Marketing

Framingham, Mass. -- The TJX Cos. said Friday it has acquired Sierra Trading Post, an off-price Internet retailer based in Cheyenne, Wyoming, for approximately $200 million in cash.

The purchase was financed from TJX’s existing cash balances.

New York -- J.C. Penney Co. has hired Brandon Tonniges, a former Abercrombie & Fitch Co. executive, as director of visual merchandising, Bloomberg reported.

Tonniges was a VP in Abercrombie’s “brand senses” division, described on the chain’s website as the “creative force” behind its store experience, according to the report.

Tonniges will report to a VP under Michael Fisher, who was named SVP visual presentation in March.

New York -- Third quarter same store sales at Bed Bath & Beyond were negatively affected by Hurricane Sandy, but the nation’s leading home good retailer still managed to grow profits.

Bed, Bath & Beyond said net income for the third quarter ended Nov. 24, increased 1.8% to $233 million.

Sales increased 15.3% to $2.7 billion, largely due to two acquisitions earlier in the year, while same store sales advanced 1.7% and were negatively affected by an estimated .9% due to Sandy.

The Woodlands, Texas -- Conn’s announced the opening of three Conn’s HomePlus stores in El Paso and Fort Worth, Texas, and Tucson, Arizona.

The new Conn’s HomePlus store format showcases furniture and mattresses in addition to the leading brands and the latest technologies in consumer electronics and home appliances.

Former Sam’s Club SVP and GMM Huey Long and former Target EVP of stores Troy Risch have joined forces to right the ship at RadioShack.

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. — Symantec, a global leader in security, backup and availability solutions, has appointed Stephen Gillett as its EVP and COO.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Interactive multichannel retailer HSNi has appointed BBC executive Ann Sarnoff to its board of directors.

Sarnoff will also serve on HSNi’s Compensation and Human Resources Committee. Her appointment expands the number of board members to ten.

Karen Roberts was named EVP and general counsel for Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. on Thursday amid the retailer’s ongoing investigation in possible violations of the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.

Roberts, 42, is a 17 year Walmart veteran who most recently served as EVP and president of Walmart Realty for Walmart U.S.. However, prior to that, she held the position of SVP and chief compliance officer for Walmart U.S. where she oversaw the establishment of food and product safety programs and a recycling program.

CANTON, Mass. and STAMFORD, Conn. — Nestle Waters North America has signed a five-year contract making it the exclusive water supplier for Dunkin' Donuts and Baskin-Robbins restaurants nationwide.

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid beat analyst expectations in third quarter 2013 as the generic wave and retention of Express Scripts customers helped drive better-than-expected adjusted EBIDTA and produced the company's first profitable quarter in five years.

"I am proud that we have achieved this significant milestone by putting our customers first and challenging ourselves to better serve them," Rite Aid president, chairman and CEO John Standley said in a conference call with Wall Street analysts Thursday morning.