News

When it found the performance of a legacy data-processing system lagging too far behind the pace of its business, Alpharetta, Georgia-based The Original HoneyBaked Ham Co. of Georgia, Inc. decided to investigate more current options. Difficulties keeping up with the flow of transactional data from its 115 corporate stores and 200 franchise locations during the 2011 holiday season marked the turning point for the retailer.

New York -- Staples and RadioShack Corp. have removed Amazon lockers from their stores, according to Bloomberg. The chains were among a group of retailers who have been testing the system.

According to the report, Staples ended the partnership with Amazon because it didn’t meet the criteria the two companies set up, while RadioShack said the program did not fit with its strategy.

Kraft Foods Group has promoted Sam Rovit, current EVP of strategy, to EVP and president of the company's Oscar Mayer business unit. Rovit succeeds Nick Meriggioli, who will be leaving the organization in early 2014.

Indianapolis-based appliance and electronics retailer HH Gregg announced plans to hire 500 qualified home appliance and electronics salespeople for its 228 stores in preparation for the holiday shopping season. 

The company is accepting applications through the end of the month and will be hiring for stores in the Midwest, South, Mid-Atlantic and Great Lakes regions. Associates hired in advance of the holiday season will be offered permanent full-time and part-time sales positions.

Overstock.com will be leveraging social media to hold a sweepstakes inspired by its new "The Good Good" advertising campaign.

Contest entrants participate by adding an image or pin representing the work of a non-profit that inspires them to Pinterest. Entrants will then share that pin on the Overtock.com website. One winner will be awarded $2,500, and Overstock.com employees will give the non-profit 100 hours of time.

Washington, D.C. -- The D.C. Council failed on Tuesday to overturn Mayor Vincent Gray’s veto of the proposed “living wage” bill. According to Washington Business Journal, only seven of the required nine district councilors voted to override Gray’s veto of the Large Retailer Accountability Act.

National Retail Federation (NRF) senior VP for government relations David French issued the following statement:

Phoenix -- Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc. has completed the implementation of the Manthan Systems ARC BI platform and merchandise analytics technology in 166 retail stores across eight states.

Ottawa, Ontario -- The Canadian government is reportedly seeking to boost penalties for retailers caught using “zapper” software that can delete or modify transactional data in electronic POS systems to illegally hide sales.