Strategy

Lease-to-own retailer Aaron's has named Michael P. Ryan as VP of franchising. He replaces Todd Evans, who will be exiting the company. Henri Rogers, currently senior regional manager for Aaron's Three Rivers region, will succeed Ryan as divisional VP of Northern operations.

Phoenix – Same-store sales and strong performance at new stores helped drive impressive net come and revenue growth at Sprouts Farmers Markets Inc. during the fourth quarter and fiscal year 2014. On a year-over-year basis, net earnings more than doubled to $9.3 million from $5.9 million in the quarter and almost tripled to $51.3 million from $19.5 million.

A little more than a week after Signet Jewelers said it plans to acquire all of the issued and outstanding stock of Zale for $21 per share in cash consideration, Zale reported net earnings of $51 million in the second quarter, a 10% increase from $41 million in the prior-year period.

Same-store sales increased 1.9%, but revenues slipped 2% to $656 million from $671 million.

Hoffman Estates, Ill. -- Sears Holdings Corp. on Friday acknowledged that it is reviewing its systems to see if it has been the victim of a security breach. To date, it hasn’t found any indication of a breach, the retailer said.

Sears issued a statement after Bloomberg News reported on Friday that the U.S. Secret Service was investigating a possible breach at Sears. The report cited a person familiar with the investigation.

Atlanta - The Home Depot has named Craig Menear president, U.S. retail, effective immediately. Menear was previously executive VP, merchandising, responsible for all merchandising departments and merchandising services and strategy; the company's supply chain network; global sourcing; vendor management; marketing; and online sales.

Sally Hansen has appointed Madeline Poole as global color ambassador, trend expert and artistic adviser.

Poole will create the nail looks for Sally Hansen's exclusive nail sponsorship with Stella McCartney Collections in 2014. Sally Hansen said that it tapped the up-and-coming nail artist for her expertise in nail color and trends, cool factor, social media following and reputation for creating nail looks with a creative edge.

The Sally Hansen brand will integrate Poole’s designs into its brand advertising, promotion and digital campaigns.  

New York - Verizon Enterprise Solutions has opened the Verizon Cyber Intelligence Center (VCIC). The new center will offer advanced detection and response capabilities to better manage and mitigate cyber attacks.

Verizon Enterprise Solutions has opened the Verizon Cyber Intelligence Center (VCIC). The new center will offer advanced detection and response capabilities to better manage and mitigate cyber attacks.