Marketing

Fort Worth, Texas -- In an unexpected move, RadioShack said late Thursday that Walgreen Co. divisional president Joseph Magnacca will take the helm of the beleaguered consumer electronics chain as its new CEO.

Oak Brook, Ill. -- McDonald's Corp. reported Friday that global same-store sales decreased 1.9% in January, hurt by weakened performance outside the U.S.

By segment, comps in the U.S. rose 0.9%, but decreased 2.1% in Europe and dropped 9.5% in the Asia/Pacific, Middle East and Africa.
 
Systemwide sales for the month increased 0.3%, or 0.7% in constant currencies.

SEATTLE -- Kitchen goods retailer, Sur La Table, has promoted Jacob Maurer to the position of SVP, general merchandising manager.

The promotion is effective immediately, and will put Maurer in charge of all merchandise buying and product development functions for the company.

Maurer joined Sur La Table in 2003 as a store manager, opening the chain’s first Massachusetts store located in Chestnut Hill. In October 2004 he joined the company’s merchandising team in Seattle and rose to VP merchandising by 2009.

New York -- Delhaize America is cutting 500 jobs, according to published reports.

News media in North Carolina reported that the Belgian supermarket operator's American subsidiary would cut 350 jobs and 150 open positions as part of a reorganization. Employees of the company received notifications of the layoffs via email, according to the reports.

Everybody loves a turnaround story. RadioShack is betting that the now-former president of daily living products and solutions for Walgreens, Joe Magnacca, will help author a turnaround story of its own for the small-box consumer electronics retailer.

Seattle -- Sur La Table said Thursday it has promoted Jacob Maurer to the position of SVP – general merchandising manager for the kitchen goods chain.

The promotion is effective immediately, and will put Maurer in charge of all merchandise buying and product development functions for the company.

Underwriters Laboratories’ UL Environment division introduced an updated version of its EcoLogo to designate the sustainability of toys.

The EcoLogo is the first environmental toy standard developed with input from the Toy Industry Association (TIA), according to UL. It establishes a points-based model for the evaluation of performance, and recognizes manufacturers for sustainability leadership and innovation with the addition of a Platinum level certification for the highest achievement.

Mooresville, N.C. -- Lowe’s Cos. said Friday that Sylvain Prud'homme will join the company as president of Lowe's Canada, effective March 25.

Prud’homme replaces Alan D. Huggins, who is returning to the United States as Lowe's VP international operations.

Prud'homme comes to Lowe's from Loblaw Co., where he served in EVP roles in operations and merchandising.