Marketing

MEMPHIS — Regional discounter Fred’s made good on its promise of a year ago to further expand a new merchandising initiative, but an intensely competitive market made fourth-quarter sales tough to come by.

MENOMONEE FALLS, Wis. — Kohl’s Department Stores is looking to cash in on the popularity of the music competition show, "American Idol," by launching an exclusive American Idol apparel collection. The line will be called Authentic Icon and will be available exclusively at Kohl’s and Kohls.com beginning in April.

WASHINGTON — The National Retail Federation has named Ellen Davis SVP and executive director of the NRF Foundation, the education and research arm of NRF.

Awkward. The Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal included former Target director of design partnerships Brian Robinson on its annual 40 under 40 series, which looks at up-and-coming business leaders. In Robinson’s case, he is an up-and-comer who has already went – to JCPenney – but will reportedly be based in Minneapolis.

WILTON, Conn. — Skin care company Beiersdorf, whose brands include Nivea, Eucerin and Aquaphor, has announced changes to its sales organization.

Tina Jackse has been promoted to the newly created position of VP global sales of Walmart, where she will be responsible for all Walmart business internationally. She will work collaboratively across the Beiersdorf affiliates around the world to help lead, develop and further strengthen Beiersdorf’s Walmart business globally. 

Minneapolis -- Best Buy Co. said Wednesday that the U.S. District Court has dismissed putative securities fraud class actions against the retailer and three of its officers.

With regard to the class action lawsuit filed last year, the court on Tuesday dismissed all counts for lack of substantiation.

Minneapolis -- Opus Development Corp. said Wednesday that it has been selected to develop, design and build a new 52,000-sq.-ft. retail store for Gander Mountain Co., located in Valdosta, Ga.

The retail building will be used as a model for future Gander Mountain stores as the retailer looks to introduce a smaller retail concept in small-to-mid-size markets across the country.

The project is scheduled for completion in late 2012.

Opus AE Group will design the building and it will be constructed by Opus Design Build.

Woonsocket, R.I. -- CVS/pharmacy is shuttering all of its Beauty 360 locations and ceasing operation of the Beauty 360 e-commerce business to focus on the growth of its core CVS/pharmacy beauty business, the retailer confirmed on Wednesday.

As of May 19, all 25 of the Beauty 360 locations will close and the e-commerce business will cease operation.

By Theodore J. Kobus III, Esq., [email protected]

New York -- Kohl’s Department Stores announced plans to launch an exclusive American Idol apparel collection. The newly created line -- Authentic Icon (AI) -- will be available exclusively at Kohl’s and Kohls.com beginning in April.