News

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — Boyd Clark was named SVP buying at Big 5 Sporting Goods following the resignation of long-time head merchant Thomas Schlauch, the company announced.

Austin, Texas -- Digby announced Tuesday that U.K. apparel retailer Republic has launched a mobile optimized website through Venda’s advanced mobile platform powered by Digby.

Through the platform, Republic is introducing mobile as a strategic channel that complements its e-commerce site and more than 110 retail stores across the United Kingdom. The mobile shopping experience will allow customers to search, browse and buy products in as little as 60 seconds from mobile devices such as iPhone/iPod Touch, BlackBerry and Android.

NEW YORK — Phillips-Van Heusen announced that it has entered into a licensing agreement with Ram Pacific under which Ram Pacific will market and distribute apparel and accessories under PVH’s IZOD brand in Singapore, Indonesia, and Malaysia. The initial term of the license agreement runs through December 2015 and provides for a renewal at PVH’s option.

Amsterdam -- Dutch retailer Koninklijke Ahold N.V. reported Tuesday that profit for the first quarter increased 6% to $423.84 million, citing a 6% sales rise and lowered operating costs for the improved performance.

Ahold generates more than half its sales in the United States through its Stop & Shop, Giant Carlisle and Giant Landover banners. In the Netherlands, it operates under the Albert Heijn banner.

The company didn't give any guidance or detail on its growth strategy.
 

PHILADELPHIA — Sales and profit growth were hard to come by at Pep Boys during the first quarter, although the leading provider of automotive services and parts forged ahead with growth plans.

The mixed-use project MarketStreet Lynnfield continues to forge ahead, as co-developers WS Development and National Development announced on June 6 that Whole Foods Market, Kings and Legal C Bar have signed leases to join the property.

Whole Foods will open a 45,000-sq.-ft. store at MarketStreet Lynnfield, which is located on Route 128/I-95 spanning Exits 42 and 43 in Lynnfield, Mass.

CHICAGO and CAMBRIDGE, Mass. and SPRINGFIELD, Mass. and BOSTON — Through a partnership with Incentive Targeting and HaloEffect, Big Y Foods will become the first grocery retailer to offer Groupon deals digitally loaded to shoppers’ loyalty cards, the companies announced.

Pleasanton, Calif. -- Safeway said Tuesday it has signed a new $1.5 billion revolving credit agreement that replaces a $1.6 billion facility.

The new agreement is for four years, while the one it is replacing was set to mature on June 1, 2012.

Safeway said that its Canadian subsidiary can borrow up to $250 million from the new facility, which will be used for general corporate purposes.