News

Fred's plans to implement a long-term marketing strategy stressing everyday low pricing and the convenience of a smaller box to help bolster sales against what the company describes as "intense competitive pressures." The company's pharmacy operations continue to grow, however.

Fred's reported $150 million in sales for the four weeks ended May 3, representing a decline of 1.6% as compared to year-ago sales. For the first quarter ended May 3, sales totaled $498.5 million, down 0.6%.

Amazon customers in 15 additional cities are now eligible for Sunday delivery, according to the online retail giant.

In addition to the Los Angeles and New York metro areas where Sunday delivery launched late last year, Amazon customers in the following locations are now receiving deliveries on Sunday:

Ebates.com, a pioneer in online cash-back shopping, has once again expanded its mobile offerings. The new free iPad shopping app offers access to cash back, online coupons and free shipping from participating stores.

The app is available for download at the App Store.

Built with a native tablet design that the company touts as easy to navigate, the app features powerful product and deal search capability, daily double cash back offerings, each user’s personal Favorite Stores and simple find-and-paste couponing.

Cole Haan has launched its Dog Days of Summer campaign in partnership with The Good Dog Foundation, a nonprofit organization that promotes the use of animal-assisted therapy using its certified therapy dog teams.

The brand enlisted a few canine friends from the foundation to star in the campaign. From Coco, a Yorkshire Terrier perched upon an upside down top hat, to Emma and Finn, two Mini Whoodles outfitted in white and blue polka dot bows, the dogs are shown alongside select pieces from Cole Haan's men's pre-fall collection.

Staples has appointed Thomas Nowak, most recently SVP, merchandising for bol.com, one of Europe’s largest e-commerce sites, as SVP of merchandising, Staples Europe, effective Aug. 1.

Nowak will report to president of Staples Europe John Wilson, and will be a member of the European leadership team.

Rue La La, a leading online lifestyle shopping destination, has launched DressingRoom, a series of boutiques that offer members a one-stop shopping experience the features everything from necklaces and vases to linens and dresses.

DressingRoom offers cross-channel inspiration via themed boards and how-to content. The series kicks off this month with "Bright & Bohemian," followed by "Minimalist Whites" and then "Weekend Casual" throughout the month of June.

Virgin Mobile has entered into a partnership with Banana Republic that will offer its Canadian members the newest looks from the brand for less.

Starting today through Dec. 31, Virgin Mobile members will receive 20% off any one full-priced item at Banana Republic stores across the country.

Roundy's saw net sales increase by 1.9% to $1 billion, and reported a net loss of $4.5 million compared with net income of $8.6 million.

Interactions, a leading global integrated sales and marketing programs developer, has appointed David Zierman as director of insights.
 
Based in San Diego, Zierman will lead the company’s market research efforts including managing primary data collected via Mystery Shopping, Customer Intercept Surveys, Web Based Surveys, electronic customer satisfaction surveys (bottom of the receipt surveys) and Retail Audits. He will be responsible for the organization’s P&L as well as business development and operations.
 

Sprouts Farmers Market’s president and CEO Doug Sanders credited the company’s focus on offering healthy food at affordable prices for 28 consecutive quarters of positive same-store sales growth as well as record first quarter results that outperformed its targets.