News

Deerfield, Ill. — Walgreens on Wednesday said it has exercised its option to buy the remaining 55% of European pharmacy retailer and wholesaler Alliance Boots in a $15.26 billion deal that will keep the drug store chain's corporate tax headquarters in the United States. Walgreens said it is not in the best long-term interest of its shareholders to re-domicile outside the United States.

By Jerome Malavoy, CEO and Founder, Trace One

The shopping habits of today’s consumers have changed; retailers must be able to provide the product information they want through one or more of the marketing channels they may frequent — and all of those communications must be consistent with the physical in-store experience. That means new merchandising tactics are being embraced by industry leaders who are turning to digital signage to enhance the shopper experience and achieve competitive differentiation.

The Timex brand is synonymous with watches so it’s no surprise that the company has entered the wearable teachnology space with a new smartwatch, called the Timex Ironman One GPS+, which offers consumers stand-alone wireless connectivity without a phone.

The brand is marketing the smartwatch as the ideal device to use in those instances when carrying a phone is not ideal. Some of the Timex Ironman One GPS+ smartwatch’s features include the following:

Just under two weeks after Aaron’s posted disappointing second-quarter results, the company is seeking a new CEO. Ronald W. Allen, 72, plans to retire as the company’s CEO and will be stepping down from the board of directors, effective August 31, 2014.

Payment solutions provider Global Payments has signed a referral agreement with BitPay, a payment service provider (PSP) specializing in bitcoin digital currency, which will allow Global Payments to incorporate the cryptocurrency into its product suite and offer bitcoin payment acceptance to its worldwide merchants.

Smith & Wesson has hired Andrew Coccari Jr. to fill the newly created position of SVP of sales and marketing, effective August 11. His appointment follows the announced retirement of Mario Pasantes, SVP of marketing and international sales, scheduled for 2015.

Toys“R”Us has appointed Chetan Bhandari as the company’s SVP, corporate finance and treasurer. He will report to EVP and CFO Mike Short.

Juvenile products manufacturer Bendon, Inc., has entered the premium craft market following a recent acquisition that also creates the potential for expanded distribution.

Amazon has expanded same-day delivery and is now offering “Get It Today” capabilities to customers in Baltimore, Dallas, Indianapolis, New York City, Philadelphia and Washington DC metro areas, with more than a million eligible items now available for same-day delivery.