Sales & Marketing

BENTONVILLE, Ark. —  Of all the mobile games out there, perhaps none is as popular, or addicting as Angry Birds. And the Angry Birds phenomenon doesn't end with digital games; plush toys, board games and costumes have all been inspired by this app. As the world's most-downloaded mobile game, it is no surprise that Rovio Entertainment would want to team up with Walmart for the newest version of Angry Birds, which will be released in app stores on March 22.

MENOMONEE FALLS, Wis. — Kohl’s Department Stores is looking to cash in on the popularity of the music competition show, "American Idol," by launching an exclusive American Idol apparel collection. The line will be called Authentic Icon and will be available exclusively at Kohl’s and Kohls.com beginning in April.

New York -- Macy’s on Wednesday outlined a new initiative to grow its business with the Millennial generation (ages 13 to 30). The group spends an estimated $65 billion each year for the type of goods sold at Macy’s.

Morrisville, N.C. -- Columbus, Ohio-based Casto announced that construction will commence on the next phases of the mixed-use lifestyle center, Park West Village, located in Morrisville, N.C.

Another 200,000 sq. ft. of retail space launches construction this month, according to Shannon Dixon, VP development, leasing and asset management for Casto’s Southeast operations.

Joining the next phase of Park West Village is a 55,000-sq.-ft. state-of-the-art 14-screen cinema, operated by Stone Theatres, formerly Consolidated Theatres.

Target announced completion of a $10 billion share repurchase program this week and reminded investors of its commitment to more than double its annual dividend payment to $3 by 2017. Too bad Apple announced the same day it would begin paying its first ever quarterly dividend of $2.65 later this year.

Minneapolis -- Opus Development Corp. said Wednesday that it has been selected to develop, design and build a new 52,000-sq.-ft. retail store for Gander Mountain Co., located in Valdosta, Ga.

The retail building will be used as a model for future Gander Mountain stores as the retailer looks to introduce a smaller retail concept in small-to-mid-size markets across the country.

The project is scheduled for completion in late 2012.

Opus AE Group will design the building and it will be constructed by Opus Design Build.

NEW YORK — Office Depot has teamed up with American Express to launch a prepaid reloadable card with no monthly or maintenance fees, will soon be available in retail at select Office Depot stores. The card will roll out in more than 1,100 stores across the United States in the coming weeks.

Awkward. The Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal included former Target director of design partnerships Brian Robinson on its annual 40 under 40 series, which looks at up-and-coming business leaders. In Robinson’s case, he is an up-and-comer who has already went – to JCPenney – but will reportedly be based in Minneapolis.