Marketing

Sporting goods retailers are going to face increased competition in Cleveland and Philadelphia as one of the Pacific Northwest’s most beloved outdoorsy stores comes to town.

After initially quibbling with an investigation that found instances of incorrectly priced products at stores in New York, Whole Foods co-CEOs, Walter Robb and John Mackey offered a mea culpa in a YouTube video.

The nearly two minute video appeared on Whole Foods YouTube channel on July 1, eight days after the New York Daily News first published an article based on an investigation by the New York City Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA).

Sears Canada Inc. is looking for its fourth CEO in a little over two years as the company seeks to return to profitability.

Sears said Ronald D. Boire will be departing from his position as president and CEO of the company at the end of the summer to pursue an opportunity in the United States. On the same day, Barnes & Noble announced that opportunity is CEO of that company's retail business.

Sears Canada said that Brandon G. Stranzl, chairman of the board of the corporation, has been named executive chairman effective immediately.

New York – Macy’s Inc. has dumped The Donald.

San Clemente, Calif. – The Outlets at San Clemente announces its grand opening coming in October. The lifestyle center will be designed in the style of a Spanish village and offer up to 70 retailers at opening.

Carrollton, Texas – The range of social media keeps expanding, and TGI Fridays is now including burgers. The casual dining chain has launched “Buy A Burger, Give A Burger,” a new promotion that allows customers to let their friends compete for free burgers through social media.

McLean, Va. – German discount grocer Lidl continues to lay the foundation for its store debut in the United States.

The company which is establishing a U.S. corporate headquarters, in Arlington County, Virginia, announced it will also open a regional headquarters and distribution center facility in Alamance County, North Carolina. The moves are part of Lidl’s early preparations to expand into the U.S. http://www.chainstoreage.com/article/german-grocer-lidl-prepares-us-expansion-open-headquarters-virginia%3Cbr />

Saks Fifth Avenue reduces energy costs with LED retrofit

It’s often said that companies must spend money to make money, and this is true of investments in energy efficiency.

New York -- The top state for business is a high-tax, high-wage, union-friendly, cold-climate state, according to an annual ranking by CNBC.
 

Fremont, Calif. - The Men's Wearhouse has named Bruce K. Thorn, 48, executive VP and COO. Prior to joining Men's Wearhouse, Thorn served as executive VP, store operations, services and supply chain at PetSmart Inc.

Thorn had been employed by PetSmart since 2007 in various positions, assuming his most recent post in April 2014.  Prior to joining PetSmart, Thorn served in various leadership roles with Gap, Cintas Corp., LESCO, Inc. and the U.S. Army.