Retail Briefs

By Staff -- Home Textiles Today, 9/19/2005 12:00:00 AM

Belk to Buy DC

Belk has contracted to purchase a 174,000-square-foot distribution center in Jackson, Miss., to support roughly 110 Belk, Proffitt's and McRae's units within a 300-mile radius.

The $20 million facility is expected to open by March 2006. The DC, previously serving McRae's, will be converted to a modern, cross-docking facility similar to one Belk operates in Blythewood, S.C.

Until the new operation opens, Belk will continue to receive logistics services and support from Saks Inc.'s DC in Steele, Ala., for the 47 Proffitt's and McRae's it acquired from Saks in July.

Executive Changes at Jo-Ann

Jo-Ann Stores announced the resignations of Brian Carney, executive vice president and chief financial officer, and Valerie Gentile Sachs, executive vice president, general counsel and secretary. Carney is leaving for Bi-Lo, LLC, a supermarket chain; Sachs is joining OM Group, Inc., an international producer of metal-based specialty chemicals.

During the transition period, the retailer's finance team will be led by Jim Kerr, vice president and controller, and Don Tomoff, vice president, finance and treasurer.