Marketing

Gordon Brothers Group has a new name.   The 113 year-old, global advisory, restructuring, and investment firm said that all of its operating units will now be marketing under one name: Gordon Brothers.  

Ahold Delhaize on Wednesday announced that management board member James McCann had resigned to move into non-executive and advisory roles. The company has named Kevin Holt, Delhaize America CEO and Ahold Delhaize management board member, as his successor.   

VF. Corp., whose brands include The North Face, Timberland and Nautica, will have a new chief executive come January.   The company announced that president and COO Steven E. Rendle will become CEO, effective Jan. 1, 2017. Rendle, 57, will succeed Eric C. Wiseman, who will continue to serve as executive chairman and work with Rendle to ensure a successful transition.    Rendle has more than 30 years of experience in the specialty outdoor and action sports industry, 16 of which have been with VF.

Signet Jewelers Limited has closed its previously announced investment from Leonard Green & Partners.   The private equity firm invested $625 million in the form of convertible preferred shares. The Signet board, as previously disclosed, increased its authorized share buyback program by $625 million on August 25, 2016, in connection with the transaction.  

UGG is driving a new level of engagement with loyal shoppers.   Starting today, shoppers nationwide are invited to join UGG Rewards, a loyalty program that awards shoppers with points for every purchase. The program, which was launched as a pilot among a limited customer base between September 2015 and June 2016, is now available to shoppers in-store and online throughout the United States.  

Two major retail organizations delivered some early holiday cheer to retailers.   The National Retail Federation and the International Council of Shopping Centers issued their annual holiday forecasts on Tuesday, and both predicted holiday shoppers will spend more this year than they did last year.   

Walgreens on Tuesday enticed its shoppers with a new loyalty program tied to its beauty department with the launch of Beauty Enthusiast, a beauty club within its Balance Rewards loyalty program. Cardholders who register for Beauty Enthusiast gain additional rewards on beauty and personal care items, as well as other benefits.  

The retailer opened 11 new stores in the U.S. and Canada for the quarter ending Aug. 1, 2016. This adds to the 12 new stores it opened in the first quarter, bringing the total for the year to 23.    PetSmart is on track to achieve its goal of 80 net new stores in 2016.   The new stores average around 14,000 sq. ft., with service offerings such as grooming and pet training.  

American & Interstate Signcrafters, a full service sign manufacturing and project management company, has hired industry veteran Mike Morelli. He manages national, and international, sign programs and oversees business development in the southeastern United States   Morelli brings to the growing American & Interstate Signcrafters team years of experience leading retail, fashion, hospitality, and QSR sign and branding programs.   

Don’t believe the rumors. Kmart is not going out of business.   That’s according to Eddie Lampert, the beleaguered  CEO of Kmart parent company Sears Holdings Corp.