Marketing

Chicago -- Claire's Stores announced Monday that its COO James G. Conroy has departed the company, effective immediately.

Conroy's duties will be assumed by newly appointed CEO James D. Fielding, who will officially join Claire’s on June 18. Fielding had been president of Disney Stores Worldwide since May 2008.
 

New York -- Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia said Monday it has named Michael Robinson to the newly created position of VP e-commerce.

Robinson was most recently Anthropologie’s head of e-commerce for Europe and United Kingdom, and was responsible for launching the Anthropologie catalog and website in 1998, as well as introducing the retailer’s loyalty card program.

He has also held managerial and planning positions with Banana Republic and Smith & Hawken.

Canton, Mass. -- Dunkin' Brands Group said Monday that it has named current CFO Neil Moses as its new chief global strategy officer, charged with driving the company's strategic initiatives.

Paul Carbone, formerly VP finance and strategy, is being promoted to CFO.
 

PLANO, Texas — JCPenney has announced several promotions and additions to its merchandising, operations and investor relations areas.

“We’re rethinking every element of the retail business and there's no better way to re-imagine the possibilities than to tap the proven abilities of our own extraordinary talent along with the fresh perspectives offered by industry experts new to our organization,” said CEO Ron Johnson.

One of the biggest gripes residents of Northwest Arkansas have of the region, be they long time residents or recent transplants, is that Walmart is the only game in town when it comes to groceries. That situation will change later this summer when The Fresh Market opens its first location in Rogers.

CINCINNATI — Macy's Inc. has invested in the future of America, by hiring more than 1,000 college and university students for its Executive Development Program and for summer internships nationwide.

New York -- Bob Evans Farms Inc. plans to remodel 150 restaurants to its “Farm-Fresh Refresh” format in its current fiscal year. The remodels will include 40 sites in the Columbus, Ohio, market in the first quarter.

In its recently completed fiscal 2012, the chain remodeled 87 locations, with sales up 5% in the updated restaurants compared to the rest of the chain, executives said on the company’s fourth-quarter conference call.

Plano, Texas -- J.C. Penney Co. on Thursday announced several promotions and additions to its merchandising, operations and investor relations areas.

“We’re rethinking every element of the retail business and there's no better way to re-imagine the possibilities than to tap the proven abilities of our own extraordinary talent along with the fresh perspectives offered by industry experts new to our organization,” said CEO Ron Johnson.

PHILADELPHIA — Comparable sales slipped 2.8% at Pep Boys during the first quarter ended April 28, as customers were slow to come to the retailer for parts and services. The comps decline consisted of a 1.2% comparable-service revenue decrease and a 3.2% comparable-merchandise sales decrease. Total sales for the quarter increased by $11.1 million, or 2.2%, to $524.6 million from $513.5 million for the same period last year.

DALLAS — Tuesday Morning has ousted president and CEO Kathleen Mason and has begun a search for a new chief executive. Michael Marchetti, EVP and COO, has been promoted to president and COO and will serve as interim CEO until a replacement is found. Melinda Page, SVP, general merchandise manager has been promoted to EVP and chief merchandise officer and Seth Marks SVP of alternative sourcing and e-commerce has been promoted to SVP and chief marketing officer.