Events

New York City -- CM Design Studio announced that Tony Mancini has been appointed president of its Alex Cannon brand. The menswear brand is sold in shops at Lord & Taylor, Liverpool Mexico, and in better specialty stores nationwide.

Roswell, Ga. -- PGA Tour Superstore plans to open a 60,000-sq.-ft. store in the Chicago area in late spring 2012, followed by an additional location in the area later in the year. The two Chicago metro stores will be the company’s first locations in the Midwest.

The first store will be located in Schaumburg at the site of the former Great Indoors store at Golf Road and Meacham Road near Woodfield Mall, the largest mall in Chicagoland. The location of the second store will be announced at a later date.

The annual consumer electronics extravaganza known as CES gets underway in Las Vegas today, and in conjunction with the show’s kick off Market Research Solutions (MRS) is out with a new report that provides some unconventional insights into the 2011 holiday season and outlook for 2012.

PLANO, Texas — JCPenney announced that Thomas Engibous will become chairman of its board of directors on Jan. 28.  Engibous was named to the board in 1999 and has served in presiding director and lead independent director roles since 2008.  He will assume the chairman's role from Myron Ullman, III, JCPenney's former chief executive officer, who will step down as executive chairman.

ELMWOOD PARK, N.J. — The Craft & Hobby Association (CHA) board of directors has announced Andrej Suskavcevic as new president and CEO of CHA. The appointment of Suskavcevic concludes an eight-month executive search during which Tony Lee, VP meetings and expositions, served as CHA's interim leader.

Paso Robles, Calif. -- Daily Systems said Tuesday that college bookstore chain Nebraska Book Co. has implemented its iAPS payment sled for iPhone and iPod touch, which will enable NBC to sell merchandise in seasonal pop-up stores that are set up close to the dorms in the beginning of the semester.

LAS VEGAS — Kodak will debut its latest products, including two new cameras, at the 2012 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, despite rumors that the company will be seeking bankruptcy protection.

Just in time for the Consumer Electronics Show next week in Las Vegas, Market Research Solutions (MRS) is out with a new report that provides unconventional insights into the 2011 holiday season and outlook for 2012.

The Tampa, Fla.-based research firm surveyed 272 department managers in early December at such retailers as Walmart, Target, Best Buy, HhGregg and dominant regional players to gain a unique perspective on a category of business that is the most dynamic in retail. Among some of the key findings MRS provided exclusively to RetailingToday.com were:

Pittsburgh -- American Eagle Outfitters said Friday that it has begun a search for a marketing communications agency partner or partners.

The scope of services, according to the retailer, will include traditional and digital media strategy, planning and execution, as well as collaboration in creative development for its American Eagle Outfitters, Aerie and 77kids brands in North America and internationally.

“Hiring an agency is a natural evolution in the growth of the AEO family of brands,” said Michael Leedy, CMO.

San Diego -- Warehouse club operator PriceSmart said Friday that net income for the quarter ended Nov. 30 edged down to $14 million, compared with $14.9 million in the year-ago period.

Net warehouse sales increased 24.1% to $468.3 million from $377.3 million, and total revenue rose to $478.7 million from $386.1 million.