Supply Chain & Merchandising

SECAUCUS, N.J. — More than a year after The Children's Place Retail Stores began its search for a new chief financial officer, following the departure of EVP finance and adminstration, Susan Riley, the company has named Steven Baginski as CFO. He will report to Eric Bauer, COO. 

Hampstead, Md. -- JoS. A. Bank Clothiers said Wednesday that Frank J. Barbarino has been promoted to senior VP and general merchandise manager for the chain, effective April 15.

In his new role, Barbarino will continue to lead the Tailored Clothing Department and will add Sportswear and Furnishings to his responsibilities. He will oversee product design, manufacturing and sourcing, as well as all retailing of the company’s merchandise lines.

Barbarino was most recently VP for tailored clothing.

By Jason S. Baker

WEST DES MOINES, Iowa — Supermarket-pharmacy chain Hy-Vee is launching two initiatives designed to promote sustainability, in recognition of Earth Day.

Atlanta -- Supply chain optimization provider Manhattan Associates said Wednesday that Charming Shoppes has selected solutions from the Manhattan SCOPE supply chain portfolio to optimize its distribution, transportation and distributed order processes in its Greencastle, Ind., distribution center.

New York -- Jones Group Inc. reported Wednesday that it swung to a first-quarter loss of $1.2 million, compared with a profit of $25.7 million in the year-ago period. Costs of closing stores, paying severance, acquisitions and a strategic review impacted the results, which still surpassed analysts’ expectations.

Revenue for the manufacturer and retailer of brands such as Nine West, Jones New York and Stuart Weitzman slipped 2.6% to $936 million in the quarter ended March 31, missing Wall Street’s expected $937.3 million in revenue.

San Francisco -- The Gymboree Corp. reported Wednesday that it narrowed its loss in the quarter ended Jan. 28 to $24.9 million, compared with a loss of $47.3 million a year earlier.

Sales for the quarter increased 11.9% to $355.8 million, from $318.0 million last year. Same-store sales rose 6%.

The company announced that it plans to open 105 new stores in fiscal 2012, including 80 Crazy 8 stores.
 

HOUSTON — Mid-price apparel retailer Stage Stores has named Steven Lawrence as chief merchandising officer, effective April 30. Lawrence will be responsible for all of the merchandising, planning and allocation functions of the company.

Prior to joining Stage Stores, Lawrence spent 11 years with JCPenney, where he was most recently co-chief merchant EVP GMM men’s, kids and home.