Marketing

Youngstown, Ohio -- The Picture People will open new studios in four Cafaro malls, according to the Youngstown, Ohio-based mall owner. The studios, which range in size from 1,800 sq. ft. to 2,700 sq. ft., will open by late May in Eastwood Mall (Niles, Ohio), Governor’s Square Mall (Clarksville, Tennessee), Huntington Mall (Barboursville, West Virginia) and Kentucky Oaks Mall (Paducah, Kentucky). In each case, this will be the first location for The Picture People in those respective states.

Dick’s Sporting Goods plans to spend $850 million over the next three years to add as many as 150 stores while growing total sales to as much as $9 billion with e-commerce contributing more than $1 billion.

Kohl’s is moving toward a $300 million threshold in its long-running Kohl’s Cares cause merchandise program with the latest iteration of the program involving products from the author and illustrator team of Philip and Erin Stead.

From now through June 27, Kohl’s customers who purchase books or plush items for $5 will see the entire net profit of their purchase used to support children’s health and education initiatives nationwide.

Despite lower gas prices and an increase in the average age of U.S. cars on the road, Pep Boys posted a wider loss in the fourth quarter.

The auto parts chain had a loss of $26.7 million, or 50 cents a share, vs. a loss of $3.33 million, or 6 cents a share, a year earlier. The latest results included a net charge of $12.4 million for write-downs and severance expenses.

Who hasn’t prematurely hit the send button on an email? However, when it happened to a JCPenney executive who disclosed first quarter same store sales to an analyst, it begs the larger question of why the pair were even having a conversation about sales with two weeks left in the quarter.

Leading department store retailer Nordstrom has developed a unique approach to community giving by returning 1% of gift card sales to local nonprofit groups.

Nordstrom will use funds from gift card sales to support two giving programs: Nordstrom-directed corporate contributions and a newly-launched Employee Charitable Match program. For more than 40 years, Nordstrom selects hundreds of organizations to receive cash grants.

Pennsylvania-based food retailers Giant and Martin’s Food Stores said they will begin paying all non-union workers a minimum of $9 a hour beginning in June.

The operator of 200 stores in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia said the move was part of the company’s commitment to provide competitive wages.

"Our associates are the foundation of our success, and we have always believed in paying competitive wages to attract the best talent," said Tom Lenkevich, Giant/Martin’s president.

New York -- Stuart Weitzman Holdings announced that Alyssa Mishcon has joined as president, global retail. Mishcon will oversee all aspects of the global retail business including customer experience and relationship management, strategic operations development, merchandising and international retail growth.

Mishcon brings more than 15 years of experience in luxury brands, working most recently as president of Thomas Pink Inc., LVMH Fashion Group and then previously VP strategy, merchandising & retail at TAG Heuer, LVHM Watch & Jewelry Division.

Minneapolis -- Target Corp. has named grocery and consumer packaged goods veteran Anne Dament to the role of senior VP, merchandising. In the role, she will be responsible for leading the strategic repositioning of Target’s food business.

The retailer had previously announced its intent to reposition its approach to food over the next 12 to 18 months, with an emphasis on making better-for-you options simple and attainable, providing meal solutions and offering unique selections for everyday occasions as well as entertaining.

Secaucus, N.J. - The Children's Place Inc. has rejected three board of directors nominees from shareholders Barington Capital Group L.P. and Macellum Advisors GP LLC. The two investment firms, which collectively own less than 2% of the company’s shares, sent a letter expressing concern about The Children’s Place financial performance and recommending new nominees in March 2015.