Sales & Marketing

In the name of creating a more efficient and focused organization, Staples announced several key senior leadership moves while its acquisition of rival Office Depot appears in jeopardy.

Shira Goodman, currently president, North American commercial, has been named president, North American operations with responsibility for Staples’ business-to-business, online and retail operations across the United States and Canada.

Welcome to Star World, a new retail format that combines brick-and-mortar and e-commerce — with Latino sensitivity.

The 30,000-sq.-ft. store combines a streamlined environment with a high-tech business model that digitally extends its aisles into the warehouses of its suppliers via interactive in-store kiosks. Shoppers can make purchases via the kiosks, which connect directly to vendors.

Executives from Sprouts and Albertson’s/Safeway are among the newly appointed board members at the Western Association of Food Chains (WAFC).

The Western Association of Food Chains (WAFC) elected four new board members during its annual January meeting in LaQuinta, Calif. The newly elected directors are:

AutoZone knows that driving experience and customer experience both depend on a well-built frame.

Thus AutoZone is turning to AT&T to provide the chassis for a seamless front- and back-end retail experience. AT&T will provide a suite of mobile and broadband solutions for its U.S. stores, call centers, and back-end offices that deliver voice, Internet and mobility solutions.

The need to provide a seamless customer experience is having a big impact on the types of solutions retailers are trying to implement.

According the new Retail Industry Insight benchmark report conducted by Retail Systems Research for SPS Commerce Inc., e-commerce and stores have switched places as the top growth driver for retail IT purchases. Retailers rank growing e-commerce sales as their top priority (75%) followed by improving the in-store experience (53%).

It looks like the proverbial fat lady has sung for Dov Charney, the founder and ousted CEO of the troubled American Apparel.

On Monday, Judge Brendan L. Shannon of the Bankruptcy Court in Delaware approved a plan backed by a majority of the company’s bondholders. The plan would take American Apparel private and hand nearly full control to its largest lenders.

Troutdale, Ore. -- Time Equities announced the expansion of its Northwest portfolio with the acquisition of Columbia Gorge Premium Outlets, located in Troutdale, Oregon for $28,425,000.

Starbucks Corp. is still hot for tea, but it’s not feeling too warm and cozy about its Teavana "tea bar" format, which debuted in New York City about two years ago. The concept sought to elevate the tea-drinking experience, much the way Starbucks did for coffee, and featured an array of tea-related beverages and food items in a comfortable environment that encouraged people to linger.