Retail

New York -- Another day, another J.C. Penney story. Amid rumors that Penney chief executive Ron Johnson was stepping down, the chain flatly denied the allegations.

“Ron Johnson is not quitting or resigning from J.C. Penney and he has no plans to do so,” Joey Thomas, a Penney spokesman said in an e-mail reported by Bloomberg. “The rumors are false.”

Costco Wholesale Corp.’s winning streak continues as the chain reported a better-than-expected 39% increase in profits for its fiscal second quarter. Here is Planet Retail’s take on the company’s most recent performance and future prospects:
 

Boca Raton, Fla. -- Office Depot has been recognized with a Climate Leadership Goal Achievement Award for Excellence in Greenhouse Gas Management by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Center for Corporate Climate Leadership, the Association of Climate Change Officers the Center for Climate & Energy Solutions, and The Climate Registry.

Houston -- Charming Charlie announced that Tom Fitzgerald has joined the company as EVP, chief administrative officer and CFO.

Tom most recently was the chief administrative officer of Sears Canada, where he was responsible for store operations, IT, merchandise planning and allocation, logistics, sourcing, and store innovation.

Prior to his role at Sears Canada, Tom held several leadership positions at Liz Claiborne, and Bath & Body Works.  

New York -- Network with peers from leading retail and restaurant companies at SPECS, the industry’s premier store development and facilities event.

Produced by Chain Store Age, the 49th annual SPECS conference will be held March 17-20, at the Hilton Anatole Hotel, Dallas. 

Click here to register. 

New York -- Uniqlo, a division of Japan's Fast Retailing Co., will open its second U.S. mall location, at Palisades Center in West Nyack, N.Y., on March 15.
 
The 24,000-sq.-ft. store will showcase Uniqlo's complete offering of products for men and women, as well as its spring kids collection.
 

Pittsburgh -- Dick's Sporting Goods Inc. on Monday forecast a full-year profit for the current fiscal year that was less than expected, and also revealed it will debut a new retail concept in fiscal 2013 under the Field & Stream banner.
 
In 2013, the company said it will open two Field & Stream stores, 40 Dick’s Sporting Goods stores, one Golf Galaxy store and two True Runner locations. The chain also plans partial remodels of 75 existing Dick’s stores.
   

By Denise Lee Yohn, Deniseleeyohn.com

Apple has once again rewritten the rules of business.  Its request to trademark the “Distinctive Design & Layout” of its stores has been granted by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office. And so, as unconventional as it may seem, the Apple store’s distinctive minimalist design and Genius Bar service are now as protected as the rounded corners and user interface of the company’s mobile devices.