Department Store

As part of its digital strategy, Hudson’s Bay Company has created HBC Digital and appointed Michael Burgess as the newly created group’s president. Burgess will report to the office of the chairman.

HBC Digital will drive the digital commerce and marketing strategy and execution across all channels, in partnership with each of the company’s business units: Saks Fifth Avenue, Lord & Taylor, Hudson’s Bay and HBC Outlets.

Vancouver, Canada -- As part of a restructuring Best Buy Canada will be consolidating sales departments and reducing management layers in Future Shop and Best Buy stores, resulting in the layoff of about 950 full-time employees across both Future Shop and Best Buy brands. All store employees were notified individually about these changes and those impacted were provided with severance packages.

Indianapolis – Hhgregg reported net income of $5 million during the third quarter of fiscal 2014, a 71% drop from $17.4 million in the same period the previous fiscal year. Net sales declined about 12%, from $799.6 million to $707 million.

Same-store sales decreased about 11%. Hhgregg cited the drop in same-store sales and shrinking gross margins for its steep decline in net income. Dennis May, president and CEO of Hhgregg, blamed poor electronics/computing sales and heavy promotions for the retailer’s overall disappointing performance.

Toronto – Sears Canada, which laid off more than 1,300 employees on Jan. 15, is cutting an additional 624 jobs. In a press release, the retailer said it is modifying its store structure to improve efficiency and increase the effectiveness of the chain of communication between management and the store associate teams within the stores.

Sears Canada, which laid off more than 1,300 employees on Jan. 15, is cutting an additional 624 jobs. The retailer said it is modifying its store structure to improve efficiency and increase the effectiveness of the chain of communication between management and the store associate teams within the stores.

Columbus, Ohio – L Brands has named Stephen D. Steinour to its board of directors. Steinour is chairman, president and CEO of Huntington Bancshares Inc., a $59 billion regional bank holding company headquartered in Columbus, Ohio.

"I am excited to welcome Steve to our board," said Leslie H. Wexner, chairman and CEO of L Brands. "I'm confident that his considerable expertise in business, finance and customer service will provide valuable insight and guidance to our company. We're extremely fortunate that he has joined our team."

Philadelphia – Destination Maternity reported improved net income but lower net sales during the first quarter of fiscal 2014 as compared to the same period a year earlier. Net income totaled $4.25 million, up 11% from $3.84 million the same period a year earlier.

North Plainfield, N.J. – A majority of store managers (57.3%) said holiday sales met or exceeded their expectations during the 2013 holiday season. However, according to the post-holiday "Retail Sentiments Survey" from retail real estate services firm Levin Management, mid-December was the busiest time according to 26.9% of store manager respondents, followed by the weekend before Christmas with 24.4%.