Mass Merchant

Wal-Mart endorses Knowledge Networks as the online panel research company to conduct custom studies using the retailer's proprietary Segmentation Lens.

Starbucks Coffee Company and The Hershey Company are joining forces to transform the premium chocolate segment through the creation of a new Starbucks-branded premium chocolate platformin the United States starting this fall.

Metro Group is in the midst of deploying the largest production-scale RFID rollout in Europe using a network of RFID tags, readers and the Tag Acquisition Processor (TAP) from Reva Systems to produce accurate tag data from each site and provide rapid operator feedback.

Target announces that it is working with Swisslog to design and implement a new picking and storage system.

The "Barbie BCause" collection reuses excess Barbie fabrics and trimmings to create handbags, pillows, diaries, totes and other eco-friendly accessories.

The Voluntary Interindustry Commerce Solutions Association (VICS) announces the finalists for its Achievement in Supply Chain Collaboration Awards.

Diamond Foods Inc., a branded food company specializing in processing, marketing and distributing culinary and snack products, announces the appointment of Jeff Bladdick as vice president of sales for Wal-Mart/Sam's, effective April 30, 2007.

Blyth Inc. has sold certain assets associated with its North American mass channel home fragrance business, Blyth HomeScents International - North America (BHI), to MVP Inc., a designer, manufacturer and marketer of private-label candles and home fragrance products to mass retailers.