Strategy

CINCINNATI — Kroger announced that it has named Michael Donnelly SVP merchandising. Donnelly has been president of the company's Ralphs Grocery Company division, based in Los Angeles, Calif., since August 2007.

In his new position, Donnelly will lead all merchandising and procurement for Kroger.  

New York City -- Borders Group hopes to name a bidder by July 1 and sell itself by the end of that month, according to bankruptcy court filings, the Associated Press reported. Forty stores previously targeted for closing are also getting a temporary reprieve.

The retailer said in papers filed Friday it plans to name a "stalking horse" bidder by July 1. The company said an auction is likely on July 19, with a sale hearing on July 22 and sale closing on July 29.

PLANO, Texas — Last week, RetailingToday.com reported that former Apple executive Ron Johnson would succeed Mike Ullman as CEO of JCPenney. Today, JCPenney announced that Ullman, who was originally slated to remain on the company's board of directors indefinitely, will now be leaving the company on Feb. 1, 2012.

New York City -- Kmart stores is laying off 700 employees in its appliance departments.

The chain, a division of Sears Holdings Corp., is changing the way it sells appliances, allowing customers to check out appliances at any register rather than going to a dedicated register. Instead of having dedicated appliance-only associates, all Kmart staffers are being trained to answer questions about appliances.

There will also be a 1-800 number customers can call for help.

New York City -- J.C. Penney Co. on Monday detailed the timeline of its upcoming change in executive management with the news that current CEO and chairman Myron “Mike” Ullman will leave the company and the board in February 2012 after a three-month transition period during which he will hand over the reins in full to his successor, Apple retail guru Ron Johnson.

Washington, D.C. -- In a ruling that may mean new limits on class-action suits, the Supreme Court on Monday ruled for Wal-Mart Stores in the largest sex-discrimination lawsuit in history as it put the brakes on a massive job discrimination lawsuit against the chain.