Corporate Governance

Nashville, Tenn. - Harwood Feffer LLP is investigating potential claims against the board of directors of Genesco Inc., concerning whether the board has breached its fiduciary duties to shareholders. On August 29, 2013, Genesco disclosed that it may be forced to restate certain financial statements due to potential violations of generally accepted accounting principles.

Brussels, Belgium – Delhaize Group has named Franz Muller as CEO, effective Nov. 8. Muller will succeed Pierre-Olivier Beckers, who will remain available to advise the new CEO until year-end and continue to serve on the board of directors in a non-executive capacity thereafter.

Muller, 52, has more than 15 years of senior leadership experience in retail, most recently as a member of the management board of Metro AG and CEO of Metro Cash & Carry. He will start with Delhaize on Oct. 14, prior to assuming the role of CEO.

SAN FRANCISCO — Mavatar Technologies has appointed Phil Schlein, former president and CEO of Macy's California and partner at U.S. Venture Partners, as chairman of its board of directors. 

Columbus, Ohio — DSW has opened two new footwear, handbag and accessories stores, one in Norman, Okla., and a second in Victor, N.Y.

The new stores bring the total number of DSW stores to 379. Locations include 42 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.

MIAMI — Perry Ellis has appointed Stanley Silverstein as president of international development and global licensing. In this role, Silverstein will be responsible for driving the company's footprint globally across its brand portfolio. 

Silverstein joins the company from PVH Corporation where he was responsible for driving Warnaco's international expansion during his 29-year tenure. He will report directly to George Feldenkreis, chairman and CEO, and Oscar Feldenkreis, president and COO of the company.

Wroclaw, Poland — Atrium European Real Estate has acquired the Galeria Dominikanska shopping center in the Polish city of Wroclaw for E151.7 million, according to Dentons Europe, which advised Atrium on the transaction.

Atrium owns operates and develops retail real estate and shopping centers in Central and Eastern Europe.

The opening of 79 new stores drove overall second quarter sales growth at Francesca’s Holdings, but same store sales declined, profits were less than forecast and the company lowered its expectations for the full year.

Despite the slight decrease in same-store sales, the company grew its net income 15% to $14.6 million, from $12.7 million, while net sales rose 17% to $89.6 million.

Atlanta -- Small businesses are optimistic with regards to the upcoming holiday season, with 41% of businesses expecting a much stronger holiday season in 2013 than 2012, according to a survey by Kabbage, an online provider of working capital.

Small businesses also plan to increase their borrowing for the remainder of 2013 in order to meet the robust demand, the survey reported.  

Other key findings from the survey include: