Retail

LOS ANGELES — Specialty sporting goods retailer Sport Chalet is looking to public relations boutique agency Formula PR to help establish its brand as a leader within the active lifestyle industry. 

The multi-faceted program will focus on elevating visibility around Sport Chalet’s in-house health and fitness experts, heightening regional awareness through interactive events and custom programs, in addition to connecting with consumers, and positioning the brand as the go-to resource for education, training and gear in the vast sports arena. 

Seattle -- Based on the success of its recent entries into the Indian and Vietnamese markets, Starbucks Coffee Company plans to enter the Southeast Asian nation of Myanmar within the next couple of years. Starbucks, which opened its first Vietnam outlet in February and started doing business in India last year, also plans to double its store count in Thailand to about 320 in the next five years.

Political and economic reforms in Myanmar have resulted in the European Union dropping sanctions against the country and the United States easing them.

NEW YORK — Ann Taylor has partnered with celebrity Kate Hudson on an exclusive collection set to debut in Ann Taylor stores next week.

To mark the launch of the limited-edition collection, the retailer will host a White Party at Ann Taylor stores nationwide from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, May 22, where guests will be invited to shop the collection. 

The first clients to purchase a piece from the capsule collection during the in-store event will receive an Ann Taylor gift card, courtesy of InStyle.

Westboro, Mass. -- MICROS-Retail, a division of Micros Systems, announced BJ's Wholesale's successful launch of Micros-Retail's next generation loss prevention and business analytics solution, XBR Ingenium.
   
As an existing user of MICROS-Retail's XBR, BJ's launched a pilot of XBR Ingenium.  After a successful program, BJ's is now deploying Micros-Retail XBR Ingenium company-wide, seeking to increase the investigative capabilities and productivity of its asset protection team.

Katy, Texas -- The Vista Cos. said that Lindsay Kaye has joined the LaCenterra at Cinco Ranch team as director of marketing and public relations, effective April 23.

Kaye will handle marketing, advertising, event coordination and public relations for the LaCenterra at Cinco Ranch mixed-use development.

Prior to joining The Vista Cos. team, Kaye was promotions manager for Radio Disney.

CITY OF INDUSTRY, Calif. — Walmart plans to offer two TP-Link portable wireless networking products in 800 of its stores nationwide. TP-Link is a global provider of networking products.

The set of products which will be available on select Walmart store shelves are the 150Mbps Wireless N Nano Router and the TP-Link Portable Battery Powered 3G/4G Wireless N Router. 

Atlanta -- Aaron's has appointed Robert W. Kamerschen as the company’s senior VP and general counsel.

Kamerschen will be responsible for managing all legal and governmental affairs for Aaron's, including employment law, regulatory matters, intellectual property, litigation, vendor relationships, financings, acquisitions and other general legal matters. As general counsel, he will report directly to chairman, president and CEO Ronald W. Allen.

Foxborough, Mass. -- Charter Realty & Development said that it has signed a lease with consignment boutique Chic 2 Chic at the Foxborough Plaza, a 118,844-sq.-ft. shopping center in Foxborough, Mass.

The 22,000-sq.-ft. store is a relocation from downtown Foxborough and is the company’s only current store in the state.

The Foxborough Plaza, owned and managed by WP Realty, is almost 100% occupied, anchored by Ocean State Job Lot, and also featuring Dollar Tree, Dunkin Donuts and Xtreme Fitness.