Sales & Marketing

Ann Arbor, Mich. - RPM Pizza LLC, the largest U.S. Domino's franchise, is getting a little bigger. RPM has acquired 45 Domino's stores throughout Indiana. RPM Pizza, headquartered in Gulfport, Mississippi, will purchase 45 stores in Indiana in the biggest franchise-to-franchise purchase in Domino's history.

The acquisition includes nearly 40 stores in the Indianapolis metro area, and stores serving South Bend and Lafayette. Once completed, the acquisition will give RPM Pizza operations in seven states, employing more than 3,800 workers.

New York -- Swedish fast-fashion giant Hennes & Mauritz AB (H&M) is in full expansion mode. Along with reporting a 17% increase in fiscal 2014 profits, the company said it plans to open 400 stores in 2015, with most of the openings in the United States and China. It will also enter several new markets, including India and South Africa.  

In other news, H&M is launching a new beauty concept, H&M Beauty, with an initial debut in about 900 stores and online, starting in fall 2015.

DSW Inc. is shifting titles and responsibilities within its executive ranks, with all changes effective Feb. 2.

Carrie McDermott, currently executive VP, sales and operations, will be appointed executive VP and COO.

In addition, Bill Jordan, currently executive VP and general counsel, will be appointed executive VP and chief administrative officer, adding IT to his portfolio of responsibilities.

Roger Rawlins, executive VP, omnichannel, will be appointed executive VP and chief innovation officer.

Like many buzzwords in the industry, from cloud to big data, the term “digital” is evolving. Coining something as “digital” has always implied that it’s better or more advanced than the status quo. Remember when we moved from vinyl to compact discs? CDs had logos on them with the words "Compact disc DIGITAL AUDIO." Digital in this sense was the byword for ease of use, reliability and interference free music.

It may be hard to believe (considering its financial troubles), but Sears was the most popular U.S. department store on Facebook during the 2014 holiday shopping season, according to a new study. 

The data also show that Walmart.com was the most popular mass merchant store site.

New York -- Jones New York announced that it will close its 127 outlet stores and discontinue its wholesale business over the course of 2015.

The company said that it made the decision after a review of recent performance and outlook. Jones also said it will pursue strategic alternatives for the brand, which has long been a staple in mid-priced department stores. Its appeal, however, faded in recent years as department stores expanded their private label offerings.  

Boise, Idaho - Albertsons LLC and Safeway Inc. have completed their proposed merger, ending a nearly year-long process that began in March 2014. AB Acquisition LLC, the owner of Albertson's and New Albertson's, Inc., will acquire all outstanding shares of Safeway.

The merger will create a diversified network that includes 2,230 stores, 27 distribution facilities and 19 manufacturing plants with more than 250,000 employees across 34 states and the District of Columbia.

Purchase, N.Y. – Several major retailers, including Neiman Marcus and Office Depot, have committed to enable MasterPass to provide seamless, secure online transactions for their customers. MasterPass will soon also be available on Blue Nile, Broadway.com, Chegg, Fareportal/CheapO Air, Market America/Shop.com, and Rue La La.

MasterPass enables consumers to pay with any enrolled payment card, anywhere online or in app, using any device and eliminates the need to enter detailed payment and shipping information with every purchase.