New Market: Macy's is launching a new marketplace concept that lets brands and creators better target consumers, as well as boost visibility for their companies, "with the support of Macy's outstanding retail experiences." According to CNBC, brands pay a one-time fee to use the space, and retain all of their sales. Macy's is trialing the program in 10 cities, including New York, Boston and Las Vegas.
Scan and Go: Ralphs, a subsidiary of The Kroger Co., is introducing its new Scan, Bag, Go shopping technology at roughly 30 locations this year. Consumers will be able to use a wireless handheld scanner provided by Ralphs—or the Scan, Bag, Go app—to scan and bag their items more easily.
New Deal: Speaking of Kroger, the grocer is selling its convenience store business to EG Group, a privately held "petrol forecourt" convenience store retailer based in the UK, for $2.15 billion. As part of the deal, EG Group will "establish their North American headquarters in Cincinnati, Ohio and continue to operate stores under their established banner names."