Corporate Governance

Dallas -- Tuesday Morning Corp. reported Tuesday that sales for the quarter ended Dec. 31 rose 4.5% to $285.3 million, compared with $273.1 million in the year-ago quarter.

Same-store sales increased 5.6%.

Tuesday Morning also reported that beginning with this second quarter sales report it will no longer provide net income estimates with sales figures, but will instead consolidate that information in its earnings reports.

Austin, Texas -- Whole Foods Market announced Tuesday the hiring of Jason J. Buechel as global VP and chief information officer, effective immediately.

Buechel will report to co-CEO Walter Robb and CFO Glenda Flanagan.
 
Buechel previously was a senior executive and managing director, retail operations, for Accenture.
 

New York -- In a surprise move, Sears Holdings Corp. announced that CEO Louis J. D'Ambrosio will step down as CEO, effective Feb. 2, for family health reasons. D'Ambrosio will be replaced by the company's chairman and its largest shareholder, Edward Lampert.

By Ann Natunewicz, national manager, Retail Research, USA Retail Services Group

The outlet shopping experience has morphed from warehouse settings offering damaged and closeout merchandise to today’s centers that are designed to maximize customer flow and sell merchandise from the most exclusive international designers.

Norwalk, Conn. -- WhenToManage announced that its suite of retail operations solutions, including point-of-sale intelligence, labor scheduling and inventory management tools, is now being deployed by Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, an international franchiser, confectionery manufacturer and retail operator.

New York -- Due to the holiday rush and related closings, Chain Store Age extended the deadline for its 31st annual Retail Store of the Year Design Competition until Tuesday, January 8, 2013. Eligible projects are those completed between November 2011 and December 2012.

More than 20 categories are featured, ranging from supermarkets and discount/mass merchants to specialty stores and pop-up stores. Entries may be submitted by retailers, designers, architects or suppliers.

WALNUT CREEK, Calif. — Central Garden & Pet Company has named John R. Ranelli as its new president and CEO, effective February 11.

Central Garden & Pet is a leading supplier of branded products for the lawn and garden and pet supplies markets. Ranelli has been a member of its board and a member of the board’s audit committee since 2010. He will remain on Central’s board and current chairman and CEO Bill Brown will remain chairman.

NEWTON, Mass. — Former Reebok and New Balance executive Chris Cohen has been named VP of sales at Topo Athletic.

Founded in December 2012, Topo is a brand focused on designing innovative athletic gear that amplifies the natural mechanics of the human body. In his new role, Cohen will lead North American sales and sales operations for Topo.

ARLINGTON, Va. — The Retail Industry Leaders Association has made changes to its top staff. Former Toys “R” Us and Babies “R” Us executive Garth Gasse has joined the association as director of retail operations, asset protection. Lisa LaBruno has been promoted to SVP for retail operations.

RANCHO SANTA FE, Calif. – Co-founder and CEO of The Upper Deck Company Richard P. McWilliam died unexpectedly in his Rancho Santa Fe home Saturday, January 5. He was 59 years old.

McWilliam is credited with transforming the sports trading card business by creating Upper Deck, a company that grew to become a leading sports trading card business and expanded to become a major sports and entertainment company. He drove that growth through continuing innovation to improve the quality, breadth of content and the form and style of trading cards.