Newell Rubbermaid has made way for a major e-commerce recalibration with the appointment of Jeremy Liebowitz as the company's first VP global e-commerce. Touting an 18-year track record of driving e-commerce growth, Liebowitz will be spearheading Rubbermaid's latest initiative to develop a global online presence.

Liebowitz is leaving his position as VP digital commerce and marketing at Jaden Corp., where he achieved steady online revenue growth over five years. 

Jacuzzi Brands Corp. today appointed Peter Munk as president of Global Spa, a newly created role.

Munk will focus his efforts on the growth of the spa business worldwide, to include sales and marketing, engineering and product development, and global operations strategy.

Munk joined Jacuzzi in April 2011 as head of the Jacuzzi European business units, Prior to joining Jacuzzihe was president and general manager for ACCO Brands EMEA + Asia, and VP consumer products at Black & Decker Europe.

Friedman’s Home Improvement promoted Barry Friedman, 34, to the position of CEO and president. 

Friedman, who has climbed the company’s ranks for 10 years most recently as VP operations, will take over as CEO, effective immediately. He represents the third-generation of Friedmans to run the family business.   

The Home Depot's top merchant had a lot more good news than bad news to share with investors regarding the retailer's first quarter performance.

"We are pleased with our performance in the first quarter with strength in our business across the breadth of the store," said Craig Menear, executive VP merchandising. The only departments with negative comp-store sales were indoor and outdoor garden -- the result of unusually cold weather in parts of the country, he said.

Orlando, Fla. — It’s a brave new world for home improvement researchers.

Take for instance the gathering of more than 70 research and marketing professionals here for the Home Improvement Research Institute’s (HIRI’s) Spring Conference.