News

An office supplies giant is taking steps to tighten up its data security strategies.   Staples named Brett Wahlin as its chief information security officer (CISO), responsible for global enterprise-wide information, product and data security. He will report to chief technology officer Faisal Masud, who leads Staples Digital Solutions, a new organization within the company that combines its traditional IT and digital organizations.  

The past couple of years have been busy ones for Coach. The company has undertaken a turnaround of its main brand, successfully bringing back a premium edge to what had become a ubiquitous and devalued name. Coach has also integrated the Stuart Weitzman business by both extracting operating efficiencies and creating new sales opportunities.  

Jewel-Osco shoppers soon will be able to order groceries directly from their go-to supermarket.   By the end of the summer, Jewel-Osco, a division of Albertsons, will offer online ordering. The chain will begin rolling out its e-commerce offering early this summer, according to The Chicago Sun Times.   

Walgreens Boots Alliance has set in motion a mechanism that will result in the Federal Trade Commission having  60 days to either clear its $9.7 billion acquisition of Rite Aid or sue to block it,   Walgreens and Rite Aid Corp. announced late Monday afternoon that they have “certified substantial compliance” with the second request from the FTC regarding their proposed merger.   

Things may not be bad as they first looked for Gander Mountain Company.   Although there is a banner on the bankrupt company’s website announcing that all of its stores are going out of business, its new owner says that’s not exactly the case.  

Target is planning to test a next-day delivery of essentials ordered online in the Minneapolis area.   Called Target Restock, the service will pilot this summer in the discounter’s hometown. Once the pilot is live, shoppers who have a Target REDcard will be eligible to visit a dedicated online experience to access thousands of household essentials.  

One hotel chain is putting a new spin on room service.   Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham is partnering with Peapod and Instacart on a new grocery delivery pilot. Targeting the many travelers who are eager to keep a few “staples” in their hotel room, but struggle to hunt down the closest grocery store in an unfamiliar city, Hawthorn Suites is piloting a program that delivers groceries directly to guests’ doors.  

Lenox knows what its shoppers like — and now it has a way to digitally display luxury products that specifically meet their tastes.    Inundated with a steady stream of new products, the giftware retailer needed a way to streamline its presentation of merchandise across digital channels, and still deliver an engaging customer experience. For Lenox, this included deploying the Oracle Commerce Cloud, an architecture that is modernizing the company’s omnichannel shopping experience.  

Coach has acquired a brand with a strong following among millennials.   The luxury handbag company on Monday announced that it will acquire Kate Spade & Company for $18.50 per share in cash, which represents a premium of 9% to Kate Spade's closing price on Friday. The deal, which has a total transaction value of $2.4 billion, is expected to close in the third quarter of 2017 and add to adjusted earnings in fiscal 2018.  

AmazonFresh is expanding its breadth in one of its biggest markets outside the United States.