Kraft Foods to merge with Heinz
US food giant Heinz is to merge with Kraft Foods Group, creating what the companies say will be the third-largest food and beverage company in the US, behind PepsiCo and Nestle.
E-commerce
Salesforce matches CRM data to Facebook ads
Salesforce.com has launched a new tool that syncs its customer relationship management (CRM) data with Facebook, so its users can send targeted ads to their customers on the social network.
UK retailers failing at email customer service (but improving on Twitter)
Despite significant investment in digital channels, UK retailers are still only answering just over half (55%) of routine customer questions asked via the email, Twitter and web channels, according to new research.
Amazon allowed to test drone deliveries in the US
Amazon has been awarded an experimental airworthiness certificate to use drones, according to the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration.
Target fined $10m for data breach
Target has agreed to pay out a total of $10m (£6.74m) to people affected by a data breach in 2013, according to reports.
Facebook Messenger gets mobile payments
Facebook is expanding into mobile payments by letting users exchange money through its Messenger app.
Alibaba invests $200m in SnapChat
Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba Group is investing $200m in SnapChat, valuing the photo-messaging app at a whopping $15bn.
Google opens shop in London
Google has followed in the footsteps of Amazon, Apple and eBay to open a physical retail store in London.
Creating online promotions that get sales (not just brand love)
The retailers that consumers love are not always the retailers they buy from. New research from Rapid Campaign shows that promotions really do affect consumer behaviour.This infographic explains what kinds of promotions to use to turn brand love into sales.
Top tips: Why imitation is better than innovation when creating a great online retail experience
There’s no need to trailblaze when planning your ecommerce channels and strategy to your physical stores, simply learn from the best practice that’s out there, says Kevin Sparks, Commercial Director at FACT-Finder.