Marketing Tactics

The high school in Buena Vista, Colo., earned an annual award from athletic apparel manufacturer Russell Brands after it demonstrated courage and perseverance following a tragic event in September.

New York -- Due to the holiday rush and related closings, Chain Store Age has extended the deadline for its 32nd annual Retail Store of the Year Design Competition until Wednesday, January 8, 2014.

More than 20 competition categories are featured, including department stores, supermarkets, discounters, restaurants, convenience stores, specialty stores, service, sustainability and pop-up stores. This year, for the first time, the competition also includes the category of in-store digital innovation.

Supermodel Gisele Bündchen’s flowing mane will be seen a lot in the coming year as Procter & Gamble signed the Brazilian beauty to serve as the worldwide representative for its Pantene hair care brand.

Glendale, Calif. — DineEquity, Inc., parent company of IHOP Restaurants, has opened the first IHOP restaurant in Saudi Arabia. The restaurant, located in “Le Mall,” is part of a seven-brand restaurant destination in Jeddah, which opened Dec. 14.

A search is underway for a new CEO at Crocs following an investment by private equity firm Blackstone and ongoing sales and profitability challenges which could see the funky footwear maker open fewer stores.

Crocs said John McCarvel planned to retire from his position as Croc’s president, CEO and board member around April 30, 2014 as the company rethinks its approach to growth with increased input from Blackstone representatives who will occupy two board seats.

Razor USA said it set holiday sales records this year due to the surging popularity of a $399 ride-on product called the Crazy Cart that YouTube helped make a hit.
 

Purchase, N.Y. – U.S. retail sales reportedly rose 3.5% between Nov. 1 and Dec. 24, 2013 compared to the same period in the prior year. According to data from MasterCard Advisors SpendingPulse, sales of holiday-related categories, such as clothing, electronics and luxury goods, rose 2.3%, after rising 0.7% in 2012.

Dallas – Michaels Stores Inc., which has been privately held since 2006, is planning to launch an IPO in 2014. According to a regulatory filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), private equity owners Bain Capital Partners and Blackstone Group will retain control of the retailer after the public stock sale.