Supply Chain & Merchandising

HAMPSTEAD, Md. — JoS. A. Bank has appointed Byron "Bud" Bergren to the company’s board of directors. Bergren will also serve on the audit committee.

Bergren was formerly chairman of the board at Bon-Ton Stores from February 2012 to June 2013. From 2002 to 2011, he served as president and CEO of Bon-Ton, where he led the company's acquisition of Saks Northern Department Store Group. Bergren received a B.S. degree from St. Cloud State University. He served on the board of directors of the National Retail Federation from 2008 to 2012.

Alpharetta, Ga. – Seeking to boost the capacity and performance of its data center to handle the real-time decisions needed to meet seasonal demand for its 300 stores, HoneyBaked Ham of Georgia is using HP 3PAR Dynamic Optimization Software and HP 3PAR StoreServ Storage. The solutions nondisruptively add and rebalance capacity and system resources to handle changes in business demand on the fly.

Atlanta -- FineLine Technologies Inc. is initializing the rollout of FastTrak Analytics, a web-based solution that provides detailed visibility into variable ticketing supply lead times, with Urban Outfitters among the early adopters of the new analytical reporting tool.

Sears Hometown and Outlet Stores saw net income for the second quarter drop to $9.1 million from $21.1 million a year earlier, due, in part, to expenses associated with its spinoff from Sears Holdings Corp, according to the company.

These results come a little more than a week after Sears Holdings saw revenues decrease to $8.9 billion for the quarter from $9.5 billion for the year-ago quarter. Fewer Kmart and Sears full-line stores accounted for approximately $210 million of that decline.

Ripon, Calif. — Togo's Eateries has announced the opening of its first location in Ripon, Calif.

The restaurant will host a ribbon cutting ceremony on Sept. 5 at 11:30 a.m. In addition, a grand opening celebration has been planned for Saturday, Sept. 7 from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Togo's in Ripon will also offer online ordering and catering services for in-store pick up.

Global consumer products company Jarden Corp. agreed to acquire Yankee Candle for $1.75 billion in cash from its private equity owner Madison Dearborn Partners.

Jarden offers more than 120 well known brands in three major categories – outdoor solutions, consumer solution and branded consumables – but Yankee Candle will instantly become one of, if not the most, recognizable brand in the lineup. Yankee Candle brand products are sold in roughly 35,000 retail locations in North America.

Mooresville, N.C. -- Lowe’s Companies announced that Michael P. McDermott will join the company as senior VP and general merchandising manager- building and maintenance, a new position.

McDermott will be responsible for the lumber & building materials, millwork, hardware & tools and rough plumbing & electrical divisions. He will report to chief merchandising officer, Michael A. Jones.

Brisbane, Calif. -- Bebe Stores Inc. reported a loss for its fourth quarter amid weaker sales and markdowns.

The apparel chain posted a loss of $20.8 million for the three-month period ended July 6, compared with net income of $3 million in the fourth quarter last year.

Bebe's total revenue edged down to $119.2 million, from $131.5 million.