Awards

Amazon has top reputation in retail in 2015
For the third year in a row, Amazon has claimed the top spot in the Reputation Institute’s annual survey of America’s 50 most reputable companies in the retail industry.
Xcel Brands appoints retail vet to board
New York -- Xcel Brands Inc., a brand management and development company, has appointed a veteran marketing executive of Target to the Xcel board of directors.

Francis is currently the chief global brand officer for DreamWorks Animation SKG. Prior to joining DreamWorks he was the founder and CEO of Farview Associates, a brand development agency focused on the creation of new brands and the support of established global brands.

Kroger recognized for food safety technology

The Kroger Co. has earned more recognition for its investments in food safety innovation.

The company's innovative electronic temperature monitoring project has been named a winner of the 2015 CIO 100 Award by International Data Group's CIO Magazine.
Best Buy recognized by DOE for reducing carbon footprint

Minneapolis -- Best Buy’s five-year-long initiative to reduce its carbon footprint by at least 20% by 2020 was commended by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) at White House ceremonies in Washington, D.C. The reduction is part of Best Buy’s organization-wide effort to address climate change.
Dick’s wins logistics award at Momentum event

Shoppers like spending money with Dick’s Sporting Goods and the companies that transport goods to its stores and distribution centers think the retailer is pretty special too.
ONES TO WATCH

Beyond the 10 retail real estate pros highlighted as our Under 40 Rising Stars, we handpicked another 10 as the “Ones to Watch.” Following is an alphabetical list:

Crystal Allen, age 31, VP, Transwestern

D.J.
Temkin study: Hannaford, Publix easiest companies to work with

Waban, Mass. -- Supermarket companies Hannaford and Publix took the top spots in the 2015 Temkin Effort Ratings, which rates how easy or difficult companies are to work with. The ratings examine 293 companies across 20 industries.
Dollar General donates millions toward literacy

Dollar General is making a difference in the lives of its customers and their communities with another massive donation to literacy programs.

The retailer’s Dollar General Literacy Foundation has awarded more than $5.8 million in grants to support adult, family and summer literacy programs to approximately 720 schools, nonprofits and literacy organizations across the 43 states Dollar General serves.
GMA honors ex-Walgreens CEO, other leaders

Former Walgreens CEO Greg Wasson is one of three top retail industry executives confirmed as inductees into the Grocery Manufacturers Association’s Hall of Achievement when the trade group holds a gala event in conjunction with its annual meeting this fall.

GMA will also honor former ConAgra Foods CEO Gary Rodkin and Chairman of the Board of Flowers Foods George Deese with the GMA Hall of Achievement Award in August.
DSW receives omnichannel honor; provides update on strategy

Columbus, Ohio -- DSW Inc. received the "Best Omni-Channel Experience Award" at the eBay Enterprise's annual Imagine Commerce Conference held in Las Vegas. The award recognizes retailers and brands who deliver exceptional omnichannel customer experience through innovation, creativity and growth.
DSW recognized for its omnichannel expertise

DSW Inc. has been on a win streak lately, with growing profits and store counts. Now the retailer has notched another win, this time for its excellence in omnichannel retailing.
Guitar Center remixes omnichannel marketing with Zedd

Guitar Center has teamed up with Grammy Award-winning musician-DJ-producer superstar Zedd on an innovative omnichannel promotion to give aspiring musicians the chance to take their careers to the next level.