News

Another July, another Amazon Prime Day. With the e-tail leader already confirming this retail “holiday” will be back for a third time next July, let’s take a look back at the 2016 edition.   While a lot went well for Amazon during Prime Day this year, we may as well start with the biggest blunder. Namely, the widespread checkout issues that occurred during the morning hours. A glitch caused some U.S. and U.K. shoppers to have difficulties loading items into their shopping carts and/or making purchases.  

The National Retail Federation (NRF) is publicly supporting legislation that would phase in the Labor Department’s new overtime regulations.  

A Supervalu executive will be departing the company, according to a recent Securities and Exchange Commission filing. The company’s executive VP merchandising, marketing, retail and pharmacy Mark Van Buskirk’s employment will end effective July 16, the filing says.    In the interim, the company is evaluating a succession plan and Van Buskirk’s functional areas will report to Supervalu executive VP, COO and CFO Bruce Besanko.  

Amazon.com Inc. cannot be accused of ignoring the fulfillment needs of customers in California.   The e-tail giant plans to open its 10th California fulfillment center in Sacramento. The new 855,000-plus-sq.-ft. facility, the fourth California fulfillment center Amazon has announced within a span of four months, will create more than 1,000 full-time hourly roles.  

Coach Inc. is appointing Wendy Kahn, as CEO and brand president – Stuart Weitzman, effective Sept. 13, 2016.   Kahn will succeed Wayne Kulkin, the brand’s current CEO, who will become a consultant to Coach. She joins the luxury retailer from Valentino Fashion Group, where she currently holds the position of CEO – Valentino, USA and V.F.G., USA & Canada. Previously, Kahn served as senior VP of sales, marketing & retail for Valentino from 2006-2008.  

As their merger enters the home stretch, Delhaize Group and Ahold have reached agreements with buyers to divest 86 U.S. stores.   The two international companies announced their intent to combine forces back in June 20115. The merger is set for completion at the end of July, pending final approval by the Federal Trade Commission.  

Specialty apparel retailer The Children’s Place Inc. is partnering with marketing and loyalty solutions provider Alliance Data Systems Corp. to launch a new private label credit card.  

If Rite Aid needs to shed some stores for antitrust reasons in the wake of a merger with Walgreens-Boots Alliance, many experts expect one well-known drug store to step forward.