Cross-Merchandising

LEXINGTON, Mass. — The Keds division of footwear manufacturer Wolverine Worldwide is back for an encore performance with superstar Taylor Swift.

This fall, Keds will launch its second footwear collaboration with seven-time Grammy award-winning, multi-platinum singer-songwriter Taylor Swift. The collection expands this season to 17 styles, offering a variety of prints, colors and finishes inspired by Swift.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Belk is partnering with Project Runway’s 12th season to grow its brand. 

The family-owned and operated department store will be sponsoring this season's accessory wall, as well as a “Modern. Southern. Style.” design challenge that will feature a Belk executive as guest judge. This year's winning designer will have the opportunity to design and sell an exclusive line at Belk.

Secaucus, N.J. – The Children’s Place is partnering with Israeli fashion chain Fox-Wizel Ltd. to open stores in Israel, starting in the first quarter of fiscal 2014. The two companies inked a 10-year franchise agreement.

NEW YORK — DC Comics' costumed superheroes are heading to PetSmart stores in July. The specialty pet retailer will debut an exclusive line of DC Comics-themed pet apparel and toys for dogs by Fetch for Pets.

The licensing partnership between Fetch for Pets and Warner Bros. Consumer Products on behalf of DC Entertainment features DC Comics characters such as Superman and Dynamic Duo Batman and Robin. Along with T-shirts, dresses and bandanas the line also includes ball bodies, teethers, bottle crunchers and plush figures.

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.

Canton, Mass. -- Baskin Robbins has announced plans to develop locations in major metropolitan areas across South Africa and Germany.

The company is seeking qualified, multi-unit franchisee candidates to develop the brand with an initial focus in South Africa in the south, north and east regions. In Germany, the company will focus initially on Berlin and Munich followed by Hamburg, Frankfurt and Stuttgart.

OMAHA, Neb. — Oriental Trading Company, a direct retailer of value-priced party supplies, arts and crafts, toys, novelties and school supplies owned by Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway, has acquired brainy toy manufacturer MindWare Holdings.

MindWare is a manufacturer, wholesaler and direct retailer of what it describes as “brainy toys for kids of all ages,” based in Minneapolis, Minn. Oriental Trading Company is headquartered in Omaha, Neb. 

St. Louis and Columbus, Ohio, are ground zero for a new initiative from News America Marketing that blends e-commerce with the traditional free-standing insert.

Dick’s Sporting Goods has partnered with IMG academy to develop an innovative new digital training platform to help the retailer drive increased engagement with athletes looking to achieve peak performance.

Los Angeles - Sport Chalet said Tuesday it has launched its fourth-consecutive Treasure Hunt dive, which invites certified scuba divers to participate by diving to find six sunken treasure bars hidden in diving locations off the northern and southern California coasts and in a special marine destination in Arizona.

From June 25 to 18, Sport Chalet will release one clue every Tuesday and Thursday to help divers identify the secret locations of the six gold-painted treasure bars; clues will be posted online and in all participating Sport Chalet retail stores.