Corporate Governance

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The experience of air travel has declined over the years, but the retail experience at airports has consistently been elevated as retailers look for new opportunities, such as this newly renovated Tom Bradley International Terminal, featuring 19 retail stores, at the western gateway to the U.S.

CINCINNATI — Aero Fulfillment Services, a national provider of e-commerce fulfillment solutions, is bringing back Jamie Hudgens, this time as product manager for Aero’s new freight management service, SmartShip.

Hudgens was most recently a regional director for the East Coast at Sunburst Analysis, advising clients on cost reduction. He was director of business development for Aero from 2005-2009. In his new role, Hudgens will build out the service to include inbound, outbound, LTL, container, rail and small parcel freight services. 

Growth opportunities in new geographies prompted Kroger to realign its organizational structure and place four executive in new roles.

Just two days after reporting strong first quarter results, the nation’s second largest food retailer established two new supermarket divisions in Nashville and Louisville.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — The Craftsman brand spent Father's Day weekend in Philadelphia with hard core golf fans and putt-putt enthusiasts at the Craftsman Father's Day Miniature Golf Classic.

Attendees were invited to play a free round on the one-of-a-kind miniature golf course specially built by the Craftsman brand and designed by former professional golfer and analyst Gary McCord, featuring Craftsman tools at every hole.  

A new brand identity now adorns the GSI Commerce business eBay acquired two years ago for $2.4 billion.

Menlo Park, Calif. -- Facebook on Thursday announced the launch of a video feature for its photo-sharing app, Instagram. The new feature, which allows users to share video clips lasting up to 15 seconds, is seen as a direct shot at Twitter, which acquired short video start-up Vine last year.

Similar to photos, the Instagram videos will show up on a user's profile and will be available immediately on both Apple’s iOs platform and Google’s Android devices.

San Francisco -- The Gymboree Corporation has appointed former Levi Strauss & Co. executive Joelle Maher as the company's new COO.  

At Levi Strauss & Co., Maher was most recently executive VP, president global retail, and prior to that senior VP of Americas multichannel retail, and VP, planning, allocation, stores, store operations and outlet.

She also held executive leadership positions at Lucky Brand Jeans, Old Navy and Macy's East.

Fort Worth, Texas -- Pier 1 Imports announced a 14% jump in fiscal first-quarter earnings on Thursday and upgraded its full-year guidance.

The company reported net income of $20.3 million for the first quarter ended June 1, compared to $17.8 million for the year ago period.

Total sales were $395 million, a 9.3% increase from $361 million in the prior year quarter. Same-store sales rose 5.9% on stronger store traffic and higher average tickets.

New York -- Loblaw Cos., Canada's largest grocer, is testing a small-store discount under the Box by No Frills banner. 

The company debuted the concept in Calgary, in a 10,000-sq.-ft. store. The store everyday low price" on groceries and other merchandise, Sarah Davis, Loblaw's CFO said in a conference call Wednesday, The Canadian Press reported.
 

By Ben Anderson and Luge Pravda  

With an estimated 20 new TLDs (Top Level Domains, which is the suffix to the right of the dot) being launched on a weekly basis from August 2013, it’s time for retail brand owners to stop and think about their domain strategy once again.