COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Global Market Development Center (GMDC) has unveiled growth plans for Retail Tomorrow, the initiative it launched in 2016 to help retailers navigate changes in the industry. New Retail Tomorrow offerings are “retail headquarters innovation events,” a monthly podcast series and what GMDC calls “city immersions.” The first immersion was held this
MINNEAPOLIS — Target Corp. has tapped Kelly Caruso to serve as chief executive officer of Shipt, the same-day delivery company Target acquired in 2017. She succeeds Bill Smith, Shipt’s founder, who is leaving his post to pursue other opportunities but will continue to serve as an adviser to the company. Caruso most recently served as
DENVER — At the annual IRI Growth Summit held here earlier this month, IRI president and chief executive officer Andrew Appel discussed his views on data and technology as the next enabler of competitive advantage. In keeping with the conference’s theme — “Powering the Path Forward” — Appel addressed the importance of investing in data
The transformation of the retail business continues apace, but the outright revolution promised by the adherents of e-commerce and digital media still appears to be a ways away. That’s one of the insights gleaned from new research conducted by the National Retail Federation (NRF) and Forrester. Based on responses from 69 retailers — a mix
The war between retailers and credit card companies over transaction fees continues. The latest battle in that war began on March 1, when Kroger Co. announced that its Smith’s Food & Drug Stores division will be the company’s second banner to stop accepting Visa credit cards as a form of payment, beginning on April 3. Foods
WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Health unveiled a new health-focused store concept in Houston, which is designed to help position it as more of a health care provider. CVS opened three of the new concept stores, called HealthHUBs, in greater Houston in December. They are part the company’s vision in the wake of its $70 billion
BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart demonstrated its appeal to American shoppers in the fourth quarter with solid same-store sales growth at Walmart U.S. and Sam’s Club. The better-than-expected fourth quarter financial results reflected strength across a range of product categories, including toys, home, seasonal, electronics and grocery. Digital sales were up 43% in the quarter and
MEMPHIS — Fred’s Inc. announced in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission that Joseph Anto, who had been running the company on an interim basis, is now its permanent chief executive officer. Anto was hired by Fred’s a year ago as executive vice president and chief financial officer after spending seven months at
WASHINGTON — The National Retail Federation (NRF) said holiday sales were up 2.9% from a year ago, rising at a slower pace than the association had forecast. “All signs during the holidays seemed to show that consumers remained confident about the economy,” said NRF president and chief executive officer Matthew Shay. “However, it appears that
CARLISLE, Pa. — GIANT Food Stores is broadening its customer base with a new e-commerce hub here that fortifies its digital platform and a smaller-store format, introduced in Philadelphia, that the retailer will deploy in urban neighborhoods. The grocer’s new e-commerce center offers a pickup option for shoppers who buy online, drive to the hub
MIAMI — It has been 10 years since Leslie Sarasin became president and chief executive officer of the Food Marketing Institute, and during her tenure the level of confidence among the association’s members has never been higher. Speaking at the FMI Midwinter Executive Conference late last month, she cited the newfound assurance among supermarket operators
MIAMI — The Food Marketing Institute honored the industry’s “humble heroes” in an awards ceremony during the institute’s Midwinter Executive Conference here. Hy-Vee’s Randy Edeker, Coca-Cola Co.’s Muhtar Kent, Heinen’s Grocery Stores’ Tom Heinen and IGA Inc.’s Mark Batenic were among executives recognized on January 25 as FMI gave out its 2019 leadership awards. Recipients