Loblaw Names Phillips Chief Operating Officer

TORONTO -- Dalton Phillips, a former top executive for Bentonville, Ark.-based Wal-Mart Stores, is joining Loblaw Cos. here as chief operating officer, effective Jan. 10, the retailer said. Phillips, 38, replaces Dave Jeffs, who is resigning his position as executive vice president and chief retail officer after 28 years. Phillips since 2005 has served as chief executive officer for Brown Thomas, the Irish department store. Previously, Phillips served with Jardine Matheson, helping build its Dairy Farm retail division in Spain, and also held senior positions for Wal-Mart in South America and in Germany, where he was vice president and chief operating officer.