Corporate Governance

Francesca's has lost its chief financial adviser just weeks after naming a new head merchant and a new senior marketing executive.

The Texas-based company announced that CFO Mark Vendetti has resigned from the company effective Dec. 4. Cindy Thomassee, Francesca's current VP of accounting, has been appointed to the role of interim CFO and will report directly to CEO Michael W. Barnes while the company conducts a search for a CFO.

Gordmans Stores ended its same-store sales dry spell and successfully launched an e-commerce site in the third quarter, leaving CEO Andy Hall upbeat about the company’s prospects.

Gordmans, operator of 102 off price department stores, said same-store sales increased 0.8% and total sales increased 4.9% to $153.9 million in the third quarter ended Oct. 31. The company also noted that gross margin improved 50 basis points to 44.4% due to reduced markdown activity.

Walmart on Friday named George Riedl as senior VP, president Walmart health and wellness, reporting to Michelle Gloeckler, Walmart executive VP consumables and health and wellness.

Riedl starts Dec. 14.

After reporting a sales decline and third quarter loss, Stage Stores offered a unique explanation due the location of its 847 stores.

The company’s sales and same store sales both declined 3.5% and a net loss of $9.4 million equated to an earnings per share loss of 29 cents, compared to a prior year earnings per share loss of 16 cents.

More robust omnichannel capabilities have Best Buy CEO Hubert Joly confident about his company’s ability to execute during the holidays, but his views on overall demand for consumer electronics are another matter.

The Bon-Ton says it is focusing on reducing expenses after a third quarter in which the retailer tripled its net loss and decreased same-store sales.

For the quarter ended Oct. 31, the Pa.-based retailer had a net loss of $34 million ($1.72 a share), compared to a net loss of $11 million (57 cents a share) in the 2014 quarter. Revenue totaled $623.4 million, down from $642.7 million in third quarter 2014. Same-store sales declined 2.6%.

A retailer noted for consistently strong online customer service has received top ranking once again.

For the second consecutive quarter, L.L Bean is the top-ranked company in Stella Benchmarks from StellaService. During the third quarter of fiscal 2015, L.L .Bean ranked within the top 10 for four of five service areas in Stella Benchmarks, including phone (No. 5), email (No. 3), chat (No. 7) and returns (No. 4). In shipping, L.L. Bean ranked outside the top 25.

Hamilton Township, N.J. -- IP Associates announced it has executed an agreement with Regal Entertainment Group to anchor Independence Plaza located in Hamilton, New Jersey. The announcement comes on the heels of an eight month turnaround leasing campaign that has netted in 115,000 sq. ft. of new leases.