Trading Partners

BENTON HARBOR, Mich. — Whirlpool  has appointed Esther Berrozpe as president of the company's Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region and to the company's executive Committee. Berrozpe is currently VP European markets for the company's EMEA region.

"Esther is a proven global leader at Whirlpool Corp. Her experience in both Europe and North America is strong, and she is well-suited to lead our European business," said Jeff Fettig, chairman and CEO of Whirlpool Corp.

Mergers and acquisitions transaction activity in the U.S. retail sector jumped 39% in 2012 for deals greater than $50 million, while total deal value more than doubled. These gains point to an industry undergoing major changes, one that is attracting considerable interest from a wide range of players.

Pleasanton, Calif. -- Safeway Inc. said that Bruce Everette, 61, is retiring as EVP retail operations after a 44-year career at Safeway. He will be replaced by Kelly Griffith, currently the president of merchandising.

“We are deeply grateful to Bruce for his significant and lasting contribution to our company's success," said chairman and CEO Steve Burd. "He is the consummate operating executive whose results and people-oriented approach to the business leave an unmistakable imprint on who we are as a company."

Minneapolis -- A Friday report by Bloomberg said that coffee purveyor Caribou Coffee has lost interest in opening shops inside J.C. Penney Co. stores.

The revelation comes just six months after Penney CEO Ron Johnson announced Caribou Coffee as a potential partner.

Caribou CEO Mike Tattersfield said in a Friday emailed statement that the company “does not have plans to move forward with a partnership at this time.” Tattersfield has not elaborated on the reasons for the change of heart.

New York -- After nearly three weeks of testimony, a New York State Supreme Court Judge ordered Macy's, J.C. Penney Co. and Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia into mediation to try and reach a settlement in their contract dispute trial.
 
If the three companies do not reach an agreement before April 8, the judge will resume hearing the case.
 
In another development in the ongoing dispute, Penney agreed not to sell certain Martha Stewart-designed goods (products deemed exclusive to Macy’s) until at least April 8.

CITY OF INDUSTRY, Calif. — Sycamore Partners has agreed to acquire teen retailer Hot Topic for approximately $600 million, or 14 cents per share in cash. The agreement, which has been unanimously approved by Hot Topic’s board of directors, represents a premium of approximately 30% over Hot Topic’s closing stock price on March 6.

WARRENDALE, Pa. — Specialty apparel retailer Rue21has announced that Stacy Siegal, the company's current VP, general counsel and corporate secretary, has been promoted to the additional position of chief administrative officer. Siegal will continue to report directly to Bob Fisch, the company's president and CEO.

MOORESVILLE, N.C. — Lowe’s has named José Luis Pier Castelló as president/general director of Lowe’s Mexico, effective March 15. He replaces Francisco Fernandez, who has left the company. Pier Castelló will report to William Robinson, head of international operations and development.

SPARKS, Md. — McCormick announced that Chuck Langmead has been promoted to president of global industrial. In his new role, Langmead will help McCormick drive sales growth by aligning its customer intimacy efforts and driving its strategy consistently across McCormick's industrial businesses worldwide.

Dallas -- The current trial involving Martha Stewart, J.C. Penney Co. and Macy's could seriously damage the value of the Martha Stewart brand, according to litigation media relations and crisis management expert David Margulies, president of Marguilies Communications Group.

"Even if the court rules in her favor the perception will be that Stewart stabbed a longtime loyal business partner in the back,” he said. “The public looks at legal issues from a point of fairness rather than from the specific legal issues involved.”