Sales & Marketing

Target Canada is looking to improve business performance with a new set of initiatives that the company has unveiled on the heels of some leadership changes last spring, as well as a comprehensive review of its Canadian operations.

Among the initiatives, Target unveiled a new price-match policy and unveiled a long-term partnership with celebrity designer Sarah Richardson, set to launch next year. Richardson’s new line of home décor will debut exclusively at Target Canada beginning in fall 2015.

New York – Although Macy’s Inc. reported a 4% increase in net income to $292 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2014, from $281 million in the same period a year earlier, the company still missed Wall Street expectations. Leftover merchandise from a sluggish first quarter helped keep Macy’s profit growth down.

Build-A-Bear Workshop has appointed Jennifer Kretchmar as chief product officer and innovation bear. She will report to CEO Sharon John.

Kretchmar will lead the company's merchandising and product development teams and be responsible for product development, design, quality, sourcing, merchandising, planning and wholesale.

New York — Winick Realty Group has leased 2,200 sq. ft. for Chipotle Mexican Grill at 222 Market Street, part of the RockPlaza Lofts residential and commercial development in Newark, New Jersey.

Chipotle is the first national quick-service restaurant to open in Downtown Newark in decades, according to Winick. The new unit is located near Seaton Hall University Law School and the Prudential Center, home of the NHL hockey team New Jersey Devils.

With heavy investment in its Paint Studio and a corresponding media blitz to promote it, wholesale sales at Ace Hardware Corp. jumped double digits in the second quarter.

Pittsburgh -- GNC Holdings, Inc.’s board of directors has authorized a multi-year program to repurchase up to an aggregate $500 million of the company's Class A common stock. The authorization is effective immediately and replaces GNC’s previous authorization, which had approximately $250 million remaining.  

The repurchases are expected to take place over the next 24 months.

Hudson, Ohio – Travis Smith has resigned as president and CEO of Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores. Until a replacement has been identified, Jim Kerr, executive VP and CFO, will serve as Interim CEO of the company, while continuing in his current role as CFO.

The board of directors is undertaking a comprehensive search to identify a replacement. In his role as interim CEO, Kerr will partner with Riddi Kline, executive VP of marketing and merchandising, and Tom Williams, executive VP of operations and HR, to manage the business.

Atlanta - Supply chain commerce solutions provider Manhattan Associates Inc. has acquired the assets of POS and clienteling applications provider GlobalBay Technologies from VeriFone. The acquisition extends Manhattan’s omnichannel inventory and order management solutions by enabling in-store sales and clienteling capabilities.

VeriFone’s GlobalBay Merchant solution, targeted to small retailers, will be retained by VeriFone and rebranded in the coming months. Financial terms of the transaction will not be disclosed.