Sales & Marketing

Athletic wear retailer the Finish Line is investing in the health, well-being and special needs of children with thousands of dollars in grants.

The Finish Line Youth Foundation is awarding $77,258 in grants to help organizations that focus on healthy lifestyles, youth development and special needs.

Minneapolis – The ongoing shakeup of senior management that has been occurring at Target Corp. since CEO Brian J. Cornell took the reins in August 2014 is continuing. Target has promoted John Mulligan, who has served as CFO since 2012, to the newly created role of executive VP and COO, effective Sept. 1.

CEO Brian Cornell isn't done retooling the executive leadership team at Target Corp.: The retailer now has a new COO and CFO.

Target has promoted current CFO John Mulligan to the newly created role of executive vice president and chief operating officer, effective Sept. 1. Mulligan will assume oversight of stores, supply chain and properties. Joining Target as executive vice president and chief financial officer will be Cathy Smith, a seasoned retail business leader. Both Mulligan and Smith will report to Cornell.

Miami – The Related Group is set to transform the Miami suburb of Doral with the massive 600,000 sq. ft. CityPlace Doral. The $800 million mixed-use development components include 240,000 sq. ft. commercial space, 1,000 luxury residential units and Boutique Boulevard -- more than 40 shopping, entertainment and dining venues. Once complete, the project will offer the area’s only walkable luxury shopping plaza.

JCPenney 's renewed focus on omnichannel seems to be improving profitability for the retailer, which reported sales and revenue increases in the second quarter.

The company posted a net loss of $138 million, or 45 cents a share, in the quarter that ended Aug. 1, compared with a loss of $172 million, or 56 cents a share, a year ago. Total sales increased 2.7 percent from $2.80 billion a year ago to $2.89 billion. Same-store sales were up 4.1% and better than results also reported this week from Macy’s, Kohl’s and Dillard’s.

Plano, Texas -- While it’s way too early to start popping the champagne, J.C. Penney Co. has to be pleased about its second quarter financial results, which topped analysts expectations and suggested that the company’s turnaround is in progress.

Another high level defection from Target's merchandising ranks suggests CEO Brian Cornell's strategic vision for the retailer is not universally shared.

Jose Barra, executive vice president in charge of merchandising at Target, is departing the Minnesota-based retailer for a new position, The Wall Street Journal reported.

Retail consulting firm McMillanDoolittle, Chicago, weighs in on its blog with three reasons why any retailer using the practice of “on-call” labor scheduling should end it immediately.