News

CallisonRTKL taps industry veteran to lead new visual merchandising services
CallisonRTKL is expanding the services it offers to retailers around the world. The company is adding visual merchandising services to its current lineup of retail services, which include architecture, store planning and design, brand strategy and environmental graphic design. “Visual Merchandising is more important than ever in the retail environment,” said Ignaz Gorischek, VP, CallisonRTKL, who will lead the visual merchandising team.
C-store chain welcomes new CTO
Yesway has named Douglas New as its chief technology officer. New will be responsible for mapping and implementing the convenience store chain’s technology strategy, including defining the execution plan for Yesway's e-commerce platform. He will also assist in helping the company achieve its goal acquiring 500 stores over the next several years, according to a company statement. He will report to Mark Daniels, the convenience store chain's chief strategy officer.

Advance Auto taps Amazon exec as finance chief

Advance Auto Parts has appointed Thomas (Tom) Okray as executive VP, CFO, effective Oct. 31, 2016. In a previously announced succession plan, Okray will succeed Mike Norona, who will remain with Advance Auto in an advisory role until the end of the year.
Google Home could give Echo a run for the money

New features give Google Home the boost needed to become a valid shopping assistant. The device, designed to compete with Amazon’s Echo, was introduced at Google’s I/O event in May. However, new functionality was introduced at Google’s media event in Tuesday, reported Internet Retailer.
Ascena Retail restructures; some execs to leave

Ascena Retail Group, whose brands include Ann Taylor, Justice, and Lane Bryant, announced organizational changes expected to provide cost-savings of $100 million to $150 million by fiscal 2019. The changes will see a number of executives leave the company, although Ascena did not disclose who would be leave. Also, Brian Lynch, CEO and president of Justice, has been appointed company COO.
UGG makes a loyalty play

UGG is driving a new level of engagement with loyal shoppers. Starting today, shoppers nationwide are invited to join UGG Rewards, a loyalty program that awards shoppers with points for every purchase. The program, which was launched as a pilot among a limited customer base between September 2015 and June 2016, is now available to shoppers in-store and online throughout the United States.
Target, Manhattan
New year will bring new CEO to VF Corp.

VF. Corp., whose brands include The North Face, Timberland and Nautica, will have a new chief executive come January. The company announced that president and COO Steven E. Rendle will become CEO, effective Jan. 1, 2017. Rendle, 57, will succeed Eric C. Wiseman, who will continue to serve as executive chairman and work with Rendle to ensure a successful transition. Rendle has more than 30 years of experience in the specialty outdoor and action sports industry, 16 of which have been with VF.
Kohl’s enters the mobile payments game

Kohl’s Corp. has joined the ranks of Walmart, Starbucks and other companies to offer its own mobile payments app. The retailer launched Kohl’s Pay on Wednesday, hoping to speed up checkout in its stores. Using the app, shoppers can integrate their Kohl’s private label credit card and their Yes2You Rewards member number directly in the app’s mobile wallet. The technology also saves earned Kohl’s Cash and Yes2You Rewards.
Sears exec joins Claire’s

There is a new finance chief at Claire’s Stores. The retailer has appointed Scott Huckins as its executive VP and CFO, effective Oct. 5. He joins Claire's from Sears Holdings where he served as VP, treasurer and president for Sears Re, (a wholly owned captive reinsurance company) for the last four years. In that role, he had responsibility for global treasury, capital markets, credit, risk management and reinsurance for the company.