Sales & Marketing

BENTONVILLE, Ark. -- Sam's Club,  the official supplier of the Kansas City Barbeque Society, is sponsoring its first national BBQ tour and is awarding $400,000 in prize money -- a first for competitive barbeque. 

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. -- The NBCUniversal Television, DVD, Music and Consumer Products Group announced that Ed Prince has been promoted to VP business and legal affairs. In addition, Christopher Lucero and Drew Rowley have joined the department as directors of global licensing. The announcement was made by Kim Niemi, SVPt.

New York City -- A report released Tuesday by payment system provider ACI Worldwide found that many retail loyalty programs leave consumers feeling underappreciated and many consumers are enrolled in a program they don’t completely understand.

Arlington, Va. -- In response to legislation introduced on Tuesday by Montana senator Jon Tester to reopen critical reforms of the debit payments market, the Retail Industry Leaders Association issued the following statement:

“Despite the American people’s repeated disapproval of bank bailouts, the Tester bill is just that, this time at the expense of retailers and their consumers,” said Katherine Lugar, executive VP for public affairs, RILA.

NEW YORK -- The Deloitte Consumer Spending Index offered some hope that the economy is improving, however consumer spending not likely to reach pre-recession levels anytime soon. The Index, released Monday, rose in February, driven primarily by the slight improvements in real home prices and initial jobless claims, according to the company.

The Index attempts to track consumer cash flow as an indicator of future consumer spending.

SAN FRANCISCO -- In what can only be a sign that the economic health of the country is improving -- at least for for higher-income consumers, Williams-Sonoma announced that net revenues for the fourth quarter of 2010 increased 9.7% to $1.195 billion versus $1.09 billion in the fourth quarter of 2010, including Internet net revenue growth of 27.2% and a comparable-store sales increase of 5.2%.

Diluted earnings per share on a GAAP basis were $1.05 for the quarter compared with 81 cents for the same period last year.

San Francisco -- Williams-Sonoma announced that net revenues for fourth quarter 2010 increased 9.7% to $1.195 billion versus $1.09 billion in fourth quarter 2010, including Internet net revenue growth of 27.2% and a comparable-store sales increase of 5.2%.

Diluted earnings per share on a GAAP basis were $1.05 for the quarter, compared with 81 cents for the same period last year.

Los Angeles – Guess announced Tuesday that ex-Sephora chief Jacques Levy has joined Guess as founder's advisor.

In this role, Levy will collaborate with Guess CEO Paul Marciano to develop key marketing and customer relationship management strategies worldwide.

Levy stepped down last week from his position as CEO and president of Sephora Worldwide.