"Target Wants To Launch An Accelerator In India" by Pankaj Mishra at TechCrunch.  "Target has long looked to India to fuel its software applications and back-office projects. Now, the Minneapolis-based retailer is doubling down on the country's tech potential.  Come January 2014, Target is planning to launch the Target Accelerator Program, a corporate incubator - complete with funding, and possibly equity stakes."  Read more   "H-E-B:  America's Only Cross-Border Grocery Chain" by David Merrefield at Global Retail Brands.  "It operates stores in Mexico, and has done so for some 15 years, making it the lone U.S. conventional operator with [...]

  "Wal-Mart Taps Veteran as New CEO" by Shelly Banjo at WSJ.  "In a meeting with senior managers in Bentonville on Monday, Mr. McMillon highlighted his commitment to following in founder Sam Walton's footsteps by placing more focus on merchandise but also underscored the changing and evolving needs of the customer, according to a Wal-Mart executive who attended the meeting."  Read more    "Walmart CEO Race:  What's Next for #2 Choice Bill Simon?" by Kim Souza at City Wire.  "Will Bill Simon remain at the helm of Walmart US? If not, does Duncan MacNaughton assume the helm of US operations? [...]

  "Walmart Haters Try to Ignite Social Media Controversy" by Laura Clawson at Talking Union.  "A Thunderclap touting Black Friday as Walmart’s Super Bowl was identified as being from “a proud associate.” But it turns out that proud associate was Umang Shah, Walmart’s director of social strategy. Outed by Eric Ming as the originator of the Thunderclap, Shah argued that “proud associate” wasn’t deceptive."  Read more   "It's Come to this - Costco's New Shopping Carts Reviewed like a New Car" by Consumer Bob at San Diego 7 NBC.  "Costco GM Jesse Sanchez said not only are carts lighter, but [...]

  Dissecting Target's Q3 Earnings Call:  Top 10 Main Things Gregg Steinhafel, Chairman & CEO * Guests continue to consolidate trips as evidenced by a slight decline in our third quarter transactions which was offset by an increase in average ticket. * The response to Cartwheel, our digital coupon portable, has been remarkable. Cartwheel now has nearly 3 million users. * In Q3, we opened our eighth CityTarget.  We opened our first CityTarget stores more than a year ago and we're seeing very strong comparable sales growth in these locations.   Kathryn Tesija, EVP Merchandising & Supply Chain * Electronics had a [...]

  "Breaking:  Target Q3 Comp Sales Up Sluggish .9%"  "In third quarter 2013, sales increased 2.0 percent to $16.9 billion from $16.6 billion last year, reflecting a 0.9 percent increase in comparable sales."  Read the Full Release   "Target earnings beat; shares slip on light sales" at CNBC.  "Target on Thursday reported comparable sales rose a smaller than expected 0.9 percent in the third quarter, blaming what it called "constrained" consumer spending, and it lowered its full-year profit forecast." Read more   Top Ten Things Heard on the Lowe's Q3 Earnings Call: Robert Niblock, Chairman & CEO * Comparable sales [...]

  "Lowe's Q3 Comps Up 6.2%"  "Sales for the quarter increased 7.3 percent to $13.0 billion from $12.1 billion in the third quarter of 2012, and comparable sales for the quarter increased 6.2 percent. For the nine month period, sales were $41.8 billion, a 5.8 percent increase over the same period a year ago, and comparable sales increased 5.1 percent."  Read more   "Hundreds Stand in Line for New Costco in Melbourne, Australia" by Emma Hastings at Herald Sun.  "The grocery giant opened its second Melbourne store at 8am, with a ribbon-cutting and speech by Minister for Employment and Trade [...]

  "Home Depot U.S. Comps Jump 8.2% in Q3."  Highlights: * U.S. comps +8.2% * Overall comps +7.4% * # of customer transactions +4% * Avg. ticket +3.2% * Sales increased 7.4% to $19.5 Bil * Raises full year comp guidance to +7% *  Frank Blake: ""Our third quarter results reflect the continuing improvement in the housing market and our solid operational performance." Read more   Q3 2013 The Home Depot, Inc. Earnings Conference Call:  Today at 9:00 a.m. ET   Listen to the Webcast   "Dick's Q3 Comp Sales Up 3.3%"  "Net sales for the third quarter of 2013 increased [...]

  This Weeks Earnings Calendar: 11/19:  Home Depot, Dick's, Best Buy 11/20:  Lowe's, JCP, Staples 11/21:  Target, Dollar Tree   "Costco Opens Stores #4 and #5 in Australia" by Anne Davies at Sydney Morning Herald.  "In fiscal year 2012-13 Costco snared $600 million of the grocery and retail market. While it remains a minnow compared with Woolworths, whose supermarket division accounted for more than $50 billion in sales, the newcomer, as is Aldi, is showing it is possible to penetrate the supermarket duopoly." Read more    "Walmart Invades Target's Hometown" by Shannon Prather at Star-Tribune. “We still can’t figure out why [...]