Corporate Governance

Penney taps former Home Depot vet to head up stores
J.C. Penney Company appointed Joe McFarland as executive VP of stores, effective immediately, succeeding Tony Bartlett.

McFarland, similar to J.C. Penney CEO Marvin Ellison, is a Home Depot veteran. He worked at the home improvement giant for over 20 years, most recently as president of its Northern and Western Divisions, where he was responsible for the sales and operations of up to 800 stores in 24 states. McFarland began his career at the chain as a sales associate.
Publix names senior VP of retail ops, plus two new VPs
Publix Super Markets continues to make news on the executive front.

Toys “R” Us marks milestone store in China

Ten years after first entering the market, Toys "R" Us has opened its 100th store in China. The retailer has opened a total of 27 new locations across China within the past year.
NRF’s Shay delivers state-of-retail message

National Retail Federation president and CEO Matt Shay shared a message of inspiration and transformation to mark the beginning of the trade group’s annual Big Show, which again drew a record number of attendees to New York.
Giant Eagle exec to head up real estate for La-Z-Boy

La-Z-Boy Inc. announced the appointment of James Chickini as VP, real estate, responsible for real estate development initiatives for the La‑Z‑Boy Furniture Galleries store network, including corporate-operated locations, across North America.
Report: Walmart merging tech teams to create new group

Wal-Mart Stores’ online push continues.

The retailer will merge its Bentonville-based information systems division with its Silicon Valley-based technology unit, zWalmartLabs, next month, Reuters reported.

The merger will create a new group called Walmart Technology.

The chain’s CIO, Karenann Terrell, and chief technical officer, Jeremy King, will continue to lead the information systems group and zWalmartLabs, respectively. Both will report to Neil Ashe, head of the chain e-commerce division, the report said.
Report: Amazon expands logistics reach

Amazon.com's China division has registered as an ocean freight forwarder, which will give the e-commerce giant more control over shipping products from Chinese factories to U.S. shoppers, according to Reuters.

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Walmart closing unprecedented number of stores

Walmart said it will close 269 stores worldwide this year, including many of its smallest stores, in an unprecedented move CEO Doug McMillon characterized as being more disciplined about growth.
Tractor Supply looks to unleash pet product sales

The pet products category is hugely important to Tractor Supply and now the nation’s largest operator of farm and ranch stores has devised an innovative approach to drive demand at its nearly 1,500 stores.
NRF slashes holiday sales forecast

The National Retail Federation confirmed what many retailers already knew and made a downward revision to a holiday forecast that initially called for 3.7% growth.

Citing what it called “unforeseen events,” the National Retail Federation (NRF) said sales during November and December increased 3% to $626 billion, down from an earlier forecast which envisioned growth of 3.7%.
Teen retailer avoids delisting

Aeropostale announced on Friday that the New York Stock Exchange had accepted the company's plan for continued listing, subject to quarterly review.
Report: CVS to open new location on Vegas strip

A CVS store is expected to open on the Las Vegas strip in May, according to a report by Vegas Inc. published Tuesday. It will be CVS' fourth location to Walgreens' five, the report noted. "They've really been popping up quickly," Ray Germain, associate VP investments with Marcus & Millichap told Vegas Inc. "It's crazy what you'll pay for a little packet of Advil. (Vegas Inc.)