Sales & Marketing

New York City -- Target Corp. has updated its corporate donation policy following a corporate review that occurred in the wake of the backlash surrounding the company’s $150,000 donation last summer to a group that ran ads supporting Minnesota gubernatorial candidate Tom Emmer, according to the Minneapolis/St.Paul Buisness Journal. The donation resulted in much controversy for the chain due to Emmer’s anti same-sex marriage stand.

MONTVALE, N.J. — Bankrupt grocer A&P, which just revealed plans to shutter 32 stores in six states, has bolstered its merchandising and marketing team with the appointment of six new executives.

A&P filed for bankruptcy in December 2010 and is in the midst of a turnaround aimed at reducing structural operating costs and enhancing value for shoppers. On Feb. 15, the company announced it is seeking court approval to close 32 stores by the end of the company's fiscal first quarter.

The new executives are:

New York City -- Guess announced Thursday that its North American flagship location has opened at 575 Fifth Avenue, at 47th St., in New York City.

The new store, the retailer’s largest to date, spans 13,000 sq. ft. over two floors and is inspired by the brand’s new global flagship concept launched in Milan last year.

Walmart Canada has selected DiJiPOP to provide on-demand shopper marketing technology solutions for its e-commerce site and to help power digital shelf space monetization efforts. DiJiPOP’s solution will complement Walmart Canada’s current advertiser program and provide a fully automated platform to more effectively connect brand marketing dollars with digital shelf space while integrating with the retailer’s existing proprietary vendor portal. Doing so will allow suppliers to reserve premium shelf space on the site.

St. Louis -- Build-A-Bear Workshop said Thursday that it recorded net income of $8.3 million in the fiscal fourth quarter, compared with a loss of $0.9 million in the year-ago period.

Total sales for the period rose 2.2% to $125.8 million, from $123.1 million a year earlier. Same-store sales companywide dipped 3.7%.

For the full year, total revenues rose 1.4% to $401.5 million.

CINCINNATI — Supermarket giant Kroger announced company EVP, Don Becker, died Wednesday after suffering an aneurysm. He was 62 years old.

New York City -- Foot Locker said Thursday it has named Allen I. Questrom, along with Guillermo Marmol, to its board of directors, bringing the total number of directors to 11.

Questrom, the former chairman and CEO of J.C. Penney Co., Barneys New York and Federated Dept. Stores, now Macy’s, is currently a senior advisor to Lee Equity Partners.

Marmol is president of Marmol & Associates, and has a long background in information technology and systems.

New York City -- A report released Thursday by American Express Business Insights said that spending in the fourth quarter was up across the board, but the retail sector spend growth was more subdued despite the holiday shopping season.