Target’s New Robot Helper Is Busy At Work On Aisle 3 by Jonathan Vanian at Fortune. “Target is testing robots that track inventory on its store shelves including shampoo and laundry detergent. The retail giant is conducting a one-week trial at one of its department stores in downtown San Francisco, according to a source familiar with the matter and confirmed by three store clerks.” Read more / See the video

 

Walmart to hold ‘Open Call’ for technology suppliers as part of tech summit by Kim Souza at The City Wire. “The “Innovation Open Call” event gives selected startups from around the country the opportunity to pitch their technology solutions into Walmart’s ecosystem and millions of customers, said Bao Nguyen, corporate spokesman for Walmart. He said more than 100 technologists and executives from around the company will review the solutions in the areas of retail, logistics, big data, security and social media.” Read more

 

The Apple Watch did not change the Apple Store like we thought it would by Sarah Halzack at Washington Post. “I’m guessing that they just looked at it and said, ‘Are we really going to put a fixture like you’d find in a Macy’s? Or are we going to stick with what brought us here?’ Kirn said.” Read more

 

Former Home Depot head searches for a sustainable Canada by Tyler Hamilton at Globe & Mail. “Risk can take all sorts of forms – like starting a new company when you’re pushing 60, say. Or riding a mechanical bull in a room full of your peers. Annette Verschuren smiles devilishly when reminded of the latter, and then responds the way she is apt to do: “I am someone who gets things done. I talk about things I want to do, but I also do them. I’m a risk-taker.” Read more

 

Z Gallerie Pays $15 Million After Allegedly Misleading Customs Officials by Subrina Hudson at Los Angeles Business Journal. “The company allegedly violated the False Claims Act by importing bedroom furniture through the Port of Savannah and misclassifying the products as non-bedroom items to avoid paying antidumping duties.” Read more

 

Amazon absolutely crushes earnings expectations in first quarter by Jason Del Rey at Recode. “Amazon recorded a profit of $1.07 per share in the quarter on revenue $29.1 billion, which was a 29 percent increase over the same period last year. Analysts had estimated a profit of 58 cents a share on about $28 billion in revenue.” Read more | Amazon press release

 

**A message from 2016 Sweets & Snacks Expo – the Show Floor is Sold Out! The 2016 Expo will set an all-time record in volume of confectionery and snack products with more than 720 companies showcasing nearly four acres of product innovation. The Sweets & Snacks Expo is the one place more confectionery and snack retailers and manufacturers come together to get inspired, make connections and find new best sellers. See all of this year’s exhibitors | 2016 New Exhibitors | These retailers are taste testers

 

Forever 21 is having problems paying the bills by Lisa Fickenscher at NY Post. “The tardy payments are spooking vendors and lenders who were already edgy, having witnessed Forever 21 take the unusual step of closing two massive California stores.” Read more

 

Former Country Manager of Costco Canada honored with Retail Council of Canada’s Lifetime Achievement Award “Louise Wendling began her 38-year career in retailing with the Hudson Bay Company. In 1986, she and two other Hudson’s Bay colleagues founded Price Club, where she developed and implemented the warehouse club concept and culture.” Read the release

 

Samsung Checkout lets shoppers buy through their TVs by Matt Linder at Internet Retailer. “It’s going to give retailers three months to develop something for back-to-school season and then the holidays,” says Michael Moeser, director of payments at Javelin Strategy & Research. “We should be seeing this in development (for retailers) this holiday season.” Read more

 

Etsy: “Gender lies on a spectrum” by Megan Rose Dickey at TechCrunch. “Employees had the option to self-report gender from a list of more than 60 options. Those that fall into other are the ones who did not identify as gender male/man or gender female/woman.” Read more

 

Parents hope brands choose their Instagram baby pictures to market products by Elizabeth Holmes at WSJ. “The mother of four snapped a picture and uploaded it to Instagram, tagging the brand’s handle and adding the hashtag #lovemypbk. Marketing executives at Pottery Barn Kids saw it and thought so, too. They re-shared the image on their Instagram feed, garnering more than 2,750 likes and 125 comments. “Our baby was a celebrity for 15 minutes,” Ms. Stowell says with a laugh.” Read more (subscription)

 

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Kroger takes over former Target distribution center in Phoenix

Macy’s launches line of clothing and accessories fronted by Lady Gaga and Elton John

PetSmart Charities Appoints Dr. David Haworth as President

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