Sales & Marketing

MENOMONEE FALLS, Wis. — Kohl’s Department Stores has announced that the Narciso Rodriguez for DesigNation collection will be available nationwide on Nov. 7 at 7 a.m.

MINNEAPOLIS — Lori Walker, SVP and CFO of Valspar, will retire from the company. The announcement was made by Gary Hendrickson, chairman of the board and CEO of Valspar.

Deerfield, Ill. -- Walgreens on Monday reported October sales of $6 billion, down 2.1% compared with October 2011. The results include the brunt of the impact from Hurricane Sandy — at the peak of the storm, approximately 750 of 1,400 stores in the impacted area were closed, Walgreens said. Nearly all of those locations have since reopened.

Total same-store sales were down 5.9%.

By Bill Martin, ShopperTrak Founder

The ShopperTrak holiday forecast for increased sales and foot traffic should encourage retailers. Our analysis suggests the 38 shopping days between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Eve — coupled with two “extra” weekends — will contribute to a strong shopping season.

To recap the forecast:

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. — Dannon's Greek yogurt brand Oikos has teamed up with chef, restaurateur, and winner of Bravo’s Top Chef All-Stars, Richard Blais, to help Americans create tasty, nutritious holiday recipes that will be a hit with guests.

“Just because it’s the holidays doesn’t mean you have to compromise on nutrition,” said Blais. “I am excited to work with Dannon Oikos on their Tasty Additions to Your Traditions campaign and provide recipes that are a great addition to a healthy lifestyle.”

Norwalk, Conn. -- LogicSource, a sourcing solutions firm, has entered into a multi-year agreement to provide advisory services and technologies to Burlington Coat Factory, which operates more than 477 stores in 44 states and Puerto Rico.

AUSTIN, Texas — Golfsmith International has named Sue E. Gove president and CEO of the world's largest specialty golf retailer. Gove, formerly president and COO of the combined Golfsmith and Golf Town business, has also served as the chief integration officer leading the successful Golfsmith-Golf Town combination which was finalized this past July.

New York -- Ralph Lauren Corp. is shuttering its Rugby division, Crain’s New York reported.

The preppy-inspired Rugby brand, targeted at a young audience, was launched in 2004. It has 14 locations.

“We continue to believe that we can service the millennium Rugby customer with brands such as Denim & Supply and Club Monaco,” said Roger Farah, president and COO, on the company’s recent earnings call.