News

The Chinese e-commerce giant had a very merry holiday as its December quarter sales surged 54% year-over-year (YoY).   Alibaba’s sales hit $7.7 billion for the three months ended on Dec. 31, 2016, exceeding analysts’ expectation of $7.3 billion. The increase is also prompting the retailer to “adjust up our 2017 fiscal year revenue guidance from 48% to 53% year-over-year growth,” said Maggie Wu, CFO of Alibaba Group.   

Rite-Aid has named Ken Black senior VP and chief human resources officer, effective immediately.   Black, who served as the drug chain’s group VP of compensation, benefits and shared services, will succeed Dedra Castle, who is leaving the company for personal health reasons.   Black will report to CEO John Standley, and be responsible for all aspects of human resources, including training, recruitment, talent management, compensation and benefits, labor relations, leadership development and diversity.

Eloquii, a fashion-forward online apparel retailer for women sizes 14 to 28, plans to test a physical store.   The retailer plans to open a “concept shop” in Fashion Centre at Pentagon City in Arlington, Va., Women’s Wear Daily reported. The 2,600-sq.-ft. store is scheduled to open in March.     Although only a three-month lease was signed, Eloquii executives see the store as a test to determine the potential for a brick-and-mortar strategy, the report said.

Toys "R" Us has hired a veteran marketer to lead its global marketing efforts.   The retailer announced that Carla Hassan will join the company as executive VP, global chief marketing officer, effective February 20, 2017. She will report directly to chairman and CEO Dave Brandon.   Hassan was most recently senior VP, brand management for PepsiCo's Global Beverage Group, where she was responsible for driving the growth agenda for brands including Pepsi, 7UP, Mountain Dew, and Gatorade.

DDR has purchased a new Chicago center anchored by a Mariano’s supermarket for $81 million. The 137,618-sq.-ft. property is located on 3030 North Broadway in the Lakeview section of town.   XSport Fitness, PNC Bank, and Starbucks are tenants in the center along with Mariano’s, a chain Chicagoland founded by former Dominick’s deli worker Bob Mariano, who grew it to nearly 48 stores. The chain is now owned by Kroger.  

On pace to double its online business for fiscal 2016, apparel retailer J. Lindeberg is ready to take control of its e-commerce destiny.    The company, known for its men's and women's fashion and golf apparel and accessories, recently launched in Canada, and now has its sights set on digital expansion into North and South America. At the core of this expansion is bringing its operating platform in-house.  

Amazon is getting ready to break ground on yet another new fulfillment center — its first in Colorado.    The one million-sq.-ft. facility being constructed in Aurora is expected to create more than 1,000 new full-time jobs. Associates at the Aurora warehouse will pick, pack and ship larger customer items, such as sports equipment, musical instruments and furniture.  

Lowe's Companies’ chief marketing head Marci Grebstein has left the company after 14 months in the position.   The home improvement giant wasted no time in naming a successor, tapping Jocelyn Wong as chief marketing officer, effective immediately. Wong joined Lowe's in September 2015, and most recently served as senior VP and general merchandising manager for the seasonal business. Prior to joining Lowe's, she served as senior VP and chief marketing officer at Family Dollar.  

Burlington Stores is promoting three key executives, with the appointments all effective January 30, 2017.   The appointments include the following:    • Jennifer Vecchio, executive VP/chief merchandising officer since May 2015, will be promoted to the newly created role of chief merchandising officer/principal, and will assume responsibility for the merchandise planning, allocation and MIO functions.  

Pep Boys has added 130 stores to its portfolio.   The company has purchased Just Brakes, a privately held an automotive repair and maintenance chain, increasing the number of Pep Boys auto service locations to over 900 locations.