Retail

New York -- In not-so-unexpected news, a regulatory filing with the SEC on Wednesday revealed that J.C. Penney’s new CEO Mike Ullman has resigned from Saks Inc.’s board of directors, effective Monday.

Saks has not yet named a replacement for Ullman.

New York -- A Wednesday report by Reuters said that Jerry Murray, the Wal-Mart finance VP who called the chain's early February sales "a total disaster" in an email made public by Bloomberg, has left the company, effective April 5.

Wal-Mart Stores has confirmed the report, telling Reuters that it was Murray's decision to leave and that his last day at Wal-Mart was Friday.

New York -- Drugstore operator Duane Reade announced Wednesday the launch of its first mobile application for iOS devices.  

The app, free in the iTunes store, is intended to facilitate and customer access to Duane Reade’s pharmacy services, photo printers, prescription refills, Balance Rewards offers, account information and in-store maps.  

Fremont, Calif. -- Men’s Wearhouse has launched a new mobile website that allows shoppers to interact with the brand while on the go. Users can browse Men’s Wearhouse’s full list of in-store offerings, locate their nearest store and design the perfect tuxedo for any occasion with the Build-A-Tux feature, which allows users to choose from 96 different vest and bowtie colors and customize their tux with the aid of pre-styled looks that are easily saved for later or shared with friends and family.

New York -- OfficeMax and Office Depot on Tuesday announced they have formed a search committee to select a CEO for the combined company. They also said they have received a request for more information from the Federal Trade Communication about their planned merger.

Wallingford, Conn. -- Edible Arrangements has set its sights on the Pacific Northwest for an aggressive expansion campaign designed to open as many as 30 new locations in the near future.
 
Edible Arrangements already has 10 locations in Oregon and Washington and sees significant opportunity for growth, which will be accomplished through franchising. Most of the growth will be focused in the Seattle, Tacoma and Portland areas and the company is currently seeking franchisees with the resources to open multiple locations.
 

New York -- Caribou Coffee will close some 80 stores nationwide and turn 88 other locations into Peet's over the next 12 to 18 months, the Chicago Tribune reported.

Caribou, which is based in Minneapolis, went private this year in a $340 million deal with German investment firm Joh. A. Benckiser Group (JAB), which also owns Peet’s.  

Dallas -- Alliance Data Systems Corp. announced its retail services business has signed a long-term agreement to provide private label credit card services for Barneys New York.