Marketing

There’s a new, farmers market-styled specialty grocer taking root in the Midwest: Fresh Thyme Farmers Market. With former Sunflower Farmers Market CEO Chris Sherrell at the helm, Fresh Thyme emphasizes organic foods and produce at value prices in a convenient neighborhood-store format. The company made its debut in April, in Mt. Prospect, Illinois, and went on to open six additional locations. A total of 60 stores are planned throughout the Midwest by 2019.

Beachwood, Ohio -- DDR Corp. announced that CEO Daniel B. Hurwitz will be leaving the company next year, as he and the board agreed not to renew his employment agreement, which expires December 31, 2015.

According to DDR, Hurwitz is expected to remain CEO through 2015 to facilitate a smooth leadership transition.

Hurwitz was named CEO on January 1, 2010, after serving as the company’s president and COO for two years prior. He has worked for DDR in various senior executive capacities since June 1999.

The Hain Celestial Group, a leading organic and natural products company, and NBA center for the Dallas Mavericks Tyson Chandler have teamed up to digitally publish Tyson's Pro Tips, an insider's guide to improve athletic performance.

Written for young athletes, their coaches, parents and caregivers, the 21 pro tips in Tyson's Pro Tips offer nutrition, fitness and personal care advice designed to help established players and emerging stars achieve their goals in a healthy and positive way, the brand said.

PunchTab, a leading omnichannel engagement and insights platform, has appointed Mike Mansbach as the company’s next CEO.

The platform considers Mansbach to be a results-driven go-to-market executive who successfully led the global sales and client services team for the SaaS Division at Citrix.
 

New York - Amy Zhen has joined real estate services provider JLL and will serve as a senior VP working on the team lead by vice chairman Bob Gibson. Zhen is tasked with developing and executing leasing strategies for the firm’s retail investor and owner clients’ assets.

San Francisco – EBay Inc. reportedly plans to begin running advertisements within its mobile app during fourth quarter 2014. According to Reuters, the Geico insurance company will be one of the first advertisers.

Charlotte-based Belk has teamed up with Project Runway season 12 winner Dom Streater. The exclusive collection designed by Streater, "Dom," offers classic, premium designs in modern prints and is now available in 30 Belk locations, including belk.com.

Bolingbrook, Ill. – Ulta Beauty on Friday posted second-quarter net income that jumped 35%, easily beating Wall Street's expectations. The company also raised its full-year outlook, and announced a five-year strategic plan that includes opening some 100 stores annually.

Ulta’s net income for the quarter ended Aug. 2 increased to $60.8 million, from $44.9 million a year earlier. Net sales increased 22.2% to $734.2 million from $601 million last year, also topping expectations.