Mass Merchant

Naples, Fla. -- The Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) announced the election of Gregg Steinhafel, chairman, president CEO of Target Corp., as chairman of its board of directors.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to serve as chairman of this exceptional group of industry leaders,” said Steinhafel. “Along with the rest of the Board of Directors, I value RILA and its efforts to champion issues that affect our industry, our workforce and our customers.”

Target chairman, president and CEO Gregg Steinhafel was elected chairman of the board of the Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA).

Steinhafel previously served as the board’s vice chairman and in his new capacity succeeds former RILA board chairman Bill Rhodes, chairman, president and CEO of AutoZone. 

New York City -- Family Dollar plans to continue aggressive growth in the current fiscal year, with 450 to 500 new stores on tap, CEO Howard Levine said at the company's annual shareholder meeting Thursday, The Charlotte Observer reported.

The discounter also plans to open its 11th distribution center this year, to serve its stores in California where it has started expanding, the report said.

Levine said Family Dollar will continue its store renovation program, making over another 1,000 locations.

One thing merchants know about markdowns is they are best taken early and at a modest level to stimulate sales as opposed clinging too long to the belief goods will sell at full price only to realize steeper cuts are needed. Apparently this philosophy doesn’t apply in the financial services world where Target has temporarily suspended the sale of its credit card receivables portfolio on better terms.

Minneapolis -- Due to continued growth in the retail market, Tennant Co. announced it has added an additional strategic accounts manager.  Brian Clifton has been hired to work closely with key retailers to design and implement floor care programs that add value to their organizations.

A letter that surfaced last week from Target executives to the company’s suppliers brought back memories of Tom Hanks signature line from the movie A League of Their Own about how there is no crying in baseball.

SALISBURY, N.C. — Bottom Dollar Food announced grand opening dates for its first 14 stores in the greater Pittsburgh and Youngstown, Ohio, markets, with its first seven stores opening on Jan. 26. Seven additional stores will open on Feb. 9.

SAN FRANCISCO — Gap Inc. has announced that Tom Wyatt, president of its Old Navy brand, has resigned in order to take a position at another company outside of the apparel retail business, effective Feb. 3. The company has named two senior executives at Old Navy to lead the division, reporting to Gap Inc. chairman and CEO Glenn Murphy, while a formal search for a new brand president is under way.