Sales & Marketing

Toronto -- Watt International has been selected by Innova Sport, Mexico’s largest sporting goods chain, to support the retailer’s business with retail consulting and creative services. 

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Winn-Dixie Stores announced that Laurence Appel, who joined Winn-Dixie in 2002 and formerly served as general counsel, corporate secretary and SVP human resources, has been named SVP retail operations. Appel replaces Frank Eckstein, who has retired from his current role but will continue to serve in an advisory capacity until the end of fiscal year 2011. 

Redwood Shores, Calif. -- Oracle on Wednesday announced that it has completed the acquisition of Art Technology Group (ATG).

With the addition of ATG, Oracle can now provide best-in-class cross-channel CRM, Retail and Commerce that enables unified marketing, merchandising, service and order management, supply chain, and a seamless, personalized customer experience.

An expanding number of consumers in search of value and an improved shopping experience at Family Dollar propelled the company to its strongest first-quarter same-store sales increase in 12 years, but profits for the period and the earnings outlook were below analysts’ estimates.

“Our comparable-store sales increase of 6.9% is the best first quarter result we’ve delivered in more than 12 years,” said Family Dollar chairman and CEO Howard Levine

New York City -- Starbucks unveiled a new logo Wednesday, dropping the circle with the words “Starbucks” and “Coffee” that surround its signature mermaid.

Starbucks, celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, said the changes represent a fresh look for the company as it begins the next chapter in its history and emphasizes selling Starbucks-brand products in supermarkets and other channels beyond its retail stores.

New York City -- Reports circulated Wednesday that several potential suitors, including Sears Holdings and Urban Outfitters, have been studying J. Crew’s books. Urban Outfitters is seriously weighing a counterbid for the high-flying preppy retailer, according to a report in The New York Times. At least two other private-equity firms are also receiving confidential data on the New York-based retailer, Bloomberg reported.

New York City -- Prudential Douglas Elliman's Retail Group said that it has arranged another location for Bond No. 9, this time in Meatpacking at 863 Washington Street, between 13th and 14th Streets, near the edge of the High Line.

The new store represents the fifth New York City location orchestrated by Prudential Douglas Elliman for the fragrance retailer.

Reynoldsburg, Ohio -- Centro Properties Group announced that a 15,426-sq.-ft. Family Dollar recently opened at Brice Park, in Reynoldsburg, Ohio.

Centro Properties Group, based in New York City, is the owner of Brice Park.