News

By Tricia Downing, VP, FRCH Design Worldwide

Faced with unwavering demand for its brand of food retailing and an abundance of potential locations, Whole Foods executives on Tuesday increased their forecast for U.S. store growth to 1,200 locations from 1,000.

Toledo, Ohio -- Hickory Farms has launched a new website featuring faster page load times, easier navigation, and improved search and checkout functions. Customers can shop on-the-go with the site's mobile and tablet-friendly design.

Sam's Club is offering some extra holiday cheer for shoppers who are looking to buy last-minute gifts and save some money in the process. The company is inviting the public to a three-day Holiday Open House from Friday, Dec. 20 to Sunday, Dec. 22.

The event allows shoppers to take advantage of lowered prices on the season's hot items, like smartphones and notebooks, without paying non-member upcharges.

Hudson’s Bay Company has named Donald Watros, currently the company’s COO, as president of HBC, a newly expanded role. The appointment is effective Feb. 1, 2014.

The move comes as the company restructures its leadership so it can focus on managing and growing HBC’s presence in North America, as well as its expanding portfolio of brands.

Pleasanton, Calif. -- Prepaid payment network Blackhawk Network unveiled a partnership arrangement with Coinstar, offering customers of Coinstar’s 20,300 coin exchange kiosks a selection of Blackhawk eGifts for no fee when they cash in coins via the kiosks.

The eGift codes are redeemable at issuing retailers – either in-store, online or via mobile devices. Merchants include Gap, iTunes, Lowe's, Southwest Airlines, Toys "R" Us, Babies "R" Us and others.

NXT-ID, a biometrics company focused on the growing m-commerce market, has elected former MasterCard executives Lawrence Flanagan and Ken Moy to its newly formed board of directors. The appointments align with the company's roll-out and 2014 launch of the Wocket, a next generation biometrically secure wallet.

Westlake, Ohio -- TravelCenters of America said it has completed its acquisition of 31 convenience stores/gas stations in Kentucky and Tennessee for $67.9 million. The deal was first announced on Nov. 14.