News

Kroger has gotten the ultimate green seal of approval from the EPA.

The federal government has announced that Kroger is the only grocery retailer to be granted elite Energy Star Certification status by the EPA.

"Kroger is committed to reducing our impact on the environment, and our Energy Star certified buildings have delivered energy and cost savings as well as reduce our carbon footprint," said Keith Oliver, Kroger's VP for facility engineering. "We are pleased to help our partners at the EPA celebrate 15 years of Energy Star certifications."

Montreal, Canada – Specialty childrenswear retailer Souris Mini has selected Raymark's omni-channel customer relationship management (CRM) solution to support strategic initiatives in streamlining marketing activities and improving customer communications. The retailer, with more than 30 locations on two continents, is modernizing the way it engages with customers across all channels, with the project currently underway.   

Woonsocket, R.I. – CVS/pharmacy is making it an omnichannel holiday for its customers this year. Consumers can follow @CVS_Extra on Twitter to learn about upcoming promotions and ways to win a variety of gift items through special contests.

Google could be preparing to take on Amazon.com with its own unique e-commerce solution. According to the Wall Street Journal, Google is developing a “buy now” button that would be embedded right into results pages within the search engine.   

New York – Every retailer wants to acquire new customers, but not every retailer knows how to draw them in. According to new retailer and consumer survey data from loyalty intelligence provider Colloquy and sponsored by Chase Merchant Services, 60% of retailers admitted they lack reliable data to support effective targeting of new customers for acquisition purposes.  

Piccing, a “social-shopping” platform, has raised $3.62 million from undisclosed investors, the company announced.

The company’s web and iOS app lets users upload or bookmark images — the latter, Pinterest-style — wherein they can add up to five hotspots tied to items found in each image, thereby helping to make those images “shoppable.”

Users browsing or searching via the platform can click on any image’s hotspots — dubbed “piccs” — to buy the product or see similar items.

Minneapolis – Technology geeks do not have the reputation of being the people you turn to in a crisis, but travelers in Chicago’s O’Hare Airport who experience difficulty with their electronic devices just may find a geek is what they need. Agents from the Best Buy Geek Squad technical service will be available daily now through Dec. 23 in O’Hare’s Terminal 3, Concourse H, with a “Precinct” similar to those found in Best Buy stores.  

Hudson’s Bay Co. has looked to a Toys “R” Us veteran as its pick for its next CEO effective Jan. 5, although current CEO Richard Baker will stay on as governor and executive chairman of the retailing company.

Gerald Storch, an industry veteran with over 30 years of experience, oversaw the expansion of Toys “R” Us online and international business. Prior to joining the toy giant, he was vice chairman of Target Corp., where he founded Target.com, and ran the chain’s grocery business.