FAO Schwarz

Surging rents in Manhattan have claimed another victim, and this time it's one of the city's most iconic retail establishments.

The Wet Seal is welcoming back Jon Kubo, this time as EVP and chief digital officer, a newly created position. Kubo will oversee e-commerce, digital marketing and the information technology organization to integrate digital consumer experiences across all business touch points.

Kubo was head of e-commerce and chief information officer at Wet Seal from 2005 through 2011. The company credits him with growing its e-commerce business to its highest sales volume in history through innovative and industry-leading social and mobile customer engagement programs.

Leading accessories retailer Claire’s plans to open 100 of its distinctive branded shops with thousands of products within Toys “R” Us stores worldwide by year end and alluded to the possibility of more locations to come.

Wayne, N.J. -- Toys “R” Us and specialty retailer Claire’s have entered into a global partnership to open nearly 100 Claire’s in-store shops in Toys “R” Us locations across Europe, along with 12 U.S. locations, by year-end. The shops will feature an assortment of jewelry, headbands, hair and fashion accessories, jewelry holders, legwear, seasonal items and more. The rollout follows a successful pilot program in Europe.  

Genius Brands International, a global brand management company that develops “content with a purpose” for toddlers to tweens, continues to build its global licensing structure with the appointment of industry veteran Stone Newman to the newly created post of president, global consumer products.  

Boca Raton, Fla. -- Office Depot has appointed Troy Rice as executive VP of retail, effective April 14. Rice, who replaces Juan Guerrero, will also serve as a member of Office Depot’s leadership team and report directly to chairman and CEO Roland Smith.
 

Jeffrey Gennette will take on the new role of president at Macy's after serving the past five years as the department store retailer’s chief merchandising officer.

Gennette will report to Macy’s chairman and CEO Terry Lundgren and retain day-to-day responsibility for Macy's merchandising functions, as well as oversight of marketing and macys.com. In addition, he assumes oversight responsibility for Macy's private brands organization.

St. Louis -- Build-A-Bear Workshop plans an in-store shop in the FAO Schwarz  Fifth Avenue flagship in Manhattan. Opening in early November, the location is the first Build-A-Bear Workshop store-within-a-store in the United States. (FAO Schwarz is owned by Toys “R” Us.)