Marketing

Tigard, Ore. -- Regional sports dealer Brand Athletics said Thursday it will operate solely under the name Lids Team Sports, a division of Indianapolis-based Lids Sports Group. Lids acquired Brand Athletics in 2010.

The Lids Sports Group, operating within Genesco subsidiary Hat World, is comprised of the Lids retail headwear stores, the Lids Locker Room specialty fan retail chain, the Lids Clubhouse retail stores, the Lids Team Sports wholesale team sports business and its Internet businesses.
 

Apple runs a really tight ship. That’s the takeaway of a recent Wall Street Journal article that used confidential Apple store training materials and interviews with current and former store associates to provide a behind-the-scenes look at the tech-giant’s store operations. Among the interesting details: Apple’s annual retail sales per square foot stand at an astounding $4,406.

Here are some other interesting insights from the article:

Teen apparel retailer rue21 is celebrating the opening of its 700th store, in New Braunfels, Texas. The chain is on track to open 110 locations this year. Commented president and CEO Bob Fisch: “We remain one of the fastest growing retailers in the nation. I would like to thank our real estate, construction and field teams and recognize their hard work, which allows us to celebrate another significant milestone for rue21."
 

Warrendale, Pa. -- Rue21 said Thursday it has opened its 700th store, located in New Braunfels, Texas.

The store is Rue21's 80th in the state. Year-to-date, the retailer has opened 63 stores and said it is on target to open 110 new stores and convert 35 existing stores to its larger etc! format in fiscal 2011.

Long-term growth strategy includes opening in strip centers, regional malls and outlet centers, and the New Braunfels location is Rue21's 360th strip center location.

San Francisco -- Gap announced Wednesday that it will open its first Gap store in Egypt this July, and its first Gap and Banana Republic stores in Morocco in October.

The move is part of the retailer’s global expansion strategy that calls for doubling its franchise stores to 400 by fiscal year 2014.

Gap started shipping to Egypt, Morocco and South Africa in 2010, but these stores are the first on the continent.

New York City -- O'Neill Clothing, a surf, snow and youth lifestyle brand, will open a flagship in Santa Monica, Calif., on July 8.

Inspired by the oceanfront home of company founder Jack O'Neill's, the store is designed to offer an authentic environment to illustrate the brand’s lifestyle. Window displays showcase one-of-a-kind artwork from O'Neill employees and friends, and the interior is lined with various photography from past decades and current advertising campaigns.

Costa Mesa, Calif. -- Donahue Schriber announced Wednesday the promotion of three executives to senior VP status.

In their new roles, Henry Avila, senior VP asset management, Heather Beal, senior VP leasing, and Scott Lawrence, senior VP construction, will work closely with Donahue Schriber’s executive committee on future decisions affecting the company.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart announced that it will offer customers savings of 10 cents a gallon on all fuel, gas and diesel at participating Murphy USA and Walmart gas stations.  The reduction is part of a 90-day Rollback program.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — HSN announced that on Sept. 21 and 22 it will debut an exclusive collection from designer Adam Lippes.

Lippes Love ADAM collection will feature sleek button down blouses, modern wide-leg pants, printed dresses, fur-trimmed outerwear, embellished skirts and cropped jackets, HSN reported.

Tustin, Calif. -- Gold Max of California announced that is on track to open 100 Gold Max stores in Southern California within the next year.

With more than 150 stores, Gold Max operates the United States’ largest chain of stores specializing in buying gold and precious metals from consumers. Gold Max entered the Southern California market in the fall of 2010 and opened eight stores.