Corporate Governance

Sunnyvale, Calif. – David’s Cookies competes in a crowded marketplace and even encounters issues resulting from its own brand fragmentation. Trying to locate and convert leads around the world is understandably a huge marketing expense typically involving lots of time and travel. But since implementing the Ariba Discovery trading platform last year, David’s Cookies has found dozens of new clients with much less time, travel and expense.

Janet Carter Smith was named SVP of market develop at Park City Group, a supply chain management company focused on technology solutions to enhance in-stock.

In her new role at Park City Group, Carter Smith will be responsible for developing business solutions, consulting and expanding efforts in market development.

To counteract weak demand for conventional office products, Staples is peddling some decidedly non-traditional office products as part of an expanded assortment billed as, "summer celebration essentials."

The company is offering condiments such as ketchup, mayonnaise and mustard along with grills, coolers, bottle openers, patio furniture, salty snacks and disposable cutlery to appeal to Fourth of July shoppers.

Shareholders of Coinstar, the company behind the ubiquitous RedBox dvd rental machines, have adopted the name Outerwall as a new corporate identify.

The name change was confirmed at the company's annual meeting of shareholder on June 27, but an official tally of voting results won’t be available until July 2.

Indianapolis - The Finish Line's first-quarter net income plunged 59% amid start-up costs related to its deal to open branded in-store shops in Macy’s. But the retailer still beat Wall Street expectations. In other news, the company announced a new role for retiring president and COO, Steve Schneider.

The Finish Line earned $5.1 million for the period ended June 1, down from $12.3 million a year ago. Revenue rose 10% to $351.1 million, also beating expectations. Same-store sales were up 2.4%. 

Hicksville, N.Y. - The battle between the board of Men’s Wearhouse and its founder and former chairman, George Zimmer, continues to have a significant negative impact on the company’s online image.  According to a report by GenSent Insights, the company’s sentiment score, a measure of the tone surrounding a brand on a scale of -100 to +100, plummeted from an average of + 68 in mid-June to a low of -52.  The sentiment on Twitter alone fell from an uncommonly high score of +93 to a low of -80. 

Davenport, Iowa - Von Maur announceed that its newest store, located at the Iowa River Landing in Coralville, Iowa, will open on July 27, 2013.

The 80,000-sq.-ft., free-standing brick store will feature Von Maur's signature exterior entrance and residential ambiance, along with an expansive open floor plan and larger departments that are designed to allow for greater product selection and more easily navigable aisles and common areas.

WTI expects that retail July 2013 will be cooler than last year’s scorching hot July. Despite cooler trends, it is still summer, and there will be some periods of hot weather around the 13th and 26th. The West will start the month off hot leading to stronger demand for hot weather categories like cold beverages, ice cream, pool supplies and air conditioners/fans. Much cooler temperatures and wetter weather in the Central U.S. will lift demand for school apparel.