Sales & Marketing

Scottsdale, Ariz. — With the opening of the first Montana franchise location, Massage Envy Spa now operates in 48 states. Located in Missoula, the new spa is one of the first to introduce the brand’s latest clinic design elements.

With more than 900 franchise locations operating in 48 states, Massage Envy is the largest system of franchised massage clinics in the U.S.

New York - The Deloitte Consumer Spending Index moved down again in September, showing the second month of small declines. The Index tracks consumer cash flow as an indicator of future consumer spending.

Sandy Springs, Ga. - When Arby’s recently launched a new brisket sandwich menu item, the retailer chose PunchTab to help build a rewards campaign called “The League of Brisket.” The campaign encourages customers to join the league and complete challenges to earn free food and gear, as well as an entry for a chance to win the grand prize of pro football tickets and “the ultimate tailgate party.”

On shelf availability at Walmart and the retailer’s newest technology tool will be the topic of discussion next week when Doing Business in Bentonville hosts an event on October 16 featuring a panel of speakers that includes Walmart’s director of supplier innovations Mike Graen.

The focus of the 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. breakfast session will be Walmart’s SPARC program, an initiative born out of the desire to improve the on shelf availability of products by creating a Supplier Portal Allowing Retail Coverage (SPARC).

Matthews, N.C. -- Family Dollar hit a major milestone in its history on Thursday as the company opened its 8,000th store, in Lancaster, S.C.  

Stein Mart experienced strong sales in linens, ladies' boutique, gifts, ladies' career sportswear and women's in September, which bolstered the company’s total sales for the month.

Total sales were $112.20 million, an increase of 7.3% compared to September 2012. Comparable store sales increased 5% compared to last September’s increase of 2.4%.

New York -- Whole Foods Market has signed a lease for a 29,000-sq-ft. store in Newark, N.J., according to the Newark Star-Ledger.

The store is expected to be an anchor tenant in a 112-year-old landmark building that was once occupied by the Hahne & Co. department store. The building is being converted into a multi-use space that will feature apartments, retail and office space.
The project is a joint partnership between the Newark-based Hanini Group and L&M Development Partners of New York.

Fremont, Calif. – The Men’s Wearhouse has rejected the unsolicited proposal by Jos. A. Bank to acquire the company for $48 per share, or about $2.3 billion.

Men’s Wearhouse said in a press release that the offer significantly undervalues the company, is inadequate and not in the best interests of the company or its shareholders.