Strategy

SAN DIEGO — Genius Brands International has named Sunscape Eyewear as an eyewear licensee for its Baby Genius brand.

The two-year agreement grants Sunscape rights to manufacture and distribute worldwide Baby Genius-themed eyewear for boys and girls ages 0 to 4 years featuring Baby Genius characters. Product categories include sunglasses, eyewear and eyewear accessories such as croakies and cases.

SEATTLE — William Meissner has resigned as CEO and board member of Jones Soda. Richard Eiswirth has also resigned as chairman of the board. Both resignations are effective Jne 30. Jennifer Cue will become the company's CEO. Mick Fleming, long-standing board member, will assume the role of chairman of the board.

The company also announced the elimination of the CFO position effective June 30. Carrie Traner, VP finance and principal financial officer will assume . Stapleton's duties.

MATTHEWS, N.C. — Dollar stores continue to thrive in this consumer-conscious economy, and Family Dollar is no exception.

The dollar store chain reported a total sales increase of 9.6% to $2.36 billion for the third quarter, compared with $2.15 billion for the same period last year. Same-store sales rose 5%, helped by increased customer traffic and strong performances in the seasonal, electronics and consumables categories.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Supreme Court has given the government permission to tax people for not having health insurance, essentially approving the individual mandate in President Obama's healthcare law.

“The Affordable Care Act's requirement that certain individuals pay a financial penalty for not obtaining health insurance may reasonably characterized as a tax. Because the Constitution permits such a tax, it is not our role to forbid it, or to pass upon its wisdom or fairness,” the court said in the ruling.

MINNEAPOLIS — Target has donated $30,000 in monetary support and product to assist with Colorado wildfire relief efforts. A $17,500 cash donation was distributed among several American Red Cross chapters in Colorado in addition to $5,000 in product donations for essentials such as water and food. A separate donation of $7,500 in gift cards was given to other nonprofit organizations in the affected areas.

The nation’s convenience stores continued to grow last year creating a peculiar blend of competitive challenges and sales opportunities for Sam’s Club.

NEW YORK — The International Licensing Industry Merchandisers' Association has named Maura Regan, SVP, general manager for global consumer products at Sesame Workshop, chairperson of the board.  She had previously served as vice chairperson.

The board also announced the following changes:
 

• Rick Van Brimmer, director trademark and licensing services for The Ohio State University, was elected as LIMA’s vice chairman.  He formerly was a member of LIMA’s board.

NEW YORK — With the Nordstrom name often associated with high fashion, it is surprising that the retailer does not already have a flagship in New York City. In 2018, however, that will all change when the first full-line Nordstrom's store opens in the Columbus Circle area of Manahttan.

The store is being built by Extell Development Company and will occupy 285,000 square feet.

New York -- Confirming the rumors that have swirled for the last few days, Seattle-based Nordstrom said Thursday that it has found a site for its full full-line department store in New York City.

The 285,000-sq.-ft. flagship will open along the 57th Street corridor at 225 West 57th – between Broadway and Seventh Avenue – at a site owned by Extell Development Co.

The store is expected to open in 2018.
 

Chicago -- A Thursday report by Bloomberg said that the Sprint-owned pay-as-you-go carrier Virgin Mobile will open 10 retail stores on Friday in Chicago, as part of its plan to leverage iPhone’s expansion into the prepaid wireless space.
 
With the openings, Virgin Mobile will become the second U.S. prepaid service to offer the Apple device, following the iPhone’s debut at Leap Wireless International on June 22.