Sales & Marketing

Rockford, Mich. -- Wolverine Worldwide announced the appointment of Ira P. Hernowitz as president of the Stride Rite Children's Group. He most recently served as executive VP of "R" Us Brands for Toys R Us, Inc.

Hernowitz has served in a variety of leadership roles during his career, and his strong background in children's products, coupled with his retail expertise.

A desire to improve operational efficiency and capitalize on scale were cited as reasons for several senior level executive moves at Dollar General.

The retailer recently surpassed 11,000 units and chairman and CEO Rick Dreiling said the enhanced management structure involving Todd Vasos and David D’Arezzo would align the company for continued future growth.

Mini catalogs help offset increased costs of mailing, without sacrificing circulation

In the largest price increase since 2007, the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) is proposing a rate hike of 5.9%, a move that has catalog mailers scrambling to assess the impact of such an increase and also evaluating less expensive alternatives. The Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) has up to 90 days to rule on the proposal, with the price increase going into effect as early as Jan. 27, 2014.

Phoenix -- Leslie's Poolmart announced it has acquired the assets of Pool Supply World, one of the nation's premier Internet retailers of swimming pool supplies.

As a separate division of Leslie's Pool Supplies, the acquired business will continue to operate as Pool Supply World with its distinct brand and website. Mark Krueger, CEO of Pool Supply World, will continue to lead the business.

J. Crew consumers can now take advantage of MasterCard’s digital wallet service, MasterPass, at checkout. The digital wallet service enables shoppers to use any payment card or enabled device to unlock a simplified and speedier checkout experience regardless of where they are.

As both founder of legendary 1960s rock group The Velvet Underground and as a solo artist, recently departed singer/songwriter Lou Reed was noted as a visionary and a curmudgeon. While his gruff approach to critics and fans may not be the best customer engagement template, Reed’s innovations as a musical artist offer lessons for retailers seeking success in the digital arena.

Avoiding all That Jazz

Hingham, Mass. – Building #19, a closeout retailer with 10 stores in Massachusetts and New Hampshire, is reportedly planning a giant closeout sale of its own. According to the Boston Business Journal, Building #19 filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on Nov. 1 and requested permission to obtain the services of liquidation sale specialist Gordon Brothers.

Tractor Supply Company has elected Cynthia T. Jamison to its board of directors. Jamison will succeed James F. Wright as chairman of the board upon the conclusion of Wright's term at the end of the year.

Wright will resign his position as a board member effective December 31, 2013, consistent with his plan to serve as executive chairman of the board with a term of one year, as previously announced in September 2012.