News

Minneapolis – Technology geeks do not have the reputation of being the people you turn to in a crisis, but travelers in Chicago’s O’Hare Airport who experience difficulty with their electronic devices just may find a geek is what they need. Agents from the Best Buy Geek Squad technical service will be available daily now through Dec. 23 in O’Hare’s Terminal 3, Concourse H, with a “Precinct” similar to those found in Best Buy stores.  

Cincinnati - The Kroger Co. has been accepted as an “Elite Member” of Energy Star Certification Nation by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).  Kroger was the only grocery retailer granted Elite Member certification status, which was granted to organizations that earned Energy Star certification for at least 150 buildings in 2014.  

Google could be preparing to take on Amazon.com with its own unique e-commerce solution.

According to the Wall Street Journal, Google is developing a “buy now” button that would be embedded right into results pages within the search engine. '

By Gary Lee, InReality   As 2014 comes to a close, one thing is clear—traditional retailing is under fire.    Consumers, not brands or retailers, now hold the reigns of power. And, to survive, marketers in brick-and-mortar must take a fresh approach to physical retailing, and carve out a unique value proposition for the in-store experience, one worthy of the consumer’s precious time.  

Dov Charney, the controversial founder of American Apparel, has been fired "for cause" as CEO, the company said.

Charney was suspended as president and CEO of the hipster apparel chain in June for alleged misconduct and violations of company policy. The decision was made by the board’s “suitability committee,” which was formed to oversee an internal investigation in the wake of Charney's suspension.

RESTON, Va. - Retail e-commerce spending from desktop computers for the first 44 days of the November-December 2014 holiday season totaled $42.5 billion, up 15% versus the corresponding days last year. According to comScore.  

GOODLETTSVILLE, Tenn. - Dollar General is offering free shipping on all purchases made online at on Thursday, Dec. 18, 2014, with the guarantee all in-stock purchases will arrive on or before Dec. 24, 2014.   No minimum purchase is required to take advantage of these savings to give last-minute holiday shoppers and money-saving customers alike a reason to celebrate this season.  

Cary, N.C. – Things are hopping at convenience store/gas station chain The Pantry Inc. According to the Wall Street Journal, the operator of Kangaroo Express and other convenience store banners is preparing to sell itself and already took bids in an auction run by a private investment bank the week of Dec. 8.