Marketing

CINCINNATI — Kroger achieved its 39th consecutive quarter of positive identical supermarket sales, and is raising its guidance as a result.

The company's total sales for the second quarter ended Aug. 17 increased 4.6% to $22.7 billion in the second quarter compared with $21.7 billion for the same period last year. Total sales, excluding fuel, increased 3.9% in the second quarter over the same period last year. 

Walnut Creek, Calif. – The percentage of retailers who consider their marketing department to be an owner of customer data has more than doubled in the past year. According to a new RSR Research survey, “Retail Marketing 2013: Organizational Drift,” 61% of 122 retail respondents surveyed online between May and July of this year listed marketing as a customer data owner, compared to 33% in 2012.

SANDPOINT — Traffic to specialty retailer Coldwater Creek dropped in July leading to lower-than-expected sales for the second quarter ended Aug. 3. The company is taking several steps, including bringing in a new chief marketing officer, in an attempt to turn things around. 

Consolidated net sales for the quarter were $149.7 million, compared with $163.7 million in second quarter 2012. Net sales from the retail segment were $118.6 million, compared with $129.9 million in the same period last year. 

Arlington, Va. –The Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) has named Annette Guarisco as executive VP for public affairs, effective Oct. 1. Guarisco will oversee RILA’s federal and state government affairs, as well as the association’s communications efforts.

Guarisco joins RILA following more than 11 years as a senior executive at General Motors, most recently serving as executive director of global public policy.

Ankeny, Iowa -- Casey’s General Stores, Inc. reported impressive performance for its fiscal first quarter, with net income up 43% to $55.7 million, from $39 million.

Net revenue increased 10.5% to $2.1 billion, from $1.9 billion. The company credited strong sales in all categories, especially gasoline, with driving its performance.

Mason, Ohio -- Pearle Vision will unveil its new store design on Sept. 17 in Legacy Village, Lyndhurst, Ohio. The new Cleveland-area location features a completely remodeled design, which includes everything from a new brand logo and signage to modernized displays and a completely transformed floor plan. The store design is by WD Partners, Columbus, Ohio.

Shopko is building on its 20-year relationship with the Green Bay Packers by unveiling the Shopko Gate, recent completed as part of Lambeau Field’s South End Zone expansion. Thousands of fans will enter the stadium through the new gate Sept. 15 for Green Bay’s first home game of the season.

Tampa, Fla. — From January through August of this year, the RMC Property Group has leased 430,000 sq. ft. of retail space. Approximately 200,000 sq. ft. of that volume was leased during the three-month period of June through August, indicating a strong uptick in growth over the summer.

Notable deals include: