News

Durham, N.C. -- Marketers are constantly combating shopping cart abandonment, and with good reason: Abandonment rates range from 70%-80%. The good news is that much can be done to reduce abandonment, recapture sales from abandoned shopping carts, and provide a better shopping experience for consumers, according to a new report by Bronto Software and Magento

The CEO of Delhaize Group's European division has resigned, effective Oct. 31, according to the Belgian supermarket operator.

Delhaize said Stefan Descheemaeker had decided to resign as CEO of Delhaize Europe, though the company did not give a reason. Delhaize said that as a result of Descheemaeker's departure, Delhaize Group EVP and Delhaize Group Southeast Europe and Asia CEO Kostas Macheras would report directly to group CEO Pierre-Olivier Beckers, as would Delhaize Belgium CEO Dirk Van den Berghe, effective Nov. 1.

Hot Pockets is promoting its revamped sandwich line with the help of supermodel Kate Upton and rapper Snoop Dogg. The pair has teamed up in a parody music video called “You Got What I Eat” — a remix of Biz Markie’s 1989 hit single “Just a Friend (You Got What I Need).”

The music video highlights the brand’s re-launch of its Hot Pockets sandwiches which feature 100% Angus Beef and Hickory Ham, real cheese and buttery seasoned crusts.

Overstock.com has opened a distribution center in Jonestown, Pa., just in time for the holiday rush. The new operation means faster fulfillment of orders. Shipping products from the Jonestown facility will provide orders to customers from Maine to Florida within two days of order shipment.

By Doug Brown

With the use of smartphones and other mobile devices continuing to grow, more and more merchants are looking for a way to capitalize on a communication device that many people never put down. And, as the leaders in this area are finding, mobile loyalty and payment incentive programs possess many benefits for chain stores.

Tie mobile and incentives together

International Dispensing Corporation, a packaging research and development company that specializes and manufactures game-changing innovations for the food and beverage industry, has promoted Tom Shaver to COO.

Plano, Texas -- J.C. Penney Co. on Tuesday said that it was making “solid progress” in its turnaround as it reported a smaller decline in same-store sales for September, compared to August. The company also said it expects that it will have ample liquidity at year end.

While Penney’s September same-store sales fell 4% over the same month last year, they showed an improvement of 580 basis points compared with August.

Deerfield, Ill. -- Walgreens announced it is launching a full suite of integrated financial services, Balance Financial, in phases over the coming months. The services are all built around the chain’s new Balance  Financial Prepaid MasterCard.

Balance Financial is currently offered to customers of more than 250 Walgreens locations in Detroit, Milwaukee, and Nashville, with a nationwide card rollout expected before year end and additional financial services in 2014.