KROGER

POMPANO BEACH, Fla. — Naturally Fresh Deodorant Crystal has announced that it is partnering with the cancer support network Happy Chemo! and now will be recognized as a local cancer resource for natural body products.

Happy Chemo! connects cancer patients with special offers and information in an effort to help before, during and after cancer treatments. The partnership with Naturally Fresh Deodorant Crystal will provide a network of support and samples exclusively to these patients and their families.

CHICAGO — With many businesses implementing customer reward programs to drive sales, it seems that the ones that promise everyday value and rewards fare better than their counterparts, according to new research.

The Recommendation Index, conducted by marketing agency Zocalo Group and M/A/R/C Research, analyzed 1,000 reward program participants, who were asked about brands they most often positively and negatively recommended, and the attributes they used to make their recommendations.

Just when you thought the low end of the generic drug price spectrum couldn’t get any more commoditized, the $2 price point debuted with a big splash in September 2010.


LOS ANGELES — Kroger banners Ralphs and Food 4 Less/Foods Co have kicked off their respective charitable campaigns to benefit children in the markets they serve.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — A Novato, Calif.-based corporate brand beer supplier has launched a private-label beer for Walgreens, according to published reports.

Winery Exchange is the producer behind Big Flats 1901, a lager brewed by Genesee Brewing Co., based in Rochester, N.Y. Big Flats 1901 sells for around 50 cents per can at most Walgreens stores, according to reports.

Winery Exchange's retail partners include Supervalu, Kroger, Costco, Delhaize and more.

BRENTWOOD, Tenn. — The Little Clinic has promoted Chance Cole to VP business development and processes, handling business-to-business and overall business development, process improvement and nonclinical training activities.

Cole joined the company in July 2010 as The Little Clinic manager of integration. Prior to accepting a position with The Little Clinic, he spent 20 years with Kroger as a store manager, Kroger coordinator, Kroger merchandising, retail operations manager and marketplace merchandising manager.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Fast on the heels of her departure from Ahold USA’s Giant Foods of Landover supermarket unit, Robin Michel has been tapped for an increasingly critical role at retail giant Sears Holdings. Michel, who left as president of Giant-Landover in December 2010, will serve as SVP and president of food and consumables, health and beauty and pharmacy at Sears and its Kmart subsidiary.

NEW YORK — Fujitsu on Monday unveiled its latest checkout technology at the National Retail Federation trade show. According to the company, the new technology boasts reduced time in lines and a customer-friendly checkout experience.