News

Hormel Foods has announced the upcoming retirement of Dr. Phillip L. Minerich, VP of research and development, effective Dec. 31. Taking his place Oct. 28 will be Dr. Kevin L. Myers, who is currently director of product and process development, research and development.

Sears Canada CEO Calvin McDonald has resigned from his position and the company’s board of directors to pursue an opportunity with an international company. Taking his place will be current EVP and chief operating officer Douglas C. Campbell. 

Campbell joined Sears Canada in March 2011 and was appointed EVP and chief operating officer Nov. 2012. He was responsible for retail store operations, logistics, replenishment, information technology, corporate procurement and international sourcing.  

Littleton, Mass. – The board of directors and senior management of Dover Saddlery, Inc. have initiated a process to identify and consider a range of operational, financial and strategic alternatives to better pursue its growth strategy and that may accelerate the enhancement of value for the benefit of its stockholders.

Solutions Management, a leading national retail and corporate maintenance company, has appointed Michael DiTaranto as the company’s senior operations manager.

SMI partners with retailers and corporations to provide maintenance services which include floor care, window cleaning, high dusting, power washing and janitorial services. Recovery services include emergency services, mold testing and remediation, flood restoration and fire restoration.

Pier 1 Imports is wasting no time addressing its misguided marketing strategy, which CEO Alex W. Smith identified as one of the causes for the retailer’s poor earnings for the second quarter ended Aug. 31. To that end, the company has named Eric Hunter as EVP of marketing. 

Hunter will be responsible for Pier 1 Imports’ brand image and integrated marketing efforts.

Atlanta – Independent bookstores are reportedly growing sales at a healthy rate despite stiff competition from Amazon.com. According to an article in Fortune, American Booksellers Association figures show that independent bookstore sales in the U.S. grew 8% last year and are on track to grow at a similar pace this year.

LIVONIA, Mich. — Pet Supplies Plus has named former Sports Authority executive Dan Boose as the company’s CFO.

Boose has more than 25 years of finance experience and more than 15 years of operating experience in the specialty retail sector. As CFO, Boose will be charged with positioning PSP to execute its growth plan with an emphasis on strong profitability and operating efficiency.

Washington, D.C. -- Nearly 158 million consumers will participate in Halloween activities this year, slightly less than the historic high of 170 million people last year. New figures from the National Retail Federation (NRF) indicate the average consumer will spend $75.03 on Halloween this year, down 6% from $79.82 last year.

However, average overall spending on Halloween has increased 54.7% since 2005, with total spending estimated to reach $6.9 billion in 2013. Other NRF figures include: