Supply Chain & Merchandising

Boston -- AisleBuyer and Big Y Foods announced a partnership to provide Big Y’s customers with a mobile application for iPhone and Android devices that seeks to deliver a new level of customer service and empowerment.

New York City -- Best Buy Co. said Monday it is buying out its joint venture partner, Carphone Warehouse Group PLC, in its fast-growing North American mobile business for $1.34 billion. As part of the reorganization of its relationship with the U.S. consumer electronics giant, Carphone Warehouse will shutter the 11 pilot big-box Best Buy stores it opened last year in the United Kingdom.

Target reported a 3.3% same-store sales increase for October and a similar figure could be in order for November as the company again provided guidance calling for a low-to-mid single-digit increase.

Northbrook, Ill. -- Pine Tree Silverpeak Retail Partners, a joint venture between Northbrook, Ill.-based Pine Tree Commercial Realty and New York City-based Silverpeak Real Estate Partners, recently teamed up with New York City-based Privet Investments in the acquisition of Hamilton Place Shopping Center in Auburn, Ala.

The partners purchased the grocery-anchored shopping center from an Alabama-based developer, assuming existing financing. Publix anchors the 79,540-sq.-ft. center.

MINNEAPOLIS — Target shoppers have a new incentive for joining the retailer's REDcard Rewards loyalty program: free shipping on Target.com. In addition, for the first time Target Debit Cards can be used on Target.com, the company said.

New York City -- The president and CEO of Aaron's Inc. has resigned.

Robert C. Loudermilk, the son of the company's founder, announced his resignation Friday afternoon. In a statement, the appliance and furniture-rental company said Loudermilk was leaving due to health reasons. He also resigned from Aaron's board of directors.

Ronald W. Allen, former chairman and CEO of Delta Air Lines, will serve as Aaron's interim president and CEO.

San Francisco -- Williams-Sonoma announced today that it has acquired Rejuvenation Inc., a manufacturer and retailer of authentic reproduction lighting and house parts, such as doors and cabinet hardware.

Rejuvenation’s lighting fixtures are custom-configured and made-to-order. The brand’s products are sold through its catalog, website and retail stores in Portland, Ore., Seattle and Los Angeles. The transaction price was not disclosed.

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — A regional supermarket chain is looking to enhance its customers' shopping experience with the introduction of a new mobile application.

Big Y said that its mobile app — powered by mobile commerce platform provider AisleBuyer's mShop, which allows shoppers to scan barcodes to view and compare product and nutrition information, access customer reviews and receive personalized coupons and offers — is designed to deliver enhanced customer service and engagement.