Technology

LEXINGTON, Mass. — Keds has announced its sponsorship of seven-time Grammy winning, multi-platinum singer-songwriter and style icon Taylor Swift's North American RED Tour, kicking-off on March 13 in Omaha, Nebraska and continuing through September. To celebrate, Keds is releasing a limited edition Champion sneaker featuring the names of each city on the tour.

Minneapolis -- Target Corp. said Monday that it will open 17 southwestern Ontario, Canada store on March 19 and another four on March 28, on the heels of three successful pilot-store launches in the area.

The added slate of openings, said Target, will allow the retailer more opportunity to volume-test in advance of April grand opening dates.

Retail innovation cycles last approximately 20 years. As we take a look at retail history, this cycle becomes self-evident. From the general store to department stores to discount stores and so forth, each variety has their day in the sun as the leading channel for most purchases. Today, we’re lucky enough to be living within two powerful cycles simultaneously. But the fun will soon come to an end.

ISSAQUAH, Wash. — Costco Wholesale Corp. will expand its Issaquah, Wash., headquarters, according to a regional news reports.

According to the Seattle Daily Journal of Commerce, Issaquah's director of economic development, Keith Niven, said the club retailer would expand the headquarters to take up as much as 1.5 million square feet.

 The Tacoma, Wash., News Tribune reported that the company currently takes up three buildings that are full.

SAN FRANCISCO and NEW ORLEANS — InsideView, a provider of customer intelligence, announced that one year after introducing a multi-faceted partnership with Microsoft to integrate InsideView's curated content into Microsoft Dynamics CRM, demand for the joint solution has exceeded expectations, and has provided an opportunity for Microsoft Dynamics channel partners to bring additional value to their CRM customers.

ATLANTA — Innotrac Corp., a best-of-breed commerce provider integrating digital technology, fulfillment, and contact center solutions to support global brands, has announced the appointment of Steve Keaveney as its new CFO.

Keaveney brings to Innotrac more than 25 years of experience in finance, accounting and operations for both publicly and privately held companies.  He has extensive experience in financial leadership, revenue growth, analysis and budgeting.

Boston — Raley’s Family of Fine Stores, a privately held supermarket chain with a presence in Northern California and Nevada, has partnered with BzzAgent, the social marketing arm of Dunnhumby, to develop the first grocery retailer advocacy online platform to further enhance its new loyalty program, Something Extra.

WASHINGTON — The National Retail Federation reported that the average person celebrating Easter this year will spend about $145.13 on candy, décor, apparel and food – which is flat with last year’s $145.28.

NRF, through its Easter Spending Survey conducted by BIGinsight, estimated that total spending will reach an estimated $17.2 billion this year.