Marketing

Dayton, Ohio -- Retail design and brand strategy firm Interbrand Design Forum announced that Ryan Brazelton has returned to the company as a senior director of design.  

Most recently Brazelton worked for Aveda as global design director. In that role he oversaw store design, packaging and the development of corporate collateral, in addition to campaign design across all forms of media. Prior to that, he served as design director at Fitch. Brazelton was previously with Interbrand Design Forum for six years as the group leader of graphic design.

Planters has introduced four new peanut flavors to its product lineup. Consumers can now choose from Salted Caramel, Cocoa, Chipotle and Smoked flavors.

The brand incorporated both culinary trends and fan feedback when developing the new varieties, which pack up to 7 g of protein and at least four essential nutrients per serving.

Appliance, electronics and furniture retailer Hhgregg is getting a makeover. The brand transformation will encompass all customer touchpoints, including its 228 store locations and online presence. The first phase of hhgregg’s brand transformation launches this week.

Phoenix -- Leslie’s Poolmart announced plans to grand open three retail locations on May 9. The stores are located in: Los Banos, California; Utica, Michigan; and Jackson, Tennessee.

In total, Leslie's plans to open 45 new stores this year, between April and May. With these new stores, Leslie’s will bring its total store count to more than 850 stores nationwide.  

Chevy Chase, Md. — Formerly known as 2b Bebe, Bebe has rebranded at six Mills properties across the country.

Shoppers will find the new Bebe concept at Arizona Mills (Phoenix), Franklin Mills (Philadelphia), Great Mall (San Francisco), Ontario Mills (Los Angeles), Potomac Mills (Washington, D.C.) and Sawgrass Mills (Ft. Lauderdale/Miami).

The Mills, a hybrid outlet concept, is one of Simon Property Group’s five real estate platforms.

New York -- Alibaba Group Holding Ltd., the Chinese Web behemoth, filed paperwork on Tuesday for what some experts claim could be one of the biggest initial public offerings in U.S. history. The company filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission to raise $1 billion, but many analysts say the company could bring in more than the $16 billion Facebook raised in 2012.

McCain Foods has appointed Jeff DeLapp as president, North America, effective June 2. DeLapp takes over the role from Frank van Schaayk, who is retiring next October, and will be based in Lisle, Ill.

DeLapp has more than 25 years of leadership experience in the food industry. He was president of Lamb Weston from 2002 to 2010. Prior to joining Lamb Weston, he was president and COO at The Bruss Company (acquired by Tyson Foods).

Philadelphia -- Destination Maternity Corp. announced the start of its planned expansion into Mexico with the opening of 46 Destination Maternity  branded shop-in-shops through a previously announced international franchise agreement with El Puerto de Liverpool, S.A.B. de C.V., the largest department store operator in Mexico.