eCommerce

Sandpoint, Idaho -- Coldwater Creek Inc. has promoted Jim Bell to the newly created position of executive VP and COO. He will oversee the retailer's information technology systems, real estate, distribution and logistics, planning and allocation, and finance.

Bell is currently the company's chief financial officer, and will continue to fill that role in his new job, the company said Thursday.
 

Philadelphia -- Urban Outfitters Inc. has appointed a former executive as CEO of its namesake brand. The company named Tedford Marlow as head of the Urban Outfitters Group, effective Feb. 6. Marlow he retired from the chain in 2010, after spending nine years as president of the Urban Outfitters brand.

The announcement came almost a month after Richard Hayne, the company's chairman and president, succeeded CEO Glen Senk, who resigned. Hayne co-founded the company in 1970.
 

New York City -- Kohl’s Department Stores and Walmart rank among the nation’s top purchasers of power according to the EPA’s most recent Green Power Partnership report. Kohl’s placed second in the ranking, while Walmart came in at third, followed by Whole Foods Market. Intel Corp. maintained its long-held top spot. Other retailers in the top 10 included Starbucks (No. 7) and Staples (No.9).

New York City -- Aeropostale said Friday it has appointed seven-year board member Karin Hirtler-Garvey as chairman of the board, replacing Julian R. Geiger who has stepped down as chairman and resigned from the board.

In November, Gieger left his chairman/CEO post with Aeropostale to join Crumbs Bake Shop as president and CEO.

Hirtler-Garvey is a CPA, and most recently was the chief risk executive for Ally Financial Inc.  Prior to that, she held various senior level management positions at Bank of America.

Salisbury, N.C. -- Bottom Dollar Food will open an additional seven stores in the greater Pittsburgh and Youngstown, Ohio, markets on Feb. 9

The discount grocer opened its first seven stores in the greater Pittsburgh area on Jan. 26.
 

New York City -- Saks Fifth Avenue said Friday that, during February, it will give 5% of all registered purchases made with a Saks Fifth Avenue credit card back to local charities.

Saks Fifth Avenue has partnered with 194 charitable organizations nationwide.

“We appreciate our customers’ charitable involvement and look forward to giving back locally with this exciting and newly implemented national program,” said Steve Sadove, chairman and CEO, Saks Inc.

New York City -- Ann Inc. said that the president of its Ann Taylor brand, Christine Beauchamp, is leaving to pursue other opportunities. She will be replaced by Brian Lynch, who had been president of the Ann Taylor Factory and Loft Outlet divisions and led the website sales for those brands.

The news came as the chain cut its revenue prediction for the quarter that ended in January to a level below analyst expectations, citing slumping sales at its Ann Taylor stores. 

New York City -- The nation’s discount chains reported solid results for January, with Target Corp., TJX Cos., and Costco Wholesale Corp. all reporting gains above expectations. Overall, discounters reported stronger results than department stores, which appeared to take a greater hit due to the unseasonably warm weather and heavy promotions.

As the first month of the year, January accounts for only 20% Nov.-Jan. sales, and 7% of annual sales, according to RetailMetrics.