Marketing

LONDON  — Asda announced last week that Judith McKenna, the company's current finance director, is to take the reins as the retailer’s COO, effective September.

Judith, who joined Asda more than 15 years ago, has led Asda’s finance functions as CFO since 2001.

As COO she will take on leadership of all Asda’s retail operations, including its stores, distribution network and IT systems.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Sam's Club is highlighting health-and-wellness issues through its latest campaign, and has pledged to donate up to $2 million to four nonprofits.

The retailer's 2011 Giving Made Simple campaign allows Sam's Club members and associates to direct a portion of the company's donations to four health-related nonprofit organizations: Alliance for a Healthier Generation, OASIS, Sesame Street and The Y.

RACINE, Wis. — SC Johnson has introduced Windex Mini, a concentrated refill pouch that uses 90% less plastic packaging than a traditional 26 fluid ounce trigger bottle.

According to SC Johnson, data shows U.S. consumers are not keen on refilling their household cleaning bottles and is hoping the launch of Windex Mini will help the company understand why that is the case.

PITTSBURGH — Thomas Dowd has been named GNC EVP, chief merchandising officer and general manager, the company announced in an SEC filing Friday.

Dowd has served as EVP store operations and development since April 2007.

The move follows the announcement in June that Beth Kaplan would be stepping down from her role as GNC president and chief merchandising officer. Following that announcement, GNC CEO Joe Fortunato reassumed his role of president.

New York City -- Survey results released Tuesday showed that higher salaries, job mobility, and a strong emphasis on “quality of life” benefits are redefining the job market in retail and fashion.

According to 24 Seven’s Fifth Annual Salary Survey, conducted in collaboration with the American Apparel & Footwear Association, 68% of respondents plan to make a career move in the next year, with nearly half already looking for a new job.

New York City -- Saks said Tuesday it will open a licensed Saks Fifth Avenue store in Almaty, Kazakhstan, in August 2012.

The full-line department store, which will tailor its merchandise to the region, will open in Esentai Shopping Mall, which is part of a new mixed-use development featuring residential, office and hospitality components.

The three-story, 91,000-sq.-ft. store will showcase a three-story-high, state-of-the-art digital video screen on the building’s facade. 

SAN FRANCISCO — Gap Inc. announced that it plans to open its first Gap store in Egypt this July and its first Gap and Banana Republic stores in Morocco this October. These store openings will mark the company’s first entry into Africa.

As part of an existing franchise agreement with The Fawaz Al Hokair Group, Gap will open its first Egyptian store in the Mall of Arabia in the capital city of Cairo. Two additional Gap stores will open at Cairo’s City Stars Mall and Sun City Mall this October.

NORTHFIELD, Ill. — Kraft Foods announced that Daniel Myers will join the company in September as EVP supply chain.  Myers will lead the functional groups that make up the company's integrated supply chain, including procurement, manufacturing, engineering and customer service and logistics.  He succeeds David Brearton, who is now EVP and CFO.  Myers will report to chairman and CEO Irene Rosenfeld and be a member of the company's executive team.

Quick. Name the winner of this past season’s American Idol.

Did the name Scotty McCreery immediately come to mind? The country crooner’s distinctive voice probably gives him a better chance of commercial success than some other recent winners, and Walmart is doing its part to jump start his career along with other Idol runners up.

Family Dollar disappointed its investors this week with a third-quarter earning report in which gross margin pressures caused the company to report earnings per share of 91 cents that were four cents shy of analysts’ consensus estimates. The operator of 6,900 stores also said its 4.7% same-store sales increase was short of guidance of 5% to 7% and then used the occasion to lower fourth-quarter sales and earnings forecasts.