News

Smith & Wesson has hired Andrew Coccari Jr. to fill the newly created position of SVP of sales and marketing, effective August 11. His appointment follows the announced retirement of Mario Pasantes, SVP of marketing and international sales, scheduled for 2015.

Nicholas Isasi, Executive Vice President, DM Transportation

As the economy continues to slowly recover, retailers, more than ever, are looking to maximize revenues while controlling costs. Increasingly, many company CFOs and logistics managers are examining an often-overlooked expense that is costing them, in many cases, tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars per year: inbound transportation costs.

The Timex brand is synonymous with watches so it’s no surprise that the company has entered the wearable teachnology space with a new smartwatch, called the Timex Ironman One GPS+, which offers consumers stand-alone wireless connectivity without a phone.

The brand is marketing the smartwatch as the ideal device to use in those instances when carrying a phone is not ideal. Some of the Timex Ironman One GPS+ smartwatch’s features include the following:

London - Nook Media LLC, a subsidiary of Barnes & Noble Inc., has launched its new Nook GlowLight e-reader in the U.K. The new Nook GlowLight features perfectly-lit pages, sharper text and advanced display technology, and can hold up to 2,000 books.

The Nook GlowLight will be available starting Aug. 6 at Argos, Asda, Blackwells, Foyles, John Lewis, Sainsburys and Very.

Wayne, N.J. – Toys “R” Us Inc. has named Chetan Bhandari senior VP, corporate finance and treasurer. In this capacity, Bhandari will be responsible for managing relationships with domestic and international lenders, depository banks, credit insurers and credit rating agencies, as well as overseeing the company’s global cash management, foreign exchange programs and capital markets activities.

Discount grocer Aldi, Costco and Walmart were recognized as the nation’s low price grocery leaders in a recent study conducted by Market Force Information.

It was the fourth consecutive year Aldi has received the low price distinction in the survey conducted by Market Force, a leading customer intelligence solutions firm. When asked to rank the top grocers offering low prices, the 6,200 consumers who participated in the study ranked Aldi first, Costco second and Walmart third. Aldi president Jason Hart was quick to take a victory lap.

Toys“R”Us has appointed Chetan Bhandari as the company’s SVP, corporate finance and treasurer. He will report to EVP and CFO Mike Short.

Deerfield, Ill. — Walgreens on Wednesday said it has exercised its option to buy the remaining 55% of European pharmacy retailer and wholesaler Alliance Boots in a $15.26 billion deal that will keep the drug store chain's corporate tax headquarters in the United States. Walgreens said it is not in the best long-term interest of its shareholders to re-domicile outside the United States.