Featured - Retail Merchandiser

: Bianca Herron; Licensing Spotlights; 25 July 2017

ABG and WWE

With their key licensing partnerships and by leveraging major social media platforms, ABG and WWE aim to further grow the Tapout brand. By Bianca Herron

Authentic Brands Group (ABG) and WWE teamed up two years ago to reposition Tapout, a lifestyle brand that was formerly associated with UFC and mixed martial arts fighting, as a fitness and training brand.

“Tapout has a unique brand voice and we are committed to preserving the essence of what the brand is known for,” says ABG Executive Vice President of Marketing Natasha Fishman. She adds that Tapout’s joint-venture relationship with WWE was “a strategic move towards validating Tapout’s position in the active space.”

“When we created the joint venture with WWE, it was about seeking a partner that was able to authenticate the direction we were taking Tapout,” she explains. “At that time, retailer needs and market trends were pointing towards the active space.

: Bianca Herron; Retail Spotlights; 07 July 2017

Quality Foods

Whether it’s its products, employees or suppliers, Quality Foods strives to provide customers with the best it has to offer. By Bianca Herron

As Quality Foods celebrates its 35-year anniversary this year, the Commerce, Ga.-based company prides itself on consistently delivering a customer experience that exceeds the quality of foods it sells.

“We were founded in 1982 and now have eight locations located in Georgia and South Carolina,” Owner Verlin Reece says proudly. “We strive to provide the best overall value for our customers by offering high-quality products, the cleanest shopping environment and the friendliest associates.”

: Kat Zeman; Retail Spotlights; 05 July 2017

Mainstream Boutique

One woman’s dream turned Mainstream Boutique into a multimillion-dollar business. By Kat Zeman

Even Oprah Winfrey wanted to know her secret. When Marie DeNicola made her exit from the corporate world, she took her passion for the fashion industry and turned it into a multimillion-dollar business.

Working from her basement, DeNicola called her venture the Mainstream Boutique – because she lived on Mainstream Circle. “I really wanted to appeal to women, to empower them through fashion,” DeNicola says.

DeNicola started franchising after appearing on Oprah Winfrey’s talk show in the ‘90s. Today, she sits on top of a $40 million franchise empire that has blossomed into 78 locations throughout the United States. But Mainstream Boutique’s story is still being written.

: Chris Kelsch; Retail Spotlights; 26 June 2017

Los Altos Ranch Market

Los Altos Ranch Market caters to the Hispanic market and offers something for everyone. By Chris Kelsch

In 2014, Southern California-based Cardenas Markets and Northgate Gonzalez Markets came together to purchase Phoenix-based Pro’s Ranch Market out of bankruptcy for $55 million. They formed CNG Ranch LLC, and upon purchasing 11 stores –seven in Arizona, two in New Mexico and two in Texas – began rebranding while the locations remained open. Since the acquisition they have displaced the two stores in New Mexico and the two in Texas. They now operate seven stores in Phoenix Metro Area. They renamed the stores Los Altos Ranch Market, after the region in Mexico where the Cardenas and Gonzalez families came from.

Since the rebranding, the operation has blossomed. Steve Harding, vice president of operations with Los Altos Ranch Market, knows how important it is to make an impact on a shopper immediately. “You can see and feel it as soon as you walk in,” Harding notes. “You see a different atmosphere.”

For a new supermarket to stand out in the highly competitive grocery industry, it really has to go the extra mile to catch the attention of shoppers. Fortunately for Los Altos Ranch Market there was already some customer loyalty to build upon. Pro’s Ranch Markets had developed a loyal following and was even voted Arizona’s Retailer of the Year in 2012.

: Bianca Herron; Retail Spotlights; 23 June 2017

AllCare Pharmacy

AllCare Pharmacy has not only provided its customers with the right prescriptions for more than 40 years, but also service from the heart. By Bianca Herron

Percy Malone, president and owner of AllCare Pharmacy, is modest about the reasons behind the success of the company he founded in 1975. “You don’t make money in the pharmacy industry by making money; you make money by taking care of people,” Malone says. “After more than 40 years in the industry, I think that is what has separated us from our competitors.”

Malone adds that AllCare Pharmacy’s compassionate attitude has set the Arkadelphia, Ark.-based company apart from its competitors. “Since I was a very young man I have learned that no one wants to hear ‘no,’” he says. “I’ve spent my life attempting to not say ‘no.’ I’ve always worked hard to find an answer for the customer or patient, to understand that I’m looking for ways to say ‘yes.’ So I’ve worked hard to instill that in my company and in my people throughout the years.”

: Bianca Herron; The LOOK; 18 May 2017

THE LOOK: Celebrating Star Wars

Check out these trendy Star Wars 40th Anniversary products courtesy of Disney and Pendleton. By Bianca Herron

In honor of Star Wars’ 40th Anniversary, Lucasfilm’s recently hosted Star Wars Celebration in Orlando, Fla. The event, which was held April 13-16 at the Orange County Convention Center, featured “40 Years of Star Wars,” a special panel gathering Star Wars creators and stars from across the saga’s history, including: Hayden Christensen (Anakin Skywalker), Kathleen Kennedy (Lucasfilm president), Dave Filoni (executive producer, Star Wars Rebels), Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker), Ian McDiarmid (the Emperor/Darth Sidious), Anthony Daniels(C-3PO), Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca) and Billy Dee Williams (Lando Calrissian).

: Alan Dorich; Licensing Spotlights; 16 May 2017

Uglydoll/STX Entertainment

STX is in ‘the perfect situation’ with the Uglydoll property, including an upcoming movie and licensing. By Alan Dorich

When a studio puts out a movie, audiences are not always immediately familiar with the characters in the film. But STX Entertainment has that advantage with its upcoming “Uglydolls” movie, which takes its characters from the popular Uglydoll brand.

The film, set for release in 2019, will have a message that appeals to all, says Oren Aviv, the president and chief content officer at STXfilms. “We all have something special about us and that’s what the film celebrates,” he says. “That cuts across all demographic lines.”

: Jim Harris; Licensing Spotlights; 16 May 2017

The Brand Liaison

The Brand Liaison’s passion and experienced team of licensing professionals has helped it attract iconic brands and top celebrities. By Jim Harris

Steven Heller has always been very passionate about helping his clients build their brands. During his 25-year career in licensing and business development, he has worked with licensors and licensees, both large and small, on deals including fashion brands, sports, character and entertainment properties, and has helped his clients secure programs at major retailers such as Macy’s, Target, Walmart, QVC, Hot Topic, Michaels, Jo-Ann’s and David’s Bridal, among others.

In late 2011, Heller created a new vehicle for his passion when he founded The Brand Liaison, a New York-Miami based licensing and brand management agency. The company just celebrated its fifth anniversary. “We’ve been able to attract very strong brands, because we have a team of all-star, experienced licensing veterans that deliver results,” Heller says of his company’s success over the past five years. “And the proof is in our performance. Just look at the deals we have done and the testimonials we’ve received from our clients.”