Marketing

Salisbury, N.C. -- Grocery parent Delhaize said Friday it has named former Wendy’s and Arby’s CEO Roland Smith as president and CEO of Delhaize America and executive VP of Delhaize Group. Smith succeeds retiring CEO Ronald C. Hodge, effective Oct. 15.

Hodge will continue to serve the company in an advisory capacity.

Delhaize America operates supermarkets under the Food Lion, Hannaford and Sweetbay banners.
 

New York -- As part of its landmark, multi-year, $400 million dollar renovation of Macy’s Herald Square, the department store retailer debuts the Herald Square Café this week.

Located on the second floor with the shoe department, the 1,434-sq.-ft., 45,-seat café will serve Starbucks coffees, chocolates and high-end champagnes.

MINNEAPOLIS — Target has partnered with music star P!nk for an exclusive edition of her sixth studio album “The Truth About Love.” The deluxe edition of the album features four additional tracks and will be offered exclusively at Target stores nationwide beginning Sept. 18. Fans can now pre-order the deluxe edition at Target.com.

Bentonville, Ark. -- Wal-Mart Stores said Tuesday it has lowered its holiday layaway fee from $15 to $5, saying that the move is in response to customer feedback.

Customers may begin to open layaway accounts under the new fee arrangement on Sept. 15, and it runs through Dec. 14.

According to Duncan Mac Naughton, chief merchandising and marketing officer, Walmart U.S., “this is a direct response to feedback we received since announcing this year's Holiday Layaway program. [It] makes Walmart more competitive in the marketplace.”

Angela Myers was named SVP of retail consulting at Spire, a quantitative shopper intelligence firm.

MINNEAPOLIS — Target has donated $150,000 in cash and products to assist with Hurricane Isaac relief efforts. A $120,000 cash donation was given to the American Red Cross in support of response efforts. An additional $20,000 in product donations and $10,000 in Target gift cards will be given to other nonprofit organizations in affected areas for essentials such as water and food.

Plymouth Meeting, Pa. -- Fameco Real Estate announced that it has hired three new salespeople and has expanded its property management group with the hire of a new property management accountant and several internal moves to better support its growth.       

Toys "R"Usenhanced its layaway program by dropping some fees and Walmart quickly responded.

Toys "R" Us dropped the $5 service fee and minimum purchase requirement from its layaway program in a bid to capture sales of those who begin their holiday shopping early.The company said it changed the rules for its layaway program, instituted in 2009, to waive the $5 upfront service fee and eliminate the minimum purchase requirement for all orders created in stores through October 31.