Marketing

Target is trying to increase its appeal with Hispanic shoppers by launching a new marketing campaign focusing on customs that are unique to many Latino communities.

The campaign, called “Sin traduccion,” or “No translation,” will feature two television ads, as well as digital and in-store components.

According to Ad Age, the campaign is meant to be a celebration of moments, traditions and emotions that are treasured by many in the Hispanic culture and spark a larger conversation with the community.

Stage Stores' approach to operating department stores in small to mid-sized towns enabled the company to grow holiday season sales and profits faster than some of its big city rivals.

The company’s 853 departments stores, operating under the banners of Bealls, Goody’s, Palais Royal, Peebles and Stage, grew sales 6.6% to $525 million and profits from continuing operations increased 35% to $43.7 million during the fourth quarter ended Jan. 31. Same store sales increased 6.4% and the company’s e-commerce business grew 30%.

Issaquah, Wash. - Costco Wholesale Corp. has entered into a new co-brand credit card program agreement with Citi and an acceptance and co-brand incentive agreement with Visa. Under the arrangements, Citi, an issuer of consumer credit cards, will become the exclusive issuer of Costco's co-brand credit cards and Visa will replace American Express as the credit card network for Costco in the U.S. and Puerto Rico beginning April 1, 2016.

Green Bay, Wis. -- Shopko on Monday announced plans to open 20 new Shopko Hometown stores in late March. The company recently acquired the rights to occupy the 20 stores, with locations primarily in Texas, North Dakota, Kansas and Minnesota, which were previously operated by Alco Stores.

The conversion to the Hometown banner will include a mix of new interior and exterior signage, carpet, paint, updated and supplement fixtures and lighting, improved store design and layout, as well as an expanded merchandise mix.

Denver -- The Running Specialty Group (RSG), a division of The Finish Line, has expanded its presence in the New York City area with the addition of JackRabbit Sports, consisting of four locations. Additionally, JackRabbit owner and founder, Lee Silverman, will join RSG’s leadership team in Denver as senior VP of brand strategy.

Columbia Sportswear Co. is re-aligning its executive ranks in order to drive sustainable and profitable growth.

“Strong momentum behind each of our largest brands drove our global net sales to more than $2.1 billion in 2014 and is expected to fuel continued double-digit currency-neutral growth in 2015,” Chief Executive Officer Tim Boyle said. “The leadership changes that we are announcing today are intended to position us to secure the significant global growth potential that we believe exists within each of the brands in our portfolio.”

Chillicothe, Ohio -- Petland has appointed former Walmart exec Tony Samples as VP of corporate stores. Samples will lead Petland's retail store division and oversee the company's merchandising and marketing efforts.  

"Tony brings extensive retail experience to Petland at a time when Petland is expanding its retail footprint," said Petland president and CEO Joe Watson.

Costco has a new credit card partner for its stores, and it’s a brand name that shoppers may already be very familiar with.

The retailer has entered into a new co-brand credit card program agreement with Citi and an acceptance and co-brand incentive agreement with Visa.