Marketing

New York – Ann Inc., the parent company of Ann Taylor and Loft, has been named a recipient of the 2014 Gallup Great Workplace Award. This award recognizes organizations around the world for having the most highly engaged work environments.

Kohl’s exceeded analysts’ profit expectations in the second quarter, but it wasn’t due to top line strength and now the company has a lot riding on the back-to-school season.

Westborough, Mass. -- BJ's Wholesale Club announced partnerships with 215 schools through the organization's Adopt-A-School program. At the beginning of each school year, every BJ's Wholesale Club and Distribution Center partners with a local school to help enhance existing curriculum.

Schools participating in BJ's Adopt-A-School Program receive a one-time, $500 donation, which goes toward discretionary programs, such as field trips and special events, reading programs or other educational needs. The schools also receive a complimentary BJ's Membership.

Same store sales growth of 6% and e-commerce strength helped J.C. Penney dramatically reduce its second quarter operating loss and demonstrate growing momentum of its turnaround.

Sales at the operator of 1,060 stores increased to $2.8 billion from $2.66 billion and the 6% comp increase the company reported was against an easy prior year comparison when comps declined 11.5%. Online sales through jcp.com were $249 million for the quarter, up 16.7 % versus the same period last year.

Charlotte, N.C. -- Southern department store chain Belk has promoted Jan Clevenger from chair of the company’s Western Division in Birmingham, Alabama, to the position of executive VP and general merchandise manager over Men’s, Home and Kids.

David Luoma has been promoted to succeed Clevenger in the Western Division chair position.

Jan Clevenger has been named EVP and general merchandising manager of men’s, home and kids, reporting to newly named president and chief merchandising officer David Zant.

Clevenger has served as chair of the Belk Western Division based in Birmingham, Alabama, since March 2008. She began her retail career with Macy's in 1984 in store management before becoming a buyer for men’s and center core.  

Deerfield, Ill. - Walgreens is expanding its healthcare clinic retail locations with entry into the Dallas-Fort Worth market. The company plans to bring 13 healthcare clinics at select Walgreens locations to the Dallas Metroplex by the end of 2014.

Target Canada is looking to improve business performance with a new set of initiatives that the company has unveiled on the heels of some leadership changes last spring, as well as a comprehensive review of its Canadian operations.

Among the initiatives, Target unveiled a new price-match policy and unveiled a long-term partnership with celebrity designer Sarah Richardson, set to launch next year. Richardson’s new line of home décor will debut exclusively at Target Canada beginning in fall 2015.