Marketing

Los Angeles – A store called “Dumb Starbucks,” with no affiliation with the actual Starbucks chain, has reportedly opened in Los Angeles. According to the Wall Street Journal, the store opened, offering free coffee, on Saturday, Feb. 8.

The shortened holiday season and cold weather that hurt many retailers didn’t faze Dick’s Sporting Good, where same-store sales are expected to be double what the company originally forecast.

The nation’s largest sporting goods retailer said same-store sales adjusted to account for a shift in the reporting calendar increased 6% compared to expectations of a 2% to 3% increase.

Toronto -- Michael Culhane, CFO of Hudson’s Bay Company, has resigned following a leave of absence from the company.  

Culhane went on personal leave on January 22, at which time COO and president Donald Watros was appointed acting CFO. He will continue in that role until a permanent replacement is named.

“This is the ideal time for me to leave HBC as the company is well positioned for the future,” said Culhane. “I wish all of HBC’s associates and business partners continued success.”

Supervalu plans to host its first-ever national sales expo, Sales 4 All Seasons, this summer.

Charlotte, N.C. - Belk has partnered with HelloWorld, Inc. (formerly ePrize) to create a campaign that allows consumers to submit a photo and brief description of a couple's love story for a chance to win a $20,000 event, like a wedding, and a private concert with singer Edwin McCain.

Indianapolis — Simon Property Group has received zoning approval from the Montgomery County Council in Maryland by unanimous vote for the development of Clarksburg Premium Outlets at Cabin Branch.

Simon Property Group, New England Development and Streetscape Partners make up the development team for the project, which will add 1,500 jobs and more than $150 million in private investment to the local economy. The development team is planning to open Clarksburg Premium Outlets by late 2015.

A little more than a month into his new job as chief merchandising officer at Family Dollar, Jason Reiser is refocusing the retailer on its discount store roots and what it means to serve cash-strapped shoppers.

Indianapolis  — Kite Realty Group Trust has announced a definitive agreement with Inland Diversified Real Estate Trust. Under the agreement, Inland Diversified will merge with and into a wholly owned subsidiary of Kite Realty through a stock-for-stock merger. The transaction value is approximately $2.1 billion; the equity value is approximately $1.2 billion; and the enterprise value is approximately $3.9 billion — this based on the closing trading price of Kite realty’s common shares on February 7, 2014.