CHICAGO — While online shopping is almost universal in the U.S., more than half (53%) of Americans are concerned about the safety of products bought online, according to new research from Mintel. The study revealed that young consumers are exercising the greatest caution when shopping online, with almost two-thirds (63%) of 18- to 24-year-olds expressing
Anyone who questions whether the primary battleground for the world’s top retailers has shifted from brick-and-mortar stores to the omnichannel realm would do well to consider the series of significant developments that has unfolded in recent weeks. The lead story in the last edition of Mass Market Retailers was about Walmart’s $16 billion investment for
The National Retail Federation is once again using a funny TV commercial in an effort to send a serious message. Last year the trade group had a hit with what looked like one of those late-night commercials for dubious products. The commercial, which ran during the Fox News Channel’s “FOX & Friends,” and during NBC’s
BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart is venturing into online retailing in India while retreating from brick-and-mortar operations in the United Kingdom. The company is acquiring a majority share in Flipkart Group, India’s largest online retailer, while planning to merge its Asda Group PLC supermarket unit in the U.K. with larger rival J. Sainsbury PLC. Subject to
HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Sears Holdings Corp. is strengthening its links to Amazon.com, partnering with the online retail behemoth to sell some DieHard tires and providing full-service installation and balancing for any brand of tires purchased through Amazon. Sears began selling DieHard jumper cables and battery chargers over Amazon in December. DieHard Advanced Gold AGM
MEMPHIS — During its recent earnings call, Fred’s Inc. announced it was “actively pursuing a sale” of its specialty pharmacy business, as it reported financial results for the 2017 fourth quarter and fiscal year ended February 3. A few days after the call, the company reported that it had reached a definitive agreement to sell
WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Health has promoted Kevin Hourican to president of CVS Pharmacy — CVS Health’s retail division, the company announced last month. Hourican, who most recently held the position of executive vice president of retail pharmacy, had been serving as interim president of the drug chain following the departure of Helena Foulkes, who
PALM BEACH, Fla. — Change, both confronting it and creating it, emerged as a powerful theme of the National Association of Chain Drug Stores Annual Meeting, which was held here last month. The theme of change was clearly on display in the remarks made during the Business Programs by NACDS chairman of the board Alex
BOISE, Idaho — WinCo Foods has promoted Grant Haag to company president. Haag, who most recently was the company’s senior vice president of department operations, is also set to become chief executive officer after one year, when current CEO Steven Goddard officially steps down. The company said the succession plan was the result of a
LAS VEGAS — To stay relevant in today’s competitive market, retailers must truly know their customers and speak to them in way that is not only personalized but also truly personal, Stuart Aiken, Kroger Co. group vice president and chief executive officer of 84.51°, told attendees last month at IRI’s Growth Summit 2018 at the
Amazon.com late last month reported extraordinarily robust financial results for the quarter ended March 31. Sales at the e-commerce and technology company jumped 43% to $51 billion, while net earnings more than doubled to $1.6 billion. With ad revenue and Amazon Web Services showing notable strength, the company generated gains across the board. Of particular
Many companies today embrace some form of continuous improvement process, under which they strive to make their products, services and systems better over time. The CIP concept seems very professional and corporate, but former Dollar General Corp. chief executive officer Cal Turner Jr. had a blunter version of the same idea. “Would you like to