Microsoft

Protection plan provider SquareTrade launched a major program with Sam’s Club last week and this week the company named a former private equity executive to lead its North American business.

Raj Kapoor, a former Bain Capital executive, joined SquareTrade as SVP of North America to lead business development, field sales operations and business process teams.

Whole Foods is experimenting with transforming food waste generated at stores into organic fertilizer by using a piece of equipment called the WISErg Harvester.

The Harvester is a piece of equipment with a footprint about the size of a typical pallet that promises to change the way retailers dispose of food waste. The Harvester unit ingests food scraps from overripe produce and unsold prepared foods and converts them into a liquid that can be made into an organic fertilizer.

Umang Shah was named global director for social media and digital marketing at Campbell’s after serving in a similar capacity at Walmart for the past two years.

Increased personalization is at the root of the latest upgrade to ShopSavvy’s mobile shopping platform allowing users greater targeting of in-store contextual ads.

ShopSavvy, the world’s largest mobile shopping platform, said its AdOns advertising network was enhanced to support iBeacon integration allowing greater personalization. Apple’s iBeacon technology uses Bluetooth and location-based services to ping nearby smart phones with advertisements, coupons, or messages. The technology is available on both the Apple, and Android operating system.

New York -- Wesfield Garden State Plaza, in Paramus, N.J., is merging the digital experience with the physical one. The shopping center has installed a series of 7-ft. tall, ultra-high definition touch-screen displays, called “digital storefronts,” in its just-opened Fashion District wing. The new wing adds 55,000 sq. ft. over two floors and 22 new stores and restaurants to the mall

Michael Manos has joined payments security provider First Data as chief technology officer after holding a similar role at AOL.

In his new role, Manos will be responsible for First Data's global technology infrastructure and reports to company president Guy Chiarello.

New York – Bergdorf Goodman is collaborating with Elad Group at the developer's newest luxury condominium project, 22 Central Park South. Under the partnership, the iconic Manhattan retailer has styled a model residence in the development with accessories, art work and bedding from its home floor.

GameStop CEO Paul Raines remained optimistic about the company’s fourth quarter results, saying that the launch of new consoles in 2013 marked the return of innovation to the video game category and that the company’s market share increased to an all-time high.