Marketing

San Diego – Early results of 2015 suggest it will be a happy New Year indeed for PriceSmart Inc. For the month of January 2015, net sales increased 13.3% to $219.2 million from $193.5 million in January a year earlier.

The retailer’s growth to 36 warehouse stores from 32 a year earlier helped boost sales. In addition, same-store warehouse sales grew 1.7%.
 

Bebe stores CEO Jim Wiggett credited a compelling merchandise assortment with helping to drive the company’s success in the second quarter.

Coach's efforts to regain its upscale brand identity received a boost this month with the addition of a veteran luxury goods retailer to its board of directors.

“We are extremely pleased that Andrea Guerra has agreed to join our board,” said Victor Luis, CEO at Coach Inc. “As Coach continues its transformation into a modern luxury lifestyle brand, Andrea's extensive exposure to a wide variety of best-in-class brands and his broad retail and international experience will prove valuable to our team."

Framingham, Mass. - Staples Inc. is launching a new brand campaign featuring the “Staples Guy,” who showcases how the company helps small business customers succeed. The new campaign, which features radio, digital and social media, builds on the tagline “Make More Happen” to highlight the value, convenience and services that help Staples customers achieve success in surprising and affordable ways. The national campaign begins Sunday, Feb. 8.

James Peters held key leadership roles at Office Depot, Staples and Ross Stores but now the veteran operator is in a new role at a company giving new meaning to e-commerce.

Peters was named president and COO at San Francisco-based Delivery Agent where he had served on the board since last October. Delivery Agent’s business model is to turn viewers into revenue generating customers for brand and media companies.

Brown Shoe Company has added the former CEO of Victoria’s Secret to its board of directors. 

“Adding Lori Greeley -- a well-known and highly-respected leader in retail -- to our board of directors gives us the benefit of her more than 20 years of experience,” said Diane Sullivan, CEO, president and chairman of Brown Shoe Company. “Her energy and passion for the business and her leadership skills will be a welcome addition to our company.”

Plano, Texas -- J.C. Penney is partnering with InStyle magazine to reinvent its 850 in-store salons nationwide in a move that could help the retailer pump up its volume and increase traction with younger shoppers. The new concept, called The Salon by InStyle, will make its debut in July, at 15 locations across Chicago, Dallas, Miami and Los Angeles.

Sally Beauty Holdings reported decreased profits for the first quarter, but the company’s just-named CEO says new marketing programs will be paying off soon.   Sally Beauty reported a profit of $54.9 million, or 35 cents a share, in its first fiscal quarter ended Dec. 31, compared with a profit of $58 million, or 35 cents a share last year. Analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters forecast a profit of 38 cents a share and sales increase of 3.7 percent to $975.1 million.