Corporate Governance

Winston-Salem, N.C. — A new Krispy Kreme Doughnut Factory will open in Roswell, Ga., in early September, marking the start of an expansion effort across the metro area. The new shop will replace the existing Roswell shop and introduce the company’s updated design to the area.

Construction plans are currently underway for approved sites in Doraville, Smyrna and Stockbridge. Krispy Kreme is also working to secure sites in Decatur and Duluth.

Winnipeg, Manitoba — Silver Jeans Co. has announced the opening of a loft concept store at La Plaza Mall in McAllen, Texas, on Sept. 13.

“We put a lot of work into making sure the store environment represents our brand,” said Michael Silver, Silver Jeans’ CEO. The 1,536-sq.-ft. loft will feature digital technology with a mobile point-of-sale system. A 6-ft media wall will display the latest ad campaign and music videos.

By Colleen A. Conry, Jane D. Goldstein, Natalie Logan and Alicia Suarez

On April 24, 2013, 1,127 people were killed when Rana Plaza, a garment manufacturing complex in Savar, Bangladesh, collapsed. This tragedy highlights the working conditions that may exist in Bangladesh and other countries. It also draws attention to the challenges faced by U.S. companies that want to conduct their business in an ethical and socially responsible way, particularly when operating through third-party suppliers in foreign countries.   

Indianapolis – Almost eight-in-10 (78%) marketers report feeling pressure to become more data-driven, but only a little more than a third of companies (36%) say they routinely use data-driven marketing to customize messages and offers, in order to improve customer experience and campaign performance. Teradata’s Data-Driven Marketing Survey 2013 also indicates within two years more than 80% of marketers will have implemented or begun projects that automate data quality, performance management and marketing workflow processes.

Fort Wayne, Ind. – Vera Bradley is expanding its Roanoke, Ind., campus, creating what the vertical specialty retailer estimates will be about 128 new jobs during the next four years. The company will invest approximately $26.6 million to expand both its current 40,000-sq.-ft. design center by 149,000 sq. ft. and its 420,000-sq.-ft. distribution center by 10,000 sq. ft. Both complexes are located just outside Fort Wayne, Ind., near Interstate 69.

New York – Verizon Wireless has partnered with All-Rite Construction Company to launch the flagship store of its new Viva Movil premium retail banner aimed at Latino customers. Located in Brooklyn,N.Y., the 3,000-sq.-ft. store features sleek, ultra-modern interiors, lounge-like atmosphere and immersive media displays. The intent is to provide in-store customers with an integrated omni-channel experience.

Framingham, Mass. – Discount retailers TJ Maxx and Saks Off Fifth outlets are reportedly planning to enter the online sales arena this year. According to Reuters, TJ Maxx parent company TJX Cos. will be making its second attempt at launching a TJ Maxx e-commerce site after a failed attempt in 2005 that cost the company $15 million.

Franklin, Tenn. – More than $11.6 billion of retail IT spending, or 35% of the total, will come from budgets other than that of the CIO. Of that total “black ops” IT spend, $6.6 billion will come from the activities of the CMO and their purchases of hardware, software, SaaS, and services outside of the CIO budget.

Deerfield, Ill. - Walgreens same-store sales increased by 6.3% in July, the retailer reported this morning. Calendar day shifts positively impacted total same-store sales by 1.4 percentage points, while generic drug introductions in the last 12 months negatively impacted total same-store sales by 1.8 percentage points.

Total front-end sales increased 3.6% compared with the same month in fiscal 2012, while same-store front-end sales increased 2.3%. Customer traffic in stores open at least one year decreased 1.2% while basket size increased 3.5%.

Boston – Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick has signed a bill authorizing a sales tax holiday in Massachusetts for the upcoming weekend of Aug. 10. The bill gives consumers a one-time break on the state’s 6.25% sales tax on any ordinarily taxed retail items individually worth up to $2,500. The break does not extend to vehicles, motor boats, tobacco, meals and utilities.

Massachusetts did not offer a sales tax holiday in 2009 but otherwise has designated one weekend in August as a sales tax holiday every year since 2004.