Retail

Ingolstadt, Germany -- Media Markt – Saturn Holding Netherlands, the Netherlands subsidiary of German electronics retailer Media Markt, has deployed Pricer ESLs in all 45 stores in the Netherlands. This investment in electronic shelf label (ESL) technology is part of Media Markt – Saturn Holding Netherlands’ omni-channel concept, which is based on an active and flexible pricing policy, and on having matching sales prices at any time in the company's brick-and-mortar stores and its online shops.

Minneapolis – Tile Shop Holdings Inc. swung from a net loss to profit during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013, but still reported a net loss for the full fiscal year. During the fourth quarter, Tile Shop reported net earnings of $1.4 million compared to a net loss of $35.8 million to the same period a year earlier.

Minneapolis -- APG Cash Drawer LLC is releasing the BluePro Bluetooth interface for cash drawers. Now available for purchase through APG's distribution partners, the BluePro Bluetooth interface will enable cash drawer control via Bluetooth communication and allows retailers to wirelessly synchronize and create a one to one relationship between the cash drawer and tablet.      

Never one to let an opportunity to bash Walmart go to waste, United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW) associate director Robin Williams did just then when she was named to the NAACP board.

Williams, a 17-year UFCW veteran, was named to the 62-member board of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People on Feb. 13. Williams leads UFCW’s civil rights and community action department and said it was an honor to join the board of the nation’s oldest and largest civil rights organization.

Washington, D.C. – The National Retail Federation (NRF) is publicly crediting the Obama administration for its response to “patent trolls,” or companies that purchase patents for the sole purpose of launching infringement suits against other companies. The administration has implemented a series of executive actions designed to have the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office promote transparency, clarity and fairness in the patent process.

Kirkland's SVP of logistics Todd Weier plans to leave the company. The company has begun a search for a new logistics leader.

Lexington, Mass. – Vertical footwear retailer Keds is launching an omni-channel marketing campaign called the “Keds Brave Life Project.” The campaign is aimed at encouraging positive development of girls and young women.

San Francisco – Gap Inc. will raise the minimum hourly wage for all U.S. employees to $9 in 2014, and then raise it again, to $10, in 2015. The move will affect about 65,000 store employees across the company’s brands, which include Gap, Banana Republic, Old Navy, Piperlime, Athleta, and Intermix. Gap's announcement comes amid a nationwide debate about the minimum wage.