Marketing

HERSHEY, Pa. — Just one month after filling in as the interim leader of chocolate giant Hershey, John Bilbrey officially took the reigns as president and CEO of the company.

Bilbrey also was elected to Hershey's board of directors, Hershey said Wednesday. Bilbrey, who served as the company's EVP and COO until May, replaced David West, who exited left his post after 10 years to become the chief executive at Del Monte Foods.

Irvine, Calif. -- Steadfast Cos. said Wednesday that financial services industry veterans Greg Brakovich and Jamie Shepherdson have joined forces with the company to provide advisory services and to facilitate the strategic expansion of the sales and the distribution effort for the company’s privately placed and publicly registered investment products.

HOUSTON — Men's Wearhouse has named Douglas Ewert president and CEO of the company, succeeding George Zimmer.

As previously announced, Zimmer will continue as executive chairman of the board of directors.

Zimmer stated, "I am excited to turn over the day-to-day reins of Men's Wearhouse to Doug. I know he has the same passion for this company and its people as I do. With him leading our efforts, we will continue to provide the highest level of service to our customers and our unique culture will thrive."  

Alexandria, Va. -- A poll from the Society of Human Resource Management, released Thursday, showed that the number of U.S. organizations with a formal succession plan in place decreased during the past five years from 29% in 2006 to 23% in 2011.

While less than a quarter of businesses have a formal plan in place, the numbers improve when informal plans are considered. More than one-third, or 38%, of human resources professionals said their organization currently has an informal succession plan or process in place (up from 29% in 2006).

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — HSN announced that it will offer an exclusive collection of home decor from award-winning architectural and interior designer and design television host Vern Yip.

The HSN exclusive Vern Yip Home collection will feature his signature, unique design lotus and medallion (a symbol of his family's history and design aesthetic) available on a bedding line, the company reported. The collection will also include furniture, window treatments, rugs, lighting and decor items.

DALLAS — Tuesday Morning has revised its fiscal year guidance and now expects total net sales to be in the range of $820 million to $830 million and comparable-store sales to be slightly negative for the full year of fiscal 2011. Diluted earnings, based on these sales results, are now expected to be approximately 25 cents to 30 cents per share for fiscal 2011, the company.

New York City -- Ron Johnson’s decision to leave Apple, where he serves as senior VP of retail, to take the reins of J.C. Penney Co. leaves the tech giant without a retail chief as it begins to ramp up its international expansion.

Apple plans to open 40 stores this fiscal year, with almost three-quarters of them outside the United States, the company announced in April. A big growth area is Asia.
Apple has said very little with regards to its plans to replace Johnson.

NEW YORK — Gilt Groupe announced that it has named Jason Goldberger as general manager of Gilt Home. In this role, Goldberger will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of the home business, including business strategy, merchandise and site development. Goldberger will report to Susan Lyne, chairman of Gilt Groupe.