Store Systems

Publix Super Markets continues to make news on the executive front.

As more millennials enter the real estate market and a rising number of homeowners invest in updating their homes, J.C. Penney is re-entering the appliance business.

The retailer announced that it will introduce a leading assortment of major appliances in 22 pilot stores beginning Feb. 1. Backed by customer research that reinforces the company’s decision to enter the appliance market, the pilot is one of several strategic initiatives aimed at improving its home department sales productivity, the company said.

The NFC/contactless ecosystem will grow in 2016, with an increasingly number of third-party wallets coming from the likes of Samsung and Google.

That’s just one of seven payment predictions contained in a new infographic from the Ingenico Group.

To see the infographic, click here.

Ten years after first entering the market, Toys "R" Us has opened its 100th store in China. The retailer has opened a total of 27 new locations across China within the past year.

Sam’s Club has entered into an agreement with Visa to begin accepting Visa credit cards starting Feb. 1.

“Everything we do is in an effort to better serve our members and extend the value of membership. By accepting Visa credit cards, we are giving our members more ways to shop that are convenient for them,” says Tracey Brown, chief member officer at Sam’s Club.

National Retail Federation president and CEO Matt Shay shared a message of inspiration and transformation to mark the beginning of the trade group’s annual Big Show, which again drew a record number of attendees to New York.

J.C. Penney Company appointed Joe McFarland as executive VP of stores, effective immediately, succeeding Tony Bartlett.

McFarland, similar to J.C. Penney CEO Marvin Ellison, is a Home Depot veteran. He worked at the home improvement giant for over 20 years, most recently as president of its Northern and Western Divisions, where he was responsible for the sales and operations of up to 800 stores in 24 states. McFarland began his career at the chain as a sales associate.

Concord, California-based specialty beverage retailer BevMo is ensuring customers have easy access to products, whether they are in one of its 157 stores or online.