Marketing

HAMPSTEAD, Md., — JoS. A. Bank Clothiers reported that its net sales for the fiscal year were $1.05 billion, representing a 7.1% gain as compared with net sales of $979.9 million in fiscal year 2011. Comparable-store sales decreased 0.5% during fiscal year 2012, while direct marketing sales increased 22.7%. Combined comparable-store and Internet sales in fiscal year 2012 increased 2% when compared with fiscal year 2011.

New York -- Staples named former Walmart.com CEO Raul Vazquez to serve on its the board of directors.

Vazquez currently serves as CEO and a director of Progreso Financiero, financial services firm focused on serving the needs of "under-banked" Hispanic customers. The election of directors at Staples will take place at the company’s annual meeting on June 3.

Sustainability is often confused with “going green,” but while environmental improvement is part of the picture, sustainability is bigger than that. It’s a strategy for individuals and organizations to thrive for the long term. Operating sustainably ensures an efficient, resilient and innovative organization that not only does less harm to people and the environment, but also does more good and makes a profit in the process. Because as many have pointed out, a business that loses money won’t be around to do anything very long.

Boston -- City Sports announced that it has named Ted Manning as chief merchandising 0fficer.

Manning joins City Sports following nearly two decades of service with outdoor retailer Eastern Mountain Sports, most recently as their EVP, where he developed strategies for retail expansion, merchandising, product development and marketing. Manning began his career at EMS in store management, climbing the ranks to hold posts as a product manager, merchandise director and VP/general merchandise manager.
 

New York -- Cache announced that Daphne Pappas has joined the company as EVP, chief merchandise officer. For the past 10 years, she served as VP general merchandising manager for Burberry America’s where she led the company’s women’s business.

Prior to Burberry, Pappas was the divisional merchandise manager of juniors sportswear at Macy’s East.

OAK BROOK, Ill. — Ace Hardware has named long-time employee John Venhuizen as president and CEO of the nation’s largest hardware cooperative.

Venhuizen’s appointment to this role has been part of a strategic leadership transition that was announced last September. At that time, Venhuizen was named president and COO of Ace Hardware, while Ace’s outgoing leader, Ray Griffith, maintained the title of CEO.

Collective Bias, the Bentonville, Ar.-based company pioneering the field of social shopper media, secured $10.5 million in funding.

The funding is expected to help the innovative media company continue to drive growth by creating greater engagement among shoppers, brands and retailers. The firms said 2012 was its third consecutive year of triple digit growth and the series A funding round led by Updata Partners represents the opportunity for Collective Bias to accelerate key business initiatives including expansion to international markets.

New York -- The Securities and Exchange Commission on Tuesday said that companies can social media platforms such as Twitter and Facebook to make significant announcements as long as they alert investors about which sites they plan to use for the disclosures.