News

New York -- Macy’s and Maker Studios, the world’s largest producer and distributor of online video content for Millennials, announced a collaboration to launch an original fashion-lifestyle series, to be called “The Next Style Star.” The program will feature 16 up-and-coming stylists battling head-to-head for a $10,000 cash prize, a chance to serve as a guest stylist on an upcoming Macy’s photo shoot, and have his or her winning look featured in the Impulse Department at Macy’s Herald Square in New York City.

Oakland, Calif. - The Society for Research of Synergies (SRS) and its company members will place their supply network onto the GT Nexus platform to optimize global transportation costs representing $247.7 million per year. SRS is a global synergy organization representing the interests of 20 European retailer groups, including Groupe Auchan, Groupe ADEO, Pimkie, Orsay, Kiabi, Happychic, H.T.M., Mobivia, Ephigea and Tapis Saint Maclou.

San Francisco -- Wells Fargo & Company and Dillard’s have entered into an agreement for Wells Fargo to fund, issue and service Dillard’s-branded private label and co-brand credit cards. Wells Fargo will also manage the cardholder loyalty program for Dillard’s.

The program agreement has a 10-year term and is anticipated to become operational in the fourth quarter of 2014, following the scheduled expiration of Dillard’s current program agreement. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

The backyard chicken movement is a consumer trend that likely went undetected by the insights teams at most retailers, but not Tractor Supply.

The nation’s leading farm and ranch store has developed an innovative promotion called “Chick Days,” and is touting the benefits of raising backyard poultry with the promotional piece, “Raise Your Roost.” A dedicate landing page at TractorSupply.com also features a wide range of chicken products to help customers raise a healthy flock.

Ankeny, Iowa -- Casey’s General Stores plans to break ground on the company’s second distribution center in November 2014. The facility will be located in Terre Haute, Ind.

The sale of Unilever’s meat snack business to Jack Link’s closed this week, clearing the way for the Minong, Wis.-based company to pursue its global ambitions.

Jack Link’s is already the leading U.S. meat snack brand with a pervasive presence at retail but has set its sights on international growth.

New York -- Two U.S. banks have dropped their lawsuit against Target Corp. and its credit card security assessor, Trustwave Holdings Inc. The banks had accused Target and Trustwave of failing to properly secure customer data, leading to the retailer’s data breach during last year’s holiday season.

Camp Hill, Pa. -- Rite Aid on Tuesday announced it has acquired Boston-based Health Dialog Services Corp., a provider of health coaching, shared decision making and healthcare analytics from Bupa, a London-based international healthcare services group. Through the acquisition, Health Dialog will operate as a wholly owned subsidiary of Rite Aid.