Corporate Governance

Five Below names Walmart’s Anderson president
Teen and pre-teen retailer Five Below landed two senior executives from Walmart.com and Ascena Retail Group for key roles as it looks to accelerate an already rapid pace of growth.

Walmart.com president and CEO Joel Anderson will join Five Below as president in July to oversee all aspects of merchandising, stores and marketing. Eric Specter, most recently EVP and chief integration officer for Ascena, will serve as Five Below’s chief administrative officer and oversee supply chain, information technology and real estate.
Barnes & Noble elevates Huseby as CEO
Michael Huseby was named CEO at Barnes and Noble after previously serving briefly as the retailer’s CFO and then president.

Huseby will also serve on the company’s board and oversee the 673 store retail group led by CEO Mitchell Klipper and the 695 store college group led by CEO Max Roberts. Huseby joined Barnes & Noble in March 2012 as CFO and was named president in July 2013.

Five Trends That Will Impact Supermarket Retailers in 2015

Mark Dunson, Emerson Climate Technologies Supermarkets are utilizing data-driven approaches to offset a moderate economy, varying consumer behavior and the continued rise of online competitors. Achievement often depends on reacting well to difficult issues or, better, getting ahead of the next obstacles. There's no telling how the year will develop, but there are several clear challenges and opportunities for savvy supermarkets in 2015.
FRCH annouces new director, new business development

CINCINNATI– FRCH Design Worldwide announced that Thomas Smith has joined FRCH as director, new business development for the firm’s Retail/Mixed-Use practice. Smith will be based in Los Angeles and will be responsible for establishing new relationships for the firm throughout North America, supporting offices in Cincinnati, New York and a soon to be established office in Los Angeles.
Safeway scores 100% on Corporate Equality Index

PLEASANTON, Calif. - For the second year in a row, Safeway Inc. has received a perfect score of 100% on the Corporate Equality Index (CEI), a national benchmarking survey and report on corporate policies and practices pertinent to LGBT equality, administered by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation.
Construction trends include increase in retail, restaurant ground-up projects

CHICAGO - Top commercial construction trends for 2015 include an increase in retail and restaurant ground-up construction and a rise in shopping mall renovations, according to national general construction firm Englewood Construction.
Epicor partners with AJB for electronic payment

Austin, Texas - Epicor Software Corp. is launching a strategic partnership with integrated payment solutions provider AJB Software Design, Inc. to simplify and secure electronic payment acceptance at the point-of-purchase, enabling retailers to accommodate new and emerging methods of payment and comply with security best practices such as the forthcoming Europay, MasterCard and Visa (“EMV”) initiative.
Home Depot, Warby Parker and Chico’s to be honored at NRF Showv

New York - Executives from The Home Depot, Warby Parker and Chico’s will receive top honors at the National Retail Federation’s annual covention (the Big Show) in New York. Frank Blake, former Home Depot CEO and current chairman, will receive NRF’s Gold Medal Award. Clicks-to-bricks eyewear retailer Warby Parker will receive the Retail Innovator of the Year Award, with company co-founders and co-CEOs David Gilboa and Neil Blumenthal accepting the award.
RadioShack marketing chief goes to At Home

Plano, Texas - Home décor superstore retailer At Home has appointed Jennifer Warren as its new chief marketing officer. Warren most recently held the same position for Radio Shack, where she was responsible for leading the marketing, consumer insights, private brand strategy, public relations and omnichannel teams.
Judge clears way for Tuesday vote by Family Dollar shareholders

New York - A Delaware judge has denied a request to block Tuesday's vote by Family Dollar Stores on a $8.5 billion take-over bid by Dollar Tree, saying dissident shareholders "failed to demonstrate a reasonable probability of success on any of their claims." A shareholder lawsuit had requested a preliminary injunction against the vote until Family Dollar “properly engaged” in talks with rival Dollar General to “achieve a value-maximizing transaction.”
U.K. retailer Poundworld launching IT overhaul with PCMS

Normanton, U.K. – U.K.-based discount retailer Poundworld is embarking on an IT overhaul with global retail IT services provider PCMS to support its long-term growth plans. The 10-month project will see Poundworld implement a range of new IT systems to improve customer experience, efficiency and store management.
Appliance Recycling Centers names new CFO

Minneapolis – Appliance Recycling Centers of America Inc. (ARCA) has named Jeffery Ostapeic as the company's CFO. Ostapeic is a certified public accountant and served most recently as an audit partner with Grant Thornton LLP, an international accounting firm.