Sales & Marketing

Indianapolis -- Appliance, electronics and furniture retailer Hhgregg has embarked on a brand transformation across all customer touch-points, including its 228 store locations and online presence, in an effort to boost its shopping and purchasing experience.

ECRM compared retail circular advertising in April 2013 versus April 2014 and noted trends occurring across top retail chains. Toys “R” Us experienced a massive 350% increase in page count year-over-year due to its release of three circulars this April versus one last year. Only a short eight-page “Bike & Trike Trade-in” circular was run last year. This year, the bicycle circular ran in the last week of the month again, but the other two circulars appeared to be a response to the late Easter this year, with a focus on $5 or less basket-fillers.

New York -- Consumers have “no regrets” when it comes to dropping national food, beverage and household brand names from their shopping lists. In fact, nine-in-10 shoppers stick to store brands. Those are among the findings of a new survey Deloitte.

According to Deloitte’s American Pantry Study, 88% respondents say they have found several store brands that are just as good as national brands and that allow them to feel as though they are saving money without giving up anything.
 

Stamford, Conn. -- Online retailer Bluefly, which sells discounted brand name apparel and accessories, has selected Pitney Bowes to help expand its global reach.

The retailer is using Pitney Bowes's global ecommerce software and international shipping services to help offer a seamless and convenient cross-border purchasing experience for consumers. Pitney Bowes will handle global shipping, including customs, taxes and pricing.

Expenses associated with a rejected merger with Argonne Capital Group and the planned closing of more than a dozen stores took a chunk out of broad-line retailer Alco’s fourth quarter results.  

Net sales from continuing operations during the quarter decreased 8.9% to $130.9 million, compared to $143.6 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013, which had an additional week. Excluding the 14th week of the fiscal 2013 quarter, net sales from continuing operations decreased 4.7%.

Skechers was not always a brand one associates with running, but times are changing. The brand’s performance division has signed long-distance runner Kara Goucher to its Performance Elite Team.

The multi-year agreement names Skechers Performance Division as Goucher’s official footwear sponsor and will feature the world-class female runner in global marketing and advertising campaigns.

Frito-Lay North America has announced the winners of its "Create to Celebrate" Black History Month art contest, which invited consumers to submit an original piece of art celebrating African American achievement in Black History.

To celebrate, Frito-Lay will donate $20,000 to the United Negro College Fund (UNCF). The donation, which will help support the future educational needs of artists and students across the nation, was driven by thousands of consumer votes.

Pittsburgh — The Field & Stream specialty retail concept has announced plans to open a new store in Erie, Pennsylvania, on June 13 at Millcreek Marketplace.

Field & Stream stores carry a wide variety of national outdoor brands including Remington, Sitka, Sage, Simms, Shimano and Yeti and provide a variety of in-store services. The store is not associated with Field & Stream Licenses Co. or Field & Stream Magazine. Dick’s Sporting Goods owns and operates Field & Stream specialty retail stores and FieldandStreamShop.com.