Marketing

The Kroger Co. is offering early retirement to approximately 2,000 corporate employees.   The offer does not include store and district associates, senior officers, and supermarket division presidents.  It is part of the chain’s effort to lower expenses without directly impacting shoppers.   

GNC Holdings is changing its pricing structure and marketing, and adding tech enhancements to its store environment as it looks to replace what it described as “an old broken model.”      The company announced that all corporate stores will close on Dec. 28 and reopen on Dec. 29, when GNC will offer customers a “dramatically improved experience with the launch of One New GNC.”  

For more than half a century, Chain Store Age’s annual SPECS conference has delivered one of the retail industry’s most important and impactful events.   

With most of the business community absorbed in the quadrennial D.C. parlor game of parsing cabinet picks and what they might mean for their industry's agenda going forward, little attention has been paid to what lies ahead for the labor community.  

Century 21 is expanding into a new market.   The New York City-based off-price retailer will open its 12th store to date, and first in the state of Florida, at Sawgrass Mills, in Sunrise. The 85,000-sq.-ft. store will open on Dec. 16.    The Florida location will feature the retailer’s C21-On-1 Stylist Program, providing shoppers with the opportunity to book a free one-on-one appointment with a fashion stylist.         

Pier 1 Imports Inc. reported better-than-expected results for its third quarter amid strong online sales.   The home decor retailer said it is still looking for a CEO to succeed Alex Smith, who steps down at year-end. It appointed company chairman Terry London to fill in as interim president and CEO, effective Jan. 1.  

Rent-A-Center has appointed Lety Nettles to fill the newly created position of VP of digital integration.   Most recently she served as a technology executive designing integration framework and change practices for Walmart.      

Allen Edmonds, the nearly 100-year-old men’s footwear and accessories brand whose products are handmade in Port Washington, Wisconsin, has a new owner.   Caleres announced it has acquired Allen Edmonds from private equity firm Brentwood Associates for $255 million. In addition to operating stores under the Famous Footwear banner, Caleres has a diverse portfolio of footwear brands.