Marketing

Dallas -- PeopleAnswers announced a software licensing agreement with Boston Market to use the PeopleAnswers HR solution to help identify and select all field employees in its 476 locations across the United States.

Minneapolis -- Supervalu announced that Robert Bly will join the company as president of Shoppers Food and Pharmacy, a 56-store chain in the Baltimore, and Washington, D.C., market.

Bly, 49, most recently served as VP of Kmart and Sears divisions for the Sears Holdings Co. He is expected to begin his new role on Aug. 22 and will report to Chuck Elias, senior VP retail operations.

Bly replaces Tim Lowe, who recently accepted a new leadership role in Supervalu's merchandising organization.
 

WILLMAR, Minn. — Jennie-O Turkey Store has launched its new  and improved turkey bacon. Now available in stores, the product offers delicious bacon flavor and crisp texture, but with significantly less sodium and fat than pork bacon,according to the company.  

Birmingham, Ala. -- Hibbett Sports reported Friday that net income for the quarter ended July 28 surged 32.9% to $7.9 million from $5.9 million in the comparable-year period.

The retailer reported a net sales increase of 8% to $165.4 million compared with $153.1 million for the same period last year. Same-store sales increased 4.8%.

The company increased its earnings guidance for fiscal 2013 and said it is on track to open 55 to 60 new stores, expand approximately 15 high performing stores and close up to 18 underperforming stores.

Wayne, N.J. – Toys “R” Us opened its first stores in Beijing last weekend, marking its continued expansion across China.

San Francisco -- Gap Inc. reported Thursday that net income for the quarter ended July 28 surged 29% to $243 million, prompting the retailer to raise its guidance for full-year 2012.

Sales increased 6% to $3.58 billion, compared with $3.39 billion for the second quarter last year. Same-store sales rose 4%.

“Our continued focus on product and store execution are helping to drive positive momentum and we’re committed to sustaining solid performance for the remainder of the year,”said Glenn Murphy, chairman and CEO.

Canton, Mass. -- Casual Male Retail Group said Friday that second-quarter profit dropped to $1.2 million, from $6.6 million in the year-ago period. Total sales were flat at $100.5 million, and same-store sales edged up 2%.

However, continuing strength from the DestinationXL stores vs. the Casual Male XL locations is prompting the company to focus on growing the former.

New York -- According to multiple reports citing anonymous sources, Restoration Hardware chairman and co-CEO Gary Friedman has stepped down after an internal investigation into a relationship he had with a 26-year-old female employee.

Friedman was confronted with findings that he had had an intimate relationship with the employee, who has since left the company. To look into the matter, the board of directors formed a special investigative committee and brought in an outside law firm to conduct the inquiry.