News

DALLAS — On orders of the U.S. Department of Defense, The Army and Air Force Exchange Service, will for the first time in its 116-year history, name a civilian to the role of CEO/director.

Until such a person is named, COO Mike Howard will take over as acting CEO/director as the organization’s board of directors seeks a permanent replacement. 

AMSTERDAM — Staples has named Willem Vos as director of e-commerce for Staples Europe. Vos will report to Peter Howard, SVP, head of Staples online and marketing for Staples Europe.

BENSALEM, Pa. — Charming Shoppes Inc. recorded a wider-than-expected loss for its fourth quarter as higher product costs and discounts at its Lane Bryant division cut into margins. The chain said it plans to close between 90 to 105 underperforming stores this year.

Charming Shoppes, which hired Barclays Capital in December to help it review its options, posted a loss of $13.2 million for the three months ended Jan. 28, compared with a loss of $30.4 million a year ago.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Take a universal story, aim it toward a teen audience and have Kristen Stewart (of "Twilight" fame) as the star, and you have a recipe for a potential blockbuster. That is exactly what it is happening with "Snow White and the Huntsman," which also stars Oscar winner Charlize Theron, and HSN is getting in on the action by partnering with Universal Pictures to offer exclusive collections inspired by the film.

Deerfield, Ill. -- Walgreens’ fiscal second-quarter earnings fell 7.7% due in part to its decision to leave the Express Scripts pharmacy network. But its performance still topped analyst expectations. A mild flu and cough/cold season also cut into its performance.

The chain said its net income dropped to $683 million in the three months ended Feb. 29, 2012, compared with $739 million a year ago. Revenue rose 0.8% to $18.65 billion, from $18.5 billion a year earlier. Same-store prescriptions filled fell 4.9%. Revenue from the front-end was up 2.1%.

NEW YORK — Charitybuzz (www.charitybuzz.com), an online charity auction house, announced that Peter Sachse, chief stores officer of Macy’s, has been appointed to the Charitybuzz board of directors. Sachse also serves as a member of the board of governors of the YMA Fashion Scholarship Fund and as a director of XO Group, Inc. Charitybuzz raises funds for nonprofits around the globe through exclusive online charity auctions with the world’s biggest celebrities and brands. 

NEW YORK — Macy’s announced that it has named Johnny Iuzzini to its culinary council. One of the nation's most celebrated and innovative pastry chefs, Iuzzini will join notable talents including Emeril Lagasse, Cat Cora, Wolfgang Puck and Marcus Samuelsson on this distinguished team. 

New York -- Dollar General Corp. will buy back about $300 million in shares from Buck Holdings L.P., the company's controlling shareholder.

The repurchase deal with Buck Holdings is part of the company's previously announced $500 million stock buyback program, Dollar General said in a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.