Marketing

Seattle – Lovers of the great outdoors in the Cleveland and Philadelphia areas have something else to celebrate as Independence Day approaches.

Outdoor gear and apparel retailer announced it will open new stores in fall 2016 in Cleveland and in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania.

Hoffman Estates, Ill. – Sears Hometown and Outlet Stores Inc. has named William (Will) A. Powell as CEO and president. Powell succeeds W. Bruce Johnson, who as previously announced is stepping down as CEO and president.

Middleton, Wis. - American Girl is expanding south of the boarder.

The brand will make its debut in Mexico, opening in-store boutiques in department store El Palacio de Hierro’s locations in Interlomas and Perisur. The in-store shops, ranging in size from 1,500 sq. ft. to 2,000 sq. ft., open July 4.

Mexico marks the second international retail presence for American Girl, which opened its first Canadian store in October 2013.

Mount Shasta, Calif. – Following the lead of Pinocchio, online puppet and educational toy retailer ePuppets Inc. is joining the “real” world.

E-Puppets will open its first physical store on July 4, in its headquarters town of Mount Shasta, California.

New York – Aeropostale Inc. is expanding in Asia through new licensing agreements in India and Indonesia. The company plans to open stores in India through a licensing agreement with Arvind Lifestyle Brands Ltd., and in Indonesia through a licensing agreement with PT Mitra Adiperkasa TBK (MAP).

New York – Barnes & Noble Inc. has tapped Ronald D. Boire, currently president and CEO of Sears Canada Inc., to become the CEO of its new retail division, effective Sept. 8.

New York -- Kohl's has thrown its hat in the growing off-price market.
 
The company has officially debuted its new off-price format, Off Aisle by Kohl’s, with a test store in Cherry Hill, New Jersey.

New York -- Eyewear online retailer Warby Parker continues its brick-and-mortar expansion. With 12 stores now open, the company plans to open seven more locations by year end, according to fashionista.com.

Warby Parker’s next location is Kansas City, opening later this summer, followed by Scottsdale and San Diego. To read more, click here.
 

German grocer Lidl has made its entry into the U.S. market official by selecting a regional headquarters and distribution hub in the South.

QVC has named a Procter & Gamble veteran as its next business planning and analysis chief, as the company looks tomaximize efficiencies and organizational synergy.