News

Obama signs order supporting move to EMV; American Express offers program to boost adoption
Washington -- As part of an executive order unveiled on Friday, President Obama set a new policy that requires newly issued and existing government credit and debit cards to be enabled with chip and personal identification number (PIN) technology.
Fashionable father to lead dad’s day committee
Matthew Youngs, president of Ralph Lauren Childrenswear and Latin America has been named chairman of the National Father’s Day Committee.

In this new capacity, Youngs will collaborate with Dan Orwig, president and CEO of The Father’s Day/Mother’s Day Council, to oversee and execute the Annual Father of the Year Awards luncheon benefitting Save the Children’s U.S. Programs.

Staples exec joins omnichannel furniture firm

Kyle Marchesseault was named director of marketing at Blueport Commerce, a company that describes itself as the omnichannel solution for the $78 billion furniture industry.
Finish Line aims hashtag promo at women

Indianapolis -- The Finish Line Inc. is launching a digital initiative focused on female customers in step with the Nike Women’s Half Marathon San Francisco on Oct. 19. The retailer’s #FNLRunsSF campaign follows the training journeys of eight female fitness gurus, selected from across the country.
O Alliance names omnichannel expert as managing director

New York -- The O Alliance, a new consulting firm helping retailers to create circular commerce, announced that it is expanding its senior management team with the appointment of retail industry veteran and multi-channel expert Walter Killough as a managing director. He will be responsible for business development, strategic partnerships and overall day-to-day management of the company.
Price investments hinder Supervalu profits

Supervalu president and CEO Sam Duncan is encouraged with the progress the retailer is making and why not. Identical store sales in the company’s Save-A-Lot units were up 6.5% in the second quarter.

The company’s total sales for the period ended September 6, increased 1.8% to $4.02 billion while profits declined to $31 million, or 11 cents a share, from $40 million, or 15 cents a share. When adjusted for some non-recurring items, second quarter earnings were $34 million, or 13 cents a share.
Report: Amazon, Sears remove swastika rings from websites

Seattle –- Amazon.com and Sears Holdings Corp. have both reportedly removed men’s rings featuring the Nazi swastika emblem from their websites after public complaints. According to the Wall Street Journal, in both instances the items were sold by third-party vendors, but the companies handled the complaints differently.
Bonial eyes development of Retale brand

Retail advertising solutions provider Bonial International, parent company of Retale, has placed several executives in key roles as it looks to disrupt the traditional retail advertising universe.

Dan Cripe was name chief technology officer and Andrea Francesco Domeneghini was named chief marketing officer at Bonial and will be based in the company’s Berlin headquarters.
Martha and Meredith in 10-year tie-up

Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia and leading publisher Meredith Corporation have entered into a decade-long partnership that is being described as transformative.
Amazon to hire 80,000 holiday employees

Seattle – Amazon.com is creating 80,000 seasonal positions across its U.S. network of fulfillment and sortation centers for the 2014 holiday season in order to meet an increase in customer demand. In 2013, Amazon converted thousands of seasonal employees into regular, full-time roles after the holidays, and expects to do the same this year.