Department Store

NEW YORK — While the Liz Claiborne brand will be kept alive thanks to a recent deal with JCPenney, the company behind the name is headed in a new direction. Liz Claiborne Inc. announced it is changing its name to "Fifth & Pacific Companies" to better communicate its strategic focus on growing its three global lifestyle brands (Juicy Couture, Kate Spade and Lucky Brand). The change is expected to be effective on or about May 15, 2012 at which time the company will begin trading as Fifth & Pacific Companies Inc. (NYSE: FNP).

Framingham, Mass. -- The TJX Cos. announced Wednesday several senior management shifts, including moving current Marmaxx Group head Michael MacMillan to the company’s European division.

MacMillan, who has been in charge of the company’s largest division comprised of T.J. Maxx and Marshalls, will now be senior executive VP of TJX Europe. MacMillan replaces Paul Sweetenham, who recently resigned.

The current president of HomeGoods, Richard Sherr, will return to Marmaxx Group as senior executive VP.

City of Industry, Calif. -- Hot Topic reported Wednesday that same-store sales for the nine-week holiday shopping period of November and December edged up 1.2%. The company upped its fourth quarter guidance based on the results.

In related news, Hot Topic has named Cindy Levitt as VP, general merchandise manager, effective Jan. 16.

FRAMINGHAM, Mass — TJX announced that it has moved some of its executives to new roles to better position the company for future growth. Michael MacMillan will assume leadership of the company’s European division as SVP TJX Europe, moving from his current post as head of The Marmaxx Group (the company’s largest division comprised of T.J. Maxx and Marshalls). Richard Sherr will return to The Marmaxx Group as Senior EVP, having most recently held the post of president HomeGoods.

Columbus, Ohio -- Express has announced changes to its board of directors. Michael Archbold, president and COO of Vitamin Shoppe, has been appointed to the board as a class I director, effective Jan. 3.

Archbold joined Vitamin Shoppe in 2007 as CFO and COO. He was promoted to president in 2011. Previously, he was executive VP, CFO and chief administrative officer of Saks Fifth Avenue.

New York City -- A report released Wednesday by the International Council of Shopping Centers and Goldman Sachs said that post-Christmas shopping surges propelled U.S. same-store sales significantly forward during the week after Christmas.

New York City -- Macy’s Inc. announced a strategic plan on Wednesday to open new stores in select markets as well as to close a series of underperforming units. As part of the plan, five Macy’s department stores will be shuttered in spring 2012 – in Topeka, Kan.; Laurel, Md.; Parma, Ohio; Antioch, Tenn.; and Texas City, Texas. Five new Macy’s stores will open in 2012 and 2013.

GREEN BAY, Wis. — Shopko Stores Operating Co. said Wednesday that Shopko and Pamida will merge to create one of the largest U.S. retailers focused on serving smaller and rural communities. The combined entity will have nearly 350 locations in 22 states and plans to accelerate new store growth in the second half of 2012 and beyond.

Financial details of the merger, expected to close in mid-February, were not disclosed. Both companies are owned by affilates of the private equity firm Sun Capital Partners.