News

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart has launched an effort to help diabetes patients save on their disease management products.

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Retail facility maintenance and janitorial service provider, Expert JMS, headquartered in Knoxville, Tenn., and NJS Indoor and Outdoor Services, headquartered in Mt. Laurel, N.J., have combined to create a leading North American provider of quality retail facility services. 

The transaction closed Tuesday, with the continuing enterprise consisting of the combined operations of Expert JMS, NJS and Advantage Janitorial Solutions, an affiliate of NJS. The newly combined entity will approach the market as Expert NJS.

PORT WASHINGTON, N.Y. — Once again, consumers are putting off back-to-school shopping until the last minute, but retailers can take solace in the fact that they intend to spend more this year.

According to NPD's survey, 31% of respondents said they plan to spend more this year, compared with 22% who made that claim in 2011. The number of consumers who plan to spend less went from 38% in 2011 to 24% this year, while those who plan to spend the same rose from 40% to 46%.

Port Washington, N.Y. -- Once again, consumers are putting off back-to-school shopping until the last minute, but retailers can take solace in the fact that they intend to spend more this year.

According to NPD's survey, 31% of respondents said they plan to spend more this year, compared with 22% who made that claim in 2011. The number of consumers who plan to spend less went from 38% in 2011 to 24% this year, while those who plan to spend the same rose from 40% to 46%.

New York -- Barnes & Noble CEO William Lynch was compensated $10 million in 2011, compared to $1.6 million in 2010, according to a report by the Associated Press.

The difference is due to a large stock option grant, reported AP, as Barnes & Noble compensated Lynch for expanding the retailer’s digital business. However, an SEC filing revealed the retailer planned to pay Lynch double the $5.3 million in stock options it granted, but found it couldn't due to its 2009 incentive plan rules.

Emeryville, Calif. -- Coffee retailer Peet's Coffee & Tea said it is being taken private for approximately $977.6 million.
 
German conglomerate Joh. A. Benckiser – a minority stakeholder in an international coffee and tea company D.E. Master Blenders 1753 – will reportedly pay a premium $73.50 per share, putting the deal’s total value at nearly $1 billion.

Nashville -- The Little Clinic on Monday announced the opening of two convenient care clinics within Kroger in the Atlanta area. Two additional clinic openings are slated for August, which would bring the total number of locations in Georgia to six.

“With the addition of four more locations in 2012, there will be a convenient location of The Little Clinic in several Atlanta-area communities,” stated Johnett Thompson, regional clinical director for The Little Clinic.

Chelmsford, Mass. -- Workforce management solution-provider Kronos Inc. said Tuesday that United Supermarkets has expanded its relationship with Kronos after achieving a seven-figure savings through the deployment of a Kronos labor planning tool in conjunction with the workforce management solution.

The supermarket chain is extending its commitment in order to control labor costs, minimize compliance risk, and improve workforce productivity.

Dallas -- Grocery chain C&K Market Inc. said it has deployed Connected Payments from Retalix, rolling out the cloud-based, software-as-a-service payments system across its 61 Ray's Food Place, Ray's Shop Mart and C&K Market banners. The grocer also uses Retalix POS software across its enterprise.

Bentonville, Ark. -- Wal-Mart Stores Inc. issued a statement on Tuesday indicating its position on the proposed settlement with Visa and MasterCard over credit card fees.