News

Petco EVP of merchandising Brad Weston has been given additional responsibilities to oversee the retailer’s small format concept branded as Unleashed.

Weston was named president of Unleashed by Petco to oversee strategy and operations of the fast growing 100 unit operation and will continue to lead the retailer’ merchandising organization. Weston joined Petco in 2011.

The Hillshire Brands Company has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Catterton portfolio company Van’s Natural Foods. Van’s is a leading better-for-you food brand of frozen breakfast and snack foods.

Hillshire Brands will pay $165 million for Van’s, which is expected to have net revenues of approximately $60 million in calendar year 2014. The transaction is expected to close in May 2014 pending regulatory clearance.

One may not immediately associate Kellogg with game apps, but the breakfast cereal brand is releasing a web-slinging game app to mark the upcoming The Amazing Spider-Man 2 movie.

Consumers can also enter a giveaway and a new Kellogg sweepstakes with Sony for a chance to win more than 1,000 prizes, including a free trip for two to New York.

"Spider-Man fans are gearing up for the film and we're casting a web of fun that everyone can enjoy," says Melissa Pawlowicz, senior director of integrated promotions at Kellogg.

Whole Foods is experimenting with transforming food waste generated at stores into organic fertilizer by using a piece of equipment called the WISErg Harvester.

The Harvester is a piece of equipment with a footprint about the size of a typical pallet that promises to change the way retailers dispose of food waste. The Harvester unit ingests food scraps from overripe produce and unsold prepared foods and converts them into a liquid that can be made into an organic fertilizer.

Maybelline New York has named Yadim Carranza, known simply as Yadim, as the brand's global makeup artist. Yadim is lauded for his innovative editorial work and bold runway looks.  

In his new role, Yadim will provide artistic vision for Maybelline New York makeup and become the voice of the brand to consumers, press and industry influencers.

Office Depot has launched a digital campaign called “Teachers Change Lives. So Can You” to help raise awareness and funds for classroom supplies for teachers.

As a thank you to these educators, Office Depot has partnered with AdoptAClassroom.org, a national organization dedicated to collecting and distributing funds to teachers, who in many cases use their own money to purchase classroom supplies to ensure each student has the tools to succeed.

Acme Tools, a leading authorized online retailer of tools and equipment, has launched its new mobile version of AcmeTools.com for online customers using smartphones.  

Developed by BlueSky Technology Partners, the new mobile platform leverages Acme Tools' ongoing investment in IBM WebSphere Commerce to deliver a seamless online shopping experience regardless of how customers choose to browse and buy.

Walgreens is now offering expanded travel health services, including immunizations and consultations, to support the nearly 60 million annual planned trips by U.S. residents venturing outside the country.

American Express added Walmart’s U.S. network of 4,100 stores as locations where customers can participate in the card issuers prepaid Serve offering.

By Mark Bower, Voltage Security