JCPenney chief merchant named to board

Operating under the radar in the shadows of industry greats like Allen Questrom and Mike Ullman, Ken Hicks has been the guy who brings the theme "every day matters" to life as an executive. He takes the vision of these great leaders and translates it into the strategies and tactics that have helped Penney's evolve from a sleepy giant to an energetic industry leader.

JC Penney (JCP), currently struggling, along with so many of its competitors, has been working hard to differentiate itself as a dominant player. The recent appointment of Ken Hicks to the JCP Board of Directors is a significant move to reward and retain an unusually talented retail executive. Hicks will address the short term jeopardies and lead the company forward into the future. He rounds...

With both the psychographics and economics of retailing changing, the role of the chief merchandisng officer may make  the CEO redundant in 21st century retailing.  Here's why.