Corporate Governance

Fitch names new creative director in North America
Global retail and brand consultancy Fitch has appointed Andy Barlow creative director. Barlow will relocate from the U.K. to lead multi-disciplinary creative teams, and work closely with the leadership across North America to grow and broaden the region’s offer. With over 25 years of design experience, agency and client side, Barlow has worked with Tesco, Harrods, and Amazon among others.
Regional grocer anticipates Prime expansion
Sprouts Farmers Market doesn't plan on backing out of its partnership with Amazon any time soon. Despite Amazon’s recent announcement to purchase of Whole Foods Market, Sprouts Farmers Market plans to continue its role as an Amazon Prime Now delivery partner. More so, the grocer expects the program to extend to more than half of its store network, according to Food Navigator-USA.

Gallup survey: U.S. grocery shoppers buck online shopping trend — for now

Shopping for groceries online has a long way to go before it catches on with the vast majority of U.S. consumers. Nine percent of U.S. adults report that their household shop online for groceries at least once a month, including 4% who do it at least weekly, according to Gallup's annual Consumption Habits survey. By contrast, almost all Americans say someone in their family shops for groceries in person at least once a month, with 83% going at least once a week.
Office supply giant jumps into same-day delivery

Office Depot is launching a same-day delivery program in three markets. The service, powered by Deliv, will be available on August 28 in Atlanta and Los Angeles, and on September 6 in Ft. Lauderdale/Miami. It is expected to be rolled out in several additional markets by the end of December.
Former Walmart, Microsoft exec joins Albertsons

One of the nation's leading supermarket executives has tapped a retail and digital veteran to join its team. Albertsons Companies appointed Kevin Turner, former COO at Microsoft, as vice chairman of the board of managers of AB Acquisition, its direct parent. Turned has also been named senior advisor to Albertsons chairman and CEO, Bob Miller.
Moody's: Retail leaders outnumber the laggards

The retail industry is actually in better shape than some of today's headlines may lead folks to believe. "Distressed [retail] names are growing, but still a small part of our rated universe," Moody's analyst Christina Boni told CNBC. "The broader industry remains fundamentally healthy." Dollar stores, home-improvement chains, convenience stores and auto-parts retailers are among the leaders of the pack, according to the report.
The Future of Bricks-and-Mortar in a Turbulent Retail Environment

Retail has reached a tipping point. Omnichannel shopping is no longer the “new thing” — it is THE THING. Demographics and technology have permanently altered consumer behavior, and retailers have felt the impact in an unprecedented manner. In today’s environment, proactive management of the store portfolio is not an option—companies must actively pursue a forward-looking, dynamic, and data-centric approach to design the optimal store portfolio to ensure ongoing viability.
Fast-growing discount grocer expands analytics capabilities

Aldi has extended its partnership with Nielsen to gain more shopper and advertising effectiveness insight. Nielsen and Aldi announced an expanded multi-year relationship for integrated analytics data around shopper panel, custom retail analytics and advertising effectiveness. Under the agreement, Nielsen will be Aldi's preferred data and analytics provider, covering the chains' nearly 1,700 stores in 35 states across the U.S.
Regulatory Wrap-Up: Minimum wage and paid-leave ballot initiatives popping up

Wages
Chinese e-commerce giant in joint venture with Marriott

Alibaba Group Holding is expanding its online travel footprint.
Chain Store Age names newest members to SPECS ‘Ambassadors Club’

In 2016, Chain Store Age unveiled its first-ever SPECS Ambassadors Club, created to recognize selected retail executives who have made significant contributions to the industry and to SPECS. Produced by CSA, SPECS is attended by retail and food-service executives who plan, design, build, and maintain stores and restaurants nationwide.
Popular British brand to jump the pond

Hunter, best known for its signature rain boots, is expanding its fledgling retail footprint. The iconic British brand will make its North American freestanding retail debut in October, at Yorkdale Shopping Centre in Toronto.