Strategy

Fast Retailing’s Uniqlo USA division named a new CEO with a familiar name to lead what is expected to be an accelerated growth plan.

Uniqlo elevated existing COO Lawrence Meyer to the role of CEO to lead is 17 unit U.S. operation roughly one year after he joined the company. In his new role, Meyer will oversee the day-to-day operations of the Uniqlo brand and be responsible for the ongoing development of the company retail footprint in the U.S.

Tempe, Ariz. -- Togo's Eateries has opened its first restaurant in Tempe, Ariz., owned by current Togo's franchisees, Monty and Diana Coury, who opened the first Togo's restaurant in Gilbert, Ariz., last year.

"Since opening our first restaurant in Gilbert, we've seen a tremendous amount of support from the community and there is still a huge potential for growth in the market,” said Monty Coury.

Los Angeles -- John Dawson has been named president and CEO of coffee and tea retailer Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, charged with accelerating the chain’s plans for global growth.

Kenco, a leading provider of integrated logistics solutions, real estate services and material handling equipment, has named Kevin S. Fletcher as SVP of Kenco Transportation Services.
 
In addition to his transportation-leadership responsibilities, Fletcher will be responsible for account management, business development and strategic planning.
 

New York -- Eddie Lambert’s ESL Partners has reduced the size of its stake in Sears Holdings Corp. disclosing in a regulatory filing on that it now owns 48.4% of its shares, down from 55.4%.

In a statement, Lampert said that his fund had distributed 7.4 million shares in Sears to investors who wanted to withdraw money from his firm.  He said that he had not sold any of his personal holdings.

Sears Holdings chairman and CEO Eddie Lampert has pared down his stake in the retailing company, according to a regulatory filing Tuesday.

A Securities and Exchange Commission filing showed that Lampert reduced his stake in Sears Holdings to 48.4%, from a 55.4% stake reported in March. That leaves him with about 51.6 million shares in the company, whose stock was valued at $50.38 per share Wednesday morning on the NASDAQ, down from its opening price of $52.62.

New York -- Express Inc. reported net income of $19.3 million for the quarter ended Nov. 2, an 11% rise over last year’s $17.4 million profit.

Revenue increased 7.4% to $503 million, beating Wall Street’s expected $500 million in sales, and same-store sales increased 5%.

However, the specialty retailer lowered its guidance for the fiscal year as it said Thanksgiving week sales exceeded last year's levels but didn't meet expectations.

Sharon, Pa. -- Casual-dining brand Quaker Steak & Lube announced an area development agreement with Bosselman Food Services to open two locations in Nebraska and one in Iowa, which will mark the brand's entrance into the state of Nebraska. Bosselman Food Services plans to open one Quaker Steak & Lube restaurant per year in 2014, 2015 and 2016.

"We look forward to the opening of our first restaurant next year, and are excited for a great future with Quaker Steak & Lube," said Charlie Bosselman, president of the Bosselman Cos.