Sales & Marketing

New York -- Kleinfeld Bridal, the iconic New York bridal retailer and star of the hit reality show “Say Yes to the Dress,” will open a 20,000-sq.-ft. salon in Hudson’s Bay’s flagship location in downtown Toronto in early 2014. The Hudson’s Bay Company has exclusive rights to the brand in Canada.

Twentieth Century Fox Consumer Products launched an e-commerce initiative involving brand specific shops for some of its most popular properties.

The online shops will roll out over the course of the year and are intended to offer a more engaging user experience for consumers. For example, the online shops for Fox properties such as New Girl, Glee, American Dad and Family Guy will feature product as well as the ability to view content and interact with the brands via social media.

By Tim Callan, [email protected]

CINCINNATI — Kroger on Tuesday announced the planned retirement of VP and pension investment officer, Rich Manka. His retirement is effective July 15.

"Throughout his career, Rich has been a trusted member of Kroger's leadership team," stated Mike Schlotman, Kroger's CFO. "Pension plan trustees and participants alike have benefited from his vast knowledge and influence on investment strategies and plan designs. We thank Rich for his contributions to our company and industry and wish him the very best."

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS/pharmacy has launched a first-of-its-kind interactive app, delivering a virtual 3-D digital drug store experience for customers using Apple iPads.

New York -- Walmart plans to test the use of in-store lockers to hold goods ordered on its website until shoppers can pick them up, Reuters reported.

Neil Ashe, president and CEO of the discounter’s global e-commerce division, discussed the test, which will get underway this summer in about 12 locations, On Tuesday at the chain’s e-commerce media day. The event was held at its global e-commerce offices in San Bruno, Calif. Ashe also said that Wal-Mart is set to surpass $9 billion in annual online sales this year.

Regional department store operator Gordmans Stores reported disappointing fourth quarter sales and indicated 2013 is of to a slow start.

Sales for the 14 week fourth quarter ended February 2 increased 9.4% to $202.5 million, but the gain was driven entirely by an additional week in the reporting period and the opening of nine new stores in four new markets and two new states. Same stores sales declined 4.1%.

Who needs a bank? Walmart and American Express have added a host of capabilities to the Bluebird financial service product they introduced last year as an alternative to debit and checking accounts.