Sales & Marketing

Framingham, Mass. – There are a lot of things parents look for when doing back-to-school shopping, but as Randy Newman once sang, it’s money that matters.

A new online survey of parents of children ages 8-18, commissioned by Staples and conducted by Harris Poll, finds that price is the top consideration for 86% of these parents when buying school supplies.   

Highlights of Staples 2015’ Back-to-School Parents Survey include:

Although summer vacations have just begun for many schoolchildren, parents already have back-to-school shopping on their minds.

Los Angeles - Although summer vacations have just begun for many schoolchildren, parents already have back-to-school shopping on their minds.

According to the new Consumer Pulse survey of parents with kids in grades K-12 and college from Rubicon Project, 56% of respondents said they plan to spend more money per child than they did last year to prepare the students for the upcoming school year.

If ever a retailer’s product assortment cried out for an omnichannel approach it would be the fast-growing Batteries Plus Bulbs chain where customers are drawn by an offering of 50,000 unique items.

The chain of 650 stores, with 50 more units in the works this year, recently introduced a new Web site with the goal of tightly integrating its digital and expanding physical presence.

Columbus, Ohio – Express Inc. is naming a new CFO, and not looking far to fill the role.

Perry Pericleous, previously VP, finance, has been promoted to senior VP, CFO and treasurer, reporting to Matthew Moellering, executive VP and COO.  

Pericleous succeeds Paul Dascoli, who has left the company, effective July 7. Pericleous, 42, is a 15-year veteran of Express and most recently served as VP, finance with responsibility for all financial planning and analysis functions.

Bengalaru, India – Bruce Springsteen fans will be delighted by the new store Nike Inc. is opening in Bengalaru, India. Aimed at customers who are “born to run,” the 7,355-sq.-ft., three-level store, Nike’s largest in India, places a special emphasis on the sport of running.

Lowe's says it is making an investment in its long-term financial strategy with its latest move on its finance team.

Chesapeake, Va. -- It’s a done deal.

Dollar Tree announced Monday that it has completed its $8.5 billion acquisition of Family Dollar Stores.

Gary Philbin, 58, formerly president and COO of Dollar Tree, has been named to the same position at Family Dollar, effective immediately. In his new role, Philbin will continue to report to Bob Sasser, CEO of Dollar Tree.