Chain Store Agehttp://www.chainstoreage.com/csa.rssThis channel is translating news from Chain Store Age (http://www.chainstoreage.com) web site.Fri, 04 Jul 2008 14:11:16 GMThttp://www.chainstoreage.com/story.aspx?id=73087Hot Topic Inc. announced that Michael Crooke, who was appointed the president of the company's Hot Topic division on June 2, is no longer with the company. In addition to her responsibilities as CEO of Hot Topic, Inc., Betsy McLaughlin has assumed oversight for the Hot Topic division.Wed, 02 Jul 2008 16:00:00 GMThttp://www.chainstoreage.com/story.aspx?id=73085GameStop Corp. said Wednesday it agreed to buy Gamesman, New Zealand's largest independent gaming store chain.Wed, 02 Jul 2008 16:00:00 GMThttp://www.chainstoreage.com/story.aspx?id=73083Walgreen Co. is considering a number of designs and formats in an effort to create a prototype that would be smaller than its traditional 15,000-sq.-ft. store, according to drugstorenews.com. In addition to smaller formats, Walgreens has developed a prototype designed to operate profitably in smaller markets where sales-potential falls below the $8 million average that Walgreens locations typically generate during their first year of operation, said Don Whetstone, senior director of merchandising strategy and development at the Retailing Smarter conference in Orlando.Wed, 02 Jul 2008 16:00:00 GMThttp://www.chainstoreage.com/story.aspx?id=73079CVS on Wednesday announced several executive moves, including the retirement of Kevin Smith, senior VP of supply chain and logistics, at the end of 2008. Smith has been with CVS for the past eight years and made numerous contributions to the organization, including the integration of six new distribution centers.Wed, 02 Jul 2008 16:05:00 GMThttp://www.chainstoreage.com/story.aspx?id=73025Blockbuster Inc. said Tuesday it is withdrawing its proposal to buy Circuit City Stores Inc. Blockbuster CEO James Keyes said in a written statement that the proposed deal, at a price of more than $1 billion, didn't make sense because of market conditions.Wed, 02 Jul 2008 10:00:00 GMThttp://www.chainstoreage.com/story.aspx?id=73017Duckwall-ALCO Stores has appointed Lawrence J. Zigerelli to serve as president and CEO. Zigerelli has 27 years of domestic and international experience with companies such as Procter & Gamble, CVS and Meijer, where he served as president.Wed, 02 Jul 2008 10:00:00 GMThttp://www.chainstoreage.com/story.aspx?id=73015Family Dollar Stores Inc. said Wednesday its fiscal third-quarter profit rose 7% as more consumers flocked to its stores looking for bargains on food and other items. Profit for the quarter ended May 31 rose to $64.7 million from $60.4 million a year ago.Wed, 02 Jul 2008 10:00:00 GMThttp://www.chainstoreage.com/story.aspx?id=73011Tween Brands announced that Julie Sloat will join the company as VP of investor relations, effective July 21. Sloat will replace Robert Atkinson, who is leaving the business for a new opportunity. Sloat comes to Tween Brands from American Electric Power (AEP), where she is currently treasurer and VP of investor relations.Wed, 02 Jul 2008 10:20:00 GMThttp://www.chainstoreage.com/story.aspx?id=72965Maternity apparel retailer Mothers Work announced Tuesday that it will streamline its brands and merchandise assortments and cut corporate jobs at its Philadelphia headquarters in a bid to become efficient and reduce expenses. The company will expand its luxury brand, which operates stores under A Pea in the Pod banner, to include its mid-market Mimi Maternity merchandise. The retailer also will fold its Mimi Maternity merchandise into A Pea in the Pod brand, and create an upscale label called A Pea in the Pod Collection, starting with the spring 2009 line.Tue, 01 Jul 2008 17:00:00 GMThttp://www.chainstoreage.com/story.aspx?id=72963The Associated Press reported Tuesday that Minnesota judge Robert King Jr., ruled against Wal-Mart and ordered the retailer to pay $6.5 million in compensation for labor violations. The class-action suit was filed because workers claimed that their breaks were cut short and they had to work “off-the-clock,” essentially unpaid hours. The judge’s ruling stated that Wal-Mart had indeed forced employees to work off-the-clock and cited the retailer had violated state labor laws 2 million times.Tue, 01 Jul 2008 17:00:00 GMThttp://www.chainstoreage.com/story.aspx?id=72961Under Armour named David McCreight to be the company’s president. McCreight, 45, comes to Under Armour from Lands End, where he also held the position of president. McCreight will report directly to Under Armour chairman and CEO Kevin Plank and will be responsible for long-term strategy and managing the company's core businesses, which include apparel, footwear and accessories.Tue, 01 Jul 2008 17:00:00 GMThttp://www.chainstoreage.com/story.aspx?id=72893A French court ruled against eBay on Monday, ordering the online auction site to pay luxury-brands manufacturers more than $63 million for allowing fake and unauthorized merchandise to be sold through its Web site.Tue, 01 Jul 2008 09:55:00 GMThttp://www.chainstoreage.com/story.aspx?id=72891In a federal court on Monday, former Home Depot executive Anthony M. Tesvich, 42, pleaded guilty to fraud and tax evasion.  Tue, 01 Jul 2008 09:50:00 GMThttp://www.chainstoreage.com/story.aspx?id=72875Steve & Barry’s University Sportswear may close an estimated 100 stores, roughly 40% of its 245-store portfolio. According to a report posted online by The Wall Street Journal, store closings may be the prelude to bankruptcy and full liquidation.Tue, 01 Jul 2008 09:20:00 GMThttp://www.chainstoreage.com/story.aspx?id=72887Safeway Inc. named Diane M. Dietz as its new executive VP and chief marketing officer. In this role, Dietz will be responsible for all of the company’s marketing, merchandising, manufacturing and distribution and she will report to Safeway chairman, president and CEO Steven A. Burd. Safeway Inc. named Diane M. Dietz as its new executive VP and chief marketing officer. In this role, Dietz will be responsible for all of the company’s marketing, merchandising, manufacturing and distribution and she will report to Safeway chairman, president and CEO Steven A. Burd.Tue, 01 Jul 2008 09:40:00 GMThttp://www.chainstoreage.com/story.aspx?id=72883The CBRL Group, owner of the Cracker Barrel Old Country Store restaurants, reported same-store sales for the month of June were down in foodservice but up slightly in its gift stores.Tue, 01 Jul 2008 09:35:00 GMThttp://www.chainstoreage.com/story.aspx?id=72879Joining the price wars on generic-prescription drugs, Kmart lowered its prices and expanded the generic prescription-drug program offered in its pharmacies to include more than 500 commonly prescribed medications. Generic prescriptions will be filled at a cost of $5 each and three-month supplies are available for $10.Tue, 01 Jul 2008 09:35:00 GMThttp://www.chainstoreage.com/story.aspx?id=72739Wal-Mart Stores Inc. said Sunday that it will begin replacing logos on the front of its U.S. stores with a new design beginning this fall.Mon, 30 Jun 2008 04:25:00 GMThttp://www.chainstoreage.com/story.aspx?id=72847Kenneth A. Macke, who served as chairman and CEO of Dayton Hudson Corp. from 1984 to 1994, died Saturday in Napa, Calif., from complications associated with Parkinson’s disease. He was 69.Mon, 30 Jun 2008 17:45:00 GMThttp://www.chainstoreage.com/story.aspx?id=72845Best Buy Co. said Monday that its investment in U.K. mobile-phone retailer The Carphone Warehouse is now complete.Mon, 30 Jun 2008 17:40:00 GMT