News

Hunter, the British brand best known for its signature boot, has landed in Japan with style, opening a 3,100-sq.-ft. flagship that targets fashion-focused customers.

Designed by Checkland Kindleysides in collaboration with Hunter creative director Alasdhair Willis, the two-level store features the distinctive DNA of the brand’s London flagship, which offers a modern spin on the British countryside, but in a less literal sense,

L Brands’ Victoria’s Secret division had a record year in 2015, which is why chairman and CEO Leslie Wexner believes now is the best time to narrow the brand’s focus and simplify the operating model to drive long-term growth.
 

Kroger showed its tendency to promote longtime executives to key senior leadership roles again with the naming of a 32 year veteran to serve as president of its 138 store Smith’s division based in Salt Lake City.
 
Kenny Kimball was elevated to the role of president of Smith’s after previously serving as VP of operations. Kimball joined Smith’s in 1984 as a courtesy clerk and succeeds Jay Cummins who announced his retirement in February. Kimball assumes his new responsibilities April 30.
 

Rite Aid on Friday reported revenues of $8.3 billion for its fourth quarter ended Feb. 27, representing an increase of 20.8%. Retail Pharmacy Segment revenues were $6.8 billion and decreased 0.3% compared to the prior year period primarily as a result of a decrease in same-store sales. Pharmacy Services Segment revenues were $1.5 billion.
 

Jill Turner-Mitchael, SVP overseeing health and wellness for Sam’s Club, was the keynote speaker at the Northwest Arkansas Council’s Health Care Summit in Rogers on Wednesday, April 6, Talk Business and Politics reported Thursday.

Sears Holding Corp. is making a timely expansion to its seamless “Meet With An Expert” service as it looks to engage with shoppers this spring.

Sears has extended its “Meet With An Expert” service introduced last fall to its lawn and garden department. The free service allows online shoppers to schedule in-store appointments with experts in specific product areas.

Best Buy Co. Inc. is expanding a test of same-day delivery service from San Francisco to 13 major metro markets across the U.S.

The electronics chain started the pilot in San Francisco last fall and expanded it to New York early in 2016. It has now added Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, Philadelphia, Seattle and Washington, D.C.

Retailers using the BigCommerce e-commerce platform will soon have access to a vastly expanded consumer base.

eBay and BigCommerce are launching a strategic relationship to enable BigCommerce merchants to seamlessly list their products and manage their inventory on the eBay marketplace. BigCommerce customers will have access and exposure to more than 162 million global active eBay buyers, who will be able to shop from an expanded product and seller assortment.

Home Depot’s is touting improved omnichannel capabilities and an innovative product offering as its seventh annual “Spring Black Friday” sales event gets underway.

Whole Foods Market will take the wraps off its new value concept, 365 by Whole Foods Market, on May 25 in Silver Lake, California.

Two additional 365 locations will open in 2016 – in Bellevue, Washington, and Portland, Oregon. Up to 10 stores are expected to open in 2017.