Marketing

Omaha, Neb. -- Apparel and home fashions retailer Gordman’s has named Andy Lundquist  as VP stores.

Lundquist most recently served as senior VP stores for Kohl’s Department Stores, where oversaw 270 stores generating $4 billion in revenues in 21 states.

New York City -- Saks has named Denise Incandela to the newly created role of chief marketing officer for Saks Fifth Avenue.

Incandela, who joined Saks Fifth Avenue in 1999, will continue as president of Saks Direct.
 

Bentonville, Ark. -- Wal-Mart Stores on Wednesday launched initiatives intended, it says, to help women around the globe in the next five years.

The retailer has spent the last year developing a plan -- with help from both governmental and non-governmental organizations and philanthropic groups -- which will direct $20 billion over a five- year period on goods and services from U.S. businesses owned by women, as well as double the amount it pays women-run suppliers overseas.

Moscow -- Multiple sources in Moscow on Wednesday said that Victoria’s Secret will open its first Russian store in Moscow on Sept. 30.

According to local paper Vedomosti Business Daily, experienced American brand franchisee Moneks will open four Victoria’s Secret stores in and around Moscow prior to year’s end.

CINCINNATI — Consumer sentiment toward the economy continues to be negative, acknowledged David Dillon, Kroger chairman and CEO, a factor that may drive many consumers toward more of the value-driven store brands in which Kroger is investing.

"The sluggish economy continues to strain household budgets while increasing consumer anxiety," Dillon said. "In fact, customers tell us their expectation for the economy are more pessimistic now than at any time this year."

PHOENIX, Ariz. — The Global Market Development Center announced that its members have elected two new board members to serve in two-year terms on their board of directors: Mike Petocchi, business group manager HBC/cosmetics with Wegmans Food Markets; and former GMDC chairman of the board, Jim Wonderly, VP grocery non-foods/GM Ahold USA.

New York City -- A series of retailer moves on Madison Avenue has allowed for expansion and improved adjacencies in one of Manhattan’s luxury shopping meccas.

According to Prudential Douglas Elliman’s Retail Group, Italian luxury sportswear retailer Paul & Shark has opened in the Hartz Mountain Building at 667 Madison Avenue, replacing Michael Kors. In turn, Michael Kors will move to the current Steuben store and open a new flagship when the glassmaker departs the space.

Carlisle, Pa. -- Ahold USA said Tuesday it has appointed former Walmart executive Anthony Hucker to head its Landover, Md.-based Giant Food division.

Ahold, the U.S. subsidiary of Netherlands-based Royal Ahold, said Hucker has been named division president of Giant-Landover, effective Oct. 3, replacing interim president Don Sussman who will assume the role of executive VP supply chain for Ahold USA.

Hucker most recently served at Walmart as corporate VP and head of the Walmart Express division.
 

Minneapolis -- Target Corp. said Tuesday that its entire website crashed due to unusually high demand for its just-released Missoni for Target collection. Various newspapers reported that the collection was flying off the shelves of stores, and that some stores were sold out within minutes.

The hotly anticipated Missoni line features some 400 items, ranging from housewares to apparel. It is Target’s largest, limited-time designer collection to date.

Greensboro, N.C. -- Apparel giant VP Corp. announced that it has completed its previously-announced acquisition of The Timberland Company in a deal valued at $2.3 billion.

Timberland will become part of VF's Outdoor & Action Sports Coalition, which includes The North Face. The formerly family-held company will remain headquartered in Stratham, N.H.