Eye-on-Retail Tipsheet 2/11/13: Home Depot abandons BlackBerry; Wmart #1 in Energy Generation
“Home Depot abandoning BlackBerry platform in favor of Apple’s iPhone and iOS” by Kevin Bostic at Apple Insider. “People familiar with the big-box retailer’s plans said the company has already begun the process of abandoning the Blackberry platform for Apple’s iOS, specifically for store managers and all corporate level employees. A representative for the home improvement chain confirmed the news to AppleInsider, saying the move will displace roughly 10,000 Blackberry smartphones.” Read more: https://appleinsider.com/articles/13/02/08/home-depot-abandoning-blackberry-platform-in-favor-of-apples-iphone-and-ios
“Amazon unpacked” by Sarah O’Connor at The Financial Times. “Between a sooty power station and a brown canal on the edge of a small English town, there is a building that seems as if it should be somewhere else. An enormous long blue box, it looks like a smear of summer sky on the damp industrial landscape. Inside, hundreds of people in orange vests are pushing trolleys around a space the size of nine football pitches, glancing down at the screens of their handheld satnav computers for directions on where to walk next and what to pick up when they get there. They do not dawdle – the devices in their hands are also measuring their productivity in real time.” Read more: https://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/2/ed6a985c-70bd-11e2-85d0-00144feab49a.html#slide0
“Walmart, BMW Lead for On-site Renewable Energy Generation” at Sustainable Business. “Considering all its rooftop solar investments, it shouldn’t surprise you all that much that Wal-Mart Stores tops the latest ranking. It now uses 174.8 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of renewable energy at its US stores, generated by a combination of biogas, solar and wind. That’s just 1% of its annual energy consumption, though…Kohl’s actually leads the EPA’s separate list of Top 20 Retailers. Between on-site resources and REC purchases, it sources 105% of the electricity it needs from renewable energy (1.5 billion kWh).” Read more: https://www.sustainablebusiness.com/index.cfm/go/news.display/id/24546
“The Walgreens path to omnichannel success” by Fiona Swerdlow at Shop.org. “For Walgreens, omnichannel is imperative. “Omnichannel is incredibly important strategically to the company,” Almeida said, noting that Walgreens has weathered countless economic cycles in its history. Surviving through tumultuous times is no doubt tied to a long history of innovation, including introducing the self-service store in 1950 and offering child-resistant containers in 1968, linking pharmacies via satellite in 1981 and offering refills by scan in 2010. Firmly rooted in its core values – helping people live healthier and happier lives, and being a good part of the community – the company now engages with 6.6 million visitors weekly across its web properties, which includes Walgreens.com, Drugstore.com, and Beauty.com among several others.” Read more: https://blog.shop.org/2013/02/06/the-walgreens-path-to-omnichannel-success/
“Apple Said to be Experimenting with a Smart Watch” by Lorenzo Franceschi-Bicchierai at Mashable. “Rumors of Apple developing a so-called smart watch — think of a small, wearable smartphone wrapped around your wrist — have been thrown around the Internet for some time now. But a New York Times story today suggests there is actually some truth to it. The Times spoke with sources inside Apple’s Cupertino headquarters, and they have confirmed Apple is working on a wristwatch made of curved glass. That kind of technology already exists, so using glass that can bend to make it wearable seems like a real possibility, even today. “You can certainly make it wrap around a cylindrical object and that could be someone’s wrist,” Pete Bocko, the chief technology officer for Corning Glass Technologies, told the Times.” Read more: https://mashable.com/2013/02/10/apple-smart-watch/
“Sylvain Prud’homme Joins Lowe’s as President of Lowe’s Canada” “Lowe’s Companies, Inc. announced today that Sylvain Prud’homme will join the company as president of Lowe’s Canada, effective March 25. He replaces Alan D. Huggins, who is returning to the United States as Lowe’s vice president of international operations. Prud’homme will report to William D. (Doug) Robinson, head of international operations and development.” Read more: https://media.lowes.com/pr/2013/02/08/sylvain-prudhomme-joins-lowes-as-president-of-lowes-canada/
“The Target Emerging Designer Award Goes to … Mélissa Nepton” “Mélissa was selected from a group of five finalists as the grand prize winner during the final competition hosted last night at Montreal Fashion Week. The Target Emerging Designer Award is part of the Designers Fund, a joint initiative of Groupe Sensation Mode and Fondation de la mode de Montréal. As the grand prize winner, Mélissa will create an apparel collection to be sold exclusively at Target stores in Quebec in 2014. She will also receive a $25,000 grant and will be featured in Elle Québec.” Read more: https://pressroom.target.com/news/the-target-emerging-designer-award-goes-to-melissa-nepton
“Home Depot president to speak at Berry College” by Berry College reports via Rome News Tribune. “Bill Lennie, president of The Home Depot Canada, is the featured speaker at the Berry College Executive Round Table on Feb. 21. The evening begins at 6:30 p.m. in the Krannert Ballroom where students will have an opportunity to network with business professionals about future internships and careers as well as hear the guest speaker. Lennie, who began his career at Home Depot in 1992, is responsible for the sales and operations of more than 170 stores and leads a team of approximately 28,000 associates. Read more: https://romenews-tribune.com/view/full_story/21663276/article-Home-Depot-president-to-speak-at-Berry-College?instance=home_news_lead_story
“RadioShack Names Retail Merchant Joseph C. Magnacca Chief Executive Officer” “RadioShack Corp. announced that Joseph C. Magnacca, an experienced retail executive and merchant, has been appointed chief executive officer of the Company effective February 11. Mr. Magnacca has also been named a member of RadioShack’s Board of Directors. Mr. Magnacca, 50, is currently executive vice president and president of Daily Living Products and Solutions for Walgreen Co., where he oversees all of Walgreen’s marketing and merchandising operations across more than 8,000 stores. He has also been responsible for the integration of the Duane Reade drugstore chain.” Read more: https://media.prnewswire.com/en/jsp/latest.jsp?resourceid=6270819&access=EH
“Shoppers Drug Mart’s national survey reveals 51% of Canadians want romantic dinners and movie dates for Valentine’s Day, and gift cards are as popular as chocolates” “The national survey also revealed that gift cards are popular, with survey respondents preferring to receive gift cards as often as the traditional Valentine’s Day gift of candy or chocolates. The online survey, conducted by Shoppers Drug Mart in January 2013, asked Canadians who are married, common law or dating about their Valentine’s Day wish list and shopping habits. The results indicate that Canadians are feeling generous — and romantic — for Valentine’s Day this year. A majority of respondents (90%) indicated they will be purchasing a gift for their spouse or date, while one in three did not purchase a Valentine’s Day gift the previous year.” Read more: https://media.prnewswire.com/en/jsp/latest.jsp?resourceid=6274087&access=EH