Marketing

Retailers are poised to benefit from the June 14 release of The Man of Steel and the extensive licensing activity connected to the latest Superman reboot. Warner Bros. Consumer Products has launched a broad, multi-category licensing program with a variety of global licensees to support the highly anticipated film.

LEXINGTON, Mass. — Stride Rite Children's Group's first-ever multichannel loyalty program, launched in Nov. 2012, has leapt beyond the million member milestone within six months.

The company estimates that 75% of specialty store and online transactions are associated with a rewards member.

Washington, D.C. -- A report released Thursday by the Commerce Dept. said that retail sales in the U.S. gained 0.6% in May, more than forecast and likely boosted by increased hiring during the month.

The increase was the largest in three months and followed a 0.1% advance in April. Bloomberg economists called for a 0.4% increase. The figures used to calculate economic growth, which exclude categories such as automobiles, climbed 0.3%.

The entire Walmart board was re-elected last Friday at the company’s shareholders meeting, but a substantial number of negative votes indicate some investors are not happy with long-time board members and key senior leaders.

REDMOND, Wash. — Best Buy has landed a partnership with Microsoft Corp. that will allow the retailer to offer a Windows Store at 500 of its locations in the U.S. and more than 100 Future Shop locations in Canada.

EVANSVILLE, Ind. — Shoe Carnival has appointed Kent Zimmerman as VP of e-commerce. Zimmerman will oversee the company’s e-commerce and omnichannel strategies.

Fremont, Calif. -- The Men's Wearhouse Inc. reported Wednesday that net income for the first quarter rose 23% to $33.1 million, from $26.9 million last year.  

Sales for the company that runs Men’s Wearhouse namesake stores, along with the Moores and K&G chains, increased 5.1% to $616.5 million, beating Wall Street’s expected $604.7 million in revenue. Same-store sales rose 7.1% at namesake stores, but slid 5.3% at K&G.

FORT WORTH, Texas — Global workwear brand Dickies has teamed up with country music group Eli Young Band. They are offering fans an opportunity to meet the band on the No Shoes Nation Tour with Kenny Chesney.