Marketing

DALLAS — Kimberly-Clark has launched Depend Guards and Shields, two products specifically designed for men with light bladder leakage, as part of a new program called Guard Your Manhood, which offers tips and tools from former professional football star Tony Siragusa. 

ST. LOUIS — SpongeBob and Patrick are heading to Build-A-Bear Workshop thanks to an agreement between the retailer and Nickelodeon. Beginning Friday, May 17, customers will be able to make their own SpongeBob and Patrick dolls at Build-A-Bear Workshop stores throughout North America and on the retailer’s e-commerce site for $23 apiece.  

SpongeBob’s Bikini Bottom friends Sandy Cheeks and Gary the Snail will also be available as pre-stuffed minis for $10 each.

TOLEDO, Ohio — Hickory Farms, a leading provider of specialty foods and holiday food gifts, has made changes to its executive team.

The company has promoted VP of brand marketing Michael Holton to CMO. VP of supply chain Joe Loch has been promoted to VP of franchise and retail sales. Director of logistics Ty Hanline has been promoted to VP of supply chain. The company has also hired Davenport, Hanf & Company executive Joe Herman to be its interim CFO.

Omaha, Neb. -- Apparel and home-décor retailer Gordmans said Tuesday it has appointed Geoffrey Ayoub as senior VP planning, allocation and analysis.

Ayoub joins Gordmans from EDCON, a South African-based retailer operating over 1,000 stores in multiple retail formats throughout five countries. At EDCON, he served as chief planning officer responsible for all aspects of merchandise planning, allocation, replenishment and merchandise analysis.

Aston, Pa. -- Actions Services Group has announced a service agreement with Strategic Restaurants Acquisition Co. to provide exterior sign and lighting maintenance services for its 295 Burger King restaurant units.

The two-year maintenance program covers proactive, scheduled quarterly visits to Strategic Restaurants’ units to inspect, repair and/or replace lamps, ballasts, sockets, electrodes, tube supports, wiring within the sign or light fixture LED or non-LED redband, LED or non-LED channel letters, neon transformers and secondary wiring.

Goodlettsville, Tenn. – Dollar General plans to hire 10,000 new employees this month. As part of the effort, the discount retailer will host a nationwide career fair at 170 locations in 40 states on May 18.

Indianapolis – Electronics retailer Hhgregg is opening a new store location at the Dayton Mall in Dayton, Ohio, on May 16. The new 23,000-sq.-ft. store will replace a previous location in West Carrollton, Ohio.

“Hhgregg is dedicated to the Dayton community and we think local residents will really enjoy shopping at our new and modern store,” said Jeff Pearson, senior VP of marketing, Hhgregg.

LOS ANGELES — Mike Pollard, retired VP of Costco Wholesale, has joined the board of directors of Abbyson Living, which manufactures and imports living room, dining and bedroom furniture.

Pollard retired from Costco Wholesale in 2013 after a 27-year career. Abbyson Living will look to Pollard for his guidance regarding comprehensive business practices that will directly impact the company’s growth and further mature the value of the brand. 

NEW YORK — The Fourth of July fireworks extravaganza is not the only patriotic item on Macy’s all-American agenda. The retailer is launching its American Icons campaign, featuring American-inspired merchandise, Wednesday, May 15.  

The campaign includes launch parties, “pop up” drive-in movies, cross-country road trips, Major and Minor League baseball events, grilling competitions, sweepstakes and a fundraising program to benefit America’s veterans. 

CLEVELAND — Walmart has launched an exclusive line of nursing bras and related essentials catering to expectant and nursing mothers manufactured by Leading Lady, a Cleveland-based nursing bra and niche-intimate apparel company.

With the Loving Moments collection, Leading Lady aimed to fuse current fashion trends with nursing bra technology. The collection features stretch lace, supportive camis, sleep and leisure bras, as well as seamless everyday bras.