News

Kroger on hiring spree
The Kroger Co. is hiring to fill an estimated 10,000 permanent positions in its supermarket divisions. The company also announced that its total active workforce grew by more than 12,000 associates in 2016. Over the last eight years, Kroger has created more than 86,000 permanent, new jobs. (The total does not include jobs created as a result of capital investment, such as temporary construction jobs, nor do they include increases due to the company's mergers. Kroger and its subsidiaries today employ more than 443,000 associates.
Struggling department store chain revamps employee discount program
In its latest move to stay afloat, Sears is scrapping its associate discount program in favor of a new concept. Sears’ employee discount program, which gave employees money off purchases at checkout, is transitioning to a service that will reward asso-ciates with points through the chain’s Shop Your Way loyalty program. The change, which will impact all active Sears Holdings associates, spouses and eligible dependents, is set to launch on Sunday, Jan. 29.

Report: China leads global e-commerce race

Despite global economic fluctuations, China is still a world leader in many markets — including global e-commerce. China’s online retail sales have grown by 33.3% to exceed $581 billion in 2015. Momentum is expected to continue, as sales in the country are expected to grow by 20% yearly through 2020, according to BizView, a B2B marketplace that enables users to connect with over seven million companies around the globe.
RPAI acquires mixed-use property for $88 million

A mixed-use project with 103,000 sq. ft. of retail in the western suburbs of Chicago has been purchased by Retail Properties of America for $88 million. Main Street Promenade, a town center style development in Naperville, is 93% leased and includes tenants such as Ann Taylor, Sur la Table, White House | Black Market, and Anthropologie.
Walgreens-Rite Aid deal still waiting for approval

The much anticipated approval for the Walgreens/Rite Aid merger, through which Walgreens has proposed to pay $9.4 billion for the acquisition of Rite Aid's 4,547 stores in an effort to bolster its national footprint, did not happen by Friday morning as many had speculated. Now there is a new countdown clock — the deal is set to expire Jan. 27 if not approved before that time.
Home decor brand’s sales data reveals most enthusiastic NFL fans

Wayfair has tapped into analytics with an unusual goal: to rank its most enthusiastic football fans ahead of the Super Bowl. By using analytics to tap sales data of its NFL merchandise, Wayfair pinpointed its most enthusiastic team fan bases — and where they reside. The online retailer’s results are based on overall sales of licensed merchandise sold on its NFL Fan Shop during the 2016-2017 NFL season (Sept. 8, 2016-Jan. 15, 2017).
Best Buy CEO says he’s not leaving

Hubert Joly, chairman and CEO of Best Buy, denied a report that has him taking the helm of a European retailing giant. A report by Reuters, which cited Brazilian newspaper Valor Economico, said that Carrefour, the world’s second largest retailer, had identified Joly as a replacement for its current CEO, Georges Plassat, whose term ends in May 2018.
Fragrance chain uses the cloud to accelerate growth

When a retailer doubles its breath in two years, it needs an operating platform that supports accelerated growth. The Fragrance Outlet knows this all too well. With more than 100 Fragrance Outlet and Designer Fragrances stores in the United States and Guam, and an additional 10 to 15 locations planned for 2017, the chain needed a platform that could support continued expansion, as well as omnichannel operations. The cloud-based Aptos Singular Commerce fit the bill.
Starbucks to expand parental leave

Starbucks Corp. is upgrading its U.S. paid parental leave plan as it seeks to hire and retain workers in an increasingly competitive labor market. Effective Oct. 1, eligible store associates who are birth mothers will be entitled to six weeks of paid leave at 100% up from 67% average pay previously, and 12 weeks of unpaid leave. Store associates who are non-birth parents (including fathers, spouses and foster and adoptive parents) can take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave.
Alibaba makes a bold move to fight fake goods

Alibaba is championing the fight against counterfeit merchandise. In a new alliance with international brands including Louis Vuitton, Samsung and Mars, Alibaba has created an anti-counterfeiting group. Called the Alibaba Big Data Anti-Alliance, the 20-member consortium of industry and technical leaders is working to keep pirated goods off of Alibaba’s e-commerce platform, according to the company’s website.
Target names new chief marketing officer

Target has made a key addition to its executive team. The discounter has promoted Rick Gomez to the position of executive VP and chief marketing officer, effective Jan. 29. Gomez, currently senior VP of brand and category marketing, has been with Target since 2013. He replaces Jeff Jones, who left Target last summer to become president of Uber.
Alibaba throws hat into the Olympics sponsorship ring

What better place is there for global exposure than the Olympic Games? At least, that is what Alibaba is counting on now that it struck a deal to become a top sponsor of the Olympic Games through 2028. The sponsorship, which is worth $800 million, pits the brand among giants like Coca Cola Co. and Samsung Electronics Co., according to Bloomberg.