Management

Hidden behind a disguise so effective he was unrecognizable by even close colleagues, Oriental Trading Company CEO Sam Taylor recently went undercover to learn more about his company. The results of this look inside the nation's largest direct retailer of party supplies, arts and crafts, toys, and novelties will air Friday, March 9 on CBS's hit series "Undercover Boss."

A concerned mother is taking to Facebook to rally against Urban Outfitters after being shocked by the hipster retailer's selection of raunchy, sex-themed books in a Valentine's Day display during a visit to its Boston location with her 13-year-old daughter last week.

Toys"R"Us has named Richard Barry as senior vice president, chief merchandising officer, for its U.S operations. In his new role, Barry is responsible for all aspects of merchandising initiatives for the company's U.S. operations.

Urban Outfitters has appointed a former executive as CEO of its namesake brand. The company named Tedford Marlow as head of the Urban Outfitters Group, effective Feb. 6. Marlow had retired from the chain in 2010.

At a factory about an hour west of Sichuan's capital Chengdu, Foxconn Technology Group, one of Apple's biggest manufacturing partners, employs hundreds of thousands who work day or night shifts, eating and sleeping at company facilities, as they help build electronics products for Apple and many other global brand names, such as Amazon's Kindle and Microsoft's Xbox.

J.C. Penney said it fully backs its partnership with talk show host Ellen DeGeneres after a conservative group urged the retailer to reconsider hiring DeGeneres as a spokeswoman because she's a lesbian.

The saying "The customer is always right" has been proven true by U.K. supermarket chain Sainsbury's. Thanks to an online campaign, the grocery king has announced it will change the name of its Tiger Bread to Giraffe Bread.

Online fashion retailer Bluefly announced it's promoted Joseph Park, previously chief operating officer, to CEO, effective immediately. Park replaces Melissa Payner, who resigned as CEO and a member of the company’s board of directors.

The president of the Ann Taylor brand, Christine Beauchamp, is leaving to pursue other opportunities. Beauchamp will be replaced by Brian Lynch, who had been president of the Ann Taylor Factory and Loft Outlet divisions as well as leading the website sales for those brands.

Staples announced the appointment of Mike Edwards to executive vice president, U.S. retail merchandising. Edwards previously served as president and CEO of Borders Group and had also served as the company's chief merchant.