Unilever Co.

A new smartphone app Walmart unveiled to suppliers on Thursday has the potential to drive improved in-stock levels and increase associate efficiency.

WALTHAM, Mass. — Profitect, provider of software solutions for the retail industry, announced that Daniel Corsten has joined the company’s board of advisors. 

NORWALK, Conn. — Consumer goods manufacturer Unilever has implemented Terra Technology’s Demand Sensing and Multi-Enterprise Inventory Optimization solutions across Europe. These implementations are improving forecast accuracy and helping to create a more agile and efficient supply chain, contributing to significantly lower inventory and improved on-shelf availability.

GREENSBORO, N.C. — The board of directors of VF Corp., a global leader in branded lifestyle apparel and footwear, has elected Matthew Shattock as a director.

Shattock is the president and CEO of Beam Inc., one of the world’s leading premium spirits companies. He has led Beam since 2009, first as an operating unit of Fortune Brands and since October 2011 as a standalone public company. 

PALO ALTO, Calif. — Shopkick, a shopping app, on Wednesday announced that Nielsen ranked shopkick No. 34 out of approximately 1 million apps in December 2012. While still trailing giants like Facebook, YouTube and Twitter overall, Shopkick dominated the shopping category during the holiday season, with more frequent and prolonged usage than all physical retailers' own apps including Starbucks, Walmart, Walgreens, Kroger and Safeway, the app developer noted. 

Palo Alto, Calif. -- The shopping app Shopkick on Wednesday announced that Nielsen ranked Shopkick No. 34 out of approximately 1 million apps in December 2012. While still trailing giants like Facebook, YouTube and Twitter overall, Shopkick dominated the shopping category during the holiday season, with more frequent and prolonged usage than all physical retailers' own apps including Starbucks, Walmart, Walgreens, Kroger and Safeway, the app developer noted.

By Ann Natunewicz, national manager, Retail Research, USA Retail Services Group

The outlet shopping experience has morphed from warehouse settings offering damaged and closeout merchandise to today’s centers that are designed to maximize customer flow and sell merchandise from the most exclusive international designers.

Retailer and supplier consolidation has led to the demise of some conventional trade shows, but that’s not the case with the Sweets & Snacks Expo.

Record attendance is expected at the event scheduled for May 21 through May 23 in Chicago due in part to format changes by event organizer the National Confectioners Association and the strength of merchandise categories represented at the mega event.