RETAIL NEWS

MEMPHIS, Tenn.  - Fred's on Tuesday announced that CEO Jerry Shore will retire from the company in February 2017. Accordingly, the board of directors has named Michael Bloom CEO, effective immediately. Bloom, who joined Fred's as president and COO in January 2015, has worked closely with Shore on building a strong management team to ensure a smooth and effective transition.

Eight young moms in the Boston area are getting a new start in life after completing a pharmacy technician training program through a partnership with CVS Health and a Massachusetts nonprofit, according to the Boston Globe.

The nonprofit, Roca, aims to keep high-risk young men and women out of jail and off the streets, and to give them a future, according to the Globe.

Consumers aren’t ready to let go of print coupons.

A majority (58%) of respondents reported using more print coupons over the past year, according to the 2016 Purse String Survey by Valassis. Thirty-eight percent of respondents said the same about mobile coupons and 32% are using online coupons or coupon codes more often.

Nearly half of the respondents indicated they use six or more coupons per shopping trip with 27% using 10 or more coupons. By using coupons, 42% of those surveyed save $30 or more each week and 21% save $50 or more.

NEW YORK — New research from Experian Marketing Services points to five strategies that brands and retailers should implement to boost marketing plan performance during the key holiday shopping season.

According to Experian's Q2 2016 Email Benchmark Report, marketers should consider the quality of subscriber data obtained during acquisition, social media, creative content, email personalization and retention strategy.

MINNEAPOLIS -- Jeff Jones, executive vice president, chief marketing officer at Target, is leaving the company.

Target CEO Brian Cornell said Tuesday that Jones will be departing the company effective Sept. 9.

Various media reports indicate that Jones will be joining Uber as president of the ridesharing company.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Fred's Super Dollar on Tuesday reported a decline in total sales of 3% for the second quarter ended July 30, though the company posted total sales increases of 2.3% for the first half of 2016 as compared to the year-ago period.

CHICAGO -- Kmart has unveiled the latest example of its strategic initiative to attract loyal shoppers as well as what it calls "a new Millennial Kmart audience."

The retailer has opened a new concept in the Chicago area -- complete with an upgraded pharmacy and a beauty bar -- that aims to provide a new store experience and expanded product selection.