Marketing

Ann Arbor, Mich. – Domino’s Pizza, Inc. delivered strong results in net income, revenues and same-store sales during second quarter 2013. Net income totaled $33.3 million, up 18.5% from $28.1 million the same quarter a year earlier. Total revenues were about $414.1 million, up roughly 10% from $376.1 million a year earlier. Same-store sales rose 5.8% following an increase of 5.7% a year earlier, driven by 6.8% growth in domestic franchise stores.

Boulder, Colo. -- Trader Joe’s is North America’s favorite grocery store based on customer satisfaction, according to a new study of 6,600 consumers conducted by Market Force Information. Publix Super Markets and Whole Foods Market rounded out the top three. All three received high marks for courteous staff, inviting atmosphere and high-quality produce. Hy-Vee also scored well on those measures.

Sales of 31.2 million iPhones and 14.6 million iPads during third quarter ended June 29 enabled Apple to generate sales of $35.3 billion, but lower prices led to gross margin contraction and a nearly $2 billion decline in profits.

LAKEVILLE-MIDDLEBORO, Mass. — Ocean Spray Cranberries has appointed Thano Chaltas to the newly created role of global CMO. He will report directly to Ken Romanzi, SVP and COO of Ocean Spray Brands.

Chaltas will be responsible for global brand development, and a part of the grower-owned cooperative’s leadership team. 

Irvine, Calif. – Taco Bell plans to discontinue all kids’ meals and toys at its U.S. restaurants. The fast-food chain will start removing the items from its menu at stores this month at anticipates to have eliminated all kids’ meals and toys in the U.S. by January of next year. Menu items from kids’ meals will remain available for individual purchase.

Greg Creed, CEO of Taco Bell, said kids’ meals are not part of the company’s long-range strategy and have an insignificant impact on overall sales.

Parma, Ohio — Phillips Edison & Company has broken ground on The Shoppes at Parma — formerly Parmatown Mall. Phase I will focus on infrastructure. Work will include new lighting, new sidewalks and the restoration of the parking lots. In addition, the contractor will prepare out-parcels for development. Phase I will wrap up this fall.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Acosta Sales & Marketing, a leading full-service sales and marketing agency in the consumer packaged goods industry, today announced that David Moran has joined its board of directors. 

By Lee Peterson, wdpartners.com

Across-the-board payroll cuts have rarely delivered margins long-term for retailers. Crude cuts are more than misguided today, but a dangerous strategy for stores in the fight for survival against Amazon.