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CVS Health on Thursday appointed 26-year company veteran Jonathan C. Roberts executive to the new position of executive VP and COO.     As COO, Roberts, who currently serves as president of CVS Caremark, the company's pharmacy benefit management business, will have responsibility for consolidating operational oversight across CVS Health's unique suite of assets.     

With 2017 in full swing, we’ve already had a taste of what’s in store for the retail industry in the year ahead. With innovation driving technological advancements and online consumers demanding speed and convenience, we’ve outlined three key trends that all retailers need to pay attention to in order to compete.   More chatbots

While many retailers struggle to find the best mobile marketing formula, Urban Outfitters is bucking the trend — big time.   Through a partnership with Appboy and PlaceIQ, the specialty retailer is using consumer behavior, location data and insights to more smartly deliver consumer messages within its brand-owned app. Armed with this data, Urban Outfitters has boosted customer conversions by 75% and increased related revenue by 146%, the chain said.  

Hhgregg is cutting lose its weakest locations.    The struggling chain said it plans to close three distribution facilities and 88 stores as part its effort to improve liquidity and return to profitability. The closings, expected to be completed by mid-April, will leave the retailer with 132 stores.   The announcement comes just days after the New York Stock Exchange delisted Hhgregg for failing to meet the minimum listing requirement, and amid rumors the chain plans to file for bankruptcy protection.

With its busy spring selling season about to commence, The Home Depot wants to make its hiring process as easy as possible.   By creating a shorter digital application and mobile-optimized “Careers” site, the home improvement chain has shortened its online application process to 15 minutes, a move that speeds up the task by as much as 80%, the company said.   

Ahold Delhaize’s Food Lion and Hannaford U.S. supermarkets had both strong fiscal fourth quarters and for fiscal 2016, the company stated in an earnings report. Volume growth was particularly strong, more than offsetting the impact of inflation on sales.   Underlying operating margins improved, driven by the “Easy, Fresh & Affordable” strategic initiative and synergies, said Ahold Delhaize.  

The Kroger Co. has broken its impressive record of 52 consecutive quarters of same-store sales growth.    The supermarket giant on Thursday posted an unexpected decline in fourth-quarter same-store sales on Thursday amid ongoing food price deflation and increased competition.   Kroger’s net income fell to $506 million, or 53 cents per share, for the quarter ended Jan. 28, in line with estimates, and down from $559 million, or 57 cents per share, a year earlier.   

Costco Wholesale Corp.’s second quarter profit took a hit amid higher costs. And for the first time since 2011, the retailer is raising the cost of entry into its stores.   As of June 1, Costco’s annual fee for individual and business members will increase by $5.00, to $60. The executive membership fee will go up $10, to $120.    Costco’s net income for the quarter, ended Feb. 12, fell 5.7% to $515 million, or $1.17 per share, below Wall Street expectations.