Retail

BALTIMORE — Under Armour is going back to its roots — grassroots football, that is — in its latest global marketing campaign. Things kick off with a 60-second spot called, "Ready for August," which will serve as the centerpiece of phase two of the I Will campaign.

The commercial will be broadcast July 15 on Fox during the 2013 MLB All-Star Game Home Run Derby, and is viewable on YouTube now.

Business and friendship are generally considered incompatible. It’s hard to take the dispassionate, profits-first mindset that traditionally governs business transactions with a person you think of as a friend. However, in this burgeoning age of social media and social commerce, retailers need to make friends with their customers to maximize engagement, loyalty and profits.

Las Vegas -- Apparel retailer Bettie Page, which specializes in contemporary designs inspired by the 1940's and 50's, has made its Nashville debut. It is the company’s 15th location to date.

"Our newest Bettie Page boutique is situated in the heart of Nashville," said Jan Glaser, co-CEO, Tatyana Designs, parent company of Bettie Page.

One unique feature of the Nashville store is that the company has leased the entire 14,000-sq.-ft. building.

The Limited helped changed the way women shop for apparel 50 years ago and this month it is commemorating the occasion with digitally inspired promotions the company’s founders could never have imagined.

Sydney, Australia -- Island Pacific has announced the deployment of its point-of-sale technology in Topshop’s Sydney and Melbourne stores.

Island Pacific’s software solutions are being used by the British fashion retailer to standardize its IT solutions. As a new business venture in Australia, Topshop wanted the day-to-day business of its retail divisions to be streamlined with receipting, sales and reporting functionality.

BOCA RATON, Fla. — Office Depot has nominated former president and CEO of Collective Brands Michael J. Massey to its board. If elected, he would fill the vacancy created by current director Brenda Gaines, who has decided not to stand for re-election at this year’s annual meeting of stockholders. 

WASHINGTON — The National Retail Federation's president and CEO Matthew Shay and chief economist Jack Kleinhenz have issued a statement concerning June's employment numbers, released by the Department of Labor.

NEW YORK, N.Y. — Happy Family, a leading organic baby and toddler food brand founded and operated by moms, wants picky eaters to clean their plates for a chance to win $20,000 toward a college education.

As part of the campaign, which launched on Facebook and is called Stories from the Bright Side, Happy Family is calling parents to submit their funny mealtime moments.