RETAIL NEWS

WILBRAHAM, Mass. -- Shoppers looking for an early taste of summer can look forward to new flavors from Friendly's in the ice cream section.

PRESTON, Wash. -- The makers of a leading zero calorie beverage are expanding the brand by launching a new flavor, special edition bottle and charity partnership with a big NBA star.

A few days after announcing a new fulfillment center in Edgerton, Kansas, Amazon.com is unveiling plans for another new center that will serve customers a little further west.
 

Canada's leading value chain has promoted its head merchant to be the new CEO as the company logs another quarter of impressive sales growth.

Dollarama Inc. has appointed Neil Rossy as president and CEO, effective May 1, 2016. Company founder and current CEO Larry Rossy will continue to play an active role in key areas of Dollarama's business as executive chairman.

If the major suppliers of soft goods such as clothing and accessories to retail stores are a bellwether of the economy, then the coming months are looking to provide a jolt as 75% of these suppliers expect retail sales to significantly outpace the gross domestic product for the spring and summer shopping season.

In a history-making move that would have a direct impact on the retail industry and food service sector, the state of California has moved closer to raising the statewide minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2022.