Sales & Marketing

Rue 21 has added the positions of COO and chief marketing officer to its executive roster.   The chain has promoted Dirk Armstrong to COO. Armstrong has been with rue21 for nearly five years and was formerly senior VP and director of stores. Previously, he served as senior VP, director of stores at Ann Taylor and regional director at Gap Inc.   

The Tile Shop is expanding, in new markets and existing ones.   The specialty retailer opened its first location in Washington, D.C., a 10,400-sq.-ft. store in the historic neighborhood of Tenleytown.    The Tile Shop also opened its twelfth location in the Chicago metro area, in Schererville, Indiana.   

Aaron Trahan has been appointed chief merchandising officer at Hhgregg.   Trahan has over 14 years of retail merchandising experience, including 10 years in a merchandising leadership role. The specialty retailer plans to leverage Trahan’s leadership in appliances, electronics and furniture merchandising, especially as the company expands its furniture business in 2017, Hhgregg said  

Initial reports about holiday spending bode well for retailers.   Consumers spent 16% more on holiday purchases this year than in 2015, according to the International Council of Shopping Centers Post-Holiday Shopping Survey.  

Making an even bigger push into private-label foods, Amazon launched a new line of natural snacks.   Already a player in non-food private label categories, including household goods and other items under the Amazon Basics and Amazon Elements brands, Amazon’s newest line, Wickedly Prime, is making a push into grocery — specifically among “foodies.” The line currently features popcorn, blue corn and sweet potato tortilla chips, and soft shell almonds.  

A new partnership plans to open dozens of Dunkin’ Donuts locations in Louisiana.    The company announced that New Orleans Saints Quarterback Drew Brees, in partnership with existing franchisee Vik Patel, has signed an agreement to develop up to 69 new Dunkin' Donuts restaurants in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Shreveport, Monroe and Alexandria, Louisiana over the coming years. Brees is a New Orleans Saints Super Bowl champion and MVP and former New York Giants offensive lineman.   

Walgreens Boots Alliance is piloting a retail vision care center within the Walgreens flagship in the Wrigley Building in Chicago, the company recently revealed, taking what has been a successful page out of its U.K.-based Boots Pharmacy division and applying that strategy to the U.S. market.  

Nasty Gal is moving ahead with plans to be acquired by a British online fast-fashion retailer.