Marketing

Washington, D.C. -- The National Retail Federation president and CEO Matthew Shay has issued the following statement in support of immigration reform:

“Our current immigration system is broken and unworkable, and it is in desperate need of reform. We applaud the President’s commitment and Congress’ resolve to address immigration reform this year.

“NRF has been and continues to be a strong advocate for bipartisan, comprehensive immigration reform.

New York -- J.C. Penney will leave the Martha Stewart name off some of its upcoming décor and housewares lines despite the pair’s multi-million dollar partnership, according to a Tuesday report by the New York Post.

Citing unnamed sources, The Post said that while the Martha Stewart name will appear on window treatments, the brand will be mostly missing from key categories such as bedding, linens and kitchenware.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — The Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) added five industry executives to its board of directors during its semi-annual meeting on Jan. 28 in Los Angeles, Calif. Also as a part of the meeting, Walmart president and CEO Bill Simon was re-elected to the board. Executives joining the board are elected to serve two-year terms. 

Joining the RILA board of directors are:

BOSTON — Private sale site, Rue La La, has appointed Darlene Daggett as a president overseeing merchandising, programming and member experience. Daggett will report to Ben Fischman, founder and CEO of Rue La La and be headquartered in the Boston and New York offices.

Daggett's background includes 18 years at QVC Inc., one of the world's largest e-commerce retailers. In her most recent role, as president of QVC U.S. Commerce, she was responsible for merchandising, planning, broadcasting and new business development.

WATERLOO, Ontario — Move over iTunes, there's a new digital media storefront hoping to capture some of Apple's lucrative business.

MAHWAH, N.J. — Sharp achieved the top U.S. market share in the 60"+ LED TV segment in 2012, according to The NPD Group's Retail Tracking Service. According to the company, the increase in market share between 2010 and 2012 was due to its selection of large screen choices, picture quality performance and brand strength, Sharp more than doubled its market share between 2010 and 2012 (based on revenue share).

ATLANTA — Songstress Taylor Swift has signed on as the new face of Diet Coke's "Stay Extraordinary" campaign, which celebrates the self-assured and aspirational people who enjoy Diet Coke everyday.

CINCINNATI — Macy's has assigned additional responsibilities to several of its executives following the retirement of Thomas Cole, chief administrative officer, who is leaving the company in May after 41 years of service.

Cole's responsibilities have been re-assigned as follows:

Cincinnati -- Macy’s on Monday announced a series of changes to its senior executive leadership team, effective immediately. The changes include the creation of the newly-created role of chief omni-channel officer, which will be filled by Robert B. Harrison, previously Macy’s EVP for omni-channel strategy. Harrison, who will join the company’s executive committee, will report directly to Macy’s chief executive Terry Lundgren.
 

Pittsburgh -- American Eagle Outfitters announced plans to open a series of vertically owned and operated-stores in Mexico, with the first location set to open on February 20, 2013, in Mexico City.
   
The store will be located in the Perisur’s shopping center, a mall located in the south part of Mexico City. Each AEO store will include an Aerie presence either in shop-in-shop or side-by-side form.