Corporate Governance

Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft partners with U.K.’s Craft Retail Group
Grand Rapids, Mich. - Craft Retail Group, part of the U.K.-based Ideal Shopping Direct multichannel retail shopping group, is launching the U.S. broadcast of its Create and Craft shopping network. The network, in partnership with Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores, offers products and brands across craft, sewing, quilting, knitting, and niche creative arts.
Oracle highlights Oracle Retail 14.1, Micros in Jan. 6 webinar
Redwood Shores, Calif. – Join Oracle Retail VP of strategy Andrea Morgan-Vandome on Tuesday Jan. 6 at noon ET as she shares the new developments of 14.1 combined with functionality through the acquisition of Micros. In this interactive webinar, attendees will hear first-hand how Oracle is able to delve deeper into mission-critical initiatives and offer retail-rich functionality.

Sonic targets upstate New York

Oklahoma City – Fast food chain Sonic is heading upstate. Sonic has signed a new agreement for franchise development of eight new drive-ins in the Albany, New York area during the next seven years, with the first restaurant opening in Latham this spring.
Retail groups rebut financial industry payment card claims

Washington, D.C. - The Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) and six other merchant associations have sent a letter rebutting recent comments about payment card security from the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA). Specifically, the letter outlines three points.
Study: Average data breach costs near $13 million

Ann Arbor, Mich. – Gas prices may be falling, but the price of recovering from a data breach is steadily climbing. According to a new study from authentication technology provider Duo Security, the average cost of data breach recovery reached $12.7 million in 2014, compared to $11.6 million in 2013 and $9 million in 2012.
Happy New Year from CSA!

Chain Store Age will be closed for the New Year’s holiday from December 31 through January 2. We will return to normal business hours—and publish again—on Monday, January 5. CSA wishes you and your family a very happy and healthy 2015. Cheers!
Product Spotlight: Property Payments

One of the more innovative real estate tech products to emerge in recent years is Property Payments, a collaboration between MasterCard and International Bancard. CSA talked with David Iafrate, CEO, International Bancard, about the new product and what it will deliver to the industry.

Has Property Payments officially launched?
Hot Chain, Hot Growth

Firehouse Subs has a lot more going for it than an interesting story. And the story is unique: A couple of Jacksonville firefighters — brothers, even — opened the first restaurant in 1994, selling sandwiches (with names like ‘Hook & Ladder,’ which is the No. 1 seller) within a decidedly firefighter-themed restaurant environment. The concept was hot from the get-go, leaping to over 300 units in its first decade and now numbering near 900 mostly franchised restaurants.
Smart Calculations

By Judah Regenstreif

As federal laws become increasingly strict and technology continues to advance, the necessity for a retailer to focus on long-term sustainability is crucial for continued growth. Companies are faced with the pressure to reduce energy and manage operating costs and maintenance expenses.
Cutting-edge Sustainability

Angelo Caputo’s Fresh Market’s newest store combines the 56-year-old grocer’s signature Old World traditions with leading-edge technology. The 100,000-sq.-ft. store, in Carol Stream, Illinois, houses state-of-the art refrigeration equipment that helps set it apart from other local supermarkets.
Facilities Outsourcing Trends

The market trend was detailed in a survey conducted by Johnson Controls Global WorkPlace Solutions in partnership with PeopleWise. According to the study, facilities management is the most outsourced service, with 82% of the respondents currently outsourcing some part of facilities management and real estate services.
Focus on Renewable Energy

By Ryan Gilchrist

Walmart, Kohl’s, Macy’s and select other retailers already rank among the nation’s leading producers of solar energy, with huge investments that are growing every year. But the industry’s strong position in renewable energy still has room for improvement — literally — with millions of unutilized roof space, prime real estate for solar panels and wind turbines.