Sales & Marketing

For the second consecutive quarter, Toys “R” Us has delivered positive comparable store net sales results in its U.S. and international segments.

After several years of market weakness, the company’s international business as whole has begun to rebound, driven primarily by net sales increases in Japan and the U.K. Business in China and Southeast Asia remains strong, as the company continues its expansion in that region.

Hingham, Mass. - Talbots has selected Mi9 BI, Mi9 Merchant, and Sales Audit solutions with loss prevention software products to replace its existing core merchandising and inventory management systems. Talbots needed technology to help streamline the merchandising process, including the re-classifying of product hierarchy and centrally managing inventory across all channels.

Los Angeles – Guitar Center is launching the fourth installment of its omnichannel “Guitar Center’s Singer-Songwriter,” offering aspiring singer-songwriters across the country the chance to take their careers to the next level, on Sep. 1. The winner of Guitar Center's Singer-Songwriter 4 will have the opportunity to record a four-song E.P with producer Don Was, perform to a national television audience on “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” new gear, $25,000 cash and more.

Tewksbury, Mass. – The Market Basket supermarket chain is wasting no time in moving forward following its purchase by former CEO Arthur T. Demoulas for $1.5 billion on Aug. 28. According to the Boston Globe, Market Basket plans to open at least four new stores in Massachusetts the near future.

It’s no secret that the position of retail CIO is frequently in a state of flux. For a variety of reasons, retail CIOs will shift their career with a different company, meaning at some point most retail IT professionals will probably find themselves transitioning to a new top boss.

Profitero, a leading global provider of online insights and e-commerce intelligence for retailers and brands, has added Morrisons to its list of clients.
 
Profitero will provide competitor market data to Morrisons via its Price Intelligence solution, enabling the supermarket to match online shoppers’ favorites from their usual list of purchases at another supermarket. With one click, online shoppers can import their shopping lists into the Morrisons’ website.

Brooklyn, N.Y. -- Home furnishings retailer West Elm will open a store in Pittsburgh, on Sept. 4.

Located in Bakery Square, the new store will feature a curated selection of products made in Pennsylvania, part of West Elm’s Local initiative. The initiative, launched this year, taps into local entrepreneurship by empowering the teams in West Elm stores to find area makers and designers, building and nurturing a creative network that celebrates craftspeople and differentiates the brand with regional assortments.

Green Innovations has promoted its VP of sales Jeff Thurgood to CEO

Thurgood has 30 years of industry experience including 16 years with Kimberly-Clark, where he served in the corporate headquarters as national merchandising manager of Huggies Baby Wipes, Depend and Poise Adult Care brands, and as trade marketing director of Target Brands.

Thurgood succeeds Philip Rundle who will serve as a consultant to the company through year-end. According to the company, Rundle is resigning as CEO and member of the board because of a family health matter.