{"id":3501,"date":"2014-01-21T09:44:26","date_gmt":"2014-01-21T09:44:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/newsroom.chainstoreguide.com\/?p=3501"},"modified":"2014-01-21T09:44:26","modified_gmt":"2014-01-21T09:44:26","slug":"industry-updates-discount-and-specialty-stores-january-2014","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.chainstoreguide.com\/offthechain\/2014\/01\/industry-updates-discount-and-specialty-stores-january-2014\/","title":{"rendered":"Industry Updates: Discount and Specialty Stores \u2013 January 2014"},"content":{"rendered":"

Personnel Updates:<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Barnes & Noble<\/strong><\/span><\/span> named Michael P. Huseby to be its new CEO. He replaces William Lynch, who resigned from the job last summer after questions were raised about the company’s financial disclosures.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Barnes & Noble<\/strong><\/span><\/span> announced that executive Jamie Iannone (President Digital Products (Nook Media LLC) has left the company and was named President and CEO of Samsclub.com.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Edible Arrangements<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/strong>has selected Craig Rubinstein as its new VP of Development, and Ryan Hostetler has been named Franchise Marketing Manager. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Family Dollar<\/strong><\/span><\/span> announced the resignation of President, COO, Michael Bloom amid deteriorating financial results and a 3% same store sales decline in December.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Family Dollar<\/strong><\/span><\/span> elevated Jason Reiser to the role of Exec VP and Chief Merchandising Officer and he\u00a0will report directly to Family Dollar Chairman and CEO Howard Levine.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Gracious Home<\/strong><\/span><\/span> has named former Lumber Liquidators executive Rob Morrison as its new COO.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Lifetime Brands<\/strong><\/span><\/span> announced that Bob Varakian and Stephen Spitz were appointed to new roles at the company. Mr. Varakian will serve as Group President of its Cutlery\/Cutting Boards and Cookware\/Bakeware Divisions. He will report to Lifetime chairman and CEO Jeffrey Siegel. The company also named Stephen Spitz to the role of President for the Cutlery\/Cutting Boards Division and he will report to Varakian.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Office Depot<\/strong><\/span><\/span> has appointed Michael A. Steele as VP of Investor Relations. Steele most recently served as VP of Investor Relations for <\/span><\/span>OfficeMax<\/strong><\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Rich Leland, having led both treasury and investor relations for Office Depot since April 2013, will continue as VP Finance and Treasurer, assuming additional key responsibilities in an expanded role.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Sam’s Club <\/strong><\/span><\/span>announced that it has named former <\/span><\/span>Barnes & Noble<\/strong><\/span><\/span> executive Jamie Iannone President and CEO of Samsclub.com in a restructuring that elevates and integrates Sam\u2019s Club\u2019s online business into the Walmart\u2019s Global eCommerce business unit based in California. His appointment was announced in a joint statement distributed internally at Walmart by Sam\u2019s Club president and CEO Rosalind Brewer and Walmart Global eCommerce president and CEO Neil Ashe. Sam\u2019s online business was previously overseen as one of many duties by John Boswell in his role as Senior VP of Marketing, Member Insights and eCommerce. Boswell will be leaving Sam\u2019s in May to lead an international mission for his church.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Sam’s Club <\/strong><\/span><\/span>announced Racquel Harris has been promoted to Senior VP for Member Strategy and Marketing.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Sam’s Club <\/strong><\/span><\/span>announced that<\/span><\/span> Sonya Gafsi Oblisk, Senior Marketing Director will succeed Harris as VP of Marketing. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Sam\u2019s Club announced<\/strong><\/span><\/span> the addition of Seong Ohm as Senior VP of Merchandise Business Services.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Walmart <\/strong><\/span><\/span>has appointed Krish Iyer President and CEO of Walmart India. He will report to Scott Price, President of Walmart Asia.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Iyer replaces Ramnik Narsey, who has served as interim head of Walmart India since June following Raj Jain\u2019s departure. Narsey has been appointed Senior VP of Walmart International, reporting to its newly appointed president and CEO David Cheesewright. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Walmart <\/strong><\/span><\/span>announced changes to its merchandising organization to begin the new fiscal year with different responsibilities following a restructuring:
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 John Aden was named to the new role as Exec VP of Merchandise Services.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Assuming Aden\u2019s previous responsibilities as Exec VP of general merchandise is Steve Bratspies. He assumes responsibility for entertainment, toys, seasonal, sporting goods, automotive, hardware, paint, stationery, crafts and fabric.
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Laura Phillips was named Senior VP of Entertainment after previously serving as Senior VP of Toys, Seasonal and Celebrations.
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Moving into Phillips prior position of Senior VP of Toys, Seasonal and Celebrations will be Scott McCall.
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Rejoining <\/span><\/span>Sam\u2019s Club<\/strong><\/span><\/span> in a new capacity as Senior VP of Merchandise Business Services is Seong Ohm.
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Carmen Bauza was named Senior VP of OTC Health and Wellness. She fills the roll previously occupied by McCall. Bauza had served as VP of Beauty and Personal Care.
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Moving to <\/span><\/span>Walmart\u2019s Brazilian subsidiary<\/strong><\/span><\/span> is Steve Breen. He will become Chief Merchandising Officer of <\/span><\/span>Walmart Brazil<\/strong><\/span><\/span>.
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Filling Breen\u2019s roles is Ashley Buchanan who was promoted to Senior VP of Snacks and Beverages from his current role as VP of Meals, Condiments and Specialty.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Walmart\u2019s <\/strong><\/span><\/span>executive moves : <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Scott Neal has been elevated to the role of Senior VP Produce, Meat and Seafood after previously serving as VP of Meat and Seafood. As a result, of the realignment and elevation of Neal, other executives finding themselves in new roles include:
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 DeDe Priest was named Senior VP of Deli, Bakery, Dairy and Frozen.
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Assuming Priest\u2019s prior dry grocery responsibilities is Matt Kistler who was named Senior VP of Dry Grocery. He had served as Senior VP of Merchandise Execution.
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Taylor Smith is being promoted to Senior VP of Merchandise Execution to assume Kistler\u2019s former responsibilities from his role as VP of Baby.
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Responsibility for the baby business now goes to Jane Ewing who was named Senior VP after joining Walmart International last fall.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Walmart <\/strong><\/span><\/span>also made several changes in sourcing personnel:
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Michelle Gloeckler was given new responsibility for a sourcing organization that will focus on U.S. sourcing and manufacturing. She will maintain her current responsibilities as Senior VP of Home.
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Greg Hall who was named VP of U.S. Sourcing and Manufacturing.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Walmart<\/strong><\/span><\/span> announced additional executive changes<\/span><\/span>:<\/em><\/span><\/span>
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Tony Rogers, Senior VP Marketing for Walmart U.S. has been named Chief Marketing Officer-<\/span><\/span>Walmart China<\/strong><\/span><\/span>, reporting to Sean Clarke, COO-<\/span><\/span>Walmart China<\/strong><\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 John Welling, Senior VP Supply Chain Management, Information Systems and Global Business Process for <\/span><\/span>Walmart Japan<\/strong><\/span><\/span>, will move to Canada, assuming the role of Senior VP of Operations for <\/span><\/span>Walmart Canada<\/strong><\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 With Welling\u2019s move to Canada, Geoff Sease, VP of Replenishment, Planning and Space for <\/span><\/span>Sam\u2019s Club<\/strong><\/span><\/span> has been named as Welling\u2019s replacement in Japan as Senior VP for Supply Chain Management.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Brett Biggs, will replace Cathy Smith as CFO for <\/span><\/span>Walmart International<\/strong><\/span><\/span> as she has accepted a leadership position elsewhere. Meanwhile, Treasurer Jeff Davis will take over as CFO for <\/span><\/span>Walmart U.S<\/strong><\/span><\/span>., a position being vacated by Biggs. who is now serving as Exec VP and CFO for <\/span><\/span>Walmart U.S<\/strong><\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Claire Babineaux-Fontenot has been promoted to Treasurer, and will retain the Chief Tax Officer responsibilities while she assumes additional responsibilities for investor relations, capital markets and treasury operations.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Lisa Wadlin, VP of International Tax was promoted to VP Global Tax and she will report to Fontenot.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Steven Zielske, Chief Audit Executive, will be the new the Senior VP, Finance Capital Markets, reporting to Claire.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 Lori Flees has joined Walmart as Senior VP of Corporate Strategy.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Racquel Harris has been promoted to Senior VP for Member Strategy and Marketing for <\/span><\/span>Sam\u2019s Club<\/strong><\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Sonya Gafsi Oblisk, Senior Marketing Director for <\/span><\/span>Sam’s Club<\/strong><\/span><\/span>, will succeed Harris as VP of Marketing. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Mergers and Acquisitions:<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Advance Auto Parts Inc<\/strong><\/span><\/span>., officially completed its purchase of auto parts retailer General Parts International Inc. The transaction promotes Advance Auto into the No. 1 position as the largest automotive after-market parts provider in North America, bypassing longtime leader, AutoZone Inc.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Bob\u2019s Discount Furniture<\/strong><\/span><\/span> has been acquired by <\/span><\/span>Bain Capital<\/strong><\/span><\/span>. Bain acquired a majority ownership position in the Manchester, Conn.-based company and said senior management will continue to own a significant stake. Current CEO Ted English will continue to lead the company whose first order of business for 2014 is entry into the Philadelphia market.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Industry Insight<\/strong><\/span><\/span>:<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

99 Cents Only<\/strong><\/span><\/span> entered the Waco, Texas, market by unveiling a store format considerably smaller than any of its other locations. The new store prototype measures about 13,000 sq. ft. That size is well below the company\u2019s average store size of 21,000 sq. ft. and also below the range of 15,000 to 20,000 sq. ft. the company had previously identified as its sweet spot for new stores.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Fred\u2019s<\/strong><\/span><\/span> will continue to implement the successful elements of a reconfiguration plan, a key aspect of which involves the addition of pharmacies to its discount stores. The company plans 150 to 200 conversions in 2014 which will leave it with pharmacies in 60% of its store by the end of 2014.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Personnel Updates: Barnes & Noble named Michael P. Huseby to be its new CEO. He replaces William Lynch, who resigned from the job last summer after questions were raised about the company’s financial disclosures. Barnes & Noble announced that executive Jamie Iannone (President Digital Products (Nook Media LLC) has left the company and was named… Continue reading Industry Updates: Discount and Specialty Stores \u2013 January 2014<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"post-template-no-sidebar.php","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[11],"class_list":["post-3501","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-discount-specialty","tag-eupdate","entry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.chainstoreguide.com\/offthechain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3501","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.chainstoreguide.com\/offthechain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.chainstoreguide.com\/offthechain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.chainstoreguide.com\/offthechain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.chainstoreguide.com\/offthechain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3501"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.chainstoreguide.com\/offthechain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3501\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.chainstoreguide.com\/offthechain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3501"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.chainstoreguide.com\/offthechain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3501"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.chainstoreguide.com\/offthechain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3501"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}