Mass Merchant

Abilene, Kansas -- Alco Stores Inc. said Wednesday it is moving its corporate headquarters from Abilene, Kan., to a suburb of Dallas, citing the need to be “in a more metropolitan area.”

The new Coppell, Texas offices will give the company easy access to many of its stores, other major retailers and transportation for its workers and business partners, CEO Rich Wilson said in a Wednesday statement.

The move is slated to occur in June.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Sears Holdings has launched a new business unit that will focus on the development of entertainment-driven fashion and lifestyle brands. The unit, called Shop Your Way brands, will be lead by Bernt Ullmann and his team from Star Branding, whose partners include Tommy Hilfiger, Andy Hilfiger, and Joe Lamastra.

Green Bay, Wis. -- Shopko said Wednesday that it has named Michael B. Cooper as senior VP marketing for the company, charged with leading the branding strategy and marketing initiatives.  

Cooper joined Shopko from Office Depot, where he was most recently VP marketing, and directed the office supply retailer’s strategic planning and allocation of the company’s marketing budget.

New York -- A Wednesday report by Women’s Wear Daily quoted activist investor Bill Ackman, whose Pershing Square Capital Management is the largest shareholder of J.C. Penney Co., as saying that he won’t abandon the retailer following this week’s CEO shake-up.

"We are not going anywhere," Ackman told WWD in his first public comments since Ron Johnson was fired as CEO on Monday. "In fact, we're going the other direction. We're digging in."

GREEN BAY, Wis. — Shopko announced that Michael Cooper has joined the company as SVP marketing. In this role, Cooper will lead Shopko's branding strategy and marketing initiatives. He will report to Jill Soltau, president and chief merchandising officer.

NEW YORK — Macy's has launched a new contest to find America's best griller. Customers can enter the "Macy's Great American Grilling Guru" contest via Facebook.com/macys from April 9 through April 27. Six finalists will be pitted against each other in a "Sizzle Showdown" on June 8 in Atlanta. One winner will earn the coveted title of America's Greatest Grilling Guru and receive the grand prize: $10,000 and a trip to Macy's 4th of July Fireworks in New York City. 

ARLINGTON, Va. — The Retail Industry Leaders Association said Monday via a written letter to the House Ways and Means Committee that all corporate tax preferences need to be “put on the table” so that politics can be neutralized and progress can be made.

By Robert Passikoff, president, Brand Keys

In 2000, the average tenure of a CEO was 10 years. In 2008, it was down to eight and half, signaling a slightly higher degree of corporate and brand accountability by boards and shareholders. Ron Johnson, the now former-CEO of J.C. Penney, only lasted 17 months.