News

Madison, Wis. -- Focus on Energy, Wisconsin utilities' statewide program for energy efficiency and renewable energy, recognized Walgreens’ strong efforts in 2013 for reducing its energy usage across Wisconsin through the Chain Stores and Franchises Program.

Focus on Energy recently presented Walgreens representatives with a $500,000 incentive check at the Edison Electric Institute National Key Accounts Workshop in Orlando, Fla.

Dole and Blue Diamond Almond Breeze are launching two simultaneous Peel the Love Banana Cabana Tours in 2014.

Dole said that the tour aims to reacquaint Americans with “the fun, whimsy and versatility of bananas and offer compelling new ways to add fresh produce to summer meals, snacking, parties and entertaining plans.” Since separate tours launching Memorial Day Weekend covering the Eastern and Western portions of the U.S., Dole will be able to visit banana fans in 26 cities by Labor Day.

Barnes & Noble chairman Leonard Riggio has sold a portion of his holdings of company stock.

Riggio said he sold 3.7 million shares of common stock, after which his holdings are expected to represent approximately 20% of Barnes & Noble’s common stock outstanding.

“After this sale I remain the company’s largest shareholder, a position I feel very good about,” said Riggio. “I love this company and I believe in its future as I do in all of the wonderful people who work here.”

Woonsocket, R.I. — Rob Price, senior VP marketing and advertising and chief marketing officer for CVS/pharmacy, has left the company to pursue a new role.   

“Rob led the retail marketing team during a period of tremendous growth and strong financial performance and brought numerous positive changes to the business. We thank Rob for his important contributions and wish him the best of luck in the next phase of his career,” the company stated.

Post Holdings plans to acquire Michael Foods and its related entities for $2.45 billion. The acquisition is expected to be completed in the second quarter of 2014, subject to customary closing conditions.

Michael Foods is a leading packaged goods company providing value-added food products and service solutions to customers in the foodservice, retail and food ingredient channels. The company holds leading market positions in each of its three segments and produces a broad range of value-added egg products, potato products and cheese and dairy-case foods.

Purchase, N.Y. – MasterCard has entered into an agreement to acquire Pinpoint Pty. Ltd., an Australian provider of loyalty and rewards services to financial institutions across the Asia Pacific region. This acquisition is expected to close in second quarter 2014.

Leading online grocer FreshDirect has selected Single Touch Systems to leverage the technology-based mobile media solutions provider’s Reminder Messaging Product.

The messaging program includes implementing order status, delivery status and service notifications.

New York - L.L.Bean was ranked number one in online customer service in March 2013. According to monthly benchmark analysis from customer service analysis provider StellaService, LLBean.com showed strength in email and returns, besting all other retailers in those specific service areas.