Department Store

New Albany, Ohio – Michael Jeffries, former CEO of Abercrombie & Fitch Co., reportedly did not walk away empty-handed when he retired from the company in December 2014. According to the Columbus Business Journal, Jeffries obtained at least $27 million in cash and other benefits.

Chicago -- Sears Holdings Corp. has tapped former Rouse Properties COO Benjamin Schall to lead new Sears REIT Seritage Growth Properties. The real estate investment trust was formed by Sears to buy some of its stores and generate $2.5 billion in cash.

Schall’s appointment is effective May 4. He spent three years as COO of publicly traded REIT Rouse, overseeing operations of 35 malls in 21 states.  

The TJX Cos. Inc. announced Wednesday that Chairman Bernard Cammarata will retire following the company’s annual shareholder meeting scheduled for June 11.

New York -- Following its January 2015 spinoff from private-equity firm Sycamore Partners, Jones New York has been acquired by Authentic Brands Group, LLC, owner of a global portfolio of fashion, sports, media and entertainment brands.

Sycamore previously announced it would close all Jones New York retail locations and seek strategic alternatives for the beleaguered brand.

Saks Fifth Avenue is launching a garden-themed merchandising campaign just as floral patterns dominate the fashion runways this spring.

New York -- On the heels of disappointing sales trends, Sears Hometown and Outlet Stores Inc. said that its CEO W. Bruce Johnson will leave the company Aug. 1.

The company also announced that the board of directors has commenced a search for a new CEO and has retained Heidrick & Struggles, a leading global executive search firm, to assist the Board in identifying and evaluating external and internal candidates.

New York -- A major new credit agreement has been secured by the 262 store Hancock Fabric chain with Wells Fargo Capital and the newly formed Great American Capital Partners subsidiary of B. Riley Financial.

The new financing deal, executed a year and a half before an existing credit facility was due to expire, provides the struggling Hancock Fabric chain with a new five year, $100 million asset-backed credit facility from Wells Fargo and a $17.5 million term loan from Great American.

Framingham, Mass. – Bernard Cammarata, 75, founder and chairman of The TJX Companies Inc., will retire June 11, 2015 after nearly 40 years with the company. Carol Meyrowitz, 61, who has served as CEO of TJX since January 2007, been a board director since 2006 and joined the company in 1983, will succeed him as chairman.