Corporate Governance

Atlanta – Havertys has promoted four executives to VP positions. Richard Gallagher was promoted to executive VP merchandising; Bonnie Berry was promoted to VP HR; Greg Johnson was promoted to VP distribution; and Jim Presmanes was promoted to VP risk management and insurance.   

Ace Hardware president and CEO John Venhuizen called the company’s first quarter the "best for both revenues and net income in its 90-year history," thanks to strong performance in its core categories.

The co-op reported total revenues of $1.1 billion for the first quarter, up 16.8% from the same quarter last year. Net income was $24.4 million, up from $4.4 million in the year-ago quarter.

Winston-Salem, N.C. – Krispy Kreme Doughnuts Inc. has named Anthony N. (“Tony”) Thompson, 47, as president and CEO, effective June 1. Thompson joins the company from Papa John’s International Inc., where he most recently served as president and COO.

Sears Holdings plans to hire an investment banking firm to explore strategic alternatives regarding its 51% ownership stake in Sears Canada.

The strategic alternatives are said to include the potential sale of Sears Holdings’ interest or Sears Canada as a whole, according to a statement by the Hoffman Estates, Ill.-based company. In a separate statement, Sears Canada said its board of directors intended to cooperate fully with Sears Holdings in the strategic alternatives exploration process to achieve full value for all shareholders.

At a time when sluggish-to-modest industry numbers have seemingly become the norm, and a protracted economic recovery inches forward, the recent spate of seemingly good retail and economic news has industry analysts and observers like myself raising a collective eyebrow.

Seattle – Slightly more than half (51%) of retailers do not have a plan for responding to security breaches. According to a new study conducted by Microsoft, “Security Trends for Retail Services,” almost three-quarters (72%) of retailers do not have budgeted disaster recovery plans.

Coach has appointed David Denton, EVP and CFO of CVS, to its board.

The company also appointed William Nuti, who was named chairman, CEO and president of NCR Corp., to the board. The appointments of Nuti and Denton brings to 11 the number of board members.

Chico's FAS is looking to establish a Canadian footprint, and plans in late August to open three boutiques in Ontario at Square One Shopping Centre in Mississauga, Upper Canada Mall in Newmarket and Mapleview Shopping Centre in Burlington.

The Chico's brand was founded in 1983 as a boutique selling Mexican folk art and cotton sweaters from a store on Florida's Sanibel Island. Today, Chico's sells exclusively designed, private branded clothing for women.