News

As Kimberly-Clark continues to focus on driving global expansion, the company has made executive changes so it can execute its business goals.

Elane Stock, group president of Kimberly-Clark Professional (KCP), has been elected group president of K-C International (KCI), and is succeeding Christian Brickman, who is leaving to pursue a senior executive officer position outside of K-C. Kim Underhill, currently president of K-C's European consumer business, has been elected president of KCP.

Tokyo – Mt. Gox, the Japan-based global bitcoin platform which unexpectedly went offline on Feb. 25, 2014, has filed for bankruptcy and publicly stated that hackers may have stolen as much as $500 million worth of bitcoins from the company and its users.

Hong Kong - Hong Kong-based supermarket chain ParknShop has chosen Galleria Retail Technology Solutions to further enhance its merchandising operations. ParknShop will use Galleria category planning, automation and optimization solutions to obtain insights via clustering and demand signal analytics, as well as optimize and execute its store strategy.

Roundy's chairman, president and CEO Robert A. Mariano was optimistic following fourth quarter and full year results for the period ended Dec. 28, 2013.

The grocer saw a net sales increase of 2% to a little more than $1 billion, with net income at $8.7 million, or $0.19 diluted net earnings per common share. For the full year 2013, the company saw net sales increase by 1.5% to $4 billion. Net income was $34.5 million, or $0.76 diluted net earnings per common share.

Dallas – Zale Corp. reported a 10% in net earnings during the second quarter of fiscal 2014, rising to $51 million from $41 million in the same quarter the prior year. However, revenues dipped 2% to $656 million from $671 million, while same-store sales rose 1.9%.

Zale attributed the decline in revenues primarily to the net decrease of 86 stores compared to fiscal 2013 and a decline in the Canadian exchange rate, partially offset by the 1.9% constant currency same-store sales growth.

The Home Depot has promoted Craig Menear to president, U.S. retail. Menear was previously EVP, merchandising, responsible for all merchandising departments and merchandising services and strategy; the company's supply chain network; global sourcing; vendor management; marketing; and online sales.

In his new role, Menear will add responsibility for all U.S. store operations, with Marvin Ellison, EVP, U.S. stores, reporting to Menear.

Sears Holdings late Friday issued a statement confirming that the company is investigating whether it was the victim of a security breach.

"There have been rumors and reports throughout the retail industry of security incidents at various retailers and we are actively reviewing our systems to determine if we have been a victim of a breach," read the statement. "We have found no information based on our review of our systems to date indicating a breach."

New York -- After over 25 years in business, Dots, an Ohio-based women’s fashion discount retailer, is closing its doors.  Store-closing sales will begin on Friday, March 1, with discounts on all merchandise, as well as store furniture, fixtures and equipment. Dots filed for Chapter 11 protection on January 20, 2014.