Retail

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. — Stater Bros. Supermarkets, which operates 167 stores in Southern California, announced that it will be the title sponsor of the largest car show on the West Coast as well as the largest Supermarket Chain sponsored event in America.  

The Stater Bros. Route 66 Rendezvous will be held from Thursday, Sept. 15 through Sunday, Sept. 18 along the historic streets of downtown San Bernardino.  This is the 15th straight year that Stater Bros. has been the title sponsor.

The economic challenges sweeping the country have been tough, but, like most things in life, it’s not the challenging times that define you, but what you do during them. For leaders in the retail industry the last few years have led to great innovation, providing the retail industry every opportunity to reinvent in areas across their operations including in the area of environmental sustainability. 

SAN ANTONIO — H-E-B announced that it has launched an early childhood literacy initiative to help educate Texas parents and caregivers about the importance of reading to children a minimum of three times per week and to provide families with the tools and resources they need to prepare their early learners for school.

SCHAUMBURG, Ill. — Motorola Solutions announced that it has introduced its first waterproof Talkabout branded two-way radios. The MS350R series of two-way radios are designed for use during storm season, as well as for hunters and serious outdoor enthusiasts. 

Drug Store News is out with its Annual Prescriber Report which makes for interesting reading for those involved in the pharmacy business or interested in where the health care industry is heading. The report is available in digital format by clicking here. The digital interface is high quality so be patient.

Target last week announced the donation $250,000 in cash and product to assist with Hurricane Irene relief efforts, pushing the total amount the company has committed to domestic disaster relief to more than $1 million. The donations will be distributed among relief agencies including The Salvation Army and the American Red Cross. In addition, Target is giving gift cards and 10,000 relief kits to other local, regional and national nonprofit organizations for such essentials as water and food.

DALLAS — Zale Corp. announced that Brad Furry has been named SVP, CIO. Furry will have responsibility for all information technology strategy and operations functions throughout the company. He will report to Matt Appel, chief administrative officer and CFO.

“We are pleased to welcome Brad to the Zale team. Brad has a demonstrated track record of leveraging information technology in a retail environment,” said Matt Appel. “I am confident he will elevate the impact of technology on our efforts to return the company to profitability.”

CINCINNATI — Kroger has announced the promotion of Joe Fey as president of the Quality Food Centers (QFC) division.

Fey, 57, has been VP merchandising for the company's Michigan division. He succeeds Donna Giordano, who was recently promoted to president of the Ralphs division in California.