Marketing

BENTONVILLE, Ark. and HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. -- Walmart and Sears Holdings have both announced their commitment to helping military members maintain employment when moving from one community to another.

New York City -- J. Crew said Tuesday that it plans a $20 million expansion of its Lynchburg, Va., distribution center to facilitate the retailer’s goal of selling more clothes overseas.

According to a report in the Lynchburg newspaper News & Advance, J. Crew is slated to open its first store outside the tates and start shipping orders to Europe by the end of 2011. Those orders will be filled at J. Crew’s facility in Lynchburg.

Bentonville, Ark. -- Wal-Mart Stores said Tuesday it plans to reduce space for electronics in its U.S. stores, saying that sales in that category have declined.

The company will reduce floor space devoted to items such as flat-screen televisions and give some of that space to apparel, according to Rosalind Brewer, who runs the Wal-Mart East division and addressed a retail conference in Atlanta on Tuesday.

Washington, D.C. -- On the heels of First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden’s “Joining Forces” military support announcement in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, Walmart has announced its Military Family Promise. 

The commitment guarantees a job at a nearby store or club for all military personnel, and military spouses, employed at Walmart and Sam's Club who move to a different part of the country because they or their spouse have been transferred by the United States military.

New York City -- A report by the Associated Press revealed that Gap CEO Glenn Murphy received compensation worth nearly $6 million in 2010, an 18% increase from the year before.

Most of the increase came from a one-time bonus and stock awards. Murphy didn't receive any stock awards the year before.
 

Wilmington, Del. -- Chase Card Services, a division of JPMorgan Chase & Co., and Kohl’s Department Stores announced an exclusive marketing partnership in which Chase card members enrolled in Chase’s Ultimate Rewards program will gain access to a wide range of increased rewards benefits for shopping at Kohl’s.

Indianapolis -- Finish Line announced that Terry Ledbetter has been appointed CIO, effective April 14. Most recently, he served as VP information technology, Dick’s Sporting Goods.

In other appointments, the chain said that Donald J. Gualdoni has been appointed VP business development and corporate strategy, effective April 14.

New York City -- A report released Tuesday by The Conference Board found that the top concern facing CEOs across the globe is business growth.

The Conference Board CEO Challenge 2011 polled more than 700 CEOs, presidents and chairmen from across geographies and industries regarding the most pressing issues they face in today’s business environment.

Menomonee Falls, Wis. -- Kohl’s Department Stores announced Tuesday that it will be recognized as a 2011 Energy Star Partner of the Year by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy.

The award, Kohl’s second consecutive, will be presented Tuesday evening at the Energy Star Awards ceremony in Washington, D.C.

Indianapolis -- Finish Line said Monday that the president of its e-commerce division will retire.

Don Courtney will depart following a transition period, remaining in his current role during the retailer’s search for his successor.