Pilot Pen G2 Edge

Amazon stays in the retail limelight

SEATTLE — Amazon reported strong sales for its fiscal quarter and said its Prime Day sale last month was the biggest shopping event in the company’s history, topping its combined sales for last year’s Black Friday and Cyber Monday. At the same time, the company faces the threat of increased regulatory scrutiny. The Department of

Another 129 Fred’s stores will close

MEMPHIS — Discount retailer Fred’s Inc. continues its retrenchment, announcing last month that it was closing another 129 stores, leaving it with 80 centered on its distribution center in Dublin, Ga. The move is the latest in a series of store closings (including announcements in April and May) from Fred’s, which had 568 stores in

Govind gets key tech post at Target

MINNEAPOLIS — Target Corp. has named Hari Govind senior vice president of infrastructure and operations for the company’s technology team. Govind’s responsibilities will include overseeing cloud-and-compute capabilities, network connectivity and operations for the technology that powers Target’s stores, digital channels, distribution centers and office locations. He will report to Target executive vice president and chief

GIANT builds on innovations

CARLISLE, Pa. — GIANT Food Stores has celebrated some significant milestones with ribbon-cuttings recently. Last month GIANT president Nicholas Bertram joined store manager Tim Dinsmore and other dignitaries for a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the 100th store offering the GIANT DIRECT online grocery delivery service. Then on August 2 the company was scheduled to open its

Publix teams up with S.C. hospital

LAKELAND, Fla. — Publix Super Markets Inc. will offer health services to residents of Beaufort County in South Carolina through a collaboration between its pharmacy business and Beaufort Memorial Hospital. The partnership calls for Publix pharmacies to deliver prescription medications to hospital patients, and to establish telehealth centers in two Publix locations in the county.

UPS services now available at CVS

ATLANTA — CVS Pharmacy stores nationwide have begun offering UPS package pickup and return services. The pickup options will roll out to more than 6,000 stores and combine two of the nation’s biggest brands. “This deal offers additional convenience to consumers in the e-commerce era,” said UPS chief marketing officer Kevin Warren. “Working with CVS

Raley’s ramps up shelf tag system

WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The innovative shelf-tagging system Raley’s introduced two years ago to help shoppers make better decisions about the food they buy has been expanded to cover a wider range of merchandise. With the upgrade, Raley’s Shelf Guide now includes products shelved in nonfood aisles at the family-owned retailer’s 129 stores in Northern

Kroger, Ocado slate Georgia DC

ATLANTA — Kroger Co. and online grocery retailer and logistics specialist Ocado are planning to build a customer fulfillment center (CFC) in Forest Park, Ga., not far from Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson airport. The new CFC represents a $55 million investment that will create more than 400 new jobs, the companies said. “Kroger is incredibly excited to

McNiff to become president at Stater Bros.

McNiff to become president at Stater Bros.

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. — Stater Bros. Markets president and longtime food industry leader George Frahm is planning to retire on October 31, and industry veteran Greg McNiff will be his successor. In his new role, McNiff will report directly to Stater Bros. chief executive officer Pete Van Helden. The company said McNiff will officially join

GlaxoSmithKline, Pfizer close joint venture

GlaxoSmithKline, Pfizer close joint venture

WARREN, N.J. — GlaxoSmithKline said Thursday that it has closed a previously announced joint venture deal with Pfizer Inc. that will combine their respective consumer healthcare businesses. The move will create the world’s largest supplier of over-the-counter medications. The joint venture company will operate as GSK Consumer Healthcare. Pfizer owns a 32% equity stake in

Randob Labs acquires Chiggerex and E-R-O

Randob Labs acquires Chiggerex and E-R-O

CORNWALL, N.Y. — Randob said Thursday that the company has acquired a portfolio of new brands, including the popular insect first aid remedy for chigger bites, Chiggerex, and ear wax remover E-R-O. “Strategically, it makes a lot of sense for us,” said James Creagan, chief executive officer of Randob. “These are well-loved brands with strong