Marketing

Washington, D.C. – The National Retail Federation (NRF) has named Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va. and Rep. John Kline, R-Minn.as NRF’s Legislators of the Year. The awards presentation was made during the Retail Advocates Summit, NRF’s annual congressional fly-in.

Downers Grove, Ill. -- FTD Companies Inc. will acquire the Provide Commerce floral and gifting business from Liberty Interactive Corp. for $430 million in cash and stock. Both companies have annual revenues of more than $600 million.

The International Dairy-Deli-Bakery Association (IDDBA) has named former HEB executive Michael J. Eardley as its new president and CEO. Eardley succeeds Carol Christison, who passed away in March, after leading the association for 31 years.

Eardley will join the IDDBA on August 25 from HEB Grocery Company in San Antonio, Texas, where he has worked for the past 13 years in various roles with increasing responsibility, becoming the director of deli, cheese and prepared foods in 2009.

After a delay of several days, Lumber Liquidators has reported second-quarter results, nearly three weeks after the company revised its full-year guidance, which caused its stock to plummet in recent days.

Net sales for the quarter increased by 2.3%, totaling $263.1 million, compared with $257.1 million in the same quarter last year. But comparable-store sales decreased by 7.1%, with the average sale declining 1.8%. Net income was $16.6 million for the three months ended June 30, down 18.7% from last year's $20.4 million.

Big 5 Sporting Goods’ second-quarter results were affected by a continued reduction in demand for firearms and ammunition. The company also pointed to general softness in the overall consumer environment, adding that the calendar shift of the Easter holiday had a small but unfavorable impact on sales.

Crocs has appointed Claire Fahie-Conley, former VP of U.S. retail for Reebok, as its VP of retail for North America. Fahie-Conley will report directly to Greg Sullivan, GM for the Americas.

Fahie-Conley will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of the retail footprint in North America, including the entire fleet of full-price and outlet stores. She will be based out of the new Global Commercial Center in Boston, scheduled to open in late 2014.

Same-store sales continue to decelerate at Whole Foods as the nation’s leading natural and organic grocer continues to face traffic and ticket pressures caused by upstart rivals and established competitors.

Leading women’s specialty apparel retailer Lane Bryant is kicking off football season with an exclusive NFL Capsule Collection.

The brand’s NFL Capsule Collection will feature several styles, including tank tops, scoop and V-neck tee shirts, and the teams include the Chicago Bears, Denver Broncos, Green Bay Packers, New England Patriots, New Orleans Saints, Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers and San Francisco 49ers.

Niwot, Colo. -- Claire Fahie-Conley, VP of U.S. retail for Reebok, has been appointed Crocs' VP of retail for North America. In this role, Fahie-Conley will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of the retail footprint in North America, including the entire fleet of full-price and outlet stores.

Emeryville, Calif. – Jamba Inc., parent company of the Jamba Juice chain, is launching a new franchise recruiting campaign focused on single-store development in existing and new domestic markets. Jamba is looking to add 500 new domestic stores in the next five years and double year-over-year store development via the new recruiting program.