News

Campbell, Calif. -- Product lifecycle management software provider Centric Software said Tuesday that it has become the PLM system provider to Build-A-Bear Workshop.

Build-A-Bear Workshop purchased the Product Specification, Product Sourcing, Calendar Management, Line Planning, Quality Management and Material Management modules of the Centric 8 PLM system. Build-A-Bear Workshop also will implement Centric’s mobile apps and the Enterprise Connectivity module to integrate Centric 8 data with the company’s enterprise resource planning system.

Warburg Pincus has acquired a majority ownership stake in Crossmark, a leading provider of sales and marketing services to retailers and suppliers.

The companies said they entered into a definitive merger agreement whereby Warburg Pincus will make a majority investment of an undisclosed amount in Crossmark that allows for the management owners of the company to maintain a significant equity position and continue to actively lead the company after the transaction closes.

By Brett Conradt, [email protected]

Mobile payments have been growing impressively, but recent estimates suggest they represent less than 1% of total global retail sales. Many retail executives may be wondering whether the technology is worth investing in right now. Before getting into the issues to consider, let’s start with some background.

COMMERCE, Calif. — 99 Cents Only Stores has revamped its website to better showcase a range of new capabilities, including bulk purchases and in-store pickup of online orders.

Arlington, Va. -- In a letter sent Wednesday, Retail Industry Leaders Association president Sandy Kennedy asked President Obama to take action to prevent a work stoppage at the East and Gulf Coast ports.

Negotiations on Dec. 18 did not produce a resolution between the International Longshoremen’s Association and the U.S. Maritime Alliance, foreshadowing a shutdown of the Eastern and Gulf ports by the end of the year.

ATLANTA — The Coca-Cola Company has introduced a free-to-play mobile game called Thred, which will enable users to have fun while getting involved in the global campaign to fight AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria.

Coca-Cola teamed up with Red, an organization founded in 2006 by Bono and Bobby Shriver to engage businesses and people in the fight against AIDS.

San Bernardino, Calif. -- Regional grocer Stater Bros. Holdings Inc. reported Tuesday that profit for the fourth quarter slid to $5.0 million, compared with $5.6 million in the year-ago period.

Sales in the quarter increased to $957.2 million, from $941.8 million last year.

NORTH BERGEN, N.J. — The Vitamin Shoppe will buy a Pacific Northwest-based supplement chain, the New Jersey-based company said.

The Vitamin Shoppe said it would buy Super Supplements for $50 million. Super Supplements operates 31 stores in Washington, Oregon and Idaho, and the Vitamin Shoppe said the acquisition would expand its presence in the Northwest, where it already operates 17 stores. The transaction is expected to close on Dec. 31.