News

San Jose, Calif. -- Beall's has agreed to use VeriFone Systems' recently introduced MX 915 payment and media-enabled solutions system. Beall’s also will be complementing the MX 915 with VeriFone HQ, an estate management solution allowing the retailer to keep stores up to date with evolving payment and mobile solutions.

MODESTO, Calif. — Save Mart Supermarkets announced that all of its banners — including Save Mart, S-Mart Foods, Lucky, FoodMaxx and Maxx Value Foods stores — will be raising funds for children's hospitals in California and Nevada.

HOUSTON — Stage Stores has signed an agreement with Alliance Data Retail Services, making it the provider of a full suite of private label credit card services geared toward driving sales and brand loyalty to grow Stage Stores’ customer base. In addition, Alliance Data and Stage Stores will collaborate to develop and launch a new, simplified loyalty program, with enhanced benefits and incentives exclusive to cardholders.

From J.C. Penney to Target to Selfridges, retailers across the spectrum are giving over valuable floor space to in-store shops. Here are some interesting observations on the phenomenon from Joanna Felder, VP intelligence and brand strategy at Chute Gerdeman, Columbus, Ohio.

Shop-in-shops offer retailers the magic formula of flexibility, brand-enhancing cachet and the ability to attract new customer segments. The opportunity has never been better for young, entrepreneurial hip brands to find a mainstream home.

Network television is rife with talent shows, and now Whole Foods has jumped on the bandwagon with a unique brand engagement initiative.

Hoffman Estates, Ill. -- A report released Monday by the Associated Press said that Sears Holdings Corp. would be spinning off its Hometown and Outlet stores, along with some hardware stores, into a separate, publicly traded company.

Earlier this year, Sears had revealed it would split the companies but had not indicated the new organization would be a separate public entity.

There are approximately 1,238 Hometown, Outlet and hardware stores. Five Hometown stores have been closed, along with eight hardware stores and one Outlet unit.

PLANO, Texas — PepsiCo's Frito-Lay North America has launched of a gluten-free recipe section on its corporate website (www.fritolay.com) to help make snacking easier and more enjoyable for consumers with Celiac Disease or gluten sensitivities. The new recipe section on the company's website now features gluten free recipes that can be paired or made with Frito-Lay's gluten free snacks, such as Lay's Classic potato chips, Fritos Original corn chips and Tostitos Scoops! tortilla chips.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Lest anyone think Walmart would miss out on the opportunity to cash in on the "Hunger Games" phenomenon, the company has followed suit with Target and Toys"R"Us in offering a unique experience for fans.