Sales & Marketing

Dallas – The Container Store has hired Pete Lodwick as VP and general counsel. Lodwick will lead both internal and external teams responsible for legal strategy, regulatory affairs, and corporate compliance.

Prior to joining The Container Store, Lodwick practiced for 34 years at the Dallas-based law firm Thompson & Knight in the corporate and securities department.

Litigation in Delaware could disrupt how retailers manage programs

Dublin, Calif. - Ross Dress for Less will open a new store in Southern California, on Oct. 11. The store is located in the La Mesa Center in the city of La Mesa, a suburb of San Diego.  

This new opening is part of the retailer’s 2014 expansion program, totaling approximately 75 new locations during the year. 

Keeping stores in peak condition remains the top priority of retail facility managers, who are increasingly being asked to do more with less. Chain Store Age spoke with Lauryn Blank, CEO of Global Facility Management & Construction, about the impact of technology on store maintenance and other trends. She also provided some timely advice for winter challenges.

Philadelphia -- In a surprise announcement, The Pep Boys - Manny, Moe & Jack said that its president, CEO and director Mike Odell has resigned. Director John Sweetwood was named interim CEO, effective immediately, while the company searches for a permanent CEO.

The departure of Odell, who was appointed CEO of Pep Boys in fall 2008, comes weeks after the auto-parts and service company reported a loss for the second quarter, which it credited to declines in its tire and do-it-yourself segments.

Despite posting increases in consolidated net and comparable store sales, the Finish Line’s second-quarter results fell short of its expectations, thanks to softness in the specialty retailer’s basketball offering.

Despite the slowdown in basketball-related sales, the running-related sales increased in the mid-single digits, driven by casual and performance styles. Consolidated net sales were $466.9 million, an increase of 7.1% over the prior year period. Comparable store sales increased 1.5%.

Birmingham, Ala. – Brookwood Village, a dynamic mixed-use development located in the affluent Mountain Brook and Homewood area of Birmingham, Alabama, today announced that the shopping center would welcome Hickory Tavern to its restaurant mix in 2015.

Defining the scope of a CFO’s oversight is challenging because it’s still evolving. Besides the overarching responsibility of overseeing and reporting finances, the role now often includes strategic planning, technology and investor relations.

New areas of reporting, including corporate social responsibility and environmental performance, are also being added.