Best Buy retools stores in New York by Kavita Kumar at Star Tribune. “The Richfield-based electronics retailer in the last year has poured $5 million to $10 million into upgrades in the New York region, which is one of its largest markets with about 45 stores…“It’s not just new paint and new floors,” said Carly Charlson, a Best Buy spokeswoman.” Read more

 

Traffic jam as Taipei region welcomes 4th Costco outlet at Focus Taiwan. “W. Craig Jelinek, chief executive officer of Costco, attended the opening ceremony where a lion dance troupe performed…customers began to gather before 7 a.m., waiting in a line which was estimated to be 300-meter to 400-meter long.” Read more

 

Apparel Merchandising Students Create Doll Clothing for Walmart Dolls via University of Arkansas. “The clothes are featured on the My Life As doll, an 18-inch doll that wears various styles of active wear, and was created for young girls ages 8 to 12.” Read more

 

**Trade Show Spotlight – 2016 National Stationery Show. There’s Only One Stationery Market in North America and the NSS is it! Experience all that is new at this year’s show with 800 exhibitors (over 60% come to launch new products!). Don’t be the last to know – see the new products everyone will be talking about first-hand! See the show categories | Last year’s photo gallery | 2016 exhibitor list | Register | Celebrating 70 Years – Javits Center, NYC May 15-18.

 

Walmart merchandising boss speaks at charity gala by Nancy Peevy at The City Wire. “Walmart, a major sponsor of the gala, was joined by 81 other businesses and individuals who also sponsored the event and gave to help support the Children’s Shelter financially. General Mills was the presenting sponsor, along with others, such as Pepsico, Kimberly Clark, Hershey’s, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Mattel, Tyson, 3M and Anheuser Busch.” Read more

 

CLAIM: 70% OF SHOPPING CARTS IN CHICAGO HAVE TRACES OF E.COLI by Becky Yerak at Chicago Tribune. “A microbiology professor who has tested shopping carts in major markets, including Chicago, says they’re dirtier than public restrooms, diaper-changing tables, chair armrests and playground equipment, among other things.” Read more

 

Hundreds turned out for the “Hugs For Frank” rally by Frances Watson at KSPR 33 ABC. “He’s the West Plains man, famous for giving hugs, who was fired from his job at Walmart after 20 years. Hundreds turned out for the “Hugs For Frank” rally. The group gathered near the Walmart store he used to work at for a peaceful demonstration showing their support.” See the video | Read more via Springfield News-Leader

 

The 100 Most Trustworthy Companies In America (Kohl’s, Hibbett Sports) See the list

 

Home Depot suffers disruption to payment card network by J.Scott Trubey at AJC. “Home Depot reported some disruption nationwide to its ability to process credit and debit card purchases on Saturday. But the company said the issue is not a threat to customers’ personal information.” Read more

 

CVS faces lawsuit for claims about a store-brand eye product by Colman M. Herman at Boston Globe. “Clearly it was very misleading,” said Dr. Jorge Arroyo, an ophthalmologist who treats macular degeneration at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston.” Read more

 

SHAQ THUMBS NOSE AT CRITICS OF HIS WALMART FOOTWEAR LINE via Footwear News. “Laugh all you want, the Shaq brand has sold over 120 millions pairs of affordable shoes for kids @Walmart,” the baller captioned a photo shared on (Facebook).” Read more

 

***A message from Eye on Retail – Know your category from top to bottom. A lot happens beyond the headlines – we’ll dig it up for you. We create custom news reports specific to your category. To get more information about your very own Eye on Your Category report contact us at info@shiftmarketinggroup.net.

 

LA Times: How retail stores are using virtual reality to make shopping more fun by Shan Li. “On a recent weekday, Tyler Costin, 32, slipped on a Samsung Gear VR headset while shopping at the Toms store on Abbot Kinney Boulevard in Venice. “That’s amazing,” he said, swiveling in his chair to take in the 360-degree views. At one point, Costin lifted his hand to greet the students before quickly putting it back down. “You want to wave back,” he said sheepishly.” Read more

 

McMillon Studio Showcases Retail Innovation by Marty Cook at Arkansas Business. “The first exhibit will be the “kitchen of the future,” made possible by donations from companies such as Lowe’s and Samsung. The pieces were scheduled to begin arriving last week, and Sedberry hopes to have the kitchen ready for business by mid-April. Everything in the kitchen is open to visitors to inspect, use and, most valuably, review.” Read more

 

Charlotte Grocery wars: Harris Teeter takes top spot from Walmart by Katherine Peralta at Charlotte Observer. “Harris Teeter reclaimed the No. 1 spot and Food Lion edged past Wal-Mart Supercenters in the latest market share rankings for Charlotte’s highly competitive grocery scene.” Read more

 

Wall Street Journal: Tom Coughlin Obituary “High-school buddies and former colleagues proved a refuge in his final decade. He and 15 of his high-school friends met at least once a year, usually for a weekend involving football, beer and recycled jokes. While Mr. Coughlin was confined at home, he participated via speaker phone. Friends laughed about the time he flopped on the floor to do a gator dance…” Read the full obituary (subscription)

 

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