Retail Briefs

Stephen Quinn is joining Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. as senior vice president, marketing, effective Sept. 12.

Quinn is chief marketing officer for Frito-Lay, Inc., North America, responsible for all aspects of the marketing of Lay's, Doritos, Cheetos, Tostitos and Frito-Lay's portfolio of products.

At Wal-Mart, he will be responsible for marketing strategy, planning, finance, research and brand development. He will report to John Fleming, executive vice president and chief marketing officer.

George Jones, president and CEO of the Saks Department Store Group (SDSG), has resigned, effective Sept. 30. The company also related that Toni Browning has been named president and CEO of SDSG's Parisian business, effective Sept. 15.

Jones joined Saks in 2001 as president and CEO of SDSG, adding direct responsibility for the operations of Parisian to his duties in 2003. Browning has held the post of president and CEO of SDSG's Proffitt's business since 1997, adding responsibility for McRae's in 2000.

Meijer has appointed Ray Kaspar as merchandise manager of soft home and home decor.

His home store retailing background includes merchandising and store management positions at Rich's, Montgomery Ward, Bloomingdale's, Homeplace, and Carson, Pirie, Scott.

Federated Department Stores, Inc. has completed its merger with The May Department Stores Company and plans to divest an additional seven duplicate stores in California, New York and Massachusetts in 2006.

The seven locations join a list of 68 stores nationwide that Federated intends to divest as part of a plan to convert May Company nameplates nationwide to Macy's. The 75 stores currently identified for divestiture accounted for approximately $2.1 billion in 2004 sales.

Lowe's Companies, Inc. will invest $150 million in expanding its distribution network, including the construction of a regional DC in Lebanon, Ore., and expansion of three distribution facilities in Valdosta, Ga., Statesville, N.C. and North Vernon, Ind.

According to the company, the expansions will enhance Lowe's ability to supply its growing store base nationwide, in addition to handling additional products, including major appliances as part of the company's R3 (Rapid Response Replenishment) distribution initiative.

The Home Depot has awarded Ryder System, Inc., a provider of supply chain, warehousing and transportation management solutions, a multi-year contract.

Under the contract, Ryder will provide third party logistics (3PL) services including warehouse management and equipment management for The Home Depot's Atlanta and Dallas Distribution Centers.