Sales & Marketing

Washington, D.C. -- The retail industry, the nation’s largest private sector employer, added 29,000 jobs in April, indicating that retailers are seeing signs of an improving economy, and as a result, added to their payrolls heading into the summer, according to the National Retail Federation.

Still, the NRF sounded a cautious note.

OMAHA, Neb. — Hayneedle, a leading online home furnishings retailer in the United States, will begin offering special, curated sales events from its independent flash sale site, the Foundary, at hayneedle.com starting May 6.

With the breathtaking Twin Peaks of the Colorado Rockies as backdrop, a new project underway in Longmont, Colo., is leveraging both the views and community demand to create a “top drawer outdoor village experience,” said Allen Ginsborg, managing director and principal of NewMark Merrill Mountain States, based in Fort Collins, Colo.

BOUCHERVILLE, Quebec — Canadian hardware retailer and one-time Lowe’s buyout prospect Rona has appointed Alain Brisebois the company’s new EVP and chief commercial officer.

Brisebois will seek to improve operational efficiency and synergy among the company's purchasing, merchandising, procurement and marketing activities.

San Diego, Calif. -- Parametric Sound Corp. announced that Build-A-Bear Workshop  will include the company's directed-sound product, HyperSound, in an additional 20-25 newly designed stores that it plans to open across North America this year. The stores have received rave reviews since the retailer unveiled its new interactive design in six locations in the fall of 2012.

HyperSound immerses listeners in a robust 3D audio experience from just two speakers

ST. LOUIS — For every Budweiser sold between now and July 4, the company will donate a portion of proceeds to the Folds of Honor Foundation to support military families.

Washington, D.C. -- U.S. consumer spending averaged $86 a day in April 2013, according to new figures from Gallup. This number is essentially flat compared to $89 in March and $83 in February.
    
According to Gallup analysis, the lack of change in consumer spending in recent months may reflect the recent increase in payroll tax, as well as the early Easter holiday. Consumer spending remains well above levels recorded during the economic recession of 2008-2011.

Deerfield, Ill. -- Walgreens reported April 2013 sales of $5.98 billion, up almost 4% from $5.76 billion in the same month a year earlier.
   
Despite declines in front-end sales, comparable front-end sales and customer traffic, slightly larger basket sizes and an almost 10% increase in comparable prescription fills helped boost overall sales.

Same-store sales increased 1.2% from April 2012.