Branding

Coach is in a catch-22. Its discount outlet stores are driving most of its customer traffic and sales, while the company is trying to e

In a surprise move, leading teen retailers announced last week that they're moving away from overly sexualized images in their stores and advertising. Why are they taking sexy back, especially in an industry where "sex sells"? They want to distance themselves from the controversial images they've used in the past that have brought negative attention — and possibly sluggish sales.

One of St. Louis' oldest public companies, Brown Shoe, is stepping out with a new name, Caleres. Brown has been part of the corporate name since the company's founding in 1878. Next month, however, that name will be dropped once shareholders approve the change on May 28. "Brown Shoe doesn't conjure up the image of who we are today," Brown Shoe's CEO, president and chairwoman Diane Sullivan said in an interview. "Our name has to be more than a name — it must be managed as a brand. It's hard to be emotional about a brown shoe."

Michael Kors has built one of the most successful luxury juggernauts in fashion history with a DNA that's rooted in a glamorous jet set lifestyle. Founded in 1981, the brand grew swiftly following an investment from apparel moguls Silas Chou and Lawrence Stroll in 2004. The initial public offering of stock in Michael Kors, in December 2011, was one of the largest and most successful fashion IPOs ever, valuing the brand at $3.8 billion and raising about $1 billion to fund the company's global expansion.

A lot has changed for online shoppers in recent years. The customer journey today has become a multiplatform experience, often including interactions via smartphones, tablets, laptops and desktops - all in the course of one transaction. This is in sharp contrast to the mall walkers of the past and the clunky and often frustrating online purchasing we all endured as the internet grew up. Today's consumer uses every available minute to research, make wish lists and purchase online. This can mean looking at product reviews on mobile devices during the morning commute, updating a wish list at lunch from a desktop or pulling the trigger on some big-ticket items at night from a laptop.

Barnes & Noble is adding Flashnotes.com to its college bookstore business ahead of a spin off of the unit coming later this year. Bloomberg's Matt Townsend reports on "In The Loop."

"Inside RadioShack's Slow-Motion Collapse" is the headline of a six-page cover story in Bloomberg Businessweek last month. Why did RadioShack bite the dust? Let's take a tour of the Businessweek story to find out. As Businessweek pointed out, "It didn't have to be this way." If only RadioShack management didn't keep switching identities. If only RadioShack managers didn't keep rearranging the stores. If only RadioShack's employees weren't so aggressive. If only …

In January, Gap announced it would scrap the role of creative director, and with it, the job of Rebekka Bay. It was, frankly, a bummer for anyone nostalgic for the days when Gap was a source for true basics: trend-proof pocket tees, blue jeans, cotton sweaters, and even, yes, khakis. Bay, who came to Gap in 2007 from the H&M-owned label Cos, had vowed to restore the retailer to its clean, casual heyday. But, as Lauren Sherman pointed out at Fashionista, Gap's merchandising structure has muddied the creative direction of leaders such as Bay in the stores.

The world of marketing has exploded with opportunities to capture the heart of both customers and prospects alike. Whether it's online or offline, marketers bombard consumers with a cacophony of messages that overload the senses and create confusion. Therefore, it's more important than ever to present a simple, compelling directive to guide prospects to a desired action. While a "call to action" isn't a new concept, it's imperative you understand how to take advantage of this powerful tool. Here are seven tips to creating strong calls to action that will resonate and encourage consumers to take the next step of engagement.

Costco shoppers who have been limited for years to American Express credit cards may be able to pluck a new option from their wallets or purses next year after an exclusivity deal between the companies expires. American Express said Thursday that it hasn't been able to come to an agreement with Costco on renewal terms. The current agreement covers U.S. stores and dates back 16 years. It will end March 31, 2016.