Retail

Dick Lynch has joined the SD Retail Consulting division of Hilco Trading as SVP of merchandising and strategy.

In his new role, Lynch will be responsible for helping retailers create shareholder value through process, organization and technology enhancements in the key merchandising and inventory management functions. He will also play a key role in assisting management, owners and lenders in shareholder value creation assignments.

Fort Worth, Texas -- RadioShack Corp. formally announced that it has named two new leaders to its senior management team. Michael DeFazio has been named SVP – store concepts, and Jennifer Warren has been named SVP and chief marketing officer.

Irvine, Calif. -- Mimi's Cafe said Thursday that Scott Miller has been named VP finance, effective immediately.

Miller most recently was the CFO at El Gallo Giro, a multi-unit taqueria. He also spent 10 years in various financial leadership roles at Carlson Restaurant Inc., with the T.G.I. Friday's and Pick Up Stix brands.

Mimi's Cafe was recently acquired by Le Duff America , parent to the Bruegger’s Bagels and la Madeleine banners, and has 145 locations in 24 states.

New York -- Sherwin-Williams Co. reported a sales increase of 1.4% in the first quarter ended March 31, thanks to higher volume in the Paint Stores Group. The company expects to open 70 to 80 paint stores in 2013.
Net income increased 16% to $116.2 million.

The company's consolidated net sales increased 1.4% to $2.17 billion. The Paint Stores Group saw sales increase 4.0% to $1.17 billion in the quarter. The company pointed to higher architectural paint sales volume across all end-market segments. Comp-store sales for paint stores increased 3.2%.

New York -- A New York judge on Thursday rejected a request by Macy's to block J.C. Penney from selling Martha Stewart goods under the "JCP Everyday" label for now, while it appeals a ruling allowing the sale. An order temporarily barring Martha Stewart from selling goods branded with her name at J.C. Penney's is still in place.

Los Angeles -- Bebe stores announced Wednesday the appointment of Michelle Landgrebe as EVP, general merchandising manager of its 2b division, effective immediately.

In her new role, Landgrebe will be responsible for merchandising, design, production, planning & allocation, and visual merchandising for the Bebe’s outlet division, b2.

She most recently served as VP, general merchandising manager at VF Corp.

SymphonyIRI Group president and CEO Andrew Appel announced this week that the company will revert to its original name, Information Resources, or IRI, as part of a rebranding strategy.

“Our rebranding signifies our promise to continue providing ingenious solutions and capabilities for our clients to enable growth in a highly fragmented, competitive and complex market,” Appel said “We are well positioned to be the catalyst that enables CPG and retail companies to take advantage of new opportunities.”

Clarksburg, Md. -- Tanger Factory Outlet Centers and Peterson Cos. said Wednesday that the pair will develop an upscale outlet center in Clarksburg, Md.

The new outlet center, currently in the pre-development stage, will be branded as Tanger Outlets and located 27 miles northwest of Washington, D.C. and 36 miles west of Baltimore.