 1.

Frieze has over 20 years of leadership experience in restructuring, consulting, brand redevelopment, appraisal and asset disposition. He has held various roles at the firm since 2003, serving most recently as president.  

Gordon Brothers Group, a global advisory, restructuring and investment firm specializing in the retail, consumer products, industrial and real estate sectors, has promoted Kenneth S. Frieze to the role of CEO.

Frieze has more than 20 years of leadership experience in restructuring, consulting, brand redevelopment, appraisal and asset disposition. He has held various roles at the firm since 2003, serving most recently as president. Prior roles included leading the firm's brand, appraisal and business development efforts.

Indianapolis -- Real estate giant Simon on Thursday announced 'Simon Launch,' a retail startup competition aimed at discovering, investing in, and accelerating the top startups in the retail industry. Simon will co-invest in the competition's winners through its recently formed venture capital arm — Simon Venture Group — in collaboration with Plug and Play,  a global investor and technology accelerator that specializes in growing tech startups. Simon will also become an Anchor Member of Plug and Play's Retail Accelerator program.