Today at a glance:

Home Depot Q3 earnings call @ 9:00am EST.  https://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=63646&p=irol-irhome&HD%20INVESTOR&viewTaskName=ExternalDirectView

CVS to present at Lazard Capital Markets 9th Annual Healthcare Conference @ 9:00am EST. https://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=99533&p=irol-EventDetails&EventId=4864716 

Dick’s Sporting Goods — conference call to discuss Q3 earnings @ 10:00am EST. https://www.dickssportinggoods.com/investors

Rite Aid to present at Morgan Stanley Global Consumer & Retail Conference November 13 @ 1:35 EST.  https://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/home/permalink/?ndmViewId=news_view&newsLang=en&newsId=20121109005892&div=-1245645151

Walgreens  to present at Lazard Capital Markets 9th Annual Healthcare Conference @ 3:30pm EST.  https://investor.walgreens.com/

Highlights from Twitter Chat on 11/12 with Brooke Buchanan, Director, Communication & Sustainability at Walmart.  Hosted by Aman Singh at CSRwire and Nick Aster at Triple Pundit:

Walmart revealed that “buyers will have sustainability objectives in their evaluations next year” Asked what they’re doing with information collected via supplier sustainability scorecards, Walmart responded that “index scorecard data is being used by buyers in business planning and to drive innovation.”

Walmart said they’re the largest green power purchaser in the US and is piloting on-site industrial wind turbines, fuel cells and energy efficiency.  They have 170+ solar installations worldwide and a goal to have 1,000 by 2020.  Their goal is to reduce packaging by 5% by 2013 (using a 2008 baseline).  Walmart said that “suppliers can show sustainability leadership and help at https://www.walmartsustainabilityhub.com/

Asked which sector has responded most favorably to Walmart’s sustainability index they cited “real leadership from many categories – beer and wine, computers, cereals and others”.

Money quote from Walmart – “Our customers shouldn’t have to choose between products they love/can afford and green products.”

Link to Twitter Chat home page:  https://www.triplepundit.com/2012/11/walmart-sustainability-chat/

Hands on experience with new Amazon locker (Video) — “Who’s afraid of Amazon locker?” by Rocky Agrawal in Venture Beat:   “For the company that invented one-click ordering, the experience is surprisingly kludgy. The touch screen isn’t very responsive. (In the video, you can see where letters register incorrectly or don’t register at all.)  But despite my nitpicking of the user experience, this solves a real pain point for online commerce.”https://venturebeat.com/2012/11/12/whos-afraid-of-amazon-locker/#aBBhhVjKFgw72qvy.99”

“ShopRunner Takes On Amazon With Local Delivery System For Online Retail Purchases” by Leena Rao in Techcrunch:  “The company’s service offers an Amazon Prime-like unlimited, free two-day shipping service from a number of online retailers with no minimum order size. The company’s network includes Lord & Taylor, Toys R Us, Sports Authority, GNC, drugstore.com, inc., Borders, PetSmart and Newegg.com.”  https://techcrunch.com/2012/11/12/shoprunner-takes-on-amazon-with-local-delivery-system-for-online-retail-purchases/

“Rona Luring Lowe’s Back to Bid With CEO’s Exit” by Frederic Tomesco in Businessweek: ““As a shareholder, we hope that Mr. Dutton’s departure signals that the Rona board will be reassessing all avenues to unlock shareholder value,” Richard Fortin, Calgary-based portfolio manager at Bissett Investment Management, said in a telephone interview. “The obvious one is going back to the table with Lowe’s.”  https://www.businessweek.com/news/2012-11-12/rona-luring-lowe-s-back-to-bid-with-ceo-s-exit

“Target’s Black Friday to start at 9 p.m. Thanksgiving Day” by Chris Isidore in CNN Money:  “”We heard from our guests that they look forward to kicking off their holiday shopping with deal-hunting on Thanksgiving night,” said Kathee Tesija, executive vice president, merchandising, for Target. “Opening at 9 p.m. gives Target’s Black Friday guests a more convenient way to create an after-dinner shopping event that the entire family can enjoy.”  https://money.cnn.com/2012/11/12/news/companies/target-thanksgiving-opening/

“Apple retail stores most productive in US – by far” by Rik Myslewski in The Register: “According to a new study by the research firm Retail Sails, Apple’s real-world stores earned an average of $6,050 per square foot during the year ending in June. Tiffany pulled in a distant $3,017, and third-place yoga and running-gear purveyor lululemon athletica was far behind at $1,936.”  https://www.theregister.co.uk/2012/11/13/apple_retail_juggernaut/

“Lowe’s Iris Smart Kit Named as CES Innovations 2013 Design and Engineering Award Honoree.”  “Lowe’s entered the Smart Home market in July with the launch of its new, award- winning Smart Kit. Lowe’s offers three starter kits: Iris Safe & Secure, Iris Comfort & Control and Iris Smart Kit. Iris is available in more than 500 Lowe’s stores nationwide and on Lowes.com/Iris.”  https://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/home/permalink/?ndmViewId=news_view&newsLang=en&newsId=20121112006535&div=-1245645151