Strategy

The initiative is a three-year project that entails installing 3,600 York packaged rooftop units (Predator series) to maximize energy savings through more efficient HVAC equipment at stores eight years or older. The York rooftop units feature energy-saving technologies including variable-speed drives, California Title 24-compliant economizers and new energy recovery ventilators (ERV) specifically designed for retailers.

Wal-Mart Stores filed a lawsuit against Visa Inc., saying the payments network wants it to verify transactions made with debit cards with signatures rather than the chip-and-PIN protocol, Bloomberg reported.

Dollar General Corp. has announced plans to build what will be its 15th fqcility in the discounter’s growing distribution network. The discounter has purchased land in Jackson, Georgia to serve as the location for the new distribution center it plans to construct in the central part of the state.

The Kroger Co. is looking to hire 14,000 associates. The supermarket operator is holding a nationwide hiring event on Saturday, May 14, to fill open jobs across all its store brands. Interested candidates can also apply online at jobs.kroger.com. The openings are for part-time and full-time associates.

Ollie’s Bargain Outlet Holdings has entered the Sunshine State, opening a store in Orlando, Florida. The new location represents the extreme discounter’s 208th store and 18th state of operation. In keeping with the company’s strategy of expanding into contiguous states and new markets, Ollie’s plans to open a total of six to nine stores in the state of Florida this year and 28-32 new stores overall across the eastern half of the United States in 2016.

Consumers looking to sell their unwanted treasures now have a new option thanks to a partnership between eBay Inc. and FedEx Office. The two companies are teaming up to offer eBay Valet drop-off locations at more than 1,600 FedEx Office stores nationwide over the coming months.

Wal-Mart Stores filed a lawsuit against Visa Inc., saying the payments network wants it to verify transactions made with debit cards with signatures rather than the chip-and-PIN protocol, Bloomberg reported.  

The mergers and acquisitions market in consumer-retail overall will be active in 2016, but will also return to a more rational market with better balance between buyers and sellers and more reasonable deal values for higher-risk acquisitions.