Strategy

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. - Mattel announced that it has appointed Bryan Stockton, Mattel’s president of international, to the new position of chief operating officer, effective immediately. Stockton will report to Robert Eckert, chairman and chief executive officer of Mattel, as will Mattel’s finance, legal and human resources functions.

The company also announced that Neil Friedman, president of Mattel brands, will be leaving the company in March 2011.

DEERFIELD, Ill. - Shortly after announcing a record-setting first quarter last month, Walgreens reported that its December sales rose 7.5% to $6.8 billion.

The chain said that Duane Reade stores, which Walgreens acquired in April 2010, contributed 2.5 percentage points.

Meanwhile, Walgreens also raked in a 9.5% increase for its total front-end sales, thanks to a spike in customer traffic and basket size. Pharmacy sales for the chain, which accounted for 58.6% of total sales for the month, saw a 6% boost.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Winn-Dixie Stores announced that Laurence Appel, who joined Winn-Dixie in 2002 and formerly served as general counsel, corporate secretary and SVP human resources, has been named SVP retail operations. Appel replaces Frank Eckstein, who has retired from his current role but will continue to serve in an advisory capacity until the end of fiscal year 2011. 

The New Year is off to a busy start at BJ’s Wholesale Club. Amid ongoing speculation about the retailer being a potential takeover target, BJ’s on Wednesday announced the closure of five clubs, several senior level personnel changes and released its December sales a day earlier than normal.

LAS VEGAS - LG Electronics has unveiled a number of new devices at the 2011 International Consumer Electronics Show.

Fort Worth, Texas -- Buxton, a leading customer analytics firm, has named Charles Wetzel as its new CEO.

Wetzel, 35, started at Buxton in 2004 as COO. He assumed the role of president in 2008.

“Charles is the ideal candidate to assume the CEO post at Buxton,” said Tom Buxton, founder and chairman of Buxton. “He holds the right combination of analytical expertise and management needed to lead this company into the future.”

Los Angeles -- In recognition of his business and philanthropic achievements, The Home Depot’s executive VP merchandising, Craig Menear, will receive The Spirit of Life Award from City of Hope’s Hardware/Homebuilding Industry group. Menear will be honored Jan. 11, at a reception, at the Rosen Plaza Hotel in Orlando, Fla., by colleagues and industry members. The day will begin with a golf tournament event that supports City of Hope’s lifesaving research, education and treatment programs for cancer and other life-threatening diseases.

New York City -- Reports circulated Wednesday that several potential suitors, including Sears Holdings and Urban Outfitters, have been studying J. Crew’s books. Urban Outfitters is seriously weighing a counterbid for the high-flying preppy retailer, according to a report in The New York Times. At least two other private-equity firms are also receiving confidential data on the New York-based retailer, Bloomberg reported.

New York City -- Starbucks unveiled a new logo Wednesday, dropping the circle with the words “Starbucks” and “Coffee” that surround its signature mermaid.

Starbucks, celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, said the changes represent a fresh look for the company as it begins the next chapter in its history and emphasizes selling Starbucks-brand products in supermarkets and other channels beyond its retail stores.

New York City -- Saks on Wednesday announced it plans to close its Saks Fifth Avenue store located in the Cherry Creek Mall in Denver, Colo., on March 19. With the closing, the company will have closed seven Saks Fifth Avenue stores since July 2010.