“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 they have a new design element that works with the type of products Costco sells.  “The nice thing is they’re lower on the sides,” Sanchez said. “Makes it easier to get items in and out of ‘em.”  See the Video / Read more

 

“Costco Dilemma – Are they ‘Shrimp’ or ‘Prawns’ ?” at Weekly Times (Australia).  “Costco, which is what you get if Bunnings started selling groceries, was flogging “shrimps” last week at it new Ringwood store.  Shrimps! Shrimps are what Aussies use to bait fish hooks. Prawns are what Aussies put on the barbecue.  If Costco really wants to endear itself in the Australian market place, it might start by at least adopting the lingo.”  Read more

 

“Home Depot EVP Sells 29,602 Shares of Stock” by Zach Kirkland at WKRB.  “Home Depot EVP Marvin Ellison unloaded 29,602 shares of Home Depot stock on the open market in a transaction dated Thursday, November 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $79.57, for a total value of $2,355,431.14. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 194,645 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $15,487,903.”  Read more

 

“New Menards in Davenport, IA Causing Headaches” by Akilah Davis at KWQC 6 News.  “It’s a lot of construction noise. Jackhammers and tractors and they even had a helicopter,” said Eric Finch.  Those are all concerns neighbors living in this neighborhood say they have a problem with. They say since the construction started they say their sleep patterns haven’t been the same.”  See the Video / Read more

 

“Canadians Crossing into U.S. to Load-Up on Cheap Costco Gas” by Frank Luba and Gordon McIntyre at The News Tribune.  “Fears have emerged as thousands of British Columbians cross the border from Washington state loaded with cheap U.S. gas in jerry cans.  “You have 100, 200 gallons of gasoline in just regular gas cans — should that vehicle become involved in a collision, the result has the potential to be catastrophic,” said Sgt. Jason Hicks of the Washington State Patrol.  On Tuesday, Nov. 19, at least half of the vehicles lined up at the Bellingham Costco gas station had British Columbia plates.”  Read more

 

“Kroger CEO Dillon reveals a key to company turnaround” by Steve Watkins at Cincy Business Chronicle.  “We were only able to do that once we were honest with ourselves,” Dillon said. “As individuals, the only way to truly see yourself is in the mirror, and the mirror is other people. We need to develop a capacity for getting feedback.”  Read more

 

 “ShopperTrak Expects 10% Fewer Shoppers in Brick & Mortar Stores this Holiday Season” by Laurie Kulikowski at Dallas News.  “ShopperTrak specifically expects traffic in electronics and appliance stores to fall by 11.5% compared to 2012, however, retail traffic in apparel and accessories is expected to rise 5%.”  Read more

 

“Walmart’s Newest Board Member” at The City Wire.  “Wal-Mart Stores Inc. announced that its board of directors has appointed Pamela Craig, retired chief financial officer of Accenture, as a new member of the company’s board, effective immediately.”  Read more

 

“Lowe’s and Good Morning America’s Close Working Relationship” at Newscast Studio.  “We noticed recently that ABC has been airing a promotion for Lowe’s that appears to have been shot on the “Good Morning America” Times Square set…the spot seems to imply that Lowe’s (or at least Lowe’s products) are responsible for the upkeep and perhaps even the construction of the “GMA” studio — though it would be interesting to see how the set designer and fabricator feel about that!”  Read more

 

“Mobster tries, fails ‘pathetic’ $164 Home Depot heist”  by John Marzulli at NY Daily News.  “The arrest couldn’t come at a worse time …Spata is free on $1 million bail in a separate federal racketeering case and is scheduled to be sentenced next month. Federal prosecutors are expected to seek revocation of his bail because of the shoplifting arrest, sources said.”  Read more

 

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