News

Wayne, N.J. -- Toys “R” Us 2013 holiday marketing plans include  a new TV campaign that will feature a group of real-life children from local New York charities who think they’re going on a field trip, but actually are going to a Toys “R” Us store where they are given free rein.

Featured at the end of each TV commercial and throughout many of the company’s print and online marketing vehicles, is the hashtag, #WishinAccomplished.
 

New York – The Jones Group is reportedly approaching deals to sell its business to Sycamore Group and GIII Apparel Group.

Sycamore Group is an Indianapolis-based real estate firm and GIII is a New York-based apparel licensor and manufacturer. Women’s Wear Daily reports sources indicate Jones Group is close to reaching agreements with both companies.

Big Lots has appointed former Kmart executive Andrew Stein as the company's SVP and chief customer officer, as the company focuses more intensely on bolstering its digital footprint.

Boston – Wayfair.com has named Michael Fleisher as CFO.

With Fleisher's appointment, former CFO Nicholas Malone has been named chief administrative officer, continuing to oversee finance, legal, human resources and real estate for the home goods leader, reporting to Fleisher.

Gokul Rajaram, head of product engineering at disruptive payments company Square, has joined the board of directors at digital coupon marketplace RetailMeNot.

New York -- RadioShack has secured a financial boost from GE Capital, securing a loan of about $835 million, according to Marketwatch.com.

The loan, backed by inventory and other existing assets, will help the chain refinance the company's outstanding bank debt and free up cash for its ongoing revamp, the report said.

I have now been in my role as senior editor of Chain Store Age, specializing in retail IT coverage, for six months. Beyond being surprised at how quickly the past 180 days have gone by and grateful at how welcoming the industry has been to me, I also can’t help but be amazed at how much retail IT has changed since I was last actively involved in covering this field in 2006.

Sequential Brands Group has entered into five new license agreements to expand the Caribbean Joe brand and has extended the terms of its agreements with three current partners. With five new partnerships, this brings the total list of Caribbean Joe licensees to 25.