Strategy

Build-A-Bear Workshop has appointed Voin Todorovic as its new CFO, reporting to CEO Sharon John.

"Voin has a solid background in linking financial goals and business objectives. I am excited to have him join the team as we continue to evolve our business model to leverage the strength of the Build-A-Bear brand to drive toward the Company’s stated objectives of sustainable, profitable growth,” said John.

Minneapolis -- Target plans to open its sixth TargetExpress store, in the South Park area of San Diego, in July 2015.

At approximately 19,000 sq. ft., the store will be about 14% of the size of a standard Target store (135,000 sq, ft.). Similar to other TargetExpress locations, it will offer an edited assortment that is locally relevant.

Goya Foods plans to open a state-of-the-art distribution center in Georgia to aid with the expansion of their business in the southeast region.

Located at 4005 Haworth Pkwy., in McDonough, the facility will be officially inaugurated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Wednesday, Sept. 17, between 10:30 a.m. and 2p.m. McDonough’s Mayor Billy Copeland will be present for the ceremony.

New York -- Brookstone said its president and CEO, James M. Speltz, has resigned. The specialty retailer appointed Steve Schwartz, the company's chief merchandising officer, to serve as interim president and CEO.

Speltz helped Brookstone emerge from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in June. Also in June,  a bankruptcy court judge approved its sale to to a consortium of Chinese investors, Sailing Innovation Inc., for $135.7 million.

Austin, Texas -- Revionics announced that Niemann Foods, a chain of grocery, pet food, hardware, pharmacies and gas stations in the Midwest, has selected Revionics as its price optimization provider.

Revionics will be providing Niemann Foods with their SaaS-based price optimization solution, which includes robust price management, science-based optimization, forecasting, simulation and effectiveness measurement.

Top Dick’s Sporting Goods executives Joe Schmidt and John Duken have announced plans to leave the retailer before the end of the fiscal year.

Schmidt has served as Dick’s president and COO since 2009. He joined the company in 1990 and has served in key leadership roles with the retailer during his 24 year tenure. Schmidt will remain with the company until the end of the fiscal year, but could leave sooner once a successor is named.

Fremont, Calif. -- Men's Wearhouse has named Mary Beth Blake as the company's president and chief merchandising officer, effective Sept. 10. She was previously executive VP and chief merchandising officer.

From 2013 to 2014, Blake was executive VP and chief merchandising officer and from 2008 to 2013 she was the president of K&G.

Before joining K&G, she was with Macy's Midwest Division as senior VP, general merchandise manager for men's and children's.

Plug and Play’s quarterly pitch competition event, Plug and Play Fall Expo 2014, is coming to Plug and Play’s campus in Sunnyvale, California. Fall Expo 2014 will feature 40-plus startup pitches, panel discussions and corporate networking. It will be held Thursday, Sept. 18, from 9:30 a.m. – 7 p.m. PDT.

Chain Store Age will be in attendance and we hope to see you there!