Marketing

PITTSBURGH — American Eagle Outfitters has named Mary Boland as EVP, chief financial and administrative officer, effective July 9. Boland’s responsibilities will include finance, investor relations, merchandise planning and allocation, strategy planning, and other administrative functions.

NEW YORK — JCPenney has asked a New York Federal court to dismiss a lawsuit filed by the visual merchandising firm Hudson + Broad over the Plexiglass LED square frame used in the chain’s new “Fair and Square” branding campaign, Women’s Wear Daily reported.

New York -- Nike Inc. is trimming its portfolio. The company announced it will sell its Cole Haan and Umbro brands to cut costs and focus on its core namesake brand.

Nike acquired Cole Haan, which specializes in casual and dress shoes, handbags and accessories, in 1988 for $80 million, plus the assumption of $15 million in debt. Cole Haan operates more than 180 stores throughout the United States, Canada, the Middle East and Asia.

Nike bought the soccer gear and apparel company Umbro in 2008 for $565 million.

PITTSBURGH — Dick’s Sporting Goods plans to open a new format focused on runners later this summer.

The new concept called True Runner will be located on Walnut Street in an affluent area of Pittsburgh known as Shadyside, the company said. Dick’s offered no additional details on the opening date, store size or product assortment, but it is clear from the limited comments made by a company executive that the store will focus on running enthusiasts.

FORT WORTH, Texas — Pier 1 Imports reported that sales for its first quarter ended May 26 increased 7.9% to $361 million from $335 million in the year-ago quarter. Comparable-store sales for the quarter were up 7.2%.

For the first quarter, the company is expecting  earnings per share are expected to be approximately 16 cents versus last year’s first quarter earnings of 12 cents per share.

FORT WORTH, Texas -- Pier 1 reported that same-store sales rose 7.2% in the first quarter, helped by strong holiday assortments. First-quarter revenue was up 8% to $361 million, beating Wall Street's estimate of $360.7 million.

President and CEO Alex Smith said Thursday that the shoppers have been buying the retailer's Easter, spring, Mother's Day and Memorial Day products.

NEW YORK — William Ackman, founder and CEO of Pershing Square Capital Management, said that J.C. Penney Co. should start to see “real progress” in early 2013. Ackman made his comments in an interview Tuesday on CNBC’s “Squawk Box.” Pershing Square owns about 18% of JCPenney.

New York -- J.C. Penney Co. has asked a New York Federal court to dismiss a lawsuit filed by the visual merchandising firm Hudson + Broad over the Plexiglass LED square frame used in the chain’s new “Fair and Square” branding campaign, Women’s Wear Daily reported.