Events

CHICAGO -- The Network of Executive Women,  the consumer products and retail industry’s largest diversity organization, has announced leadership changes. Joan Toth has been named president and CEO of the Network of Executive Wome. She has held the title of executive director since shortly after the Network was founded in 2001.

The Network’s top elected official--Michelle Gloeckler, SVP merchandising execution at Walmart Stores--has been named Network chair. She had previously served has president

It promises to be a fashion forward spring at Target as this week began a first-of-its-kind designer event online and in stores. The company is celebrating five years of its GO International program by offering a collection of 34 dresses from 17 designers who participated in the program in the past. Ranging from $24.99 to $44.99, the GO International Designer Collective will be available March 13 through April 10.

Nashville, Tenn. — Kirkland's Inc. said Thursday that its fourth-quarter profit fell about 35% as its sales softened.

The company reported net income of $14.4 million for the 13 weeks that ended Jan. 29, compared with $22.1 million a year earlier.

The results included an $800,000 income tax benefit related to prior years' taxes.

Quarterly net sales fell to $139.6 million, from $142.8 million in the prior-year period. Same-store sales were down 7.95%.

Speaking at the Raymond James and Associates investor conference earlier this week in Orlando, Sam’s Club president and CEO Brian Cornell reaffirmed that Sam’s would achieve its first-quarter sales plan that calls for comp growth in the range of 1% to 3%.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — This weekend, Sam's Club is offering free allergy health screenings in select locations across the country.

When the curtain rises on the 2011 National Hardware Show, attendees will be treated to a steady stream of new product introductions from industry leaders like 3M, Robert Bosch Tool Corp/, Char-broil, The Coleman Co., Jarden Safety & Security and many others.

NEW YORK -- Phillips-Van Heusen and Comfort Revolution announced that they have entered into a licensing agreement under which Comfort Revolution will market and distribute memory foam bedding and stadium seat cushions under PVH’s IZOD brand. The licensing agreement has an initial term of just over two years and provides for a three-year renewal at PVH’s option.

Houston -- The Men's Wearhouse reported Wednesday a loss of $14.1 million for the quarter ended Jan. 29, narrowed from a loss of $18.8 million in the year-ago period.

The retailer, which sells suits and rents tuxedos, offered a 2011 forecast of adjusted profit that would beat Wall Street projections.

Revenue increased 18.6% to $542.1 million. Same-store sales rose 4.3% on strong tuxedo-rental revenue.

New York City -- Jo-Ann Stores reported Wednesday that net income for the quarter ended Jan. 29 rose 8.9% to $40.4 million, compared with $37.1 million in the year-ago period.

Sales increased 3.6% to $624.1 million, just missing Wall Street’s expected $625.1 million. Same-store sales rose 2%.

Chairman and CEO Darrell Webb said the fabric and crafts retailer plans to open 55 to 60 new stores and remodel 60 more this year.

Washington, D.C. -- A report released Thursday by the U.S. Labor Department showed that jobless claims in the United States rose by 26,000 for the week ended March 5, to 397,000.

Economists expected claims would climb to 376,000, according to a Bloomberg News survey. The total number of people receiving benefits in the prior week fell to the lowest since October 2008.