Target tests food transparency ideas at Edina store by Kavita Kumar at Star Tribune. “In the produce department, a small research team has put up handwritten signs above strawberries and raspberries, noting which arrived in the store that day and which arrived a week ago. There’s a 50-cent price difference between the two. Nearby are two “smart scales,” on which customers can place a piece of fruit and answer questions on a screen about features they would be most interested in learning about…” Read more

 

…TEST PICS – Target’s food transparency test via Minnapolis/St.Paul Business Journal See the seven pictures

 

Department Stores Need to Cull Hundreds of Sites, Study Says by Suzanne Kapner at WSJ. “Green Street estimates that Penney would need to close a total of 320 locations, or 31% of its stores to return to its 2006 productivity levels, while Nordstrom Inc. would need to shutter 30 stores, or a quarter of its footprint. By comparison, Macy’s, which closed 40 stores last year, would only need to eliminate a further 70 locations, or 9% of its base, Green Street estimates.” Read more (subscription)

 

Experts: Whole Foods was right to counterattack on cake claims by Claudia Grisales at American-Statesman. “Whole Foods “would have benefited from this sort of activist and straightforward response to earlier controversies,” Irwin said. “People will think twice now before accusing the brand of something, especially when — as it appears in this case — the accusation is untrue.” Read more

 

…Pastor in Whole Foods cake controversy absent for Sunday service by Claudia Grisales at America-Statesman. “Brown hasn’t spoken publicly since Tuesday and hasn’t responded to multiple interview requests from the American-Statesman. Late Friday, his Twitter account appeared to be temporarily deleted, but was back online by Saturday.” Read more

 

Boycott over Target bathroom policy nets more than 400,000 pledges by Maegan Smith at Charlotte Observer. “As a company that firmly stands behind what it means to offer our team an inclusive place to work – and our guests an inclusive place to shop – we continue to believe that this is the right thing for Target” (Target) spokeswoman Molly Snyder told (Reuters).” Read more

 

** Trade show spotlight – 2016 National Stationery Show – The ONLY stationery market in North America!

“I want to keep hearing customers say “you have the best cards in the city”, and the Stationery show is a very efficient way for me to assure that.” Retail chain owner. On May 15-18 at Javits Center, NYC join 10,000 attendees and 800 exhibitors from around the globe for the only stationery show in North America. Last year’s photo gallery | Show categories | Upcoming trends you’ll see | Register

 

Amazon’s giant Seattle biospheres come into focus with installation of first glass panels by Todd Bishop at GeekWire. “GeekWire has been tracking the progress of the biosphere construction from foundation to exoskeleton. Now the westernmost sphere has been painted white, and the glass has started to go up. These new photos were taken this weekend by GeekWire contributor Kevin Lisota.” See the pics / Read more

 

JC Penney and Pinterest Team Up to Target Moms at a Mall Near You by Adrianne Pasquarelli at Ad Age. “JC Penney is targeting Pinterest-pinning moms in a new effort ahead of Mother’s Day on May 8…(JC Penney) will host its own Pinterest boards in 10 malls around the country. The 10′-by-9′-by-2′ digital boards will showcase apparel, beauty and hair inspiration. JC Penney also operates Sephora shops and salons within its stores.” Read more

 

Ex-Family Dollar & Giant Eagle Exec Joins Supervalu Board “Supervalu announced that experienced financial executive and corporate board member Mary Winston has been appointed to its Board of Directors effective April 27, 2016.” Read the release

 

Home Depot closing in heart of N.D. oil patch via Argus Leader. “It’s the most prudent business decision at this point,” Home Depot spokesman Stephen Holmes told the Williston Herald. The company opened the store in 2013 in Williston, the biggest city in North Dakota’s oil patch. At 6,000 square feet, the store was meant to complement Home Depot’s full-size store in Minot, about 120 miles east of Williston.” Read more

 

Wal-Mart brings hope to desolate corner in Hollywood, FL by Miriam Valverde at Sun Sentinel. “When we bought this property there was nothing here. There was a dead mall,” said Alberto Micha of Dania Beach-based Dacar Management’s acquisition in 2009. “But we saw the potential in the location. We thought it was a good investment, and that’s what happened. We were very lucky to get Wal-Mart involved.” Read more

 

Lowe’s Enlists Snapchat, Facebook Mobile Video in New Push to Reach Millennials by Nathalie Tadena at WSJ. “The home improvement retailer and Omnicom agency BBDO created the new series of social videos, which launch this month…For Facebook, Lowe’s will be the first marketer to take advantage of a flip video application on Facebook’s mobile feed that allows viewers to change the orientation of the video. The retailer’s “FlipSide” videos are short two-sided live action videos…” Read more (subscription)

 

Tipsheet Extra Stories

Warby Parker was too cool for malls … except for one in Dallas

NBC: Employees Stole Almost $300K of Home Depot Merchandise

Apollo Announces Successful Tender Offer for The Fresh Market

New Tide Pods pack has child-proof zipper

Retail giant Central Group is buying Zalora’s businesses in Thailand and Vietnam

Read Tipsheet Extra Stories

 

QUICK-SUBSCRIBE to Eye on Retail Tipsheet here

 

Eye on Retail creates custom news reports specific to your category. Request a free trial report at info@shiftmarketinggroup.net