In-Store Media

Freeport, Maine -- L.L. Bean announced it will open its first store in the state of Vermont, at Burlington Town Center.

The two-level, 18,290-sq.-ft. store is scheduled to open in October. It will feature an assortment of active and casual apparel and footwear, outdoor gear including hiking, fly-fishing, kayaking and camping products. It will L.L. Bean's 20th retail store outside of Maine.

Nashville, Tenn. — Opry Mills, the largest outlet and value retail shopping destination in Tennessee, has expanded its staff with the addition of three new professions. Natalie Smailis has been named marketing/tourism coordinator. Jamie Phillips will serve as guest services manager. Billy Patton will step into the role of director of operations.

Fred’s wants to be what it calls “the convenient small box store of choice” and to achieve that goal, it has embarked on a two-pronged strategy focused on general merchandise and pharmacy.

Boca Raton, Fla. - Office Depot and OfficeMax are now offering a single, combined insert in Sunday newspapers representing products and services being offered at both brands’ retail stores. The move marks the first advertisement where Office Depot and OfficeMax customers will see the two national brands together as one.

The insert also features tips on additional ways customers can shop via website, mobile app or via phone.

Austin, Texas - Whole Foods Market earned the top spot in Greenpeace’s annual seafood sustainability ranking of U.S. supermarkets, claiming both the highest overall score and the strongest sustainable seafood policy. Whole Foods Market has been ranked first for the last two years in a row.

Back in September, Pinterest unveiled plans to experiment with Promoted Pins. Now, the social media site is working with a small group of brands in the U.S. to roll out a paid test in its search and category feeds.

“These brands will help us test Promoted Pins to make sure they’re tasteful, transparent, relevant and improved based on your feedback,” said product manager Julie Black, adding, “so that Pinterest continues to be a great experience for everyone.”

Skechers USA has signed hall-of-fame quarterback legend Joe Namath to represent the high-performing men’s Relaxed Fit from Skechers footwear line. A new advertising campaign featuring Namath will begin in the fall.

“Broadway” Joe’s campaign launches with a new television commercial utilizing the same humorous tone set by spots for Relaxed Fit footwear featuring Joe Montana and Mark Cuban. The campaign will extend across all media with Namath appearing in print, outdoor, online and point-of-sale materials through 2015.

Sports Authority has partnered with the Melanoma Research Alliance (MRA), the largest private funder of melanoma research, to raise skin cancer awareness and funds to support studies aimed at its treatment and cure.

This is the fourth consecutive year Sports Authority has participated in and supported the effort.

With 474 locations across 43 states and Puerto Rico, Sports Authority is supporting an extensive outreach campaign this month to coincide with Melanoma Awareness Month.