News

Sales and marketing services leader Crossmark unveiled a first-of-its-kind collaboration center on July 10 just steps from Walmart’s Bentonville, Arkansas, headquarters. The new facility offers the retailer and its trading partners a wide range of joint business planning, shopper insights and store execution capabilities.

Bentonville, Ark. – Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is reportedly seeking to keep files regarding an internal probe of possible bribes paid to Mexican officials to aid real estate deals out of the hands of investors. According to Bloomberg, Wal-Mart is arguing in a case before the Delaware Supreme Court that the files in question are protected by attorney-client privilege.

Matthews, N.C. -- Family Dollar Stores’ third quarter income plunged 33% amid higher costs and increased competition. Same-store sales fell 1.8%, which marked the third straight quarterly decline.

Family Dollar is under pressure from activist investor Carl Icahn to put itself up for sale. The company has adopted a shareholder rights plan, or "poison pill."

ShopAtHome.com, one of the largest coupon search engines connecting shoppers to exclusive deals and cash-back savings, has expanded its product offering to include ShopGold Rewards, a new program that offers free gift cards from major retailers to consumers.

The company said that ShopGold Reward’s launch has positioned it as the “most extreme savings hub anywhere,” and the only site offering coupons, cash back and free gift card rewards in an integrated way through its site and apps.

By Mark McCurley, IDT911 Consulting

Cal-Maine Foods isn’t due to report its financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended May 31 until the end of the month, but already it has reached annual sales of more than 1 billion dozen eggs for fiscal 2014 with an expected total of 1.014 billion dozen fresh eggs sold.

The milestone marks a new record year of sales for Cal-Maine Foods and the first time any domestic or world egg supplier has surpassed annual sales of more than 1 billion dozen eggs.

New York -- Women’s apparel retailer Bebe has selected digital experience management platform provider Qubit to provide a wide reaching and bespoke A/B testing, website optimization and personalization program designed to increase conversion rates.

While Bebe retains a strong physical store presence in prime locations globally, the retailer is now looking to establish itself as an ecommerce market leader by honing its online and mobile strategy — a plan that will kick off with the launch of a new responsive mobile site in the coming weeks.

Sobeys is leveraging social media to drive Canadian shoppers to its stores. The operator of retail banners that include Sobeys, Safeway, IGA, Foodland, FreshCo, Thrifty Foods and Lawton's Drug Stores has enlisted Chef Jamie Oliver for the campaign.

The company’s next #BetterFoodForAll challenge asks Canadians to share their favorite side dish this summer for a chance to win a cooking lesson with Oliver in Toronto. Sides can include coleslaw, corn on the cob, grilled vegetables and fresh salads.