News

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens on Monday named Steve Pemberton the company’s divisional VP of diversity and inclusion, becoming the company’s first chief diversity officer.

NEW YORK — New Balance has partnered with supermodel Heidi Klum for a new line of women's footwear to be sold exclusively on Amazon.com, beginning this month.

"We all need a good pair of sneakers whether its for running to the gym or running to the store," said Klum.  "I have extended my line with New Balance and designed a few stylish pairs of sneakers. Very exciting!"

PHILADELPHIA — Sales and profit growth were hard to come by at Pep Boys during the first quarter, although the leading provider of automotive services and parts forged ahead with growth plans.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Borders Group executive VP and chief merchandising officer Michele Cloutier has resigned, Borders said in a late afternoon Friday filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

It is the latest in a string of high-level departures from the bookseller as it struggles to emerge from bankruptcy protection.

On Thursday, the company received a deadline extension until mid-October to file a plan to restructure. An attorney for Borders said parts of the company could be sold in as quickly as two weeks.

PORT WASHINGTON, N.Y. — NPD Group named Perry James, a 16-year veteran with the research firm, as the new president of home and office supplies. 

James replaces Peter Goldman, who moved on to a position within NPD as SVP technology analyst business. 

Before his current position, James was president of NPD’s office supplies and software businesses. From 2005 through 2007, he was with the home group on the business development side.

NEW YORK — Phillips-Van Heusen announced that it has entered into a licensing agreement with Ram Pacific under which Ram Pacific will market and distribute apparel and accessories under PVH’s IZOD brand in Singapore, Indonesia, and Malaysia. The initial term of the license agreement runs through December 2015 and provides for a renewal at PVH’s option.

Miami -- NGC said Tuesday that Aeropostale has selected its supply chain management software as the retailer’s international supply chain management system.

According to NGC, Aeropostale wanted to improve visibility, collaboration and communication between its vendors and international licensees.

Austin, Texas -- Digby announced Tuesday that U.K. apparel retailer Republic has launched a mobile optimized website through Venda’s advanced mobile platform powered by Digby.

Through the platform, Republic is introducing mobile as a strategic channel that complements its e-commerce site and more than 110 retail stores across the United Kingdom. The mobile shopping experience will allow customers to search, browse and buy products in as little as 60 seconds from mobile devices such as iPhone/iPod Touch, BlackBerry and Android.

Pleasanton, Calif. -- Safeway said Tuesday it has signed a new $1.5 billion revolving credit agreement that replaces a $1.6 billion facility.

The new agreement is for four years, while the one it is replacing was set to mature on June 1, 2012.

Safeway said that its Canadian subsidiary can borrow up to $250 million from the new facility, which will be used for general corporate purposes.
 

By Lindsey Lanzisero, [email protected] and Craig Rowley, [email protected]