News

Whole Foods makes the right kind of difference
The old expression, “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime,” was taken to heart at Whole Foods where a recent fundraising campaign will provide loans to help people improve their lot in life.

Whole Food held concerts and craft fairs and thousands of small events that raised $4.6 million with the goal of alleviating global poverty. To achieve such a lofty mission, the retailer isn’t donating money to food banks to provide hand outs, but rather using the dollars to fund a microlending campaign.
Report: Net-A-Porter partners with Harper’s for interactive mobile ad
London – Net-A-Porter is reportedly partnering with Harper’s Bazaar on an interactive ad. According to Luxury Daily, Net-A-Porter’s display ad on the Harper’s mobile site lets consumers type in a keyword that will help personalize the landing page they go to.

Predictive text helps consumers more quickly fill in the keyword. They are then brought to a customized landing page with products relating to their keyword.

Now playing live on the Apple Watch: QVC

QVC customers can now watch the omnichannel retailer’s content on their Apple Watch.
Report: Sears Canada reacts to Target exit

Toronto – Sears Canada Inc. is reportedly reducing some departments while expanding others in a move to capitalize on the retreat of Target from the Canadian retail landscape. According to the Toronto Globe & Mail, Sears Canada plans to stop selling electronics altogether while also reducing its tool and hardware assortment by more than 50%.
Books-A-Million enters self-publishing market

Birmingham, Ala. – Books-A-Million Inc. is entering the self-publishing market, taking on the CreateSpace service from Amazon as well as numerous other self-publishing companies. The retailer has introduced BAM! Publishing DIY, a website where authors can create, edit and publish their own book.
Target, Sports Authority to carry folding bikes

Target and Sports Authority are getting into the folding bike business, one of the fastest-growing segments in the $6 billion U.S. bike market.

The retail giants are adding Durban Bikes to their sporting goods assortment. “The demand for folding bikes is growing rapidly, and we’ve received immediate and enthusiastic interest in our product lineup,” said David White, managing director of Durban Bikes.
Sainsbury’s increases transportation accuracy with Paragon

London - J Sainsbury PLC is increasing transportation productivity through enhanced accuracy. Sixteen Sainsbury’s depots are using an integrated transport management system from Paragon Software, which integrates Paragon’s planning optimization with wireless communications to enhance the accuracy and execution of each day's complex transport plans.
Meijer creates garden oasis in-store

Meijer has partnered with Scotts-MiracleGro to create an unprecedented lawn and garden section in its stores, just in time for the spring gardening season.

Meijer is the first supercenter to partner with the national lawn care and garden brand to create a Garden Marketplace inside 27 Meijer stores across the Midwest as peak gardening season begins.
Amazon comes to your wrist

Seattle – If access to Amazon.com was not already ubiquitous enough for you, there is a new way to browse and purchase goods on the first major e-commerce platform. Amazon is releasing a new shopping app for the Apple Watch.
Victoria's Secret creates a new holiday for women

Victoria's Secret has recruited a couple of Angels to help the retailer launch a new holiday for women: International Bombshells Day.

To be held on the first Saturday of May, the brand will be encouraging women to embrace their inner bombshell and spoil themselves all day with their girlfriends. Plus, they will receive exclusive and limited-time offers at Victoria's Secret Stores and on VictoriasSecret.com.