Sales & Marketing

Torrance, Calif. -- Smack Sportswear, manufacturer of indoor and beach volleyball apparel, announced that its first flagship officially opened its doors on Feb. 23.

The store, in Huntington Beach, Calif., sits inside of the former Huntington Beach Training Center, which has since been renamed the "Smack Center." It houses eight indoor volleyball courts and three Futsal (indoor football) courts. Smack's flagship store offers curb appeal to the thousands of coaches, teams, and visitors to the facility.

SPARKS, Md. — McCormick announced that Chuck Langmead has been promoted to president of global industrial. In his new role, Langmead will help McCormick drive sales growth by aligning its customer intimacy efforts and driving its strategy consistently across McCormick's industrial businesses worldwide.

KING OF PRUSSIA, Pa. — GSI Commerce, an eBay Inc. company, said it has extended its contract with PetSmart to support the retailer’s omnichannel strategy with webstore, fulfillment and customer service solutions. GSI has worked with PetSmart since 2007, and this contract will extend the relationship for three years.

Pittsburgh -- American Eagle Outfitters Inc. reported Wednesday that profit for the quarter ended Feb. 2 soared to $94.8 million from $51.3 million in the year-ago period, aided by few markdowns.

However, the retailer warned that sales will be weak in the first quarter due to economic restrictions and unfavorable weather.

BOCA RATON, Fla. — Office Depot is partnering with Real Change Productions to recognize teachers for their positive influence on today’s youth, as well as raise awareness for a donation program benefiting classrooms throughout the country.

Washington, D.C. -- A report released Tuesday by the National Retail Federation said that spending for St. Patrick’s Day is expected to grow to $4.7 billion, as celebrants invest an average of $35.27 on green attire, St. Patrick’s Day décor and holiday food and drink.

According to NRF’s St. Patrick’s Day Spending Survey conducted by BIGinsight, 84.2% of consumers will celebrate by wearing green. An additional 23.3% will decorate their home or office, and 34.6% will make a special dinner.

CHICAGO — Schawk, a provider of brand development and deployment services, enabling companies of all sizes to connect their brands with consumers, announced that it has appointed Jackie DeLise to the position of vice president of business development.  

New York -- Walmart will open as many as 115 small-format stores this year, according to Bill Simon, president and CEO of Walmart U.S.  

Simon discussed the chain’s store portfolio during a presentation at Raymond James Institutional Investors conference. He noted that Walmart’s smaller-format stores (below 60,000 sq. ft.) are making inroads against dollar stores, supermarkets and drug stores and will play a key role in the company's future.