Marketing

Grand Rapids, Mich. -- Meijer said Tuesday it has named J.K. Symancyk president of the company, effective Feb. 3. Symancyk was named COO of Meijer last year.

“I am pleased to introduce J. K. as our next company president," said Hank Meijer, co-chairman and CEO. "J. K. has been a key member of our leadership team, including most recently as our COO, and he has played an important role in the growth and success of Meijer since joining us in 2006."

Wayne, N.J. -- The Toys “R” Us Children’s Fund announced it has made a $1 million donation to the Hurricane Sandy New Jersey Relief Fund, created by New Jersey’s Governor Chris Christie and First Lady Mary Pat Christie to aid, comfort and rebuild the Garden State in the wake of the devastation that impacted so many children and families.
 

WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif. — Dole Food Company has started the New Year with a new look for its website.

Dole describes the redesigned website as easy for consumers to use on all tablets and mobile devices. Dole teamed up with Santa Monica-based digital agency Blitz for one year to work on the redesign.

BOCA RATON, Fla. – Office Depot has launched the See Jane Work spring collection, featuring stylish organization products and desk accessories, available exclusively at its physical stores and website.

Entrepreneur Holly Bohn-Weiss created the collection, which caters to female customers, because she felt the selection of desk accessories that resonated with her style and personality were limited.

ISELIN, N.J. — The American Diabetes Association has made Domino Foods, maker of Domino Light and C&H Light All Natural Sugar and Stevia blends, its national strategic partner.

PLANO, Texas — Former Procter & Gamble executive Joe Crafton has been named CEO of Crossmark, a leader in sales and marketing services in the consumer goods industry. Crafton, who served as president of Crossmark until his promotion, succeeds John Thompson, who has been CEO since 2010.

Paris -- French luxury group PPR’s Tuesday announcement that it has acquired 51% of British fashion brand Christopher Kane means that the luxury designer will soon have branded boutiques. The first is slated to open in London as early as 2014.

According to a report by Reuters, the deal is part of PPR's strategy to add to its luxury portfolio with small brands that have growth potential.

"We think it can become a sizeable business," Alexis Babeau, managing director of PPR's luxury division, told Reuters on Tuesday.

MINNEAPOLIS — Winmark Corporation, franchisor of four value-retail store concepts, is developing a new concept focused on reselling women's apparel and accessories.

Winmark Corporation operates 968 franchises under the Plato's Closet, Play It Again Sports, Once Upon A Child and Music Go Round brands, all of which buy, sell, trade and consign gently used merchandise. The franchisor intends to market the new retail concept to savvy and frugal shoppers.