Retail

New York -- Brooks Brothers has named Vivien Kronengold as the company’s executive VP and chief marketing officer, a newly created position. The company also appointed Mauro Calderan as COO. Calderon previously served as senior VP, distribution and logistics.

The appointments come less than a week after Brooks Brothers president and COO Diane Ellis was named CEO at the Limited.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Belk Bowl today announced that they have finalized a deal that will bring an SEC team to the Belk Bowl beginning in 2014. The agreement extends for six years.

"We are thrilled to have the SEC as a partner for the Belk Bowl. We look forward to bringing the best of college football to Charlotte," said Tim Belk, Belk's chairman and CEO.

City of Commerce, Calif. -- Stephane Gonthier, COO of Canadian dollar store chain Dollarama Inc., is leaving that company to take the role of president and CEO at 99 Cents Only Stores. Gonthier will remain with Dollarama during a transitionary period and Richard Anicetti, interim CEO of 99 Cents Only, will return to his position as board member once Gonthier arrives.

NEW YORK — Brooks Brothers has named Vivien Kronengold as the company’s EVP and chief marketing officer, a newly created position. 

Kronengold will be responsible for leading the company’s global marketing strategy and will oversee all areas of marketing communications, including brand advertising, creative, digital and social media, direct, visual merchandising, public relations and events.

Mooresville, N.C. -- The Aug. 9 deadline for additional bids on the proposed purchase of Orchard Supply Hardware by Lowe’s Companies Inc. has passed with no activity. This means Lowe’s can move ahead with plans to acquire the majority of assets of Orchard Supply Hardware, including 72 stores, for approximately $205 million in cash, plus the assumption of payables owed to nearly all of Orchard’s supplier partners, first announced June 17.

WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif. — David H. Murdock, Dole’s chairman and CEO, has entered into a definitive merger agreement with Dole Food Company to acquire for cash all outstanding shares of Dole common stock not currently held by him and his affiliates. 

I recently had the opportunity to engage in a little 1990s nostalgia by attending a package concert featuring a variety of popular bands from that decade such as Gin Blossoms, Smash Mouth and Sugar Ray. It was a chance to envelop myself in the sights and sounds of a bygone era that stays close to my heart as what some call a “Gen Xer.”

San Francisco -- Gap Inc. reported net sales of $3.87 billion for the second quarter of 2013, up 8% from $3.58 billion for the second quarter last year. Net sales for July of this year totaled $1.12 billion, close to 6% higher than $1.06 billion in July of the previous year.