“Target CFO back at Capitol Hill Today; Senate Report Unflattering” by Doina Chiacu at Reuters via Chicago Tribune.  “Target Corp missed multiple opportunities to thwart the hackers responsible for the unprecedented holiday shopping season data breach, U.S. Senate staffers charged in a committee report released on Tuesday…”This analysis suggests that Target missed a number of opportunities along the kill chain to stop the attackers and prevent the massive data breach,” according to the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee report.”  Read more

 

“Target Re-examining Missed Warnings by Data Security Team” by Paul Ziobro at WSJ.  “With the benefit of hindsight and new information, we are now asking hard questions regarding the judgments that were made at that time and assessing whether different judgments may have led to different outcomes,” according to prepared remarks Target Chief Financial Officer John Mulligan plans to deliver Wednesday afternoon to the Senate Commerce Committee.” Read more

 

“Consumer Reports Supermarket Survey:  Costco, Trader Joe’s earn highest scores; Walmart the lowest.”  “No chain tried their customers’ patience more than Walmart Supercenter.  The biggest gripe overall: Not enough open checkouts (cited by 19 percent of shoppers), followed by congested aisles, out-of-stock advertised specials, and lack of choice. Walmart shoppers surveyed were especially irritated by too few open checkouts, out-of-stock basic items, and spotty price labeling.”  Read the release

 

“Walgreen’s to close 76 unprofitable stores; No plans to stop selling tobacco” by Peter Frost at Chicago Tribune.   “(Walgreen’s) declined to specify the locations of the stores slated to close aside from saying they’re “spread across the country.”…Including the closures, the company still plans to have a net increase in store count in 2014 of between 55 and 75 locations. It operates 8,210 drugstores nationwide, 138 more than a year ago.”  Read more

 

“Walgreen’s Q2 2014 Earnings Call Transcript”  Read the full transcript

 

***A message from Juicebar.  Juicebar’s new lineup includes its roaring JamBar Speaker Charger and thunderous Hurricane Travel Charger. The JamBar amplifies music, videos, and other media with its vibrant, portable acoustics, while also packing a full charge and a half for smartphones while on the go!  See the video. Program details: info@shiftmarketinggroup.net

 

“HD Supply Q4 Earnings Beats Street, Shares up 8.2%”  at Investors Business Daily.  “The beat was driven by a reduction in depreciation and amortization expenses and, to a lesser extent, lower overall selling, general and administrative costs and a 50 basis-point improvement in gross margin.”  Read more

 

“HD Supply Q4 2013 Earnings Call Transcript”  Read the full transcript

 

“Walmart’s Andy Murray, SVP – Creative, Honored at Shopper Hall of Fame Ceremony” at Supermarket News.  “Murray oversees Walmart’s U.S. circular development, retailtainment, in-store TV, and the development of both corporate and co-operative ideas.” Read more

 

“Home Depot Loss Prevention Officer Sure Is Glad There Was a Concealed Carry Permit Holder Around” by Jason Howerton at The Blaze.  “Police in Roseville, Mich., say a heroin addict attempted to steal a $179 battery-powered drill from a Home Depot and then stabbed the store’s loss prevention officer with a contaminated syringe when he was confronted.  Luckily, there was a customer carrying a concealed firearm nearby. The man reportedly drew his gun and ordered the suspect to drop the syringe.”  Read more

 

“Amazon is America’s #1 Business Brand” by Scott Bridges at Atlanta Bus. Chronicle.  “…annual survey of more than 1,600 business owners, which has been conducted for more than a decade by The Business Journals.  Amazon was named the 2014 Grand Award winner of eleventh-annual American Brand Excellence Awards, which recognize brands that best meet the needs of small to mid-sized businesses. It was Amazon’s first win.”  See the Top 25 list

 

“Kohl’s chief merchandising officer resigns amid sales decline” by Stacy Vogel Davis at Milwaukee Bus. Journal.  “Donald Brennan, Kohl’s Corp.’s chief merchandising officer, will resign as of April 1…Brennan has worked for Kohl’s since 2001 and became chief merchandising officer in late 2010, but the company has struggled in the past two years with merchandising and inventory.” Read more

 

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