In his first interview with a UK newspaper, new Nestlé ceo Paul Bulcke talks about maintaining the company’s vision and positioning as a nutrition company, managing spiraling commodities costs and building upon an enviable record of recent past performance. The Telegraph (UK) (May 5, 2008)
Nina Garcia, fashion director at Elle until recently and “Project Runway” judge, is apparently about to land a major gig at Marie Claire. A move like this would no-doubt ensure Garcia’s presence on “Project Runway” if Marie Claire takes over when Elle’s contract runs out. While no announcements have been made as to whether Marie [...]
As many music mags have seen recently, Vibe’s ad pages have been plummeting in recent months. In order to compensate for the loss, Vibe will cut its rate base from 850,000 to 800,000 and hike up the cover price from $3.99 to $4.99. Steve Aaron, CEO of Vibe Media Group, reported that sales did not [...]
Dollar Tree stores posted sales increase better than the company’s expectations during the fiscal first quarter. Overall sales increase by 7.8% over the same period last year, largely on increased store traffic believed to be from consumer concern over the economy. Supermarket News (May 9, 2008)
Despite considerable recent success, Coke Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Neville Isdell sees scarcely a chance to pause for his company, saying, “The moment you declare victory … you have just sown the first seeds of your defeat.” In particular, he said that there is more new product in the pipeline, more to be done to [...]
In publishing an Australian edition of Italian publisher Mondadori’s successful women’s weekly, Hearst and ACP Magazines will extend their successful partnership. The two companies already collaborate on Cosmopolitan and Harper’s BAZAAR in Australia. Webwire (May 7, 2008)
Wal-Mart Canada announced plans to rollout more than a dozen new supercenters in Canada over the next year. In addition, the company plans on expanding eight or nine existing discount stores to the supercenter format, and relocating two other discount stores. Supermarket News (May 9, 2008)
As shoppers looked for bargains, both Wal-Mart and Costco turned in April sales that beat analysts’ expectations. Sales at Wal-Mart locations open at least a year were up 3.2% in April, while Costco’s sales advanced by 8%. Sales at mall stores like the Gap were generally down. As one observer put it, “If you didn’t [...]
Forbes.com announced the launch of AnswerNetwork, a social network for business executives. The network, being developed in partnership with Cisco systems, will allow business professionals to set up profiles and exchange information on general business and industry topics. BtoB (May 7, 2008)
Hachette’s digital operation, cut roughly 15 editiorial employees, but the company claimed the positions would be refilled with new hires possessing a “new skill set.” The restructuring came at the initiative of Todd Anderman, who left Maxim Digital and took over as senior vice president of digitial media at Hachette in January. Women’s Wear Daily [...]