Human Resources

The Running Specialty Group, an operating segment of the Finish Line, has appointed Scott Goodmon as VP, store operations. Goodmon will lead the group’s nearly 800 employees serving the running community nationwide. He will report directly to Running Specialty Group president Bill Kirkendall.

New York -- The heat is on — in more ways than one. While Target’s search for a new chief executive has been much in the news, the discounter is not the only big retailer on the hunt for a chief executive. Here’s a brief review (all dates are 2014 except where noted):

A lot of retailers hold contests, but few discover winners as worthy of recognition as the difference-makers who participated in specialty retailer Christopher & Banks inaugural Amazing Women contest.

The operator of 543 stores recently named the winners of its Amazing Women contest that was launched in April in conjunction with Mother’s Day. More than 1,700 nominations were received in the contest that sought to celebrate the women who raise, cheer on, care for and support future generations.

Vancouver – Lululemon Athletica Inc. is reportedly considering going private. According to the Wall Street Journal, advisors to Chip Wilson, founder, director and former CEO and chairman of Lululemon, have been speaking with private equity firms including Leonard Green & Partners about possibly taking the retail chain private, although no specific deal is imminent.
   

As a result of its definitive agreement to acquire CytoSport Holdings, maker of Muscle Milk products, Hormel Foods has promoted three of its executives to leadership roles with CytoSport, based in Benicia, California.

Philadelphia -- Five Below announced the departure of Jeffrey Moore, executive VP merchandising.

"Over the last seven years Jeff has been an integral part of the success of Five Below as he has helped build the world-class merchandising team we have in place. We thank Jeff for his significant contributions to the business and we wish him well as he leaves to spend time with his family," said Tom Vellios, co-founder and CEO of Five Below.
   

The International Licensing Industry Merchandisers’ Association has a new chairman and four new board members.

Ohio State University assistant vp for business advancement Rick Van Brimmer was elected chairman of the trade group, filling a position that was held the past two year by Maura Regan with Sesame Workshop. Other key moves saw LIMA board member James Slifer with The Joester Loria Group named vice chairman and Pete Yoder of Cartoon Network elected to the executive committee as a liaison to the board.

Walmart is enhancing its perishable supply chain in the upper Midwest with a new distribution center in Mankato, Minn., slated to open in early 2015.

The retailer broke ground late last month on the 420,000-sq.-ft. facility located a little more than an hour southwest of Minneapolis. Once open in the Spring of 2015 the DC will serve stores in Minnesota and neighboring states of Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin.