Nine retailers in search of a CEO

New York -- The heat is on — in more ways than one. While Target’s search for a new chief executive has been much in the news, the discounter is not the only big retailer on the hunt for a chief executive. Here’s a brief review (all dates are 2014 except where noted):

1. Target Corp.: Thirty-five year company veteran Gregg Steinhafel, 59, stepped down in May. Target’s CFO John Mulligan is leading the discounter until a replacement is named.



2. J.C. Penney Co.: Myron “Mike” Ullman, 67, was called back to head the company after Ron Johnson was ousted in 2013. Ullman is technically not an interim CEO, but it’s no secret the company is looking for a permanent chief.



3. American Eagle Outfitters: Since Robert Hanson, 51, resigned in January, executive chairman Jay Schottenstein has been serving as interim CEO. Hanson joined American Eagle in January 2012 after 23 years at Levi Strauss & Co.



4. Bebe stores: Steve Birkhold resigned in June, and the board named Jim Wiggett, who has been advising the struggling apparel retailer, as interim CEO. Birkhold was appointed CEO of Bebe in January 2013. Before that, he had been president and CEO of Lacoste North America since 2010.



5. The Bon Ton Stores: Brendan L. Hoffman, 45, plans to step down as chief executive of the department store company in 2015, three years after taking the job. Prior to Bon-Ton, Hoffman served as CEO of Lord & Taylor.



6. Dollar General Corp.: Rick Dreiling, 60, will retire next year, staying on as CEO until May 30, 2015 or until the appointment of a successor. Dreiling served as chairman, president and CEO of New York-based Duane Reade prior to taking the helm of Dollar General in 2008.



7. American Apparel: Controversial founder, chairman and CEO Dov Charney, 45, was ousted by the board in June. John Luttrell, American Apparel’s executive VP and chief financial officer, is acting as interim CEO.



8. Gordmans Stores: Jeff Gordman resigned in March. T. Scott King, chairman, is serving as interim CEO. Gordman, whose great grandfather founded the predecessor company nearly 100 years ago, joined Gordmans in 1990 and was named president and CEO in 1996.



9. L.L. Bean: Chris McCormick, 58, the Maine-based company’s first leader from outside the Gorman family in its 102-year history, plans to retire in March 2016 after what will be 15 years as CEO and 33 years with Bean. Now that’s called giving advance notice!