Retail

Sports Authority has named Jeremy J. Aguilar as CFO. Aguilar was most recently at Hhgregg, where he has been CFO since 2009.

“Jeremy’s expertise in finance and accounting will play a critical role in further strengthening Sports Authority,” said CEO Michael E. Foss. “He will be a valuable asset to the team; we are thrilled to have him on board.”

Tampa, Fla. -- Retail architecture and design firm api(+) announced the appointment of John Ziebarth as studio director for its food service group. He was most recently brand design manager for the specialty restaurant group at Darden Restaurants, Orlando, Fla.
 

As we look back on the first-ever outdoor cold weather Super Bowl, there are several lessons digital retailers can take away from how the NFL, Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks all prepared for what many said was an impossible or foolish undertaking. Some of the same steps these entities took to ensure a successful experience playing the Super Bowl is subfreezing conditions apply to retailers ensuring a successful digital experience for their customers, regardless of naysayers.

Flexibility Keeps Things Running

Diane Sullivan is now CEO, president and chairman of the board of Brown Shoe Company. The company’s board of directors appointed her as chairman last June, and her new role became effective Feb. 2.

Plano, Texas -- Rent-A-Center has opened its newest location in Bartlett, Tenn. Rent-A-Center operates 82 locations in the state of Tennessee.

The retailer also operates more than 3,000 stores in the U.S., Puerto Rico, Canada and Mexico. It employs more than 21,000 workers.

Vera Bradley has restructured its executive team and promoted key figures, effective immediately.

"We have a lot of talent and experience within our company, and these promotions and realignments will help position us for the future. I am confident that we are in the process of assembling the right team to achieve our long-term goals, drawing from both our own leadership team and attracting new talent to the organization," said CEO Robert Wallstrom.

San Diego – On Jan. 30, 2014, PriceSmart, Inc. acquired approximately 147,000 usable sq. ft. of land in the city of Medellin, Colombia, and leased approximately 126,000 usable sq. ft. of land in the city of Bogota, Colombia, upon which the company plans to construct two new warehouse club stores. These two warehouse clubs are currently planned to open before the end of calendar year 2014.

Boise, Idaho - WinCo Foods, LLC will open its first discount supermarkets in the state of Texas on Feb. 6, in the cities of Fort Worth and McKinney. The stores are each approximately 95,000 sq. ft. in size and include WinCo's newest decor package creating an efficient, clean feel that highlights product and coordinates with the hundreds of WinCo Foods private label products the company has recently introduced.