Strategy

Miami, Fla. -- Columbia Sportswear Company is expanding its new store concept.

The company has opened Performance Fishing Gear (PFG), in Miami’s The Falls. The 5,654 sq.-ft. store features the latest and greatest from the popular collection, along with an interactive knot-tying station and digital design elements.

Richardson, Texas -- EnTouch Controls, a leader of energy management as a service (EMaaS), has been recognized as a finalist for the MTBC 2015 Tech Titans awards in the “Emerging Company Innovation” category. Winners will be announced at the 15th annual Tech Titans Awards Gala on Friday, August 21, at the InterContinental Dallas Hotel.

Seattle - Nordstrom and J. Crew Group are expanding a merchandising partnership.

Nordstrom is doubling the number of stores that will carry J. Crew’s Madewell brand of women’s apparel items and accessories.

The department store retailer plans to expand the number of stores carrying Madewell products from 15 to 30 by the end of July, with Nordstrom.com also offering Madewell goods. Nordstrom is the only U.S. retailer to sell a broad assortment of Madewell merchandise, outside of Madewell stores.

Mountain View, Calif. – Drone-based delivery may still be far from an everyday reality, but likely players including Google and Amazon are already thinking about traffic control.

According to Bloomberg, Google, Amazon, Verizon and Harris Corp. are among 14 companies that have signed agreements with NASA to help create a drone air traffic control system.

Round Rock, Texas – Dell has released the Dell SonicWall TZ Wireless Firewall Series. These comprehensive wireless network security solutions provide enterprise-class 802.11ac wireless performance and security for users of all sizes.

TZ Wireless Firewall Series solutions offer deep packet inspection comparable to wired networks, delivering greater security and providing performance at a lower total cost of ownership. Other features include inspection of files at line speed and a user-friendly interface.

Minneapolis – Consumers who want to purchase an Apple Watch will have a new option as of Friday, Aug. 7.

 On that date, Best Buy will become the first national retailer, other than Apple Stores, where customers can buy the Apple Watch.

It will begin to arrive in more than 100 Best Buy stores and will also be available on BestBuy.com. Another 200 Best Buy stores will have the Apple Watch in time for holiday shopping.

City of Commerce, Calif. - 99 Cents Only Stores LLC has named Jack L. Sinclair as chief merchandising officer. Sinclair will be responsible for merchandising and marketing functions.

New York – Worthy.com, an online marketplace for used luxury goods, has named Gil Gadot as executive VP and COO.

Gadot joins Worthy with more than 20 years of experience in finance and technology.

Boston - Conrad Lauten has joined Gordon Brothers-AccuVal, the valuation division of Gordon Brothers Group, as director, business development. Lauten will oversee the group serving Alabama; Florida; Georgia; Kentucky; Mississippi; North Carolina; South Carolina; Tennessee and Virginia.

Growth prospects for the food and consumables business at 99 Cents Only just improved considerably following the appointment of a former Walmart EVP of merchandising to a key role.