Marketing

Store level execution, a topic near but not always so dear to the hearts of Walmart suppliers, will be the focus of a Doing Business in Bentonville event scheduled for next Wednesday.

NEW YORK — Ann Inc. reported total net sales for the quarter of $575 million, a 2.5% increase from $560 million in the first quarter ended May 4.

By brand, net sales across all channels of the Ann Taylor brand totaled $219 million for the quarter, a nearly 4% increase from $212 million in the first quarter of 2012. At the Loft brand, net sales across all channels were $355 million for the quarter, a 2% increase $348 million in the first quarter of 2012.

Toano, Va. -- Lumber Liquidators, the largest specialty retailer of hardwood flooring in North America, announced the appointment of Sandra C. Whitehouse as senior VP chief human resources officer, effective later this month.

Whitehouse most recently served as chief human resources officer for Earthbound Farm. Previously, she led the human resources department at Orchard Supply Hardware.

NEW YORK — Everlast Worldwide has rolled out a new professional fight glove. Called the PowerLock Fight Glove, it secures a fighter's hand in a natural fist position via a stable, compact chamber. 

Lightweight and ergonomic, the glove is joins the MX, 1910 and Protex3 in the company’s “elite” professional glove line. The company touts it as a “strong alternative” to boxers looking for a powerful glove.

Atlanta -- Construction of a new Brixx Wood Fired Pizza is underway at The Avenue East Cobb in Marietta, Ga., just north of Atlanta. Cousins Properties manages the development.

Approximately 3,600 sq. ft., the new Brixx will seat about 140 inside and 45 outside on a patio. Franchisees Nick and Raj Vadgama will open the new restaurant, the first Brixx in Georgia, in the fall.

Brixx has also announced plans for a second franchised Georgia location in the Avenue Peachtree City, another Cousins property.

LENEXA, Kan. — A little more than two weeks after bringing in former Safeway executive Steve Rempel as its new president and CEO, Balance Innovations has named Jay Atkinson its EVP of business development. 

In this role, Atkinson will be responsible for managing the national sales team, as well as the development and execution of the company's sales strategy.

Fort Lauderdale, Fla. -- Marcus & Millichap Real Estate Investment Services has promoted Douglas K. Mandel to first VP investments. Mandel also serves as senior director of the firm’s National Office and Industrial Properties Group and director of the National Retail Group.

In 2012, Mandel was the firm’s top office and industrial agent nationwide.

A lot of buzz this week about Amazon expanding a long-running grocery delivery program in its hometown of Seattle to the Los Angeles area and what it might mean for food retailers. The answer for now is, not much.