Corporate Governance

A search is underway for a new CEO to execute a massive transformation at one of the world’s largest retailers. Getting to the interview will require U.S. executives to take a very long flight and the successful applicant will need good listening skills to decipher the accent of co-workers.

Fort Worth, Texas -- There was good news in Pier 1 Imports’ first quarter performance, including a 2% increase in same-store sales.

The retailer reported net income of $6.9 million for the quarter, ended May 30, down from $15.1 million in the year-ago period. Its results were in line with expectations.  

Seattle – Starbucks Corp. is taking the bakery store brand it acquired in 2012 in house. The coffee giant said it plans to close all 23 La Boulange retail (bakery café) locations, as well as the two baking facilities serving the locations, by the end of September. The retailer said it determined that La Boulange stores are “not sustainable for the company’s long-term growth.”

San Francisco - Petco is launching a new on-demand delivery service called PetcoNow, in partnership with Instacart. PetcoNow gives pet owners the ability order from  selection of approximately 13,000 Petco products, delivered directly to their door in as little as one hour.

Dallas - Justin Lambeth has been appointed as chief marketing officer of Corner Bakery Café.

Lambeth joins Corner Bakery Cafe following several leadership roles at PepsiCo Inc., where he was responsible for marketing, consumer engagement and shopper marketing for the company's Quaker Division as chief marketing officer.

Prior to his work with the Quaker division, Lambeth held the role of VP at Frito-Lay, as well as leadership roles at H.J. Heinz and Nabisco Inc.
 

Designer clothing and accessories retailer Rent the Runway’s business is dependent on an advanced reverse logistics and transportation network, which is why the company just hired a leading logistic executive from an online competitor.

New York-based Rent the Runway named Chris Halkyard its first ever chief logistics officer to oversee the company’s just-in-time reverse logistics and vertically integrated operating systems.

Dedham, Mass. – The Legacy Place shopping center is opening an Eddie Bauer location on July 2. The Legacy Place store will feature outerwear, apparel, footwear, gear, and accessories for men and women.

“Eddie Bauer not only enhances the overall merchandise mix of the center, it also adds another reason to make Legacy Place your first choice shopping destination” said Beth Winbourne, general manager, Legacy Place.

Home furnishings retailer West Elm has named a new senior vice president of design for its retail, catalog and online channels.

The company says Johanna Uurasjarvi will lead the product design team and report to West Elm President Jim Brett.

Bringing more than 20 years of fashion design experience and a lifetime of passion for design and global craft, Uurasjarvi joins West Elm from the lifestyle brand, Anthropologie, where she was the executive creative director of product design.