Sales & Marketing

L’Oréal Paris has unveiled a free mobile app called Makeup Genius that allows users to try on products in real time by using advanced facial mapping technology.

Users can also scan a L'Oréal Paris product or advertisement to detect a color match, virtually try on individual products or test out curated looks from expert makeup artists, and share with friends and family on Facebook.
 

Lancaster, Pa. -- Auntie Anne’s announced the addition of Okey M. Reese to the executive team. Reese, who has been with Auntie Anne’s since 2010, has been promoted to VP, real estate.
 
In this position, Reese will oversee the leasing, specialty retail, and franchise sales departments. His responsibilities will include the strategic oversight of identifying new growth opportunities throughout the United States, strengthening developer partnerships and assisting franchise partners in all aspects of the real estate process.

Increasing strength in Pier 1 Imports’ e-commerce business translated into better-than-expected sales that fueled the company’s overall financial results for the first quarter.

Total sales for the quarter were $419.1 million, a 6.1% increase versus $394.9 million in the year-ago quarter. Comparable sales increased 6.3% during the quarter, driven by increases in total brand traffic, conversion and higher average ticket. E-commerce sales exceeded the company’s estimates, reaching 9% of sales for the quarter.

Fort Worth, Texas – Promotions took their toll on profitability at Pier Imports Inc. during the first quarter of fiscal 2015. The company reduced its earnings guidance for fiscal 2015.

Net earnings fell 25% to $15.1 million from $20.3 million in the same quarter of fiscal 2014.

Total sales for the first quarter were $419.1 million, a 6.1% increase from $394.9 million in the year-ago quarter. Same-store sales increased 6.3%, attributable to increases in total brand traffic, conversion and higher average ticket.

Camp Hill, Pa. – Rising drug costs and falling reimbursements, as well as higher income tax expense, significantly cut into profits at Rite Aid Corp. Net income dropped 55% to $41.4 million in the first quarter, from $91 million in the year-ago period. Its earnings matched analysts' expectations.
 
Improving pharmacy sales helped drive a 3% increase in revenue to $6.47 billion from $6.29 billion, above Wall Street projections. Same-store sales rose 3.1%. Rite Aid maintained its fiscal 2015 earnings and revenue predictions.

Washington, D.C. — Regency Centers plans to redevelop Kings Park Shopping Center in the Northern Virginia town of Burke. The work will include a facelift, enhanced common areas and structural expansion.

Seattle -- T-Mobile US Inc. is introducing "T-Mobile Test Drive," a program that lets people receive an iPhone 5s and unlimited nationwide service to take T-Mobile's network for a seven-day free trial. Starting June 23, people can sign up for T-Mobile Test Drive online.

Fresh & Easy has launched a full-scale marketing campaign inviting customers to discover the company’s new image.

Since transferring to new ownership in November, the company said, it has reinvigorated the brand and its stores with the aim of being the anytime, anyway, anywhere solution for getting healthy, convenient and affordable food.