Retail

Fast-growing grocery delivery service Instacart is expanding a program that lets some contract workers become part-time employees.

The online grocery delivery service is now offering its contractor in-store shoppers in Houston and Austin, Texas, the option of applying for new employee roles with expanded responsibilities.

Cincinnati — The Kroger Co. is sustaining efforts to be more environmentally sound and humane in its business practices.

The grocery giant released its 2015 sustainability report, which included 33,000 tons of waste recycled at 1.061 stores in 2015, a 12% year-over-year increase.

Other highlights from the report include:

Baltimore –  An executive from the sports world is moving into the retail arena.

Terdema L. Ussery II has joined Under Armour Inc. as president, global sports categories, effective Sept. 14, 2015. Ussery previously served as the president and CEO of the Dallas Mavericks NBA team for the past 18 years.

In his new position, Ussery will be responsible for spearheading category management across all key brand and business units around the world to drive authenticity and connectivity with consumers.

Seoul, Korea – Samsung is testing a mobile wallet solution, but it may be a while before U.S. consumers get to join in the fun.

The consumer electronics giant announced in a blog posting that Korean consumers can now use a beta version of its Samsung Pay mobile payment application.

Digital promotions platform RetailMeNot has found a new partner to provide retailers with enhanced marketing analytics. 

New York — C. Wonder, which shuttered all its stores and filed Chapter 11 early this year, is getting a second chance—sort of.

Xcel Brands has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the C. Wonder brand from Burch Acquisition LLC. The deal gives Xcel  the rights to thr C. Wonder trademarks, related designs and other intellectual property rights.

 The closing of the acquisition is subject to board approval

Kohl’s is looking to make a difference in the lives of many of its customers with a vast volunteer effort involving all its stores, thousands of its employees and 160 hospitals.

Seattle – Amazon.com may be preparing a pre-emptive strike against a rival e-commerce platform before it even officially takes off.

According to CNBC, Piper Jaffray Internet analyst Gene Munster says Amazon s considering a purchase of Jet.com, a subscription-based e-commerce site that is currently in beta and set to officially launch next week.

Munster said that Jet.com does a good job in gamifying the online shopping process and in selling fast-moving consumer goods, two things Amazon has not historically done well.