Supermarket/Grocery

Ottawa, Ontario -- The Canadian government is reportedly seeking to boost penalties for retailers caught using “zapper” software that can delete or modify transactional data in electronic POS systems to illegally hide sales.

St. Petersburg, Fla. -- HSN has appointed Matthew Rubel, senior advisor with TPG Capital, to its board of directors.

Rubel previously served as chairman, president and CEO of Collective Brands, where he worked from 2005-2011. Before that, his executive roles included serving as president and CEO of Cole Haan from 1999 to 2005, as well as serving as executive VP of J. Crew Group and CEO of Popular Club Plan.

Teaneck, N.J. – Physical stores remain critically important to omnichannel commerce. Results of the fourth annual Cognizant Customer Experience Study show that for consumable products, 75% of shoppers still prefer to make an in-store purchase.

New York -- The Ontario Superior Court of Justice has approved Loblaw Cos.’ acquisition of Shoppers Drug Mart.

Completion of the arrangement remains conditional on compliance with the Competition Act and certain other closing conditions customary in transactions of this nature. The transaction is expected to be completed before the end of first quarter 2014.

PLEASANTON, Calif. — Safeway and Food Network host Marcela Valladolid have unveiled a Safeway-exclusive Marcela Valladolid brand, which offers an assortment of Mexican food products.

Plymouth Meeting, Pa. — Kay Jewelers has opened a 1,400-sq.-ft. store at Plymouth Meeting Mall on the second level, just inside the mall nearest the restaurant plaza entrance.

Owned, managed and leased by Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust www.preit.com, the mall is anchored by Macy’s, Boscov’s and Whole Foods Market and Café.

Uncle Julio’s Fine Mexican Food Restaurant will also open at Plymouth Meeting Mall during the 2013 holiday season.

Detroit – Despite the widely reported financial troubles the Detroit area is facing, four current development projects demonstrate there is demand for new retail stores and restaurants in the city.

According to an article in Crain’s Detroit Business, all four projects are taking place near the Oakland Mall at the intersection of 14 Mile and John R. roads. Chicago-based Urban Retail Properties is reportedly developing Qdoba Mexican Grill and Starbucks locations off 14 Mile Road that will open later this fall.

MINNEAPOLIS — Yoplait yogurt has unveiled new packaging design for Go-Gurt, which features prominent health labels. 

"Our consumers expressed their need for a product that doesn't contain high fructose corn syrup for their kids and we listened and acted," said Justin Conzemius, Yoplait associate marketing director. "For the past year, we have been working on a product that would achieve those goals, yet continue to deliver a product that kids found fun and delicious."