“Wal-Mart Weighs Matching Online Prices” by Shelly Banjo at WSJ. “Wal-Mart executives are discussing whether to go ahead with the price-matching program, which would expand its one for local brick-and-mortar competitors, according to spokeswoman Deisha Barnett. Under consideration is how much Wal-Mart might lose if the program were to go nationwide, people familiar with the matter said.” Read more (Subscription)

 

“Black Friday Deals Start Saturday” by Krystina Gustafson at CNBC. “Although many consumers plan to extend their Halloween celebrations past Friday, Wal-Mart on Saturday will shift its focus from orange and black to red and green, when it kicks off its first round of holiday deals. The world’s largest retailer joins the likes of Amazon, Office Depot and OfficeMax, which are also launching their first holiday deals over the weekend.” Read more

 

…Walmart Stores Will be Decked Out in Christmas Decorations by Saturday Morning by Phil Wahba at Fortune. “It doesn’t start on Black Friday, it starts right now,” Steve Bratspies, executive vice president of general merchandise for Walmart U.S. told reporters on a holiday strategy briefing. “We’re expecting to see a highly competitive environment throughout the holiday season.” Read more

 

The Hill: “Home Depot breach costs doubled Target’s” by Kevin Cirilli. “Credit unions spent $60 million following the data security breach at Home Depot in September — twice as much as the recent Target data breach, according to a survey published Thursday.” Read more

 

Kantar Study: Walmart prices 5% more expensive at Supercenters vs. Wal-Mart.com by Krystina Gustafson at CNBC. “It’s a complete 180 from last year, when Kantar found that the Supercenter’s basket was 7 percent cheaper. Amazon’s basket was more expensive than both those from the Supercenter and Walmart.com—by 12 percent and 17 percent, respectively.” Read more

 

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“Home Depot breaks ground on new Calgary Rapid Deployment Centre” by Mario Tonegozzi at Calgary Herald. “The 425,000-square-foot centre, located in the Shephard industrial area at 6325 106th Ave. S.E., will be a fast-flowing Canadian Pacific rail-served distribution centre sending products directly to 70 stores located across Western Canada.” Read more

 

“Family Dollar CEO could receive $13.6M in a Dollar General acquisition” by Jennifer Thomas at Charlotte Bus. Journal. “Other executives to receive payouts if Dollar General buys Family Dollar include: Mary Winston, chief financial officer, $2.4 million.Barry Sullivan, executive vice president of store operations, $2.1 million. Jason Reiser, executive vice president and chief merchandising officer, $1.6 million.” Read more

 

“Nordstrom’s Canada roll-out attracts mixed reviews, comparisons to Target” by Glen Korstrom at Business Vancouver. “The initial things I’ve heard … is that [Nordstrom] feels like a bit of a letdown,” said Silvera, who was on a panel at the October 29 Vancouver Real Estate Leasing Conference.” Read more

 

“Walmart Reveals Its Holiday Plans but 5 Lingering Problems Loom Large” by Brian Sozzi at The Street. “Unfortunately for Walmart, it also has a host of bizarre problems to deal with that even Santa may not be able to correct by the end of the year.” Read more

 

“Wal-Mart to close 30 underperforming stores in Japan” at Reuters. “Wal-Mart said the 30 stores operate under the Seiyu brand, and the closure is part of a revamp that will include remodels and other investments. The closures represent 7 percent of Wal-Mart’s 434 stores in Japan.” Read more

 

“Food Lion Gets Third Chief in Two Years” by Ely Portillo at Charlotte Observer. “Meg Ham, president of Bottom Dollar Food, will replace Newlands Campbell, effective Saturday. Ham told the Observer she plans to continue many of the changes already put in place by Newlands Campbell.” Read more