RETAIL NEWS

BOSTON — Personalization is no longer just about marketing to demographic groups, customer segments or even personas.

Rather, the concept has evolved into a critical way for retailers to differentiate their brand to compete against companies like Amazon, according to “BRP Special Report: Personalizing the Customer Experience,” a study from Boston Retail Partners.

NEW YORK — People magazine named Genentech, Wegmans and Publix to its inaugural “50 Companies That Care” list, which recognizes companies with 1,000 or more employees that demonstrate respect, compassion and concern for their employees, their communities and the environment.

“Each year during Genentech Gives Back Week, hundreds of employees participate in the Bay to Beakers Children's Walk to support children orphaned as a result of AIDS in Malawi,” People wrote.

LAKELAND, Fla. — Publix Super Markets promoted Bob Balcerak to the position of VP real estate strategy, effective April 3.

“Promoting associates from within the company is one of the ways we perpetuate our Publix culture,” said CEO and president Todd Jones. “Bob will play a critical role as we continue our focus on store growth.”

ORANGEBURG, N.Y. — Nice-Pak on Tuesday announced its recognition as the Private Brand Supplier of the Year by Walmart, one of the company's largest customers. Walmart's Private Brand Supplier of the Year Award is new for Walmart in FYE 2017 and was awarded to Nice-Pak as a result of their overall collaboration with product innovation, thought leadership and category insights.

NEW YORK — Instead of positing online retail dominance and the effect of millennials on brick-and-mortar sales, the New York Post posited a new theory regarding why Americans are seemingly not spending at retail locations: they don’t have the money.

According to the news outlet, A Federal Reserve Bank of New York report revealed one-third of Americans stated they could not come up with $2,000 in the next 30 days should the need arise.

“No matter how you look at it, the average American is tapped out,” the Post wrote.

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. — Supervalu launched its 10th-annual My Diabetes Coach campaign to raise awareness of the risks of diabetes and help those who have it better manage the disease. Now through June 17, shoppers can visit their local CUB, Farm Fresh, SHOPPERS or Shop ‘n Save Pharmacy for a diabetes risk assessment performed by a pharmacist, followed by a free glucose screening for those determined to be at risk for the disease.

Appointments are not necessary, and walk-ups are encouraged.