Content about Sam’s Club

Chicago -- Claire’s Stores announced Tuesday that Sam’s Club EVP and chief merchandising officer Linda Hefner Filler has been named president of Claire’s North America, effective March 1.

Filler will report to CEO Jim Fielding and will be charged with implementing operational and strategic initiatives for Claire's in the U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

Stamford, Conn. -- GE Capital Retail Bank, a consumer lending unit of General Electric Co., and Sam’s Club announced their multi-year agreement to continue providing the Sam’s Club credit card program to their Advantage and Business members.

GE Capital’s Retail Finance business will continue to manage the Sam’s Club relationship and service the account.

Purchase, N.Y. -- Less than two months after resigning as president and CEO of Sam’s Club, Brian Cornell has landed at Purchase, N.Y.-based PepsiCo where he will serve as CEO of the company’s North American food division.

Cornell will be responsible for Frito-Lay North America, Quaker Foods & Snacks North America, PepsiCo Mexico, South America Foods, PepsiCo customer teams and all of PepsiCo’s Power of One activities within the Americas.

Bentonville, Ark. -- Wal-Mart Stores announced a series of management changes that include an unexpected change in leadership at Sam’s Club, and a new chief information officer. The retailer said it has named Rosalind Brewer as president and CEO of Sam's Club. She is the first woman and the first African-American to hold a CEO position at one of the company's business units.

Austin -- H-E-B, Walmart, Sam’s Club and Denny’s are among the companies that will host some 103 electric vehicle charging stations in Austin, Texas., allowing customers to plug in while they shop. The stations are part of Utility Austin Energy’s Plug-In EVerywhere network.

The charging stations are available for use by everyone with an electric vehicle. Austin Energy offers a $25 six-month subscription swipe card for unlimited charging at any network location. Otherwise, a credit card can be used for $2 per hour of charging.

The annual Big Builders Survey measures new stores opened in 2009 and 2010, including relocations, and highlights retailers with notable construction activity. Although not a comprehensive ranking of all retail construction activity, the Big Builders report chronicles key leaders in select categories: department stores, discount stores, do-it-yourself stores, drug stores, food stores, specialty hardlines and specialty softlines.