Cross-Merchandising

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. 

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.

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.

LOS ANGELES — Specialty sporting goods retailer Sports Chalet is sticking to an innovative plan that helps retain existing customers while enhancing its brand awareness. The retailer is inviting certified Scuba divers to participate in its Treasure Hunt dive for the fourth consecutive year. 

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.

An epic journey and exercise in social media brand building is now underway in Canada where four intrepid young men are crossing the country in a custom RV to promote awareness of Hudson’s Bay and have a good time in the process.

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.