Retail

Worldwise, a leading consumer pet products company, has entered into a long-term, exclusive licensing agreement with kathy ireland Worldwide (kiWW). Kathy Ireland will develop a line of pet products with the Worldwise team and market the collection under the brand kathy ireland Loved Ones.

Minneapolis – Caribou Coffee has launched its new loyalty program, Caribou Perks. Customers can register by text or online.

New York City-based home furnishings retailer Gracious Home has named Rob Morrison as its new chief operating officer. The former Lumber Liquidators executive begins his new role Jan. 6.

At Lumber Liquidators, Morrison was senior VP of stores and operations, a position he held since January 2006. He was also president of Artistic Tile from 2004 to 2005.

Las Vegas – Zappos is reportedly instituting a radical overhaul of its management structure that will eliminate traditional managers and flatten the corporate hierarchy, even eliminating internal job titles. According to the Washington Post, this management structure is known as a “holacracy.”

An omnichannel transformation initiative underway at department store retailer Belk is being executed with the aid of Accenture following a recent agreement between the operator of 300 stores and the global management consultancy.

Accenture has worked with Belk previously, but the recently announced agreement brings the consultant and retailer closer together as Belk looks to improve on its ability to provide customers a more seamless experience as part of its wide-ranging Omnichannel Transformation Initiative.

Boston – Doug Rauch, former president of Trader Joe’s, reportedly plans to open a pilot store that will charge reduced prices for food that is damaged or expired, but still safe to eat. According to the Boston Globe, The Daily Table will open in the urban Dorchester neighborhood of Boston during 2014 and offer services that are a mix of features offered in supermarkets and restaurants.

Looking back on 2013 (and as always, it’s amazing how quickly “look back” time arrived), the biggest single trend in retail IT has been customers using connective technology to take control of the shopping experience. And retailers should be thrilled.

North Plainfield, N.J. — Salon 724 has leased 2,300 sq. ft. at Centre Plaza in Bensalem, Pa., according to Levin Management (www.levinmgt.com), the center’s exclusive leasing and managing agent.

Tenants at the 43,550-sq.-ft. Centre Plaza include Curves for Women, Domino’s Pizza, LabCorp, MGM Financial Strategies Inc., First Federal Savings & Loan, A&S Bagels and Tako Japanese Restaurant.