News

It is with great pleasure that I introduce myself to you as the new senior editor of Chain Store Age, focused on covering all the news, trends and happenings in the constantly changing world of retail IT. Technology is evolving at a breakneck pace with major implications for retail. Emerging technology areas such as mobile, social and cloud are changing the very nature of customer experience, while the explosion of Big Data offers both a major challenge and opportunity for retailers that can successfully harness the immense of volume of information that is now available.

When Swann’s opened its 51,000-sq.-ft. freestanding flagship store in Tyler, Texas, it unveiled a new design that takes the 117-year-old furniture retailer and home design consultant to an even higher-end level.

Stamford, Conn.-based Martin Roberts Design completed the $4.4-million Swann’s store, with the objective of elevating both the retailer and its surroundings.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration has launched an interactive map that allows users to find licensed online pharmacies by searching through states' board of pharmacy databases.

The site, BeSafeRx, is designed to help users distinguish between legitimate pharmacies and fake ones, noting that fake pharmacies will often use various means to appear legitimate. "If you cannot confirm that an online pharmacy is licensed in the United States, you should not use that online pharmacy," the site states.

SHELTON, Conn. — Hawaiian Tropic has retired its Miss Hawaiian Tropic Bikini Contests and is looking for a woman who will serve as the "new face" of the brand, which is owned by Energizer Personal Care, a division of Energizer Holdings.

The brand, which has introduced new formulas and packaging, is launching the contest through Facebook, and the winner will become its new spokeswoman. The contest takes place from May 6 through May 31.

NAPERVILLE, Ill. — OfficeMax has been awarded the National Employment Team 2013 “Private Sector Business of the Year” by the Council of State Administrators of Vocational Rehabilitation (CSAVR) for its commitment to employing people with disabilities, including veterans.

OfficeMax is one of two organizations — and the only private sector company — to receive this year's CSAVR distinction.

NEW YORK, N.Y. — As the six month anniversary of Hurricane Sandy approaches, online grocery service Peapod is teaming up with Family-to-Family, Inc. to launch a 90-day campaign to restock the kitchen cupboards of families still struggling from the effects of the storm.

MINNEAPOLIS — Target Corp. will renovate libraries at more than two dozen schools in need across the country this year under a program that will also include book donations and technology upgrades, as well as the option to have a Target-supported food pantry built, the mass merchandise retailer said Wednesday.

NEW YORK — The Jones Group Inc. plans to close 170 under-performing stores in the U.S. by mid-2014 as part of its efforts to shore up profitability.

The stores identified for closure include 50 units previously announced in the fourth quarter.

Jones, which owns the Nine West, Jones New York and Anne Klein banners among others, will emerge from the restructuring with a higher percentage of outlet stores in its portfolio, and some units will be converted to more viable sister banners.

EMERYVILLE, Calif. — Clif Bar & Company has promoted president and COO Kevin Cleary to CEO. In his new role, Cleary will focus on expanding Clif Bar’s growth in the sports nutrition and healthy snacks category while continuing to lead the company’s day-to-day business operations. 

Owners Gary Erickson and Kit Crawford will continue as co-chairs of Clif Bar & Company’s board of directors and become co-chief visionary officers guiding the company’s Five Aspirations business model.

MONTREAL, Canada — LightSpeed, a leading software company that develops tools for retailers to better manage operations and sales across all channels, has launched StoreMaster, a command center that affords retailers complete control over their business.