Retail

Deerfield Park, Ill. – The Walgreen Company won a North American Innovation in Loyalty Marketing award at the recent Colloquy Loyalty Awards. The award recognized Walgreens’ achievements with its Balance Rewards program.

Colloquy cited achievements such as obtaining 72 million members between its September 2012 launch and May 2013, as well as producing a year-over-year sales increase of 4.3% and year-over-year average basket size increase of 4.7% in May 2013.

Winston-Salem, N.C. – Krispy Kreme Doughnut Corporation has signed its first development agreement in South America with Bogota-based IRCC Ltda., a subsidiary of the VA! Group. Under the agreement, IRCC expects to develop 25 stores in major cities throughout Colombia, including Bogota, Medellin and Barranquilla, during the next five years.

Harker Heights, Texas — Sam’s Club will open its new Harker Heights, Texas location on Sept. 26 at 8 a.m. The grand opening will feature presentations by the mayor of Harker Heights and the president of the chamber of commerce president. Retired NFL player Ed “Too Tall” Jones will make an appearance from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

The new 136,000-sq.-ft. warehouse will bring 175 jobs to the community and feature a fresh bakery, a tire and battery center, a café and a fueling station.

Arlington, Texas — With more than 135 stores across the country, Pet Supermarket has leased 6,000 sq. ft. of retail space in Fielder Plaza, a community retail center in Arlington, Texas.

The Weitzman Group, the exclusive retail-leasing agent for the center, handled negotiations for the transaction. Pet Supermarket will join Tom Thumb grocery, CVS/pharmacy, Starbucks, Allstate, T-Mobile and others. Cencor Realty Services manages Fielder Plaza.

Franklin, Tenn. – The dollar value of transactions performed at self-service kiosks in North America surpassed $822 billion in 2012 and should reach more than $1 trillion by the end of 2014. Self-service kiosks are currently used in more than 100,000 checkout lanes at North American retailers.

East Pennsboro Township, Pa. – Rite Aid has reportedly been ordered to pay $12.3 million in a civil lawsuit accusing the retailer of illegally dumping hazardous waste from more than 600 stores in California. According to the Los Angeles Times, San Joaquin County Superior Court Judge Linda L. Lofthus handed down the ruling in a suit brought against Rite Aid by the district attorneys of San Joaquin, Los Angeles and Riverside counties.

New York – Barnes & Noble, Inc. is offering Member Appreciation Days, a special savings event for new and current Barnes & Noble loyalty members. Starting Sept. 26 through Sept. 29, members will receive a 20% in-store discount on products in Barnes & Noble stores nationwide including books, gifts, toys, games, movies, and café items.

Members already receive a 10% discount on most purchases, as well as 40% of hardcover books and online savings.

Wayne, N.J. – Toys ‘R’ Us is opening Trick ‘R’ Treat “Bootiques” inside Toys "R" Us stores nationwide and online at Toysrus.com. These in-store shops feature a broad assortment of Halloween costumes, accessories, candy, gear and more.