News

Chicago -- Survey results released Tuesday by Technomic found that restaurant goers are increasingly open to trying new technologies in the dining environment.

According to the survey, a majority of consumers expect to use technology to order food at restaurants more often in the coming year, and very few (just 3%) expect to use it less than they currently do.

Consumers expressed the most interest in tableside touchscreen devices that enable them to self-order and pay, iPad/tablet menus and digital rewards tied to loyalty programs.  

Deerfield, Ill. -- Walgreens said Tuesday it has formally set up a new company, jointly owned with Alliance Boots, as part of the strategic partnership’s synergy program.

The new company, called Walgreens Boots Alliance Development GmbH, is based in Bern, Switzerland.

SUNBURY, Pa. — Weis Markets reported a 1.2% increase in net income to $17.2 million for its third quarter thanks to disciplined promotions, increased store-level productivity and improved efficiency. Earnings per share increased 1.6% to 64 cents per share compared with the same period in 2011.

LONDON — Walmart's U.K. division, Asda, will has partnered with Barnes & Noble to sell exclusively Nook e-reader products.

Nook products available at Asda include the Nook Simpe Touch and Nook Simple Touch GlowLight. Both feature built-in access via Wi-Fi to Barnes & Noble’s digital catalogue of more than 2.5 million digital titles, including top-selling U.K. books, newspapers and magazines.

HAMILTON, Bermuda — Bacardi Limited has named Joseph Schena as SVP and CFO, replacing Jacques Croisetière, who is retiring from the company.

As SVP and CFO, Schena will also serve as a member of the Bacardi leadership team and report to Bacardi Limited president and CEO Ed Shirley. In addition, Schena will be appointed president and CEO of Bacardi International Limited. He will join the company on Dec. 3 and will be based in the global headquarters in Hamilton, Bermuda; pending approval by the Bermuda Department of Immigration.

Home Depot and U.S. Home Systems have announced the completion of the merger of USHS with an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Home Depot. The merger was approved by the stockholders of USHS at a special meeting held on Oct. 26. As a result, USHS became an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Home Depot.

Irving, Texas-based USHS is currently an exclusive provider of kitchen and bath refacing products and services, as well as closet and garage organizational systems to Home Depot.

NEW YORK — Nearly half (49%) of retail CFOs expect their capital expenditures will increase in the next 12 months, a 19-point uptick that leads all industries, and 29% expect to consider additional financing for expenditures, also leading all industries. according to GE Capital’s latest semi-annual “U.S. Mid-Market CFO Survey.” (Retail respondents have revenues of $150 million and an employee count of 1,235, on average. Data comparisons are against the GE Capital Mid-Market’s CFO Survey executed in first quarter 2012.

NEW YORK — The Ikea Group plans to become energy and resource independent by 2020, according to the chain’s new “People & Planet Positive” sustainability initiative.

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. — Sabra Dipping Co., the country's leading hummus manufacturer, has introduced a new flavor of its Garden Variety Hummus — Asian Fusion.

Inspired by Asian cuisine, the new flavor of hummus incorporates the flavors of ginger and sesame, and is topped with crunchy carrots and peppers.

Detroit -- According to Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan on Monday, the Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index rose to 82.6 in October, the highest level since September 2007.

Economists polled by Bloomberg projected 83 for the measure after a preliminary October reading of 83.1.

The Michigan index of consumer expectations six months from now, which more closely projects the direction of consumer spending, rose to 79 from 73.5 in September. The gauge of current conditions climbed to 88.1 from 85.7 a month ago.