Marketing

Jones Lang LaSalle has announced the hiring of two new vice presidents to handle leasing of third-party-managed retail properties in West Coast markets.  

Forget about online. The biggest threat to Macy’s and other department store retailers is coming from bricks-and-mortar.   Speaking at a recent conference in New York City, Macy's CFO Karen Hoguet said off-price retailers have proven a bigger long-term challenge to the company than the Internet, CNBC reported.

The chief merchandising officer of Dollar General Corp. is retiring.   The retailer announced that James “Jim” W. Thorpe, executive VP and chief merchandising officer, will retire from Dollar General effective April 15, 2017. Dollar General said it has started a search for a successor and will consider both internal and external candidates for the job.  

Dollar General on Thursday reported better-than-expected fourth quarter sales and earnings and said it planned to raise compensation and increase training for store managers.   The discounter also said it plans to open approximately 1,000 stores and remodel or relocate 900 existing stores in fiscal 2017.   

Williams Sonoma Inc. on Wednesday reported adjusted fourth-quarter earnings above expectations and said its board of directors authorized a dividend increase.   In a separate announcement, the company said Sandra Stangl, president of its Pottery Barn brands, will resign from the company March 31. http://www.chainstoreage.com/article/leadership-changes-home-furnishings-retailer  

New leaders are set to take the reins at Pottery Barn and its sister brands.   The company announced that Sandra Stangl, president of Pottery Barn Brands, which includes Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn Kids and PBTeen, is resigning from the company on March 31, 2017, after 23 years of service.  

A fashion blog is reporting that Walmart will acquire an online fashion brand known for its eclectic and quirky styles.   Walmart’s Jet.com division will acquire Modcloth, reported CNBC, which cited the Jezebel fashion blog. The report comes on the heels of Walmart’s acquisition in February of online outdoor apparel brand Moosejaw.    

Changes are coming to Christopher & Banks Corp.   On the heels of a 7.8% decrease in its fourth quarter sales, the women’s apparel retailer is launching a new merchandising strategy  that include a bigger focus on fashion over core items.   Christopher & Banks also will review styles on a weekly basis to identify emerging trends and mark down slower-moving products, said interim president and CEO Joel Waller on the company’s quarterly call with analysts.   

The chief marketing officer of J.C. Penney is leaving the company after two years on the job.   Mary Beth West is leaving the department store retailer on March 31 to become senior VP and chief growth officer of the Hershey Co. She will join Hershey on May 1.   West joined Penney in April 2015 after serving on the company’s board of directors for 10 years.   

It’s a homecoming of sorts for Mark Breitbard.     Gap Inc. on Tuesday named Breitbard as president and CEO of its struggling Banana Republic division.       Breitbard served as CEO at The Gymboree Corporation from 2013 until he stepped down in early 2017. From 2010 to 2013, he held leadership positions across Gap North America, where he was instrumental in delivering the product-led resurgence of Gap’s North America business.