Strategy

Ronald Sargent and Frank Brown -- the CEO of Staples and the dean of an international business school, respectively -- have been nominated for election to The Home Depot's board of directors at the company’s upcoming annual meeting on June 2.

Separately, David Batchelder has informed the company that he has decided not to stand for re-election at the annual meeting. Batchelder, founder and principal of Relational Investors LLC, has been a director since 2007.

Bensalem, Pa. -- Charming Shoppes said Thursday it recorded a net loss on a GAAP basis of $30.4 million for the quarter ended Jan. 29, compared with a loss of $28 million a year earlier. The company also announced the announced the appointment of Anthony M. Romano, COO and acting CEO, as president and CEO.

SIDNEY, Neb. -- Cabela’s Inc. announced that Beth Pritchard has been appointed to its board of directors.

“I am delighted that Beth has joined our Board,” said Tommy Millner, Cabela’s CEO. “Beth’s impressive retailing expertise, marketing knowledge and leadership experience will be invaluable as we continue to focus on our strategic initiatives and look to profitably expand our retail store count.”

Dallas -- Alliance Data Systems Corp., a provider of loyalty and marketing solutions derived from transaction-rich, announced that its Canadian coalition loyalty business has signed a national agreement with The Children's Place Retail Stores.

The agreement provides for The Children's Place to participate as a national sponsor in the Canadian Air Miles Reward Program and issue reward miles across Canada. Previously, The Children's Place launched a seven-month Air Miles pilot initiative in Alberta and British Columbia.

By Giles Sutton, J.D., LL.M, [email protected]

Gift-card sales have surged in recent years. With electronic or virtual gift cards and mobile applications that allow consumers to purchase and redeem gift cards from their mobile/smartphones, sales only continue to grow. While consumers flock to them for their flexibility, businesses have embraced them as a means to increase sales. Not only are buyers spurred into making new purchases, but they often spend more than the gift-card amount.

New York City -- FAO Schwarz is seeking to extend the lease for its flagship store in Manhattan, almost three years after the landlord Boston Properties said the retailer would likely have to leave, Bloomberg reported. The store is located in the General Motors Building, on Fifth Avenue at the corner of 58th Street.

Walmart International takes center stage next week with investors, as international division president and CEO Doug McMillon and other members of senior leadership offer insight into operations in China and Japan.

NEW YORK  -- Barneys New York has announced that Carine Roitfeld will collaborate on its women's fall 2011 campaign. Roitfeld will serve as guest editor and stylist working alongside celebrated photographer Mario Sorrenti and Barneys New York creative director, Dennis Freedman, to create the campaign, the company reported.

According to the company, the company will celebrate Roitfeld's iconic style and will feature looks displayed in the windows at Barneys' Madison Avenue flagship store.