Sales & Marketing

CINCINNATI — Kroger on Tuesday announced it will place self-use health screening kiosks at all of its 1,950 locations to help their pharmacy patients "know their numbers."

"Our customers tell us they want to make healthy choices but don't always know where to start," Kroger's health strategy coordinator Matthew Feltman said. "We're pleased to expand the availability of Kroger HealthCenters to help customers take their first steps toward overall health and wellness."

New York -- The Deloitte Consumer Spending Index, released on Wednesday, decreased slightly in July, marking the first decline since February 2012. 

The Index tracks consumer cash flow as an indicator of future consumer spending.

The Annual State of the Industry Report is the centerpiece of this issue of Chain Store Age, and it’s a great read. It’s also very timely.

Friday promises to be a big day in Wasilla, Alaska, as the town receives the distinction of being the location of the 5,000th AutoZone store.

A presentation and ribbon cutting ceremony to be held Friday afternoon will be attended by U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), and Wasilla Mayor Verne Rupright along with the Wasilla Chamber of Commerce board of directors.

New Albany, Ohio -- Abercrombie & Fitch reported Wednesday that net income in the second quarter slid 52% to $15.5 million, compared with $32 million in the year-ago period.

Total sales rose 4% to $951.4 million, missing Wall Street’s forecast of $954.9 million, and U.S. sales fell 5%. The retailer said Wednesday it is cutting its 2012 earnings guidance and will open fewer international Hollister stores in fiscal 2012 than initially planned.
 

There’s no question about it: Shoppers will have more options than ever before when it comes to shopping this holiday, from where and how they shop to how they pay. Given the myriad of choices available, experts agree that one of the keys to a successful holiday season — and long-term survival — is customer engagement.

GLENWILLOW, Ohio — Fashion retailer Dots has named former Walmart SVP, Lisa Rhodes as its new CEO.
  
Rhodes, who led Walmart's U.S. apparel merchandising division, has been charged with leading Dots’ march toward 1,000 stores.
   
Prior to her role at Walmart, Rhodes was EVP and chief merchandising officer for Maurice’s.
  

I’ve written before about the ongoing trend of some of the biggest names in retail downsizing. Now I’m seeing how brands like Target, Wal-Mart and Office Depot are rolling out smaller new store formats in urban environments, and it has me thinking about how this downsizing phenomenon might be even more important than many people realize.