Mass Merchant

Bentonville, Ark. -- Walmart announced that it will partner with Rovio Entertainment, maker of Angry Birds, on the launch of Angry Birds Space, the newest version of the world's most-downloaded mobile game, which will be released in app stores on March 22. The partnership will integrate retail, social media and gaming components, and launch in more than 3,000 Walmart U.S. stores on March 25.

Waban, Mass. -- Sam's Club, Aldi, Publix Super Markets, Amazon.com, and H.E.B. are the retailers with the most loyal customers according to a new study by Temkin Group. The report, the 2012 Temkin Loyalty Ratings, rates the loyalty that consumers have to 206 large companies across 18 industries.

New York -- Columnist Jeff Green isn’t really surprised that another retailer has joined the ranks of those chains that are downsizing or rolling out smaller format. But he finds the fact that Kohl’s has joined the crowd a little bit different and more interesting.

Check out Retail Rap by Jeff Green by clicking here.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Sears Holdings announced that David Lukes has joined the company in its real estate business unit as president real estate development. Lukes comes to Sears Holdings from Mall Properties Inc. where he served as president and CEO of the privately owned $3 billion real estate firm. 

Hoffman Estates, Ill. -- Sears Holdings Corp. announced Tuesday that it has named David Lukes as president, real estate development for the company.

Lukes was previously president and CEO of real estate firm Mall Properties.

Lukes has been charged with leading Sears’ efforts to further develop its real estate assets, including those that are now non-retail.

New York -- StoreBoard Media announced Tuesday that its licensee, StoreBoard Media Canada, has added Staples Canada and Zellers to its in-store billboard network, which offers marketers an opportunity to advertise their brands on security pedestals located at entranceways and in other high-traffic areas of stores.

The pair of agreements will add nearly 4,000 security pedestals to the StoreBoard Canada network.

WABAN, Mass. — Sam's Club has the most loyal customers, according to a new study by Temkin Group. The report, "2012 Temkin Loyalty Ratings," rated the loyalty that consumers have to 206 large companies across 18 industries.

Only seven companies earned "very strong" loyalty ratings. In addition to the retailers listed above, credit unions and USAA earned the distinction. Sam’s Club had the most loyal customers across all industries, with a loyalty rating of 65%.

It doesn’t really surprise me anymore when I hear about another national brand rolling out a smaller store format or compact new prototype. Recognizable names like Target, Walmart and Best Buy have all had some success with smaller formats, particularly when it comes to penetrating new markets. But I think the fact that Kohl’s has now joined the crowd is a little bit different — and a little bit more interesting.