Marketing

Columbus, Ohio – Net income at Express Inc. fell 25% during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013, dropping from $63.9 million to $47.9 million. Net sales declined 2% from $731.7 million, to $715.9 million.

Same-store sales rose 1%. The company cited heavy promotions as impacting its quarterly results, which did not meet Wall Street expectations. Express intends to start opening outlet stores beginning in May 2014.

Los Angeles — A Buffalo Wild Wings Franchisee has signed an agreement to open fast-casual PizzaRev restaurants throughout the St. Louis, Mo., and Austin, Texas, markets.

The PizzaPeel franchise group plans to open four PizzaRevs in Austin and three in St. Louis. The agreement also includes rights to develop both regions further.

Express has enlisted swimsuit model Kate Upton as its brand ambassador, making her the first celebrity spokesperson to be a part of the brand's ad campaigns in the last decade.

To kick off the partnership, Upton will host the Express Spring-Summer 2014 Runway Show at the Raleigh Hotel in Miami Beach, Fla., Thursday, March 13. The retailer will then debut Upton in advertising campaigns beginning fall 2014.

E-commerce platform provider FreedomPay has appointed former eBay executive Marc Pereira as VP of technology.

Pereira most recently spent nearly 12 years at eBay Enterprises, serving in several strategic executive roles and has 20 years of e-commerce and technology experience. He will be responsible for overseeing, envisioning and maintaining the company's technology infrastructure, which covers both the development process and the network infrastructure management operations.

Cleveland - Sherwin-Williams is launching an online Spanish-language platform, SWLatino.com, focusing on Hispanic homeowners, contractors and designers. Sherwin-Williams will feature tips, how-to articles and color information from leading Hispanic bloggers and Sherwin-Williams color experts.

The new site, integrated with Sherwin-Williams Facebook and Twitter accounts, will connect Latino paint and color professionals, homeowners and designers with Spanish-language content.

Birmingham, Ala. — Bayer Properties has appointed Brad Bailey VP of business development. With more than 20 years of experience in the commercial real estate and retail industry, Bailey comes to Bayer from The Weitzman Group, where he held the position of senior VP and director of investment sales. His responsibilities there included consulting on acquisitions, dispositions, operations, leasing and financing.

Williams-Sonoma president and CEO Laura Alber credited the strength of the company’s brands across retail and e-commerce for its performance in the fourth quarter ended Feb. 2.

Dannon Light & Fit Greek Yogurt, Tide Pods and Monster Energy Ultra were recognized as New Product Pacesetters this week as Information Resources (IRI) unveiled the best new products of 2013 at its annual summit.