Corporate Governance

Seattle -- Outdoor gear and apparel retailer REI has promoted Eric Artz, CFO, the additional role COO), and Susan Viscon, VP merchandising, to senior VP merchandising.

Hoffman Estates, Ill. -- Sears Holdings Corp. on Thursday reported a bigger-than-expected loss in its second quarter – the retailer’s ninth consecutive quarterly loss – amid weak sales. The retailer also announced it may close additional stores on top of the 130 closures already underway this year.

Sears also said Thursday the company plans to explore options with lenders to achieve more long-term capital-structure flexibility in the coming six to 12 months.

Jacksonville, Fla. -- Stein Mart Inc. reported net income of $1.7 million for the second quarter, reduced from $3.4 million last year on higher healthcare costs.

Total sales increased 2.5% to $298.2 million, while same-store sales increased 1.3%, the retailer’s ninth consecutive quarter of comparable store sales gains.

New York -- Christopher Finazzo, former executive VP and chief merchandising officer for Aeropostale, has been sentenced to eight years in prison after being convicted of defrauding the company and taking more than $25 million in kickbacks from a key vendor.

Finazzo, who was found guilty in April 2013 of 14 counts of mail fraud, wire fraud and conspiracy, was also ordered to forfeit more than $25 million and pay the company $13.7 million in restitution.

New York -- UPS Stores, a subsidiary of United Parcel Service, said that a security breach may have led to the theft of customer credit and debit data at 51 UPS stores in the United States.

In a statement, the company said that customers who had used their debit or credit cards at affected locations (which are listed on the UPS site) from Jan. 20 to Aug. 11 may have been exposed to the malware. However, the company noted, exposure began after March 26 in most cases.

The malware was eliminated as of Aug. 11, UPS said.

Toronto -- Cushman & Wakefield has been appointed retail leasing agent for 100 Bloor Street West, a major shopping mecca in Toronto. Currently occupied by Pottery Barn and Williams Sonoma, the flagship retail space represents the largest block of available space on Bloor Street in the past 20 years.

Grapevine, Texas -- GameStop Corp. on Thursday reported a second-quarter profit of $24.6 million, up from $10.5 million in the year ago period.

Revenue rose 25% to a better-than-expected $1.73 billion, helped by new game releases as well as solid sales of gaming hardware.

New York -- QSR sandwichchain Jersey Mike’s signed leases for two locations in Bergen County, New Jersey. Winick Realty Group NJ’s Gary Krauss acted as the brand’s exclusive broker in both transactions as Jersey Mike’s continues its aggressive expansion within its home state.

The sandwich shop leased 1,736 sq. ft. at 557 North Franklin Turnpike in Ramsey, New Jersey. The site, which formerly housed a TCBY, is expected to open by early September.