Marketing

Toano, Va. – Lumber Liquidators has been making the wrong kind of headlines recently, but the specialty hardwood flooring retailer has some good news to share about its expanded showroom store format. Currently, nearly a third of Lumber Liquidators’ 350-plus store locations have implemented the expanded showroom and that number will continue to rise throughout the next several years.   

Ross Stores is less than two months into its new fiscal year and already the company is halfway home on its 2015 new store growth plan and asserting its long term potential.

Ross confirmed that since the beginning of its fiscal year on Feb. 1, it opened 32 Ross Dress for Less stores and five dd’s Discounts stores in 15 states.

The company’s full year plan disclosed when fourth quarter results were released on Feb. 26, calls for 70 Ross stores and 20 dd’s Discounts stores.

New York – Through its Barnes & Noble Education subsidiary, Barnes & Noble Inc. is expanding its college bookstore business before spinning it off later this year. Barnes & Noble Education is investing, through its college business, Barnes & Noble College, in Flashnotes Inc., an online marketplace for college students to sell and buy study materials.

Both companies will also enter into a strategic alliance agreement that will enable Barnes & Noble College to promote Flashnotes.com at partner schools and on digital platforms.

Jackson, Miss. – Newk’s Eatery is entering the San Antonio, Texas area as part of a broader expansion plan that includes 30 new franchise and corporate stores in 2015. The fast-casual dining chain has signed a franchise agreement with Stephen Kuehler, who will lead the chain's expansion into the San Antonio area.

Leading outdoor lifestyle retailer Gander Mountain has a new senior merchant to lead hardlines merchandising as it pursues greater growth of firearms and aggressive store expansion.

The operator of 156 stores – 40 of which have opened since 2012 – said Jay Tibbets joined the company as vice president of hardlines merchandising to oversee the sales, procurement and replenishment of all firearms, ammunition, security, hunting supplies and fishing gear.

Atlanta – UPS wants to take on your problems. The company has unveiled a new positioning message, United Problem Solvers, which communicates the company’s capabilities to solve problems for all customers.

New York – Specialty retailer Aerie, a subsidiary of American Eagle Outfitters, is capitalizing on the “selfie” craze in its newest promotion. The company has created what it calls the world's largest unretouched selfie and photo shoot as part of its #AerieREAL “Love Your Real Selfie” promotion.

Aliso Viejo, Calif. - Johnny Rockets has named Charles Bruce as the company's new president and CEO. Bruce brings to Johnny Rockets more than 35 years of experience in marketing and leadership positions, most recently as president and CEO of Peter Piper Pizza,

Earlier in his career, Bruce held marketing and brand strategy positions with the International Pizza Hut Franchise Holders Association as VP of marketing, and at Wendy's as VP of international marketing.