Labor & Employment

New York -- Christopher Finazzo, former executive VP and chief merchandising officer for Aeropostale, has been sentenced to eight years in prison after being convicted of defrauding the company and taking more than $25 million in kickbacks from a key vendor.

Finazzo, who was found guilty in April 2013 of 14 counts of mail fraud, wire fraud and conspiracy, was also ordered to forfeit more than $25 million and pay the company $13.7 million in restitution.

Tampa, Fla. -- RMC Property Group announced that Nicholas Roth has joined the company as VP leasing.  

Roth joins RMC from Sandor in Indianapolis, where he was its U.S director of leasing. Roth also worked previously in landlord representation as director of leasing/Florida with Edens & Avant and as senior VP leasing/Florida with Equity One.

Atlanta -- The Home Depot on Thursday named Craig Menear, president of the chain's U.S. retail business, as CEO and president, effective Nov. 1. Menear succeeds chairman and CEO Frank Blake.  Blake, who has held the top spot since 2007, will remain chairman.

Menear, who was also elected to the company's board of directors, effectively immediately, assumed his current position in February 2014. He is a 34-year retail veteran, and has been a key leader in the company's success, the retailer said.

New York -- Family Dollar said it favors a smaller deal with potential buyer Dollar Tree, and firmly rejected an offer for takeover by larger competitor Dollar General.

Following an $8.5 billion offer last week by Dollar Tree, Dollar General offered a $9 billion, all-cash deal.

New York -- Cushman & Wakefield announced that Michael Prabhu has joined the firm as the U.S. head of Property Management.

Based in downtown Los Angeles, Prabhu’s focus will be on the strategic growth of the firm’s property management business in the U.S.

Jacksonville, Fla. -- Stein Mart Inc. reported net income of $1.7 million for the second quarter, reduced from $3.4 million last year on higher healthcare costs.

Total sales increased 2.5% to $298.2 million, while same-store sales increased 1.3%, the retailer’s ninth consecutive quarter of comparable store sales gains.

York, Pa. -- The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc. reported a loss of $36.2 million in the second quarter, narrowed from a loss of $37.3 million in the year-ago period.

Revenue edged up 1.1% to $563.5 million, compared with $557.1 million in the prior year period. Same-store sales increased 1.6%.

“We were pleased that we achieved comparable store sales growth, particularly given the challenging promotional environment and continuation of soft traffic trends,” said Brendan Hoffman, CEO.

Atlanta -- Rent-to-own chain Aaron's, Inc. has named its current CFO Gilbert L. Danielson to the position of interim chief executive officer, following the retirement of current CEO Ronald W. Allen on Aug. 31.

Danielson will also retain his CFO responsibilities during the interim period and will not be a candidate for the permanent CEO role, said the company. A formal search, led by Spencer Stuart, is underway and includes a review of both internal and external candidates.