News

Aaron's has tapped EVP and CFO Gilbert L. Danielson as interim CEO, effective following the previously announced retirement of Ronald W. Allen August 31.

The company announced Allen’s intentions to retire just under two weeks after posting disappointing second-quarter results.

Crocs has appointed footwear industry and product merchant leader Michelle Poole as SVP of global merchandising, a newly created role, reporting directly to president Andrew Rees.

Poole, who starts her new role Aug. 25, will be based out of the Product Creation and Global Shared Services Center in Niwot, Colorado.

During the second quarter, Ahold USA experienced a dip in sales, while its online grocery operation, Peapod, achieved double-digit sales growth.

Second quarter net sales were €4,408 million, 1.7% lower than last year at constant exchange rates. Identical sales growth excluding gas was down 1.8%, which included the negative impact of the post-Easter week falling in second quarter 2014. The retailer’s overall market share was slightly down, particularly in New England and at Giant Landover, the company stated.

Four years after it opened its first location in New York City, teen and pre-teen bargain retailer Five Below is set to open its first location in Brooklyn at the borough’s Gateway Center Aug. 29. The 7,500-sq.-ft. store will feature all of the company’s merchandise, all priced at or below $5.

Hhgregg has renewed its partnership with the Indianapolis Colts, extending the interactive football experience it provided last year. People at Colts games will be able to play Hhgregg’s Endless Blitz game on their smartphones, competing against other people in the stadium to win prizes.

ATM company Payment Alliance International announced Thursday that it would be partnering with Los Angeles-based SchoolsFirst Federal Credit union to brand ATMs at Rite Aid locations in the city.

Some 109 ATMs will be emblazoned with the credit union’s color and logo, and members will be able to use them without incurring an ATM fee. PAI, which owns, the ATMs, will operate and maintain them.

Jif is rolling out two new varieties of its new Jif To Go Dippers with a social media contest. To promote the new product, which pairs two varieties of peanut butter comes in two varieties—chocolate peanut butter with chocolate flavored spread, and creamy peanut butter — with pretzels, the company has launched the #GetGoing photo promotion.

Kirkland's SVP and CFO W. Michael Madden has been promoted to president and chief operating officer, effective immediately. Madden will remain the company’s principal financial officer pursuant to S.E.C requirements.

The company also promoted SVP of stores/human resources Michelle R. Graul to EVP of stores and merchandising, and VP of finance Adam C. Holland to chief accounting officer.

Fans of rapper Wiz Khalifa’s line of Converse shoes will have more to choose from this fall.
 
The shoemaker announced that it would unveil a collection of shoes inspired and designed by the rapper for the upcoming season. The new line is Kahlifa’s second collaboration with Converse, and will feature a new twist on the classic Chuck Taylor shoe — the All Star ILL.
 

Stein Mart CEO Jay Stein is focused on the company’s growth strategy, which includes plans to continue expanding the company’s e-commerce business, following second-quarter results.

Total sales for the quarter increased 2.5% to $298.2, while comparable store sales increased 1.3%. Gross profit for the quarter was $84.2 million, or 28.3% of sales.