News

Minneapolis -- Christopher & Banks Corp. narrowed its fiscal fourth-quarter loss as the company received a boost from an extra week of sales and cut costs.

The retailer posted a loss of $4.1 million for the 14 weeks through Feb. 2, compared with a loss of $53.2 million in the 13 weeks the year before.

Revenue was up 10%, to $116 million from $105.6 million. Same-store sales jumped 18.5%.

Total expenses fell 25% to $120 million.

NEW YORK — Macy's has added chef, restaurateur, author and television star Stephanie Izard to its Culinary Council, an exclusive team of the country's finest chefs who serve to inspire the way Macy's customers shop, cook and eat at home. A James Beard Award nominee, Food & Wine "Best New Chef" and winner of Bravo's "Top Chef" (Season Four), Izard will serve as an ambassador for Macy's Home department alongside fellow Macy's Culinary Council chefs including Rick Bayless, Cat Cora, Nancy Silverton, Ming Tsai and Wolfgang Puck. 

By Greg Kefer, [email protected]

The latest study on the risk posed by supply chain disruptions by Deloitte just hit the news. Executives were surveyed regarding feelings (or fears) about their exposure to unexpected events in their global supply chains. As you can imagine, most feel unprepared and report disruptions have become more costly. Negative outcomes in the global supply chain like costly margin erosion and demand change are all too common for most companies.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Home decor retailer Kirkland's announced that Robert Alderson, the company’s long-time president and CEO, has advised the board of directors of his intention to retire from the company at the end of fiscal 2013, or approximately Feb. 1, 2014.

BALDWYN, Miss. — Hancock Fabrics has announced that James B. Brown will be joining Hancock Fabrics as EVP and CFO on March 18, reporting to Steve Morgan, president and CEO. Brown will oversee the areas of accounting-finance, loss prevention, IT, human resources, and in addition, will have oversight responsibility to the planning and allocation function.

Senior executives from Yahoo! and Ecolab are the newest members of the board of directors at Target.

The retailer late Wednesday announced the addition of Douglas M. Baker, Jr., chairman and CEO of Ecolab Inc., and Henrique De Castro, COO of Yahoo! Inc., to its board, effective immediately.

Baker, 54, is a 24-year veteran at St. Paul, Minn.-based Ecolab. Prior to being named president and CEO in July 2004, Baker held key roles in marketing, sales and general management in both the U.S. and Europe. He became chairman in May 2006.

 NEW YORK — Walmart stores will be the exclusive retailer of a new adventure from Thomas the Tank Engine beginning April 9, 2013.

The new DVD, Thomas & Friends: Railway Mischief, features five brand new episodes and a bonus, collectible “Calling All Engines” poster. There are also bonus features including a hide and seek game, a music video and a "Guess Who?" puzzle. 

The DVD will be sold for a suggested retail price of $14.98.

Houston -- The Men's Wearhouse Inc. posted a larger-than-expected loss for its fiscal fourth quarter. The retailer also announced that it was exploring the possible sale of its weaker performing K&G unit.

The company lost $3.4 million for the quarter that ended Feb. 2, compared to a loss of $3.8 million in the year-ago period.

Revenue rose 8.2% to $608.4 million. Revenue from Men's Wearhouse stores, which made up 61% of the quarter’s sales, rose 9.1%.