News

Amazon in big solar initiative
Amazon is making a big commitment to renewable energy. The online giant announced plans to install solar panels on its fulfillment facilities around the world, including the deployment of large-scale solar systems on rooftops of more than 15 U.S. fulfillment and sortation centers this year. Amazon plans to deploy solar systems on 50 fulfillment and sortation centers globally by 2020.
Meijer investing in new stores, remodels
Privately-owned, family-operated Meijer announced plans to invest more than $375 million in new and remodeled stores in 2017 across its six-state footprint. The investment includes the construction of seven new Meijer supercenters and 22 remodel projects. While Michigan, Indiana, and Wisconsin will each welcome new Meijer supercenters later this year, dozens of other Meijer stores have begun or will soon begin remodel projects to enhance the customer shopping experience.

Report: Amazon advances Alexa’s voice-recognition functionality

Alexa is getting personal. Amazon is reportedly working on a feature that would allow the Alexa voice assistant that powers its Echo line of speakers to distinguish between individual users based on their voice, sources familiar with the situation told Time.
Amazon: Human error caused the outage

Don’t blame it on the technology. In a blog post on its site, Amazon explained the reason why Amazon Web Services suffered a four-hour outage on Tuesday, one that caused significant problems at numerous Internet sites, including those operated by retailers.
InvenTrust acquires Maryland center

InvenTrust Properties has acquired The Shops at Town Center in Germantown, Maryland for $53.6 million. The necessity-based property boasts a strong lineup of food and beverage tenants including Baja Fresh, Chipotle, and Zoe’s Kitchen.
Burlington Stores runs strong in Q4; sees plenty of room for expansion

Shoppers just can’t get enough of off-price stores. On the heels of strong results by TJX Cos. and Ross Stores, Burlington Stores on Thursday turned in a stellar fourth quarter performance. And it also revealed plans to expand its store base. Burlington’s net income in the quarter, ended January 28, surged 27.1% to $125.6 million, or $1.77 per share. Earnings, adjusted for one-time gains and costs, were $1.78 per share. The results easily topped Wall Street expectations.
Another tough quarter for teen apparel retailer

Abercrombie’s efforts to revive its namesake brand still have a ways to go judging by its fourth quarter performance. But Hollister is on the upswing. Abercrombie & Fitch Co.’s total revenue in the quarter, ended Jan. 28, fell 7% to $1.04 billion, slightly below expectations.
Report: Starbucks fights mobile ordering bottlenecks

A month after revealing excessive digital orders caused in-store congestion and canceled orders, Starbucks has come up with a solution.
First Look: Sport Chek Women

A store designed by women and for women. That’s Sport Chek Women, which made its debut on Thursday at CF Chinook Centre, in Calgary.
CVS Health appoints company veteran as COO

CVS Health on Thursday appointed 26-year company veteran Jonathan C. Roberts executive to the new position of executive VP and COO. As COO, Roberts, who currently serves as president of CVS Caremark, the company's pharmacy benefit management business, will have responsibility for consolidating operational oversight across CVS Health's unique suite of assets.