News

ARLINGTON, Va. -- Kroger and Procter & Gamble have teamed up to support the USO in its efforts to help American troops and their families.

The consulting firm Gravitytank named Bob Thacker as a strategic advisor to help the firm’s consumer electronics, retail, consumer packaged goods and technology clients. Thacker most recently served as SVP of marketing and advertising at OfficeMax and was with Target from 1989 to 1998 as a VP of marketing. He also served as president and CEO of BBDO in Minneapolis and served as an SVP of marketing at Sears.

WASHINGTON -- Mobile and social initiatives are becoming increasingly important to retailers. According to “The State Of Retailing Online 2011: Marketing, Social, and Mobile” report conducted by Forrester Research Inc. for Shop.org, 91% of retailers currently have a mobile strategy in place or in development (up from 74% a year ago). Additionally, 72% of retailers say they will increase their spending on social networks this year over last year. “

ARLINGTON, Va. -- The Retail Industry Leaders Association announced that Christine Pollack has joined the association as VP government relations, focusing on healthcare policy and serving as one of RILA’s lead advocates on core retail industry priorities.

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. — Stater Bros. announced that three of its supermarkets have received the Environmental Protection Agency's GreenChill Award.

The regional chain said that the stores, all located in Southern California, earned the Gold Award from the EPA, the second-highest award offered by the agency to businesses that use refrigerants that do not harm the earth's ozone layer.

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- Dish Network announced that it has named a president for its newly-acquired subsidiary, Blockbuster. Michael Kelly, who most recently served as EVP of Dish Network's commercial services division as well as both the direct sales and media sales organizations and played a key role in Dish Network's purchase of Blockbuster. has been charged with returning the struggling retailer to profitability.

NAPERVILLE, Ill.  -- OfficeMax announced that it has been recognized as a JDA Software Group 2011 Real Results Winner for best in demand management. Now in its sixth year, the Real Results Awards recognize companies that have demonstrated business-process excellence and achieved quantifiable benefits through the adoption of industry best practices and use of JDA's industry-leading solutions and services, according to a company press release. OfficeMax was honored at FOCUS 2011, JDA's annual user conference in Orlando, Florida, May 1 to 4.

CHICAGO -- Supervalu detailed its strategic plan to deliver profitable growth in the future for shareholders at an investor event May 3. 

Commenting on the company’s plans, Supevalu CEO and president Craig Herkert said, “We are focused on acting as one company, working toward a common goal of delivering increased value to all of our customers and meeting their needs neighborhood by neighborhood.”

Washington, D.C. -- More and more retailers are experimenting with mobile and social initiatives. According to “The State Of Retailing Online 2011: Marketing, Social, and Mobile” report conducted by Forrester Research. for Shop.org, 91%  percent of retailers currently have a mobile strategy in place or in development (up from 74% a year ago), and 72% say they will increase their spending on social networks this year over last.

Naperville, Ill. -- OfficeMax has been recognized as a JDA Software Group  2011 Real Results Winner for Best in Demand Management.

Now in its sixth year, the Real Results Awards recognize companies that have demonstrated business-process excellence and achieved quantifiable benefits through the adoption of industry best practices and use of JDA's industry-leading solutions and services. OfficeMax was honored at Focus 2011, JDA's annual user conference in Orlando, Florida, May 1-4, 2011.