News

Target tests recipe for food growth
Target Corp.’s partnership with MIT Media Lab and global design firm IDEO is bearing fruit — literally.
Millennials to require omnichannel store reconfiguration
Brick-and-mortar retailers are on notice – shifting customer demographics will require far-reaching redesign of the physical store by 2025.

According to a new study from technology market intelligence firm ABI Research, millennials are driving a revolution in how stores use technology to provide a shopping experience.

High-profile brand taps into activewear craze with dedicated store

Stores devoted to women’s activewear (or athleisure) are one of the fastest- growing segments in retailing and now Tory Burch has joined the crowd. The company has opened Tory Sport in the Flatiron District of Manhattan. The store features the entire Tory Sport collection, which ranges from running gear to golf clothing, reported NY Racked, and has a decor inspired by different elements of sports. [NY Racked]
Kroger names executives for Roundy's, Mariano's divisions

The Kroger Co. has named new leaders for its Roundy's and Mariano's grocery chains.

The company announced that Michael Marx, currently vice president of people operations for Kroger, has been promoted to serve as president of Roundy's Supermarkets, Wisconsin, effective April 1. The company also announced the promotion of Don Rosanova, currently executive VP of operations for Roundy's, to be president of Mariano's, effective immediately. Both leaders will report to Roundy's CEO, Bob Mariano.
Starbucks to donate all unsold food

Starbucks Corp. announced a major initiative to help the nation’s neediest citizens.

The coffee giant is launching FoodShare, a program to donate all leftover ready-to-eat meals from its 7,600 U.S. company-operated stores to food banks. In the first year alone, the program will be able to provide nearly 5 million meals, according to company estimates.
Amazon could prevail in Target non-compete dispute

Photo: Arthur Valdez
Aaron’s makes a difference in D.C., and beyond

Store managers from 2,000 Aaron’s location gathered in Washington, D.C., for their annual meeting and to participatein a wide range of unique community outreach efforts.

The giving efforts kicked off with a donation event in which Aaron's donated furniture to 28 apartments for families who have experienced homelessness. This effort supports Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser's (pictured above) efforts to ensure safe, dignified housing for all Washingtonians and end homelessness in the District of Columbia.
Groupon expands online delivery presence

In case you needed yet another reminder of how competitive the online delivery vertical is getting, online deal platform Groupon is adding a new city of operation to its OrderUp on-demand food delivery app.
Mattress Firm names company veteran CEO

The integration of a major acquisition and the accelerated closure of non-performing stores top the list of priorities awaiting Ken Murphy as he assumes leadership of the nation’s largest bedding retailer.
Exclusive Preview: Cheesecake Factory adds mobile payment to menu

The Cheesecake Factory is known for offering a wide variety of food items, and now is also expanding its range of payment options.

Starting in April, The Cheesecake Factory will roll out a new mobile payment app called CakePay. To use CakePay, guests will check in and receive a four-digit code they give to the server at the time their order is taken. The server will then enter the order and the code into the POS system.
Wayfair pins hopes on social offering

Online home furnishings retailer Wayfair Inc. is having success with a proprietary feature that may have been inspired by one of the hottest emerging social platforms.

According to Wayfair, its Idea Boards feature is growing rapidly in popularity, especially among users of the retailer’s mobile app. Idea Boards is an online tool that enables customers to save and organize their favorite Wayfair products in one location.
Target looks to disrupt food category

Target Corp.’s partnership with MIT Media Lab and global design firm IDEO is bearing fruit — literally.

In January, Target announced the launch of the Food + Future coLab, a multi-year collaboration with MIT and IDEO to explore the future of food. Although it’s only been a couple of months, Target is already testing two ideas from the coli.