Retail

CINCINNATI — Kroger on Thursday announced plans to bring together more than 4,800 associates at the Kentucky Exposition Center on April 16 to assemble an estimated 17,000 emergency food and personal care boxes for the metro community of Louisville, Ky.

New York -- A man who deliberately cut his arms using saws in the aisles of a Home Depot store in suburban Los Angeles on Wednesday is in critical condition, according to media reports.

The man, whose man has not been released, was in the store's tool section when he grabbed several handsaws and began cutting into his upper arms. Panicked customers called 911.

The man was in surgery hours after the incident.

ABILENE, Kan. — Alco Stores announced that the company will move its corporate headquarters from Abilene, Kansas, to Coppell, Texas, a suburb of Dallas.

In making the announcement, CEO Rich Wilson said, "Today's challenging business climate and highly competitive retail landscape require that we locate our headquarters in a metropolitan center. The Dallas location provides easy access to many of our stores, other major retailers and transportation for our employees and business partners."

New York -- A Wednesday report by Reuters said that Jerry Murray, the Wal-Mart finance VP who called the chain's early February sales "a total disaster" in an email made public by Bloomberg, has left the company, effective April 5.

Wal-Mart Stores has confirmed the report, telling Reuters that it was Murray's decision to leave and that his last day at Wal-Mart was Friday.

New York -- Drugstore operator Duane Reade announced Wednesday the launch of its first mobile application for iOS devices.  

The app, free in the iTunes store, is intended to facilitate and customer access to Duane Reade’s pharmacy services, photo printers, prescription refills, Balance Rewards offers, account information and in-store maps.  

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The California Grocers Association has named Keri Askew Bailey as SVP government relations and public policy, effective immediately.

In this newly created position, Bailey will assume responsibility for creating and managing an aggressive public policy program through the development and facilitation of coalitions with CGA membership, ally associations, chambers of commerce, and other interested parties.

Henderson, N.C. -- Verge Connect said Wednesday it is powering Fas Mart/Shore Stop’s first smartphone application, which debuted in April across more than 200 locations primarily in Virginia, Connecticut, Maryland and Delaware.

The new application, called Fas APP, integrates with the retailer’s new secure payment card.

Fas Mart/Shore Stop, which are owned by GPM Investments, selected the Verge Connect platform to help build the company’s digital and mobile presence.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Sears Holdings has launched a new business unit that will focus on the development of entertainment-driven fashion and lifestyle brands. The unit, called Shop Your Way brands, will be lead by Bernt Ullmann and his team from Star Branding, whose partners include Tommy Hilfiger, Andy Hilfiger, and Joe Lamastra.