Strategy

Sherman Oaks, Calif. -- Brand management company Cherokee Inc. said Thursday that it has acquired the Liz Lange Maternity and Completely Me brands from LLM Management Co., an affiliate of Bluestar Alliance, for about $14 million, effective Sept. 4.

Little Rock, Ark. -- Dillard’s said Thursday that it has appointed Chris Johnson as its VP real estate. He succeeds James Cherry, Jr., who retired in December.

Johnson, a CPA, was previously VP of accounting for the department store retailer.
 

Minneapolis -- Supervalu announced Wednesday it will close about 60 underperforming or nonstrategic stores in fiscal 2012. The closings include 22 Save-A-Lot locations, 27 Albertsons stores, four Acme stores and one previously announced Jewel-Osco.

The majority of the stores are expected to close before Dec. 1, which marks the end of the company’s fiscal 2013 third quarter.

Same store sales increased 5.1% at Dollar General during the second quarter and the company remains on track to open more than 600 new stores this year.

Sales increased 10.4% to $3.95 billion during the second quarter ended August 3, thanks to the combination of same store sales growth and the addition of new stores. Net income increased 47% to $214 million in the second quarter compared to $146 million the prior year and earnings per share increased 52% 64 cents, inline with analysts’ consensus estimated, compared to 42 cents the prior year.

PHILADELPHIA — Former A.C. Moore CFO, David Stern, will join Pep Boys as EVP, CFO, effective Sept. 10, where he will oversee the finance function, as well as technology and corporate development.

PLEASANTON, Calif. — Safeway on Wednesday announced that it plans to file a registration statement in the United States for a potential initial public offering of a minority ownership stake in Blackhawk Network Holdings, a leading prepaid payments network.

Costco co-founder and former CEO Jim Sinegal appeared on CNBC Wednesday morning to offer a preview of his speech last night at the Democratic National Convention and explain why he supports the re-election of president Barack Obama.

MELVILLE, N.Y. — Hain Celestial announced that EVP and CFO Ira Lamel will retire from the company.

Lamel will remain with Hain Celestial until a successor is named and to ensure an orderly transition, according to the company, which has commenced a global search for Lamel's replacement. Lamel, 65, joined the company in 2001.

Oak Brook, Ill.-based Schuler Cabinetry, a division of Elkay, said it has expanded its presence in Lowe’s stores in this its 10th year with the retailer.

Earlier this year, Lowe’s completed an expansion of the brand into virtually all U.S. stores, with 900 additional stores being outfitted with Schuler selection centers and/or cabinet display vignettes.

DALLAS — Habitat for Humanity and Lowe’s are joining together to celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month with two large construction projects that will bring together Lowe’s Heroes, community organizations, schools and local VIPS to celebrate Hispanic heritage while building strong foundations for the future in partnership with Dallas and Houston families. The project includes building two new homes and completing critical repairs on three existing homes in partnership with low-income families.