Red Wing Shoe Opens Flagship Store … and More Industry News

PROMOTIONS AND HIRINGS

Urban Brands (Secaucus, N.J), owner of the Ashley Stewart retail chain, has hired David Brown as executive vp-human resources. Brown was previously with Linen ’n Things.

Staples Inc. (Framingham, Mass.), an office-supplies retailer, announced that president and chief operating officer Mike Miles will also assume responsibilities for Staples International, effective September 1. Miles takes on those duties from Peter Ventress, who is leaving the company to accept a position as ceo of Davis Service Group Plc, a U.K.-based textile maintenance business.

Borders Group Inc. (Ann Arbor, Mich.), a book retailer, has promoted Joanna Goldstein to the newly created position of vice president, marketing revenue.

Style Strategic (New York), a management integration firm serving lifestyle brands in the retail, hospitality and other industries, has named Sarah Leff director of strategic design

Martin Professional A/S (Aarhus, Denmark), a commercial lighting firm, has named Michael Hill business area director – retail.

Gerflor (Chicago) a designer and manufacturer of vinyl resilient floor coverings, has appointed Xavier Nicolau and Catherine Del Vecchio to its North America marketing team.

STORE OPENINGS

Red Wing Shoe Co. (Red Wing, Minn.) has opened a 17,800-square foot company museum/flagship retail store in its hometown. The museum includes the world’s largest boot, size 638 ½ D and standing 16 feet tall, which was created in 2005 to celebrate the company’s centennial.

hhgregg (Indianapolis), a consumer electronics/home appliances retailer, has opened a 32,000-square-foot store in Mayfield Heights, Ohio, its 27th locale in Ohio and 114th overall.

Sprouts Farmers Market (Phoenix) has opened its first mall store, in Orange, Calif. The 26,000-square foot space is the chain’s 10th locale in California and its 36th overall.

BUSINESS BRIEFS

Latricrete (Bethany, Conn.), a manufacturer of systems for installing of tile and stone, has launched the LEED Project Certification Assistant on its web site. The online tool is designed to make specifying tile and stone installation materials for projects seeking LEED certification faster and easier.