News

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.

The Kroger Co. is hiring to fill an estimated 10,000 permanent positions in its supermarket divisions.   The company also announced that its total active workforce grew by more than 12,000 associates in 2016. Over the last eight years, Kroger has created more than 86,000 permanent, new jobs. (The total does not include jobs created as a result of capital investment, such as temporary construction jobs, nor do they include increases due to the company's mergers. Kroger and its subsidiaries today employ more than 443,000 associates.

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.  

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.  

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.

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.  

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.  

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.