Sales & Marketing

It looks like it’s curtain time for The Wet Seal.   The struggling teen retailer is closing its 171 stores, along with its headquarters in Irvine, Calif., after being unable to obtain the necessary cash infusion or find a buyer, according to several media reports.        

Ulta Beauty is launching a new holding company.   On Sunday, Jan. 29, the beginning of the company’s new fiscal year, the retailer will form a new holding company, Ulta Beauty Inc. “Business operations will not change, and the primary purpose of the reorganization is to create a more efficient corporate structure,” the company said.    All outstanding shares of common stock will automatically convert, and the stock will continue to trade under the "ULTA" ticker. 

Tractor Supply Company is celebrating the opening of its 1,600th store, which opened in Brentwood, Calif.   The new store will hold its grand opening on Saturday, Feb. 4th.  

Starbucks posted disappointing sales growth for its first quarter, citing “a challenging environment for restaurant retailers overall.”   The coffee giant reported that its consolidated net revenues increased 7% in the quarter, ended January 1, 2017, to $5.73 billion, less than analysts had expected.  

The former CEO of the nation’s top plus-size apparel chains will soon head up a food retailer.   Just days after it was revealed that Linda Heasely had left her position as chief executive of Ascena Retail Group’s Lane Bryant and Catherine’s, Honey Baked Ham Company announced that it had appointed her as its new CEO, effective Feb. 6, 2017.  

For the first time, H&M shoppers will be able to purchase merchandise straight on the runway.   On March 2, H&M is launching its ‘See Now, Buy Now’ show, which enables customers to log onto its site and purchase items from its H&M Studio collection immediately following its presentation during Paris Fashion Week. Merchandise will also be available in select H&M stores.   

Soaring customer expectations are creating an increasingly challenging environment for brands seeking engagement.   That’s according to the 22nd annual Brand Keys Customer Loyalty Engagement Index, which recognizes the brands that receive the highest loyalty and engagement assessments and surpass competitors for "delighting" customers.  

With the deadline for the deal set to expire Friday, Jan. 27, Walgreens Boots Alliance CEO Stefano Pessina told shareholders attending the Walgreens Boots Alliance annual meeting Thursday morning that the board of directors for both Walgreens and Rite Aid were in "active" discussions toward getting the deal approved even as the Federal Trade Commission continues to deliberate over the proposed retail pharmacy merger.