Sales & Marketing

A retail veteran is leaving Brooks Brothers to join Destination XL Group.   The men’s specialty apparel retailer has named Sahal Laher as its senior VP, chief digital and information officer, effective Monday, Jan. 30.   Laher, Brooks Brothers’ former executive VP of digital innovation and technology and global CIO, will be the principal architect and leader of DXL’s digital commerce strategies and IT/MIS operations. Laher will also be a member of the company’s executive committee.

Planet Hollywood has taken the wraps off its Orlando, Florida flagship, which has been totally transformed with a dazzling, multi-million dollar renovation.   

Starbucks is further evolving its digital customer experience.    Staring Monday, Jan. 30, Starbucks is launching a beta test for a voice messaging service that enables guests to place and pre-pay for their food and beverage orders “on command” via the Starbucks mobile iOS app and the Amazon Alexa platform. The new “My Starbucks barista” feature is an extension of Starbucks Mobile Order & Pay service, which allows customers to order and pay for their items before arriving at their store.  

Lamps Plus is taking steps to meet its shoppers’ increasing demand.   The lighting retailer is expanding its warehouse presence in Redlands, Calif., with the acquisition of a 57,000-sq.-ft. building. The building is located next to Lamps Plus’ existing 800,000-sq.-ft. facility, which opened in 2007.   

Office Depot has named a successor to CEO Roland Smith, who previously announced his intention to retire from the company. The company also named a new chairman.    The retailer has appointed Gerry P. Smith as CEO, effective Feb. 27. Smith currently serves as executive VP and COO of Lenovo Group, a $45 billion global technology company.  

Macy’s is exiting the chocolate business.   The department store retailer is selling its Frango chocolate brand to Garrett Brands, owner of Garrett Popcorn Shops, for an undisclosed amount.     Macy’s had inherited Frango, whose roots date back to 1918, from Marshall Field & Co., which was acquired by Macy’s in 2005.  

Amazon just made ordering toothpaste a little bit easier.   The retail giant teamed up with Colgate to launch the Amazon Dash Button for Colgate, which enables shoppers to stock up on the brand’s dental hygiene essentials, including toothpaste and toothbrushes, with the click of a button.  

Banana Republic will be giving shoppers a chance to buy its Olivia Palermo designs right after they appear on the runway.   Upholding its “see now, buy now” presentation model, the apparel retailer will enable customers to purchase pieces from its Spring 2017 collection at pop-up shops at select Banana Republic stores on Feb. 9. The collection is based on the street-style of fashionista Olivia Palermo.