Data & Analytics

BURLINGTON, Mass. — Pier 1 Imports could be in for powerful home sales this holiday season as a result of its investments in its omni-channel strategy.

The company recently revamped its website as well as its mobile commerce site with help from Demandware, a leading provider of e-commerce solutions.

ATLANTA — The Coca-Cola Company has introduced a free-to-play mobile game called Thred, which will enable users to have fun while getting involved in the global campaign to fight AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria.

Coca-Cola teamed up with Red, an organization founded in 2006 by Bono and Bobby Shriver to engage businesses and people in the fight against AIDS.

WALTHAM, Mass. — Profitect, a provider of retail software, has appointed Mike Mitchell as its new director of global professional services.

Mitchell will lead the company’s project management and business consulting efforts. Prior to joining Profitect, Mitchell served as VP of customer service for Agilence, Inc., overseeing all product implementation, support and professional auditing services.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The National Association of Chain Drug Stores’ EVP and CFO Jim Huber is retiring after 25 years of service.

He will be succeeded by David Fitzsimmons, who has been promoted to SVP of finance and administration, effective December 21. Fitzsimmons currently serves as VP of finance and accounting.

Warburg Pincus has acquired a majority ownership stake in Crossmark, a leading provider of sales and marketing services to retailers and suppliers.

The companies said they entered into a definitive merger agreement whereby Warburg Pincus will make a majority investment of an undisclosed amount in Crossmark that allows for the management owners of the company to maintain a significant equity position and continue to actively lead the company after the transaction closes.

WATERBURY, Vt. — Green Mountain Coffee Roasters has implemented several changes to its board of directors.

GMCR has elected Norman H. Wesley as its new chairman of the board and appointed former Kellogg Company head A. D. “David” Mackay as an independent director. Michael J. Mardy, who had previously served as interim chairman, will continue in his role as audit committee chair.

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. — Staples plans to triple the size of its e-commerce and IT staff by 2014, and has unveiled a new Velocity Lab at Kendall Square in Cambridge, Mass., to kick off its accelerated online growth initiative.

MENOMONEE FALLS, Wis. — Kohl’s has activated its largest solar project to date at its million-sq.-ft. e-commerce fulfillment center in Edgewood, Md.

Kohl’s, a leader in renewable energy usage, opened the facility in 2011, and recently earned Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification from the U.S. Green Building Council at the gold level. The location is Kohl’s sixth solar site in Maryland. It is also the company’s first LEED-certified logistics facility.

CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa. — Ikea has received the green light from Merriam’s city council to go ahead with its Kansas City-area store.

Pending the land purchase, permits and demolition of on-site buildings, construction of Ikea Merriam can begin summer 2013, with the store opening fall 2014.

Menomonee Falls, Wis. -- Kohl’s Department Stores on Tuesday announced activation of the company’s largest solar project at its 1 million-sq.-ft. e-commerce fulfillment center in Edgewood, Md.

The center opened in 2011 and recently earned LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification from the U.S. Green Building Council at the gold level. The location is Kohl’s sixth solar site in Maryland. It is also the company’s first LEED-certified logistics facility.