Corporate Governance

Los Angeles -- Guess said Thursday that its COO J. Michael Prince and CFO Dennis Secor both have resigned the company to pursue other interests.

Prince’s departure is effective Nov. 26 and Secor will stay until Dec. 7.

The company said it does not have any immediate plans to replace the COO position and will realign these responsibilities among various senior executives. Michael Relich, executive VP and CIO, will assume additional operational responsibilities, including logistics. 

Altoona, Pa. -- C-store chain Sheetz announced Friday that Joe Sheetz will assume the role of president and CEO, and current president and CEO Stan Sheetz will become chairman of the board, effective October 2013.

Joe Sheetz is currently executive VP finance and store development.

Steve Sheetz, will leave his chairman seat to fill a newly created position of Family Council Chairman, allowing him to represent the Sheetz family shareholders in company-related issues, while remaining as chairman of CLI Transport, Sheetz dedicated fuel carrier.

Toronto -- Sears Canada said Friday it has unveiled four refreshed store concepts in Ontario, and Quebec, each featuring additional brands and product displays.

The Kitchen Shop now features small appliances organized by type and major appliances are displayed in gallery settings. A number of departments, including mattresses and footwear, have deepened product offerings and enhanced the merchandising of the lines.

Brisbane, Calif. -- Bebe stores reported Friday a net loss of $2.6 million for the quarter ended Sept. 29, compared with net income of $2.4 million for the year-ago period.

Sales slipped 7.3% to $117.1 million from $126.3 million, and same-store sales dropped 8.7%.

During the quarter, the company opened five 2b stores and closed seven Bebe stores, and said it expects to open five Bebe stores and one 2b store in fiscal 2013 as well as close five Bebe stores and one 2b pop-up store.

Hoffman Estates, Ill. -- Sears Holdings Corp. said Friday it has named Ryan Vero senior VP and president, Grocery, Drug and Pharmacy.

Vero most recently served as the executive VP and chief merchandising/marketing officer for OfficeMax. He spend 17 years with the office supply retailer and was most recently responsible for merchandising, marketing, new channels, and e-commerce business, in addition to global sourcing, private brands, product development and pricing.
 

Indianapolis -- Hhgregg reported Friday that net income for the quarter ended Sept. 30 dropped to $3.8 million from $6 million last year. Sales dipped 5% to $587.6 million and same-store sales dropped 8.8%.

According to CEO Dennis May, the electronics and appliances retailer is testing new merchandise and, in the third quarter, will roll out furniture and exercise equipment to all stores. He also said the current fiscal 2013 outlook calls for 20 new store openings from a previous range of 20-22.

Matthews, N.C. -- Harris Teeter Supermarkets reported Friday a profit of $22.8 million in its fourth quarter, compared with a loss of $8.9 million last year.

Sales edged up 3.7% to $1.14 billion, and same-store sales increased 3.01%.

The grocer has introduced a new format and banner – 201central – that it is using as a platform to sell a global variety of wine, beer, specialty foods and other selected merchandise.

Plans for fiscal 2013 include 12 new stores and nine major remodels.

Jacksonville, Fla. -- Body Central Corp. reported Friday that net income for the third quarter was $153,000, compared with $2.8 million in the year-ago period.

Sales inched up 1.2% to $67.9 million, boosted by 7 new stores that opened during the period.

Columbus, Ohio -- DSW Inc. announced Thursday the acquisition of 810 AC LLC, which owns the corporate headquarters of DSW, as well as its 700,000-sq.-ft. distribution center and trailer lot on its home office campus in Columbus, Ohio.

Purchase price was $72 million.

The company recently completed the $15 million installation of an automatic sortation facility in the distribution center to support its size replenishment program.

Chicago — Black Friday will be the single biggest sales and foot traffic day of this holiday season, followed by Saturday, Dec. 22, according to ShopperTrak, the world’s largest counter and analyzer of retail foot traffic. With the greatest possible number of shopping days — 32 — lying between Black Friday and Christmas this year, ShopperTrak predicts that national retail sales will rise 3.3% (over last year) during the peak holiday shopping months of November and December; retail foot traffic will increase 2.8%.