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Mass Merchant

  • Shake-up at Francesca’s; company taps former Signet Jewelers chief as CEO, chairman

    Houston — In its surprise change of leadership, Francesca's Holdings Corp. named Michael W. Barnes as chairman, president and CEO, effective immediately. He joins Fancesca's after serving as CEO of Signet Jewelers since 2011, and leading the company’s $1.46 billion acquisition of Zale Corp. Barnes left the Ohio-based Signet in October, saying he wanted to be closer to his family in Dallas.  

  • Jennifer in need of cheer at Big Lots

    Big Lots hypothetical core customer Jennifer isn’t feeling so cheerful this holiday season as the nation’s leading closeout retailer is eyeing a low single digit fourth quarter comp increase.

  • Feuding continues in the Family Dollar affair

    As the acquisition of Family Dollar moves closer to resolution, would-be acquirers Dollar Tree and Dollar General maintain widely differing views on the superiority of their respective offers and the opinion of federal regulators.

  • H&M’s upscale COS brand opens in SoHo

    New York — Swedish fashion giant H&M’s higher-end brand COS will make its New York debut on Friday, in the SoHo section of Manhattan. It’s the brand’s second U.S. store—the first, in Los Angles, opened in October. 
      COS,  known for its clean lines and minimalist look, targets a more sophisticated customer than the more value-priced H&M.  The SoHo store has a upmarket feel and gallery-like look, enhanced by the use of glass and white-washed wood.
     

  • Heslin Holdings acquires retail property in Albuquerque for planned redevelopment

    Laguna Hills, Calif. — Heslin Holdings, Inc., a privately owned commercial real estate investment and development firm, has purchased 1640 Rio Rancho Blvd., aretail property located in Rio Rancho, a city within the major metropolitanregion of Albuquerque, N.M. The firm will redevelop and re-tenant the property as part of a value-add investment strategy. Additionally, the firm has announced plans to invest up to $100 million in commercial properties in 2015.

  • Sears looks to stay afloat with new board member

    A cruise industry executive is the newest member of the board of directors for Sears Holdings Corp.

    "I am very pleased to welcome Kunal S. Kamlani to our board," said Sears Holdings Chairman and CEO Edward S. Lampert. "His broad-based financial services expertise coupled with leading a company with a strong focus on its customers make him a great fit for our board as we continue our transformation to a member-centric company that leverages Shop Your Way and Integrated Retail."

  • Teen retailer Delia’s to liquidate operations

    New York — Teen retailer Delia’s Inc. plans to liquidate operations as it prepares to file Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection "in the very near term." The struggling retailer has been hurt by sluggish mall traffic, evolving fashion trends and weak online sales. It said it has  unable to find a merger partner, or get an acquisition or financing proposal that would allow it to remain a viable concern.  

  • Five Below names COO and retail veteran Joel Anderson as CEO

    Philadelphia — Specialty retailer Five Below named current COO and industry veteran Joel Anderson as president and CEO, effective Feb.1., 2015.  Anderson has also been elected a member of the company's board of directors.  Current CEO and co-founder, Tom Vellios, who will work with Anderson to ensure a smooth transition, will remain active in the company as executive chairman.   
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