News

Jo-Ann Fabrics crafts a new partnership with U.S. artist
Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores is launching a new collection that targets shoppers with a love of family, faith and tradition.

The retailer has announced an exclusive product line of more than 200 new prints and decor items from renowned American artist Susan Winget.
Report: Another digital giant overtakes Wal-Mart
Seattle – Last month Facebook overtook Wal-Mart in valuation, and now another digital giant has reportedly achieved the same feat. According to the Associated Press, after intense after-hours trading, which followed Amazon’s rare report of a second quarter fiscal 2015 profit, Amazon now has market capitalization of about $264 billion.

Food City redefines shopper engagement

A Food City supermarket in Bristol, Va., has given new meaning to that old merchandising adage, “stack it high and let it fly,” by creating the world’s largest pineapple display.
Report: Major new player may enter grocery vertical

Seattle – Everyone from mass merchandisers to dollar stores has been getting into the grocery business in recent years, and the vertical may soon have a new and very large participant.
Moms can get tooth wipes at Wal-Mart

Bentonville, Ark. – Busy moms who need tooth wipes, or maybe more well-known baby items, have a new resource in Wal-Mart. In a post on the official Wal-Mart blog, Diana Marhsall, VP of baby for Wal-Mart U.S., says the retailer is expanding the products and services for moms (or anyone else) shopping for baby needs.
Canada's largest grocer closing stores

Canada's biggest food retailer Loblaw announced it plans to close 52 unprofitable stores over the next year at the same time the company reported lackluster second quarter financial results.

Loblaw Companies has more than 2,300 stores, including Loblaws, Provigo, and Extra Foods. It also owns Shoppers Drug Mart.
K-VA-T picks up 29 Bi-Lo stores

Abingdon, Va. - K-VA-T Food Stores Inc. is expanding in Tennessee and Georgia. K-VA-T, parent company of the Food City supermarket chain, will acquire 29 Bi-Lo stores located in Chattanooga, Tennessee and Northwest Georgia from Southeastern Grocers. K-VA-T intends to continue to operate all of these stores under the Food City banner and hire the vast majority of their store associates.
Starbucks snubs Uber in loyalty partnership

Seattle – Starbucks Corp. is snubbing Uber in new extension of its loyalty program. Starbucks is partnering with rival online transportation service Lyft to offer Lyft drivers and passengers the chance to earn points in its loyalty program.
Walmart acclerates omnichannel agenda in China

Walmart wants to advance its long-term growth prospects in China and has acquired full ownership of an e-commerce company in which it already held a majority stake to further that objective.
Amazon swings to rare profit in Q2

Seattle – Sales growth outpaced that of expenses during second quarter 2015, leading to a rare report of positive net income at Amazon.com Inc. Amazon reported net income of $92 million, compared to net loss of $126 million the same quarter the prior fiscal year.