Sales & Marketing

Pure Hockey is converting its various store banners to its namesake brand.    The company, which owns the Pure Hockey, Total Hockey, and HockeyGiant brands, will begin rebranding all of its retail stores as Pure Hockey. Pure Hockey acquired HockeyGiant in September 2015 and acquired Total Hockey in August 2016, giving the company a total of 53 retail locations across the United States, along with four e-commerce sites specializing in hockey, goalie, and lacrosse equipment.  

Two experienced retail executives have joined the management team of the parent company of such brands as Men's Wearhouse and Jos.A. Bank.   

Customer traffic continues to weaken, and sales are down. Within this dynamic, books are holding up slightly better, but non-book sales are in sharp decline. Some of this is down to the fact that many Barnes & Noble stores, especially older ones, are a hodgepodge of product with seemingly little coordination and thought given to ranging. As much as it is sensible to stock things like toys and games, there are lots of other places that sell these items -- often at lower prices. In essence, B&N needs to refine its non-book offer and work harder to create differentiation.

Destination Maternity is looking for a new chief executive.   The struggling maternity apparel retailer said that Anthony M. Romano is stepping down as president, CEO and board member as part of a mutual agreement, effective Sept. 7. Romano has served in the role since 2014, and, prior to that, was president and CEO of Charming Shoppes. His departure follows the recent termination of an agreement for Destination Maternity to be acquired by France's Orchestra-Prémaman.  

99 Cents Only Stores reduced its loss in the second quarter amid increased operational efficiencies and surging sales.   The retailer reported a net loss of $33.6 million for the quarter ended July 28, compared to net loss of $35.1 million in the year-ago period. Net sales increased 8.9% to $540.5 million.  

Barnes & Noble reduced its loss in its first quarter due to cost savings even as its sales continued to fall.   The company reported a net loss of $10.8 million for the quarter ended July 29, or 15 cents per share, compared to a loss of $14.4 million, or cents per share, for the year-ago period. Analysts had expected a loss of 12 cents a share.   

Williams-Sonoma is looking for a few good people — somewhere in the vicinity of 4,000 to be more exact.   The company will hold its first-ever National Hiring Day, on Thursday, Sept. 14, from 2 p.m. - 7 p.m. local time. The event will be held at all Williams-Sonoma branded stores across the U.S. and Canada.  

CVS Pharmacy is rolling out a convenient way for consumers on the go to easily buy necessities.    The drugstore chain on Thursday introduced automated vending machines that will be located in travel hubs and other places and contain such items as over-the-counter health products, better-for-you snacks and popular personal care products. The machines will also be used to showcase products from the company’s exclusive store brands while meeting customers at well-trafficked areas.