Retail

MENOMONEE FALLS, Wis. — Kohl’s Department Stores is boosting its high-fashion image with the launch of a new, limited-edition collection concept called DesigNation featuring fashions from different premier designeres.  Narcisco Rodriguez will be the first designer featured in the series. The collection will include pieces inspired by Rodriguez’s trip to Istanbul, Turkey earlier this year and will be available exclusively at Kohl’s and Kohls.com beginning in early-November 2012.

Unilever president of customer development, Joe Cavaliere, is the newest addition to the board of the Retail Industry Leaders Association.

The trade group’s board held its semi-annual meeting earlier this week and elected Cavaliere and re-elected PetSmart president and CEO Bob Moran and IBM’s general manager for the retail industry Karen Lowe.

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif — Struggling specialty retailer PacSun is hoping a new campaign and some re-branding will help turn things around. To rebuild its image, the company has enlisted Juxt Interactive to create an immersive brand experience designed to coincide with the formal unveiling of the retailer’s new “Golden State of Mind” positioning, which includes the website GSOM.com, and is supposed to reflect the fluid, relaxed nature of the Golden State.

PHILADELPHIA — Pep Boys CFO Ray Arthur has resigned from the company in order to pursue another business opportunity, the company announced Monday. Arthur will continue in his duties until June 29. The Company has engaged Russell Reynolds to conduct a national search for Arthur’s replacement.

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Meijer recently joined the U.S. Environment Protection Agency's GreenChill Partnership. Created as a voluntary partnership, GreenChill members focus on reducing refrigerant emissions and decreasing their impact on the environment and ultimately people's health. By joining GreenChill, Meijer is pledging to meet higher standards that go beyond the regulatory requirements to protect the ozone layer and combat climate change.

PHILADELPHIA — Plans for a new distribution center near Philadelphia will allow Dollar General to more effectively replenish its rapidly expanding store base.

SUNBURY, Pa. — Weis Markets has raised $191,000 in donations and pet supplies for 94 local animal shelters and rescue organizations in its five state market area through its Paws for Pets program, nearly double the total raised in 2011.

The four-week program ran through Memorial Day weekend in the Company's stores in Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey, New York and West Virginia.  During this time, 64 stores also hosted pet adopt-a-thon events with local pet organizations.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens and Alliance Boots took the first step in creating what will be the first and largest global retail pharmacy player, the two companies announced Tuesday.  "This creates an opportunity for us together to create an international expansion platform," Walgreens president and CEO Greg Wasson told reporters and analysts early Tuesday morning.

Alliance Boots is a U.K.-based international, pharmacy-led health and beauty group that operates 3,330 retail businesses in 11 countries.