News

Tech Bytes: Pros and Cons of Facebook ‘Dislike’ Button
By now, you’ve probably heard that Facebook will be testing a “dislike” button. Unconfirmed reports say the button will be designed to let users express empathy for posts about negative events, such as the death of a loved one.

Assuming Facebook does introduce a dislike button, retailers will need to decide whether to enable it on their Facebook pages. Here are two pros and one con a dislike button would pose to retailers.

Pro #1: Instant Sentiment
Whole Foods cuts ties with prison labor after backlash
On the heels of lackluster quarterly sales, job cuts and an overcharging scandal, Whole Foods is getting another round of bad publicity, and this time it’s about prison labor.

The retailer announced that it will stop offering products made by prisoners next year. The company specifically said it will stop selling tilapia sourced from Quixotic Farming and cheese distributed by Haystack Mountain Goat Dairy, two private companies that partner with Colorado Correctional Industries (CCI), a division of Colorado's Department of Corrections.

Kurt Salmon acquires digital retail tech agency

Global management consultancy Kurt Salmon is acquiring digital retail technology agency Mobispoke LLC, the engine behind such technologies as smart fitting rooms, integrated mobile apps and other leading-edge, interactive shopping experience technologies.

Following the acquisition, Mobispoke will rebrand as Kurt Salmon Digital and will operate as a wholly owned subsidiary of Kurt Salmon.
Gelson’s bidding on some Haggen stores

Gelson's Markets is joining Smart & Final on the acquisition of some Haggen properties in Southern California.

Gelson's, a regional supermarket chain operating in Southern California, announced it is bidding on eight Haggen locations across five counties: Los Angeles County (Santa Monica); Orange County (Laguna Beach, Ladera Ranch); Riverside County (Rancho Mirage); San Diego County (Carlsbad, Del Mar, Pacific Beach); and Ventura County (Thousand Oaks).
New NRF council to serve as premier e-commerce voice in retail

The National Retail Federation has formed a new entity to enhance the strategic value of NRF and the e-commerce, mobile and innovative initiatives that exist within the retail industry.

The members-only Digital Council, powered by NRF’s Shop.org digital division, will support and promote collaboration on digital retail trends and strategies, the development of original research, and educational events and advocacy opportunities in Washington, D.C.
Brixmor names Mark Salma new VP of redevelopment

New York -- Brixmor Property Group announced commercial real estate professional Mark Salma has joined the company as VP of redevelopment. In his role, Salma will focus on Brixmor’s anchor space repositioning projects in the North region with the goal of driving higher sales, traffic and small shop leasing at the property level.
CVS/pharmacy brings hearing, optical services in-store

CVS Health on Monday announced that it is opening Hearing Centers in seven CVS/pharmacy stores in the Dallas and Cleveland markets and will be providing optical services at CVS/pharmacy in five store locations around the Baltimore/Washington, D.C. market.
Another reason for shoppers to buy at Container Store

The Container Store attracts a lot of loyal customers, and soon those shoppers will have another reason to buy more closet organizers and kitchen jars, thanks to a partnership with Synchrony Financial.

The retailer announced a new, multi-year agreement with Synchrony Financial to offer a private label credit card program for customers. The card will be available for use in the retailer’s stores and online and is scheduled to launch in the spring of 2016.
Report: Kroger testing video strips in aisles

Kroger is in the process of installing "smart shelf technology" at one of its stores in Ohio, according to Cincinnati.com.

The grocery chain is completing the installation of 2,200 Edge shelves throughout the center of the supermarket, including most aisles with dry goods. Today the tech features price tagging beneath the respective items, but future applications could include providing on-demand nutritional info, Cincinnati.com reports.
Haggen selling 26 stores to Smart & Final

The bankrupt Haggen supermarket chain is following through on its promise to unload some of its California locations as the company looks to refocus its operations on 37 stores in the Pacific Northwest.

Haggen announced Monday that it has entered into an agreement with Smart & Final Stores Inc. for it to acquire 28 store leases and related assets from affiliates of Haggen Holdings for $56 million.