News

Guitar Center names tech exec as executive VP, marketing, merchandising and online
LOS ANGELES — Guitar Center has announced the appointment of Michael Amkreutz to the position of executive VP, marketing, merchandising and E-Commerce, for the Guitar Center brand. He joins the retailer from Systemax North American Technologies, where he most recently held the role of chief marketing officer.
Domino’s enters Kenya
Ann Arbor, Mich. – Domino’s Pizza is continuing its international growth by opening its first store in Kenya. Master Kenya franchise holder Om Nom Nom Ltd. opened a store in Nairobi Nov.8 and will open more stores in the city in the next few years.
"Establishing ourselves in Kenya provides an excellent opportunity for our brand to continue growing globally," said Ritch Allison, Domino's Pizza international president. "Domino's has terrific potential to offer an unmatched pizza experience to the people of Nairobi."

PacSun adds marketing muscle to regain glory

Former Guess? and Victoria’s Secret executive Amber Fredman-Tarshis has joined Pacific Sunwear of California to help the teen retailer brand reconnect with customers.
Gap ramps up omnichannel initiatives in time for holidays

SAN FRANCISCO — Gap Inc. is looking to make shopping as easy and convenient this holiday season– regardless of whether shoppers prefer to shop online, in stores or on their mobile device. Plans include the launch of an online Wish List tool that allows shoppers to create a list of most-wanted items from across all five of the company’s brands: Gap, Banana Republic & Banana Republic Factory Store, Old Navy, Athleta and Piperlime.
Rivet Works aims to turn brands into social hubs

As companies increasingly turn to user-generated content (UGC) to promote their products, Rivet Works has announced its launch as the first content marketing software designed to boost active engagement between people and their favorite brands.
Study details generation gap when it comes to mobile shopping

SAN FRANCISCO — Researching and browsing gifts on mobile far outranks purchasing items (whether at home or in a competitor’s store), and even coveted millennial shoppers are heading to the store or laptop to complete major purchases, according to a study by RichRelevance.
TJX meets Street with lower Q3 profit, misses on sales

Framingham, Mass. – The TJX Companies Inc. met Wall Street expectations with net income of $594.96 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2014, down 4% from $622.65 million in the same quarter the prior year. Net sales rose 5% to $7.37 billion from $6.98 billion, short of Wall Street expectations.
IKEA continues renewables push

The IKEA Group has made its largest investment ever in renewable energy by buying a 165-megawatt wind farm in Cameron County, Tex.
PacSun names former Guess exec as chief marketing officer

ANAHEIM, Calif. — Pacific Sunwear of California announced the appointment of Amber Fredman-Tarshis as its senior VP and chief marketing officer. She most recently served as CMO of Guess?. Fredman-Tarshis’ background also includes executive roles at Puma, Warner Bros., Victoria's Secret.
Dick’s beats Street with sliding Q3 profits

Pittsburgh, P.A. – Although weakening golf and hunting sales contributed to a small decline in net income at Dick’s Sporting Goods Inc. in the third quarter of fiscal 2014, the retailer still beat Wall Street profit expectations. Dick’s reported net income of $49.2 million, about a 2% drop from $50 million the same quarter a year earlier.
Net sales rose 9% to $1.53 billion from $1.4 billion, and same-store sales increased 1.1%. E-commerce penetration was 7.3% of total sales, compared to 6.5% in the third quarter of the previous year.