Marketing

Former PepsiCo chairman and CEO Steve Reinemund has served on the Wal-Mart Stores Inc. board of directors since 2010, but when he’s in Northwest Arkansas next week it won’t be for a board meeting.

Reinemund will join former beverage rival and Coca-Cola bottling executive Frank Harrison for a unique event called, “Thirsting for Higher Success,” on Thursday, March 29 at the John Q. Hammons Center. To learn more and register for the luncheon event click here. 

Foothill Ranch, Calif. -- The Wet Seal reported Thursday that net income for the fourth quarter dropped to $1.1 million from $5.3 million a year earlier. Sales in the quarter followed the same downward trend, as net sales fell to $163.2 million from $165.5 million, and same-store sales declined 5.5%.

Seattle -- REI revealed on Thursday that Urban Outfitters CFO Eric Artz has been named finance chief for the outdoor retailer, effective May 2012.

Urban Outfitters announced Artz’s departure earlier on Thursday.

Hoffman Estates, Ill. -- Sears Holdings Corp. said Thursday that Steve Haber will join the company as senior VP and president, Home Appliances.

Haber was previously executive VP at Sony Electronics, leading the Product to Consumer Marketing and the Home and Digital Reading business divisions.
 

When North Plainfield, N.J.-based Levin Management took over as leasing and managing agent for Fairlane Village Mall – located in Pottsville, Pa. – in 2006, the impending economic downturn, a likely 80,000-sq.-ft. vacancy and growing industry consensus that the days of the small-market malls were numbered created a perfect storm of challenges.

Six years later, the 405,000-sq.-ft. property serves as a repositioning benchmark. Its success story is underscored by the March 2012 opening of Kohl’s and the impending arrival of Michaels later this year.

Evansville, Ind. -- Shoe Carnival reported Thursday that net income for the quarter ended Jan. 28 dipped to $3.3 million, from $4.4 million. Sales edged up 1.1% to $181.9 million in the quarter, and same-store sales dropped 3%.

President and CEO Mark Lemond told investors that heavy promotional activities to rid the chain of cold-weather footwear after an unseasonably warm winter had a negative impact on margins.

Dallas -- The Neiman Marcus Group said Thursday that it will invest $28 million in Glamour Sales Holding, a Shanghai-based e-commerce company, as part of its strategy to gain a foothold in the Asian e-commerce marketplace.

“We are taking this bold step to establish Neiman Marcus Group as an international brand,” said Karen Katz, president and CEO, Neiman Marcus Group.

Philadelphia -- Urban Outfitters said Wednesday that CFO Eric Artz is leaving the company, and will be replaced by current chief accounting officer Frank Conforti, effective April 3.

No reason has been given for Artz’s departure, other than he plans to return to the west coast.

Urban Outfitters operates under the Anthropologie, BHLDN, Free People, Terrain and Urban Outfitters brands.

Philadelphia -- Urban Outfitters said Wednesday that CFO Eric Artz is leaving the company, and will be replaced by current chief accounting officer Frank Conforti, effective April 3.

No reason has been given for Artz’s departure, other than he plans to return to the west coast.

Urban Outfitters operates under the Anthropologie, BHLDN, Free People, Terrain and Urban Outfitters brands.
 

Oak Brook, Ill. -- McDonald’s Corp. announced Wednesday that vice chairman and CEO Jim Skinner will retire on June 30.

Skinner will be succeeded by current president and COO Dan Thompson, 48, effective July 1.