Marketing

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. — American Giant, a California-based apparel brand for men which operates through a direct-to-consumer e-commerce model, has launched a womenswear line. 

The first women's offerings will consist of both heavyweight and mid-weight sweatshirts and a jersey knit line, all made in America and sold exclusively online. Women will be able to pick from seven styles, all made from 100% pre-washed cotton and shrunk to fit and priced from $19.50 to $89.

Bloomington, Minn. -- Mall of America., the nation's largest retail and entertainment destination, has unveiled a new logo and tagline.  

Ft. Worth, Texas -- Westwood Contractors announced that effective May 1, Michael W. McBride has  assumed the role of president in addition to his position as COO at the firm.

“This promotion acknowledges Mike’s leadership role in the strategic direction of the company as it continues to grow,” said Robert D. Benda, CEO of Westwood.

Prior to joining Westwood in 1994, McBride held construction management positions at Payless Shoe Source and Zale Corporation.

Fort Worth, Texas – RadioShack will start offering a tailored assortment of consumer electronics products in college stores operated by NACSCORP, a subsidiary of the National Association of College Stores, this fall. A five-year agreement will establish branded RadioShack sections within college stores that offer both branded and private label electronics products and accessories.

Through this arrangement, RadioShack will have direct access to customers of roughly 4,000 college stores around the country.

St. Petersburg. Fla. – HSN has promoted former executive VP and CFO Judy Schmeling to the new position of CEO and CFO. In her new role, she will be responsible for supply chain operations and customer care functions in addition to continuing her responsibility for finance and IT. Schmeling will oversee these areas for both the HSN and Cornerstone brands.

Pleasanton, Calif. -- Preliminary results from the Safeway annual stockholder’s meeting show that a majority of stockholders followed board of directors recommendations in electing each of the eight directors with a majority of at least 73%. Stockholders also approved the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as Safeway’s independent accounting firm for fiscal 2013.

Cincinnati -- Macy’s reported increases in sales and income for the first quarter of 2013 compared to the same period a year earlier, despite cool weather that delayed spring shopping in key markets. Net income was $217 million, a 20% hike from $181 million in the year-ago period.  

While net income slightly beat analyst predictions, same-store sales rose 3.8%, short of the 4.3% expected by analysts. Net sales totaled $6.39 billion, up 4% from $6.14 billion in the year-ago period.

For the first time in quite some time, attendees at the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) Spring Convention in Las Vegas (RECon) might be hoping that what happens in Vegas doesn’t stay in Vegas. There is no doubt in my mind that all the signs are pointing to an event that looks very different than the last few years. The convention runs from Sunday, May 19th through Wednesday, May 22nd at the Las Vegas Convention Center, and will play host to more than 30,000 attendees, around 1,000 exhibitors, and a renewed sense of enthusiasm about the future of our industry.

SEATTLE — Blue Nile, an online retailer of diamonds and fine jewelry, has appointed former Aeropostale co-CEO Mindy Meads to its board of directors. 

Meads has 35 years of experience in the global apparel industry. She currently serves on two public boards — Wet Seal, a specialty teen brand, and Mela Sciences, a bio tech company. In these roles, she provides strategic counsel focused on growth and the use of multichannel business strategies.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Interactive multichannel retailer HSNi has promoted Judy Schmeling to COO and CFO. Schmeling has served as HSNi's EVP and CFO since 2001. In her new role, she will be responsible for supply chain operations and customer care functions in addition to providing ongoing leadership for finance and information technology.