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  • Hhgregg swings to loss in tough Q2

    Indianapolis –- Consumer electronics retailer Hhgregg Inc. swung from profit to loss in a generally difficult second quarter of fiscal 2014. Hhgregg reported a net loss of $10.38 million, compared to net income of $3.68 million in the same quarter the prior fiscal year. Net sales dropped 11% to $505.86 million from $568.31 million. Same-store sales declined 11.4%. Growing expenses and declining gross profit helped push the chain into the red.

  • PizzaRev plans 40-plus franchise stores in five new markets

    Los Angeles -- PizzaRev, a fast-casual build-your-own pizza concept, is adding five franchise groups to develop the brand throughout Denver, Washington D.C., Las Vegas, Long Island, New York and Columbus, Ohio. PizzaRev plans to open at least 40 franchise locations across the markets.   Beyond its 12 corporate locations in greater Los Angeles, PizzaRev currently operates franchise locations across four states.  

  • New creative voice at Bill Blass

    The Bill Blass brand is in for a breath of fresh air with the arrival of celebrated designer Chris Benz as new creative director.

    Reporting directly to Stuart Goldblatt,  Bill Blass’ newly appointed president and CEO,  Benz will be responsible for the overall creative direction of the company.

    Benz brings to Bill Blass years of experience in the fashion industry, including designing for Mark Jacobs and J.Crew, as well as his own collection CHRIS BENZ, launched in 2007.

  • Best Buy vet to become Tile Shop CEO

    Specialty retailer Tile Shop announced a senior leadership transition involving long time CEO Robert Rucker and current COO Chris Homeister.

    The company said Homeister, a former Best Buy merchant who joined Minneapolis-based Tile Shop a year ago, would be elevated to the role of CEO effective Jan. 1. He replaces current CEO Robert Rucker who founded the company 29 years ago. Rucker will remain with the company on a full time basis until Aug. 1, 2015 as an advisor and board member.

  • Pfizer vet named president at Bridgestone

    Bridgestone Americas announced that TJ Higgins has been named president of the consumer U.S. and Canada divisions for the company's tire operations, effective Nov. 3. Higgins succeeds Gordon Knapp, who became COO of Bridgestone Americas in March. 

    Higgins brings more than 20 years of consumer products marketing and strategic business experience to Bridgestone. He most recently served as the North America regional president for Pfizer Consumer Healthcare and also held leadership roles at Merck and Vlasic throughout his career. 

  • Luxottica sees higher Q3 profit, revenue; to pay Cavatorta $6 million

    Milan, Italy –- Specialty eyewear retailer Luxottica Group S.P.A. reported increases in profit and revenue during the third quarter of fiscal 2014. Net income grew 10% to $259.2 million from $236.8 million in the third quarter of the prior fiscal year, while net sales rose 5% to $3.01 billion from $2.85 billion.  

  • RadioShack names Treasury vet as revitalization officer

    Fort Worth, Texas -- Harry J. Wilson, founder and CEO of The MAEVA Group, will serve as the chief revitalization officer of RadioShack, reporting to RadioShack CEO Joe Magnacca and the RadioShack board. The MAEVA Group, a specialist in corporate restructurings, will provide advisory services to RadioShack's board of directors and management as the company moves forward with its operational and financial turnaround efforts.    

  • Retail vet to lead IKEA Canada

    IKEA has appointed Stefan Sjöstrand president of its Canadian organization after he has previously served as SVP, IKEA France.

    With this move Sjöstrand is bringing global insights gathered from many years of working with IKEA to the Canadian market, as well as a proven track record of achieving business success through people development, according to the company. 

  • Top toy exec joins brand builder

    Former Toys “R” Us president Neil Friedman has joined toy manufacturer Alex Brands as president and CEO.

    Friedman has been appointed to the Alex Brands board of directors earlier this year.  Prior to that he was president of the U.S. division at Toys “R” Us and also served as president at Mattel Brands, Fisher-Price Brands, Tyco Preschool and MCA/Universal Merchandising. Friedman is a member of the Toy Industry Hall of Fame and the International Licensing Industry Merchandiser’s Association’s Hall of Fame. 

  • Tile Shop Q3 net income drops, COO to become CEO

    Minneapolis –- An increase in selling, general & administrative (SG&A) expenses helped reduce net income at Tile Shop Holdings Inc. to $1.5 million, down 63% from $4.05 million in the same quarter the prior fiscal year. In addition, founder and CEO Robert Rucker will retire as CEO effective Jan. 1, 2015 and be replaced by current COO Chris Homeister, who will join the board of directors early in 2015.  
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