News

New York City -- Teen retailers Abercrombie & Fitch Co., Aeropostale and American Eagle Outfitters will stop reporting monthly sales after Thursday.

Many retail executives say reporting sales from stores open at least a year puts too much focus on short-term results. 
 

NEW YORK -- Banana Republic announced that as part of its spring 2011 marketing campaign, "Journey in Style," it will debut its first film trailer in select movie theaters and online. The campaign will also be featured in other media including print and store displays.

Developed with AR NEW YORK, Banana Republic's advertising agency of record, the campaign will appear in March publications, supplemented by print, outdoor, online and direct mail. The campaign will debut in store windows beginning Feb. 14.

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. -- Staples Inc. announced that it will showcase its enhanced focus on new technologies and services in its retail stores with a new television spot airing regionally during the Super Bowl on Feb. 6. 

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- HSN announced that Jill Braff has been appointed EVP digital commerce effective Feb. 7. Braff will report directly to Mindy Grossman, CEO of HSN Inc.

In her new position, Braff will oversee HSN's existing e-commerce, mobile and social media platforms. In addition, she will manage the development and implementation of new multi-platform initiatives. HSN's e-commerce, digital marketing, merchandising and advanced services teams will report to Braff.

By Eric White, Doug Reynolds and Michael Rozin

Retail is an evolving business that must constantly adapt to changing consumer demands, technologies and economic and demographic trends. Retailers are extremely adept at this, and are perpetually reinventing the way they do business, both in terms of interactions with consumers and also how they streamline operations. This is a requirement for successful retailers because, like it or not, everything impacts retail: technology, weather, politics and even terrorism. 

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. -- Sears announced that it has partnered with wedding and entertaining expert David Tutera for the debut of the David Tutera Bridal Jewelry Collection. All settings in the Eternal, Heirloom, Radiance and Legacy designs, of which the premiere collection is comprised, will be available at Sears stores nationwide as well as online at http://www.Sears.com/DavidTuteraJewelry beginning Feb. 1.

San Francisco -- Williams-Sonoma said Tuesday that its board has approved a $125 million stock repurchase program.

The retailer said the new program will likely be completed by January 2012. It does not have an expiration date. The company said it had completed a $65 million stock repurchase program approved in September 2010.

Williams-Sonoma, which runs Pottery Barn, West Elm, its namesake stores and other brands, had about 105.1 million outstanding shares as of Nov. 28, 2010.

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. -- The TJX Companies announced that its board of directors approved a new management structure as part of the company’s ongoing leadership succession planning. Carol Meyrowitz continues as CEO as well as a director of The TJX Companies and has entered into another two-year employment agreement. Ernie Herrman has been promoted to president of The TJX Companies from his post of senior EVP, group president.

Meyrowitz will now have Herrman and Jeffrey Naylor, senior EVP, chief financial and administrative officer, reporting to her.