News

NRF urges D.C. to act on ports
As the Pacific Maritime Association prepares to shut down U.S. West Coast ports from Feb. 13-16, the National Retail Federation (NRF) is issuing a public statement asking for direct White House intervention.
Staples targets small business customers
Staples is trying to attract more small business customers with a new service at the copy and print center.

Staples Design Services can help small business customers bring their brands to life, from concept to creation, with professionally designed logos and marketing materials.

DDR Corp. elevates CFO to CEO job

DDR Corp.'s board of directors has promoted David Oakes to the chief executive officer post.

Oakes, the company's president and chief financial officer, fills a seat left empty by Daniel Hurwitz, who stepped down as CEO in December.

"After a thorough and robust search process, the board is confident that David is the right person to lead DDR into the future," Terry Ahern, the company's chairman, said. "I also want to thank the team for the terrific job that they have done while the board conducted the search process."
Target shutting down streaming movie service

Minneapolis – Target Corp. is closing its Target Ticket online video rental service on March 7. Any unwatched movies customers have already rented must be viewed by that date, or they will no longer be available through the service on any customer device.
Rite Aid to acquire EnvisionRX for $2B

Rite Aid is set to acquire leading independent pharmacy benefit manager Envision Pharmaceutical in a deal valued at $2 billion.
Pier 1 names interim CFO, cuts guidance

Fort Worth, Texas – Pier 1 Imports Inc. has named senior VP of planning Laura A. Coffey, 48, as interim CFO. The move comes as Pier 1 reduces its guidance for fiscal 2015 and Charles “Cary” Turner retires as senior executive VP and CFO.
Ascena Retail Group names CFO

Mahwah, N.J. -- Ascena Retail Group has appointed Robb Giammatteo to serve as CFO. He joined Ascena in 2013, as senior VP of financial planning and analysis and investor relations.
Belk names omnichannel exec top techie

Scott Kessler has been named chief information officer at Belk less than a year after joining the regional department store operator as its top omnichannel executive. Kessler, who will report to John R. Belk, president and chief operating officer, has served as Belk’s senior vice president of omnichannel solutions delivery since March of 2014.
J.C. Penney expanding Disney shops to additional 116 stores

Plano, Texas -- J.C. Penney Co. said it plans to expand its in-store Disney shop concept, currently featured in 565 stores, to an additional 116 stores this year. The retailer also announced a collaboration with the upcoming Disney live-action "Cinderella" movie, including the sale of apparel, dolls and a "deluxe" ball gown with "make-believe 'glass'" slippers based on the costume in the movie.
Study: Home item spending grows 1%

Port Washington, N.Y. - Consumers spent more than $47 billion on small appliances, non-electric housewares products, and home fashions in 2014. According to The NPD Group, this was a nearly $500 million, or 1%, increase from 2013 home-product sales,

NPD Group data also shows this continued the growth trajectory resumed in 2013, when the industry grew by 4%. Sales of small kitchen appliances, bed, and bath home fashions products buoyed the industry in 2014, while most non-electric housewares continued to struggle.