Apparel

NEW YORK — The Jones Group Inc. has appointed Joseph Stafiniak to the newly created position of SVP merchandising of Nine West, effective immediately. In this role, Stafiniak will operate as the lead merchant for Nine West overseeing merchandising strategies and the execution of product to meet the expanding needs of the brand's global business. He will report to Kathy Nedorostek, group president of global footwear and accessories.

FOOTHILLS RANCH, Calif.  —  The Wet Seal Inc. on Friday announced that its COO is resigning as the struggling retailer initiates a corporate workforce reduction as part of a broader cost-saving initiative. In other moves, it will shutter two poor-performing Arden B stores.

The struggling chain, which also authorized a $25 million stock buyback program, said president and COO Ken Seipel resigned effective immediately. His position will not be filled. Instead, Seipel's duties will be shared between CEO John Goodman and CFO Steve Benrubi.

New York -- The Jones Group Inc. said Monday it has appointed Joseph Stafiniak to the newly created position of SVP merchandising of Nine West, effective immediately.

Stafiniak will operate as the lead merchant for Nine West, overseeing merchandising strategies and the execution of product to meet the expanding needs of the brand's global business.

Stafiniak comes to Jones Group from Coach, where he most recently served as SVP licensed categories.

Foothills Ranch, Calif. -- The Wet Seal Inc. on Friday announced that its COO is resigning as the struggling retailer initiates a corporate workforce reduction as part of a broader cost-saving initiative. In other moves, it will shutter two poor-performing Arden B stores.

The struggling chain, which also authorized a $25 million stock buyback program, said president and COO Ken Seipel resigned effective immediately. His position will not be filled. Instead, Seipel's duties will be shared between CEO John Goodman and CFO Steve Benrubi.

Former converse executive Jack Boys is the new CEO of Cole Haan following Nike’s recent sale of the brand to a private equity firm.

Apax Partners completed the previously announced acquisition of Cole Haan from Nike and named Boy’s to the role of CEO effective immediately. Boys became CEO of Converse in 2001 and remained in that roles following Nike’s acquisition of Converse in 2003 through 2010. Prior to Converse, he was vp of global marketing at The North Face and has previously held positions with Avia, LeCoq Sportif and CVEO Corporation.

BURLINGTON, N.J. — Burlington Coat Factory has joined forces with The Foundation for National Institutes of Health (FNIH) and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute's (NHLBI) The Heart Truth campaign dedicated to raising awareness of heart disease among women.

NEW YORK — Saks has introduced its Saks Love Your Cause Initiative, which will give 5% of all registered purchases to the American Red Cross and select local organizations, during February.

“Saks Fifth Avenue is committed to our local communities. We appreciate our customers’ charitable involvement and look forward to giving back locally for a second year with this exciting and newly implemented national program,” Steve Sadove, chairman and CEO, Saks Inc., said.

NEW YORK — Shopping online for high fashion at low prices is a popular activity for fashionistas, and now one of the more iconic brands has jumped on the trend. Style seekers who can't make it to New York City to shop Barneys New York's famous warehouse sale will soon have a new way to get their fashion fix.

St. Louis -- Retail veteran Maxine Clark announced she is stepping down as CEO of Build-A-Bear Workshop, the chain she founded in 1997. Clark, 63, said she will remain as CEO until a successor is found. She will also remain on the company's board of directors.
 

Brisbane, Calif. -- Bebe Stores Inc. swung to a loss in its fiscal second quarter from a profit a year ago amid heavy discounting during the holiday shopping season.

Bebe said it lost $4.8 million for the three months that ended Dec. 29, according to preliminary results, versus a profit of $6.5 million a year earlier.

Net sales dropped 11% to $135.5 million. Same-store sales fell 10.5%.