Content about leader

May 7, 2013

Jim von Maur

President, Von Maur

HEADQUARTERS Davenport, Iowa

TYPE OF BUSINESS Department store retailer

NUMBER OF STORES 35 in 11 states (27 Von Maur stores, eight Dry Goods stores)

Seventeen years ago, in the January 1996 issue of Chain Store Age, Jack Arth, who at the time was president of Von Maur, explained how the circa 1928 department store retailer set out to differentiate itself from competitors such as the then hugely influential Federated and May chains.

March 15, 2013

Is it just me, or does it seem like the past two months or so have seen an unusually high level of turnover at the top? It's gotten so that you need a scorecard to keep up with all the comings and goings, as chief executives are forced out, jump ship, retire or move on.

This year's changing of the guard is bittersweet because it includes the retirement of two veteran retailers, Steve Burd of Safeway and Maxine Clark of Build-A-Bear Workshop.

December 27, 2012

With sales of spices and seasonings on a steady upswing, the 123-year-old McCormick & Company has opened its first-ever retail location. More than a traditional retail outlet, the 3,818-sq.-ft. McCormick World of Flavors is a destination that aims to build brand excitement and demonstrate the company’s leadership in flavor. It showcases McCormick’s complete family of products and brands, which run the gamut from Old Bay to Thai Kitchen.

December 27, 2012

Some are merchants, with long careers in brick-and-mortar stores. Others are tech trailblazers, using new media to match merchandise and buyers. Others are influencing retail in less direct, but no less significant, ways. All share an ability to create new opportunities and, in their own way, are looking to reinvent the shopping experience. And all wield a great deal of influence in today’s complex retail landscape.

December 27, 2012

When it comes to mobile commerce and digital solutions, Sears Holdings has evolved into a best-in-class company, one that has truly embraced the cross-channel shopping experience. Seeking ways to make shopping more convenient for its customers, the chain was among the first to offer visibility to in-store inventory, as well as the ability to buy online and pick up in-store.

October 25, 2012

Regional retailers are typically defined by geography, but Charlotte, N.C.-based Belk is a bit different than most. Distinguished by its signature Southern hospitality, the nation’s largest privately held department store chain has a dominant presence throughout the South and a footprint as far west as Oklahoma and north through Maryland. But its reach extends even farther, as Canadians and Californians alike shop its e-commerce site. 

October 17, 2012

Epicor Software Corp., a leader in business software solutions for manufacturing, distribution, retail and services organizations, announced the company has again been named the leading vendor of point-of-sale software for both specialty soft goods retailers and hard goods retailers by research and advisory firm IHL Group.

Dublin, Calif. -- Epicor Software Corp., a leader in business software solutions for manufacturing, distribution, retail and services organizations, announced the company has again been named the leading vendor of point-of-sale software for both specialty soft goods retailers and hard goods retailers by research and advisory firm IHL Group. This marks the second consecutive year that Epicor has been ranked the No. 1 vendor overall in both studies.

October 10, 2012

The Sembler Co. said that Charlie Heard has joined the firm as VP development and southeast market leader for the company.

Atlanta -- The Sembler Co. said that Charlie Heard has joined the firm as VP development and southeast market leader for the company. He will be based in Atlanta.

Heard’s duties consist of pursuing new shopping center development opportunities in Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia.  He has been involved in development projects for retailers such as Publix, Kroger, Target, Home Depot, Best Buy, CVS and Walgreen's and has worked with top-tier retailers on site selection across industry sectors.

September 27, 2012

Build-A-Bear Workshop has unveiled its new store design, at West County Center in St. Louis.

St. Louis -- Build-A-Bear Workshop has unveiled its new store design, at West County Center in St. Louis. The store is one of six locations that the company will open this year in select U.S. markets. The interactive design merges the retailer’s signature hands-on bear-making experience with innovative technology. It allows customers to personalize the bear-making process and offers them a different experience each time they visit a Build-A-Bear Workshop store.

September 19, 2012

SecureNet Payment Systems, a leader in payment processing technology, announced it has opened a new technology and innovation center in Austin, Texas, and revealed plans for a client operations center in Silicon Valley, Calif., later this year.

Austin, Texas -- SecureNet Payment Systems, a leader in payment processing technology, announced it has opened a new technology and innovation center in Austin, Texas, and revealed plans for a client operations center in Silicon Valley, Calif., later this year. SecureNet is expanding its footprint to house its growing staff, attract top talent and continue its close collaboration with clients in providing the most innovative single source/multi-channel solutions in the payments industry.  

September 10, 2012

Three-fourths (75%) of retailers forecast an increase in holiday sales this year, according to a survey by Hay Group, a global management consultancy.

Philadelphia -- Three-fourths (75%) of retailers forecast an increase in holiday sales this year, according to a survey by Hay Group, a global management consultancy.

The annual Seasonal Staffing Survey report also finds that retailers have more confidence in holiday hiring plans. While 57% of retailers plan to hire seasonal workers at the same level as 2011, 36% say they will be hiring more. This stands in contrast to 2011 when just 10% planned to hire more seasonal workers than the year prior.

July 19, 2012

In-store sales of women’s clothing are expected to see a 9.2% increase in the third quarter of 2012 versus the year-ago period, according to a just-released IBM analytics-based forecast of U.S. retail sales data.

Armonk, N.Y. – In-store sales of women’s clothing are expected to see a 9.2% increase in the third quarter of 2012 versus the year-ago period, according to a just-released IBM analytics-based forecast of U.S. retail sales data. The report predicts a 6.2% increase in sales of children’s clothing and a 5.2% increase in footwear. Men’s clothing, however, is forecast to lag, dropping 6.7%.

July 10, 2012

Office Depot announced that it has been named to the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) list of 2012 Energy Star Leaders for Leadership in Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions.

Boca Raton, Fla. -- Office Depot announced that it has been named to the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) list of 2012 Energy Star Leaders for Leadership in Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions. Office Depot’s significant energy reduction makes the retailer the first ever retailer in the United States to be recognized for a 30% or greater improvement.

July 3, 2012

Andrea Thomas, senior VP sustainability, Walmart, talked with Chain Store Age contributing editor Connie Gentry about what sustainability means at Walmart and how the company leverages its scale to make the biggest possible impact for global good.

Throughout the retail industry and beyond, Walmart has earned a reputation as a leader in executing sustainable improvements that deliver positive results for consumers, communities and the company’s bottom line. Andrea Thomas, who joined Walmart in 2007, was appointed the company’s first senior VP sustainability in August 2010. Thomas talked with Chain Store Age contributing editor Connie Gentry about what sustainability means at Walmart and how the company leverages its scale to make the biggest possible impact for global good.

June 21, 2012

As it celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, Wal-Mart Stores is being recognized for many achievements, not the least of which is its leadership in sustainability. On the green front, the chain has become a leader in best practices, with innovations that deliver positive results for consumers, communities and the company’s bottom line.

April 20, 2012

Ann Inc., the parent company of Ann Taylor and Loft, announced the launch of AnnCares360, a program in partnership with Good360, a nonprofit leader in product philanthropy.

New York -- Ann Inc., the parent company of Ann Taylor and Loft, announced the launch of AnnCares360, a program in partnership with Good360, a nonprofit leader in product philanthropy. The program will facilitate the donation of available displays, marketing items, and fixtures to local charities that support women and children.

April 13, 2012

MSP Technology, Huntington, N.Y., a leader in the development of energy-efficient dehumidification and energy recovery technology, announced that it has furnished two 20,000 cfm roof-mounted dehumidification units to Walmart and Sam’s Club supermarket locations in Puerto Rico.

New York -- MSP Technology, Huntington, N.Y., a leader in the development of energy-efficient dehumidification and energy recovery technology, announced that it has furnished two 20,000 cfm roof-mounted dehumidification units to Walmart and Sam’s Club supermarket locations in Puerto Rico. The units replace the locations’ gas-driven desiccant systems.

February 22, 2012

Video surveillance is undergoing a major change as analog systems are replaced with high-definition, high-megapixel cameras and NVRs (network video recorders). Chain Store Age spoke with Keith Marett, VP marketing and communications for Avigilon, a leader in high-definition (HD) and megapixel video surveillance systems, about the shift from analog to digital systems.

What are the latest trends in video surveillance?

February 8, 2012

Genpact, a leader in business process and technology management, announced the transition services started in 2011 have been completed and IT Help Desk production support services are now fully operational as of Jan. 1, 2012 with Dollar General Corp.

New York City -- Genpact, a leader in business process and technology management, announced the transition services started in 2011 have been completed and IT Help Desk production support services are now fully operational as of Jan. 1, 2012 with Dollar General Corp.

January 17, 2012

The Grupo Pao de Acucar, the largest retailer in South America, has selected the SAP Carbon Impact OnDemand solution to monitor and manage carbon emissions and energy consumption in each of its 1,832 stores.

New York City -- The Grupo Pao de Acucar, the largest retailer in South America, has selected the SAP Carbon Impact OnDemand solution to monitor and manage carbon emissions and energy consumption in each of its 1,832 stores. The solution, from SAP, will help the group, long recognized as a sustainability leader for retailers both in Latin America and globally, to more effectively control greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and increase the data quality of environmental reports submitted to financial and sustainability regulatory agencies.

December 2, 2011

Ikea has officially plugged in three Blink Pedestal electric vehicle charging stations at its San Diego store as part of its partnership with ECOtality, a leader in clean electric transportation and storage technologies.

San Diego -- Ikea has officially plugged in three Blink Pedestal electric vehicle charging stations at its San Diego store as part of its partnership with ECOtality, a leader in clean electric transportation and storage technologies.

The San Diego project is the third such project for Ikea in the United States. Installation also is planned at six other Ikea stores in the western United States.

November 23, 2011

Rose Paving Co., a leader in national parking lot management, has been named once again a Chicago Tribune Top Workplace for 2011.

Bridgeview, Ill. -- Rose Paving Co., a leader in national parking lot management, has been named once again a Chicago Tribune Top Workplace for 2011. One hundred companies, organizations, and agencies were honored at an awards ceremony on Nov. 14 hosted by the Chicago Tribune. The awards, given for measured qualities including company leadership, career opportunities, workplace flexibility, and compensation & benefits were presented to Chicago-area companies for the second straight year.

October 13, 2011

Ikea officially plugged-in two Blink Level 2 electric vehicle charging stations at its Portland, Ore., store as part of its partnership with ECOtality, a leader in clean electric transportation and storage technologies.

Portland, Ore. -- Ikea officially plugged-in two Blink Level 2 electric vehicle charging stations at its Portland, Ore., store as part of its partnership with ECOtality, a leader in clean electric transportation and storage technologies.

The initiative is the first such project for Ikea in the United States. Similar installations aa planned at eight other Ikea stores in the Western United States.

September 6, 2011

According to a survey released Tuesday by global management consultancy Hay Group, 68% of retailers expect holiday sales to increase this year.

Philadelphia -- According to a survey released Tuesday by global management consultancy Hay Group, 68% of retailers expect holiday sales to increase this year. However, hiring plans remain conservative, with 67% of retailers hiring at the same level as last year and 25% hiring fewer seasonal workers.

August 15, 2011

By Mac Nadel,retail/wholesale, food & beverage industry practice leader for Marsh Inc.

By Mac Nadel, Mac.Nadel@marsh.com