Retail

Kozy Shack, a 50-year-old pudding brand, is hiring a spokes-grandma to represent the brand nationally in online, broadcast and print advertisements.

The call for applications has been put out coast-to-coast: Pudding-loving grandmas can submit their applications at KozyShack.me/Grandma now through Jan. 31. More information can be found in job postings on Monster, Careerbuilder and LinkedIn.

San Mateo, Calif. - Feedzai, a data science company that uses real-time, machine-based learning to prevent fraud, it is now available in the U.S. market. With its foray into the U.S. market, Feedzai will begin selling to payment networks, banks and retailers to prevent fraud in omnichannel commerce.

The retail and consumer packaged goods industry fared poorly in a recent global ranking of corporate sustainability leaders with the handful of standouts being Coca-Cola, Johnson & Johnson, Staples and Campbell Soup Company.

The ranking of 100 companies compiled by Corporate Knights, a media, research and investment advisory company, included only17 U.S. companies and only two retailers. Sweden’s H&M was ranked 64th and Staples was ranked 72nd.

Cincinnati -- The Kroger Co. said it has completed its acquisition of Harris Teeter Supermarkets for about $2.5 billion. Under the terms of the merger agreement, Harris Teeter shareholders will receive $49.38 per share of Harris Teeter common stock.

Most mobile shoppers redeemed a coupon directly from their mobile device last year, according to a recent study from shopping app Key Ring, which is part of G/O Digital, a Gannett company.

The survey, conducted by Key Ring, examined more than 25,000 mobile shoppers and found that 75% redeemed a coupon from their mobile device in 2013, up more than 5% year-over-year. The study also showed that 80% of shoppers said their perception of a retailer would change for the positive if the retailer offered mobile deals and coupons.

Fort Wayne, Ind. -- Do it Best Corp. announced that VP of retail logistics John Snider will retire, effective June 30, 2014. The company’s VP of marketing, Tim Miller, will move into the role.

Target plans to carry on its Canadian expansion this year with nine additional stores, the majority of which will open in Ontario, although the retailer plans to open single stores in Quebec, Manitoba, Alberta and B.C.

Owings Mills, Md. — Towne Centre at Laurel in Laurel, Md., has announced leases for 14 new retailers and restaurants. The $130 million, 400,000-sq.-ft. mixed-use redevelopment of the former Laurel Mall is now 85% leased and under construction. The first phase is scheduled to open in March with the reopening of a new 70,000-sq.-ft. Burlington Coat Factory.

The remainder of the project will open this fall, featuring Regal Cinemas, Sports Authority and the first Harris Teeter in Prince George’s County, along with the following 14 new tenants: