News

NEW YORK — The Jones Group has entered into an exclusive, world-wide license agreement with Altair, a division of  Marchon Eyewear for the creation, production, marketing and global distribution of ophthalmic eyewear and sunglasses under the Anne Klein brand. The Anne Klein ophthalmic eyewear and sunglass collections are currently produced and marketed under a world-wide license agreement with Luxottica Group S.p.A., which will expire on Dec. 31.  

ROANOKE, Va. — Advance Auto Parts  has promoted Rusty Tweedy to area SVP, responsible for store operations in the Mid-Atlantic regions. Tweedy will report to Kurt Schumacher, SVP national field operations. Effective with this promotion, the company is adding a fourth operational area which will enable the company’s field and commercial sales leaders to be more aligned and focused on driving profitable growth.

MINNEAPOLIS — Target has donated $150,000 in cash and products to assist with Hurricane Isaac relief efforts. A $120,000 cash donation was given to the American Red Cross in support of response efforts. An additional $20,000 in product donations and $10,000 in Target gift cards will be given to other nonprofit organizations in affected areas for essentials such as water and food.

Austin, Texas -- A survey released Friday by coupon site RetailMeNot found that coupon use for back-to-school shopping surged this year, particularly for retailers selling books, school supplies and apparel.

According to RetailMeNot, which measured coupon usage during the July 1 to Aug. 20 selling period, as compared with the prior three months, the average daily coupon clicks increased more than 130% for book retailers, more than 40% for merchants selling back-to-school supplies and more than 30% for stores selling apparel and shoes.

Toys "R"Usenhanced its layaway program by dropping some fees and Walmart quickly responded.

Toys "R" Us dropped the $5 service fee and minimum purchase requirement from its layaway program in a bid to capture sales of those who begin their holiday shopping early.The company said it changed the rules for its layaway program, instituted in 2009, to waive the $5 upfront service fee and eliminate the minimum purchase requirement for all orders created in stores through October 31.

By Kathy Gersch, [email protected]

CAMDEN, N.J. — Campbell's has expanded its V8 100% vegetable juices with the addition of two new varieties.

V8 100% vegetable juice Hint of Lime adds just a touch of lime for a crisp and refreshing taste, while V8 100% vegetable juice Hint of Black Pepper includes a dash of black pepper for a delicately spicy flavor.

Dallas -- Tuesday Morning announced Tuesday that it has named former Big Lots head Brady Churches as its new CEO, stepping in for former CEO Kathleen Mason who was terminated by the company in June.

Mason has since filed suit against the closeout retailer, alleging that she was fired because she disclosed that she has breast cancer.

Churches’ appointment is effective immediately. His most recent position was as president of Marketing Results Ltd. Prior to that he was president of Big Lots.