Retail

Houston -- Men’s Wearhouse announced Wednesday it has named Jon W. Kimmins as EVP and CFO, effective April 4.

Kimmins most recently was EVP – finance and operations at LF-USA, a division of Li & Fung Limited, a multi-billion dollar wholesaler of apparel, footwear and fashion accessories. Prior to that, he was EVP of Toys “R” Us, where he was responsible for worldwide corporate finance, raising billions in debt and equity financing transactions.
 

Boca Raton, Fla. -- Office Depot announced that the company’s global headquarters, located in Boca Raton, Fla., has earned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Energy Star certification for the second consecutive year. The certification signifies the building performs in the top 25% of similar facilities nationwide for energy efficiency.

New York -- Fast Company magazine and Target are sponsoring a competition, the Target Retail Accelerator, that will award $75,000 to a developer who creates the best new mobile app or mobile website for the retailer.  

Fast Company will chronicle the developers' efforts on the website of its new technology vertical Co.Labs.

I have to admit, the recent announcement of the merger between Office Depot and OfficeMax took me by surprise. It’s not as though it doesn’t make sense — it’s logical both logistically and financially — but, while there had been a few rumblings and rumors, this is a dramatic move that took place with relatively little forewarning.

Boulder, Col. -- Nordstrom is the nation’s favorite fashion retail chain, according to an annual consumer study conducted by customer intelligence solutions provider Market Force Information. The upscale department store edged out Kohl’s, which had ranked first in the three previous studies. This year, Kohl’s moved to the No. 2 spot overall, followed by Macy’s, Dillard’s and J.C. Penney.
 

Boston -- City Sports today announced plans for two new stores, including its largest store to date, in New York City’s financial district. Slated to open at the end of March, the bi-level, 10,500-sq.-ft. space will feature an open floor plan and many other details that nod to the building's origins as a bank. The store will be City Sports' third location in NYC.

In addition, the chain announced a new location for its Chestnut Hill, Mass., store, set for a March 16 opening to coincide with the brand's 30th anniversary.

By Mike Poldino, Motorola Solutions

Unless you have recently upgraded your point-of-sale (POS) systems, chances are the bioptic POS in your grocery store today can only scan 1D bar codes printed on the paper labels placed on items or on paper coupons. While that met the needs of yesterday’s POS, times have changed. And in order to provide your customer with the best possible experience at the POS, your POS needs to change too.

Beyond 1D — the new types of bar codes appearing in your POS lanes

Denton, Texas -- Sally Beauty Holdings announced that its board has approved a new share repurchase program authorizing the company to repurchase up to $700 million of its common stock. The announcement is the first repurchase authorized by the company in 2013, but the third in the last 12 months.