Marketing

The ABF Freight division of Arkansas Best Corporation was named a “Carrier of the Year,” for the second consecutive year by a leading supply chain organization.

The Fort Smith, Ark.-based company received the National LTL Carrier of the Year Award from the National Shippers Strategic Transportation Council (NASSTRAC). ABF also won the award in 2013, 2011 and 2010.

Bellevue, Wash. – Eddie Bauer has signed a long-term renewal agreement with Alliance Data Systems Corp. to continue providing private label credit card services. Alliance Data will continue to deliver a marketing-driven private label credit card program that recognizes and rewards Eddie Bauer cardholders and complements the reward incentives the Eddie Bauer Friends rewards program offers customers.

Although bad weather hurt some retailers during the crucial fourth quarter, it didn’t stop Michaels Stores from seeing comparable store sales increase 4.6% for the period ended Feb. 1.

Comparable store sales were driven by a 4.2% increase in the company's average ticket and a 0.5% increase in transactions, partially offset by a 10 basis point impact from deferred custom framing revenue.  

Net sales increased 2% to $1.55 billion from $1.52 billion during the quarter, which had a 53rd week that generated an estimated $66 million in net sales.

Mountain View, Calif. - Airtight Networks, which provides in-store WiFi analytics such as how long customers stay and shop, how often they come in and marketing campaign effectiveness, is partnering with Frontera Consulting to package social media and retail intelligence capabilities with the Airtight platform. The new solution offers WiFi-based brand lifecycle management.

Foot Locker Foundation, the charitable arm of Foot Locker, announced the 20 recipients of the Foot Locker Scholar Athletes Program. Each student will receive $20,000 in college scholarships, totaling $400,000.

The scholarship program, funded by the Foot Locker Foundation and administered by DoSomething.org, honors students who demonstrate academic excellence and exemplify strong leadership skills in sports and within their communities. To date, the program has awarded $1.2 million to help deserving high school student athletes pay for school.

New York -- Coach Inc. third-quarter net income dropped 20% to $190.7 million, from $238.9 million a year earlier, amid increased competition from Michael Kors and others.

Revenue for the quarter ended March 29 fell 7.4% to $1.1 billion, compared to analysts’ $1.13 billion estimate. Same-store sales in North America fell 21%. Sales will continue to fall through the rest of the year, the company said.

Tuesday Morning Corporation has added Frank M. Hamlin, EVP of marketing at Guitar Center, and Sherry M. Smith, who most recently served as EVP and CFO of Supervalu, to its board.

Hamlin will serve on the nominating and governance committee, while Smith will serve on the audit and compensation committee.

Dallas - Tuesday Morning Corp. has named Sherry M. Smith, who most recently served as executive VP and CFO of SuperValu Inc., and Frank M. Hamlin, who currently serves as executive VP of marketing at Guitar Center, as independent members of the company's board of directors, effective immediately.  

Hamlin will serve on the Nominating and Governance Committee and Smith will serve on the Audit and Compensation Committee.