Ogilvy

Although brick-and-mortar retail has been the focus of The Kroger Co. from the very beginning, omnichannel strategies are changing the future of how consumers are shopping. Since there is now a greater need for suppliers to collaborate even more closely with their retailer partners, Kroger created Program Mercury to seamlessly blend together the traditional in-store experience with digital, into a truly omnichannel consumer experience.

Sports apparel and equipment compant Mizuno USA has promoted its Vice President of Brand Management & Marketing to a newly created position of Chief Operating Officer.

Avocados From Mexico, Dallas. The following have been voted to the new AFM board of directors: Mike Browne, chairman; Antonio Villasenor, vice chair; Ricardo Vega, treasurer; Martin Mendoza, director; Ramon Paz, director; Gary Caloroso, director; Armando Lopez, director; and Ron Campbell, director.

Many consumer goods companies have already invested in trade management technology, but often fail to close the loop with post-event analysis and, therefore, never have the opportunity to elevate the discussion to a strategic level with retail customers. Here's how.

Anheuser-Busch InBev, St. Louis

Susan Topel has joined the manufacturer as a shopper insights analyst.

Unilever announces the launch of The Unilever Foundry, a platform that will provide a single entry-point for innovative start-ups seeking to partner with Unilever.

Recognizing a strong need for improvement, nine companies, including Coca-Cola, Hershey, P&G and Wegmans, worked together to focus on closing the gap that currently exists in the new item setup process.

Walmart maintains its No. 1 spot on a new list of the best retail brands, and even with a 6 percent decline in brand value it preserves an enormous margin over the next closest brand. Four brands increased their brand value by more than 25 percent this year, while others fell off the list completely.