Sales & Marketing

Framingham, Mass. - Staples is launching its new Staples EasyTech Total Support plan, which provides consumers and small businesses with comprehensive technology services for both their new and old PCs, including upgrades, maintenance and installations. The service builds on Staples’ EasyTech program that launched in 2007, and helps customers make more happen with their devices.

Lifetime Brands, a leading global provider of branded kitchenware, tableware and other products used in the home, is seeing the results of its aggressive growth strategy — which included the acquisition of four businesses during the period — in the first quarter ended March 31.

Consolidated net sales for the quarter were $118.4 million, soaring 20% from $98.7 million for the corresponding period in 2013.

Canton, Mass. - Dunkin' Donuts, has launched “FinDD Eli”, an interactive on-the-cup instant win game available in the New York metro area. The peel-and-reveal game will be featured on specially marked medium and large iced beverage cups at participating Dunkin' Donuts restaurants, while supplies last

Canada no longer top priority for U.S. retail expansion

During the past few years, U.S. and international retailers have flocked to Canada in the hunt for top-line growth as store portfolios matured in the United States and there were fewer opportunities for expansion. In fact, many U.S. retailers considered Canada to be an extension of their domestic businesses due to the similarities and close proximity to their home offices.

Staples has unveiled a new plan called EasyTech Total Support, which provides consumers and small businesses with comprehensive technology services for both their new and old PCs, including upgrades, maintenance and installations.

The service builds on the company’s EasyTech program launched in 2007.

New York -- Online streaming video service Hulu will display interactive ads from Pizza Hut that will allow viewers to place orders on their computers or other devices right in the middle of the commercial.

Consumers will be able to place an order for pickup or delivery during the commercial, and then resume watching wherever they left off, according to the Washington Post. The ads will be shown on all platforms: desktop, mobile and internet-connected TV.

The Pizza Hut ads will debut this summer.

Dick’s Sporting Goods monitors social commentary to boost customer satisfaction

If you really want to know what people think about you, you need to find out what they say behind your back. Historically this has been a tricky proposition, but the advent of social media provides an open forum where companies as well as individuals can check to see what is being said, and whether the commentary is good or bad.

Belk has entered into a multilayered partnership with the American Red Cross to aid those impacted by the recent storms that have swept through the southern United States.

As a part of the partnership, Belk will make a $100,000 contribution to help with immediate and long-term recovery efforts, and customers will have the opportunity to participate by donating to the fund on belk.com. In addition, Belk will work with the local American Red Cross chapters to provide store discounts to those affected by the storm.