Marketing

Mahwah, N.J. -- Ascena Retail Group Inc. on Monday reported fourth-quarter net earnings of $15.7 million, compared with $29.8 million in the year-ago period. Its results missed Wall Street expectations.

Revenues for the quarter were $1.18 billion, compared with $1.20 billion in the prior year. The company attributed the decrease challenging tween market conditions at Justice and inventory-related issues at Lane Bryant. Results were partially offset by positive comp growth at Maurices and Catherines and new store growth at Maurices.

Recent executive leadership changes at Spanx have set the stage for change and a new phase of growth.

The company has promoted Jill MacRae to EVP, global commerce. MacRae began her career at Spanx in sales, and most recently lead all aspects of product and consumer marketing development as the VP of marketing.

Dallas-based apparel company Haggar Clothing has appointed Eve Richey as chief digital officer, reporting to CEO Michael Stitt.

Richey will be responsible for creating a seamless approach to the consumer experience across a variety of shopping channels, including the design, development and implementation of digital-commerce solutions that ensure customer and retailer demands and expectations are exceeded.

New York -- Brown Shoe Company’s Sam Edelman brand has opened a 3,500-sq.-ft. store in Beverly Hills, California.

The space has a sexy, stylish and whimsical vibe that’s meant to reflect the essence of the brand. The design, by Dagnell Folger of Architecture + Information, embraces the juxtaposition between raw and refined, mixing materials such as reclaimed wood and raw concrete with rose colored brass and black leather.

With the recent unveiling of a new corporate name and a network of retail pharmacies that are now officially tobacco-free, CVS Health continues to forge ahead on its mission to help shape the future of health care. To further communicate its purpose to both consumers and press and to discuss how the company’s unique, integrated model is making a difference in healthcare, Larry Merlo, president and CEO of CVS Health, spoke on Friday before the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.

Boise, Idaho - Albertsons and Safeway Inc. announced the new senior leadership team and division leaders  for the combined company that will take effect upon the closing of their proposed merger. The deal is expected to close in a few months.

Safeway president and CEO Robert Edwards will serve as CEO of the combined company and current Albertsons CEO Bob Miller will become executive chairman.

The merger between Albertsons and Safeway is expected to close in a few months and when it does the combined company already has a new senior leadership and field operations structure in place.

The companies late Friday announced key leadership positions it said drew on strong talent within both organizations to build an innovative, customer-focused and growth-driven company.

Chicago -- Urban Retail Properties, LLC, announced the acquisition of Oakland Square and Oakland Plaza in Troy, Michigan, by its parent company RAIT Financial Trust. Purchase price was $50.8 million.

Both properties are adjacent to Oakland Mall, a 1.5-million-sq.-ft. super-regional center that Urban Retail currently manages.