News

Tractor Supply campaign yields $763K for 4-H
Tractor Supply Company has strengthened its partnership with the National 4-H Council by taking in $763,283 for the organization during a 10-day national in-store fundraiser.

With the $1.5 million Tractor Supply raised during spring and fall campaigns, Tractor Supply has now donated nearly $6.5 million to 4-H programs across the country in just over four years.
Hot Chain, Hot Growth

Firehouse Subs has a lot more going for it than an interesting story. And the story is unique: A couple of Jacksonville firefighters — brothers, even — opened the first restaurant in 1994, selling sandwiches (with names like ‘Hook & Ladder,’ which is the No. 1 seller) within a decidedly firefighter-themed restaurant environment. The concept was hot from the get-go, leaping to over 300 units in its first decade and now numbering near 900 mostly franchised restaurants.

Experts predict fraud trends for 2015

The new year will bring more fraud than ever before, but also more tools to prevent it, according to three experts from the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE).

The experts at ACFE were asked for their top fraud predictions for 2015. They weighed in on digital currencies, information security and other issues that will help shape the effort to prevent and detect fraud in the new year:
Happy New Year from CSA!

Chain Store Age will be closed for the New Year’s holiday from December 31 through January 2. We will return to normal business hours—and publish again—on Monday, January 5. CSA wishes you and your family a very happy and healthy 2015. Cheers!
Happy New Year from Retailing Today

Retailing Today will be closed for the New Year holiday, Dec. 31 through Jan. 2, and will publish again on Monday, Jan. 5. The editors and publishers of Retailing Today would like to wish you and your families our very best wishes for a happy and healthy 2015.

Mike Troy, Editor, Retailing Today
Retail groups rebut financial industry payment card claims

Washington, D.C. - The Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) and six other merchant associations have sent a letter rebutting recent comments about payment card security from the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA). Specifically, the letter outlines three points.
Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft partners with U.K.’s Craft Retail Group

Grand Rapids, Mich. - Craft Retail Group, part of the U.K.-based Ideal Shopping Direct multichannel retail shopping group, is launching the U.S. broadcast of its Create and Craft shopping network. The network, in partnership with Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores, offers products and brands across craft, sewing, quilting, knitting, and niche creative arts.
Sears an ‘enormous loser’ this holiday

Former top Sears executive Mark Cohen is at it again with harsh words recently about Sears holiday performance and long term viability.

Cohen, former chairman and CEO of Sears Canada turned teacher at Columbia’s business school, appeared on CNBC to share his views on a holiday season with top line growth that appears to have exceeded earlier forecasts.

“Sears again is going to be an enormous loser,” Cohen said.
Tech Guest Viewpoint: Three Retail Lessons from Clicks to Bricks

By Gregg Aamoth, POPcodes
Focus on Renewable Energy

By Ryan Gilchrist

Walmart, Kohl’s, Macy’s and select other retailers already rank among the nation’s leading producers of solar energy, with huge investments that are growing every year. But the industry’s strong position in renewable energy still has room for improvement — literally — with millions of unutilized roof space, prime real estate for solar panels and wind turbines.