Marketing

Canton, Mass. – Dunkin’ Donuts is recruiting franchisees in Minnesota with an emphasis on Minneapolis and Mankato. Seven freestanding Dunkin' Donuts locations are planned to open during the next several years in the greater Duluth area.

To help fuel growth in Minnesota, special development incentives are available, which include reduced royalty fees for three years and up to $10,000 in local store marketing for stores that meet certain goals.

Aliso Viejo, Calif. – Johnny Rockets has signed a development agreement with The Daher Group, to open Bolivia's first Johnny Rockets restaurant in Santa Cruz's Ventura Mall, the largest shopping center and first modern mall in the country. Johnny Rockets will join Ventura Mall's Gastronomic Boulevard, a central location in the modern mall designed for restaurants, coffee shops and snacks.  

Cincinnati – The Kroger Co. has been named to the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC) Million Dollar Club. Introduced by the USHCC in 2010, the Million Dollar Club recognizes corporations that are leaders in supplier diversity and integrating Hispanic business enterprises into their strategic sourcing and procurement process.  

Dublin, Calif. - Ross Dress for Less will open a new store in Northern California on Oct. 11. The store is located in Rocklin Commons in Rocklin, a suburb in the Sacramento area.  

This new opening is part of the retailer’s 2014 expansion program, totaling approximately 75 new locations during the year. Together, Ross Dress for Less and DD’s Discounts currently operate over 1,300 off-price apparel and home fashion stores in 33 states, the District of Columbia and Guam.

Dublin, Calif. – DD’s Discounts, a division of Ross Stores Inc. will open a new store in Las Vegas on Sept. 27. The store is located in the Winterwood Pavilion.

Including this new location, DD’s Discounts will operate 150 locations in 14 states and is on schedule to complete its expansion plan to open approximately 20 locations in 2014. Together, Ross Dress for Less and DD’s Discounts currently operate over 1,300 off-price apparel and home fashion stores in 33 states, the District of Columbia and Guam.

Indianapolis - Simon and Noble Investment Group, a real estate private equity firm, which specializes in the lodging and hospitality real estate sector, have launched a joint venture that will bring the AC Hotels by Marriott brand to Phipps Plaza, a luxury shopping destination located in Atlanta's Buckhead district.

Seattle -- Starbucks Corp. will acquire the remaining shares of its Japanese joint venture, Starbucks Coffee Japan, for $913 million to accelerate growth across multiple channels in the country, including the introduction of new concepts such as Teavana. The acquisition is the largest to date made by Starbucks. Japan is the company’s second-largest market in store sales after the United States.

“Full ownership in this market is the right approach for the future," said Troy Alstead, COO, Starbucks, in a conference call with analysts.

Hudson’s Bay Company has signed a lease with Brookfield Property Partners L.P. to open an 85,000-sq.-ft. Saks Fifth Avenue store in Brookfield Place at 225 Liberty Street and a 55,000-sq.-ft. Saks Off 5th store at One Liberty Plaza in Lower Manhattan.

HBC is also leasing 400,000 sq. ft. of office space, adjacent to the Saks Fifth Avenue store at Brookfield Place. This space will become the home office for the company’s New York City-based corporate associates.

Skincare brand Olay has selected actress Katie Holmes as its first global brand ambassador. Holmes will represent the Olay global brand campaign “Your Best Beautiful.”

“I’m very excited to be the Olay Global Brand Ambassador,” said Holmes. “Olay is a brand I respect, trust and believe in. I love the products and message to women to never settle and put their best face forward, every day.”

Procter & Gamble vice chairman Werner Geissler, who is also special adviser to the chairman and CEO, has announced plans to retire from the company Dec. 31, after more than 35 years of service.