Sales & Marketing

Armonk, N.Y. -- IBM on Thursday announced the creation of the IBM Customer Experience Lab, dedicated to helping business leaders transform the way customers experience their products, services and brands through the use of mobile, social, cloud and advanced analytics technologies.

The IBM Customer Experience Lab will provide CEOs, CMOs, CFOs, heads of sales and other C-suite executives direct access to a virtual team of 100 researchers, supported by the expertise of thousands of IBM business consultants addressing the opportunities of the digital front office.

KEARNEY, Neb. — The Buckle announced that net income for the fiscal quarter was $61.4 million, or $1.29 per share ($1.28 per share on a diluted basis), compared with $56.1 million, or $1.19 per share ($1.18 per share on a diluted basis) for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2011. Net income for the fiscal year was $164.3 million, or $3.47 per share ($3.44 per share on a diluted basis), compared with $151.5 million, or $3.23 per share ($3.20 per share on a diluted basis) for the fiscal year ended January 28, 2012..

GARDEN CITY, N.Y. — Lifetime Brands, maker of houseware and kitchen products under such brand names as Kitchenaid, Farberware and Cuisineart, reported that consolidated net sales for the fourth quarter were $154.8 million, an increase of 12.5%, as compared with consolidated net sales of $137.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2011.

Net income was $15.2 million, or $1.19 per diluted share, in the 2012 period, as compared with $5.4 million, or 43 cents per diluted share, in the prior-year period.

DENVER — PaySimple, the cloud-based platform for managing and growing small businesses, has launched a redesigned mobile payment and business management iOS application accompanied by a new mobile credit card reader. The updated Run-Your-Business App offers service-based business owners the flexibility they need to operate their companies from anywhere and from a range of devices.

By Theresa Wabler, [email protected]

As retailers and manufacturers settle into the reality of the “new normal” of shoppers who  will continue their frugal consumption habits amidst recession or not, it’s crucial to employ promotional tactics that generate significant, lasting value, not just a flash in the pan. As marketers consider their options, one tried and true promotional tactic should be included to yield definite results: rebates.

PHILADELPHIA — Sparks, a maker of custom retail fixtures, has appointed two new executives to their business development team.  Ilicia Manger and Jeffery Buttson bring a combined total of 35 years of retail fixture industry experience to the Sparks executive team.

Pittsburgh -- Dick’s Sporting Goods will debut its Field & Stream concept this fall, opening the first store in Cranberry Township, Pa.

Named for the iconic brand that for more than 140 years has been synonymous with outdoor experiences, the Field & Stream store will carry outdoor equipment, accessories and services in hunting, fishing, archery, camping and more, and provide an array of related in-store services.

BOCA RATON, Fla. — Office Depot, announced that it has won two Silver Stevie Awards in the seventh annual Stevie Awards for sales and customer service. 

Office Depot was honored with Silver Stevie Awards for e-commerce customer service, which recognized Office Depot’s expanded chat services for web customers and the telesales team of the year.