Strategy

Leadership of the Kroger Co.’s retail operations is in limbo following the retirement of COO Mike Ellis, with no immediate successor named.

The Kroger Co. announced that Ellis has retired after 40 years with the company.

E-commerce infrastructure and cybersecurity initiatives. HVAC equipment upgrades and energy management systems. These days, retail CFOs must allocate capital expenditures to an ever-growing list of components — not all visible to the public but critical to corporate health. And while the role of the retail CFO has broadened considerably in recent years, becoming more strategic and more integral to business decision-making, capex spending remains a top item on their agenda.

“The CFO’s role in prioritizing investments, in what gets done, is still there.

Looking for a piece of the growing off-price pie, Kohl's has officially opened its Off Aisle concept in New Jersey.

Kohl’s is testing the off-price waters by opening a discount store in Cherry Hill, N.J., this summer called "Off Aisle by Kohl's." 

Two days before Kraft shareholders are scheduled to vote on a merger with Heinz, the company announced a slew of new executives.

Paulo Basilio was appointed executive vice president and CFO, having joined Heinz in June 2013 as CFO. Kraft's CFO James Kehoe and other Kraft executives are being let go in 30 days or when the merger is completed, Heinz said in a statement.

Warren, Mich. -- At least one retailer is bucking the current smaller store trend by opening its biggest location to date.

Art Van Furniture will open a two-story, 112,000-sq.-ft. store showroom in Downers Grove, Ill., on July 30. It will not only be the largest Art Van Furniture store among the company's 90 Midwest locations, but also and the largest furniture store in Chicagoland.

A former Target executive who led new format, new store and remodeling programs while also overseeing pharmacies and clinics is joining Rite Aid as executive vice president of store operations.

Bryan Everett will be responsible for all operations at the company’s nearly 4,600 chainwide stores and will report to Rite Aid’s president and COO Ken Martindale. Everett will succeed Bob Thompson, who has announced his retirement from the company, effective January.

Camp Hill, Pa. -- A veteran Target executive is joining Rite Aid.

The drugstore chain on Monday announced that Bryan Everett is joining Rite Aid as executive VP store operations, effective Aug. 3. He will be responsible for all operations at the company’s nearly 4,600 chainwide stores and will report to Rite Aid president and COO Ken Martindale.

Efficient Collaborative Retail Marketing (ECRM) continues to expand its capabilities and has done so again with another key retail industry hire.

ECRM recently hired retail and consumer packaged goods data veteran Jennifer Zannelli to the newly created role of ECRM Data Sales. In this capacity, Zannelli will lead strategic sales initiatives for ECRM Data and also help develop new products and services.