Finance & Capital Management

New York City -- Jill Granoff, chief executive of Kenneth Cole Productions, announced her resignation on Monday, effective immediately. She had company for three years.

In a statement, the company described the decision to find a new CEO as "mutual."

Kenneth Cole, who founded the firm in 1982, will take on Granoff’s duties temporarily as the search for a new CEO begins.

Washington, D.C. -- A report released Monday by the Commerce Department showed that consumer spending in the United States in January edged up 0.2%, curbed by increased food and gas prices.

The results missed Bloomberg News forecasts and represented the smallest gain since June.

Incomes beat projections by climbing 1%, according to the report, reflecting the tax-cut compromise reached by President Obama and Congressional Republicans in December, and inflation remained below the Federal Reserve’s long-term forecast.

Hoffman Estates, Ill. -- Sears Holdings Corp. in a regulatory filing on Friday reported that its newly named CEO Louis J. D'Ambrosio will be compensated $7.2 million and a charter airplane for his commute from Pennsylvania to Illinois, as calculated and reported by the Associated Press.

D’Ambrosio will also be eligible for a bonus of up to $2 million, according to the report.

Coppell, Texas -- CiCi's Pizza announced Monday that it has signed agreements for the addition of 16 units over the next five years and hired Wingstop veteran Bruce Evans to lead franchise sales.

The moves are part of CiCi's growth initiative, with the goal of adding 500 restaurants in the next eight to 10 years.

Beaumont, Texas -- Electronics and appliances retailer Conns announced Monday that its president and CEO Timothy L. Frank has resigned the company.

Conns named Theodore M. Wright as the interim CEO and president, and has launched a search for a permanent replacement.

Frank has led the company as president and CEO since June 2009; he has been president since April 2006, and previously served as COO and senior VP retail.

Frank left to pursue other opportunities, the company said.

Wayne, N.J. -- A New York Post report on Saturday said that Toys “R” Us is considering an initial public offering in April to raise around $800 million, although a final decision has not been reached.

The retailer shelved IPO plans in 2010; it has not commented on the latest report that IPO talks have resurfaced.

By Scott W. Bermack, [email protected]

PLANO, Texas  -- JCPenney reported income from continuing operations of $1.09 per share for the quarter ended Jan. 29. Comparable-store sales for the quarter grew 4.5%.

SAN FRANCISCO -- Delivering its fourth consecutive year of double-digit earnings per share growth, Gap Inc. reported earnings per share for fiscal year 2010 increased 19% to $1.88 on a diluted basis compared with $1.58 on a diluted basis for fiscal year 2009. Net earnings grew by $102 million to $1.2 billion.

CINCINNATI — Kroger has announced the appointment of Cindy Holmes to director of investor relations and Carin Fike to director and assistant treasurer. Both changes will be effective March 6.

Fike will report to Kroger's treasurer, Scott Henderson; Holmes will report to Kroger's CFO, Michael Schlotman.

Holmes, 42, began her career with Kroger in 1990 in the information systems and services department, and for the past 10 years, she has served as the company's assistant treasurer.