Target reveals stock-buyback plan too early by Lisa Fickenscher at NY Post. “A source close to the company said the vendor that posts press releases on the company’s Web site accidentally put up the announcement while testing the link. The company could indeed announce a buyback plan, but it certainly didn’t mean to do so before its board discussed the matter, the source said.” Read more

 

Dollar General Announces Jeff Owen as EVP of Store Operations Read the release

 

Glassdoor: 50 Highest Rated CEOs (HEB #3, Costco #13…) via The Mercury News. See the Top 50 list

 

…Bill Lennie, President of Home Depot Canada Ranked #8 CEO in Canada by April Fong at Financial Post. See the Top 10 Canadian CEO list

 

Humane Society alleges Costco egg vendor treats birds cruelly by Angel Gonzalez at The Seattle Times. “Hillandale said the employee who shot the video was the one who neglected to follow farm procedures. Hillandale told the news agency the images showed an isolated incident, and don’t reflect its “high standards.” Read more

 

Best Buy CEO Hubert Joly says company is ‘confident’ about future by Kavita Kumar at Star-Tribune. “On Tuesday, company officials’ unbridled optimism about the future was on full display at the electronics retailer’s annual shareholders meeting…Joly pointed to various opportunities to expand Best Buy’s business: increasing appliance sales, revamping in-home services offered through the Geek Squad and pushing sales around life events such as graduations and weddings.” Read more

 

Amazon Hosts Shareholder Meeting Today by Ina Steiner at EcommerceBytes. Read more

 

…Jesse Jackson to press for more inclusion in Amazon workplace by Jay Greene at The Seattle Times. “Amazon acknowledged that it would give Jackson a forum at the meeting, letting him ask the first question when the meeting moves to the shareholder question-and-answer portion. “We look forward to welcoming the Rev. Jackson at our annual meeting and we agree that these are important issues,” Amazon spokesman Ty Rogers said.” Read more

 

Supervalu CEO pay rises 40 percent by Sam Black at Minn./St. Paul Business Journal. “…boosting his total compensation to $6.92 million, up from $4.95 million in 2014…Former Target Corp. executive Gerald Storch, has been nominated by the Supervalu board to continue his role as non-executive chairman.” Read more

 

Dick’s Sporting Goods Opens Stores 614/615/616/617   614 615 616 617

 

Facebook Is Handing Out Free Beacons to Retailers by Kurt Wagner at Recode. “Facebook has designed its own beacon, which is being produced by an external manufacturer. Beacons aren’t expensive, but it’s still noteworthy that Facebook is willing to produce and distribute these beacons for free.” Read more

 

HD Supply Q1 Net Sales +6% Read the release

 

Watch out Walmart: Alibaba’s sales could be larger than yours this year by Tricia Duryee at GeekWire. Read more

 

Sam’s Club focusing more on private label by Kim Souza at The City Wire. “Rosalind Brewer told the media that her buyers are in the process of streamlining their private label offerings from 15 to 2…”You will see us do more with private label going forward. Our focus will be on better quality and value. Working toward an elite private label brand will be one of the levers you see us pull going forward,” Brewer said.” Read more

 

Cabela’s Announces Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, Location Read the release

 

Blue Apron Announces $135 Million in New Funding “Blue Apron has tripled its volume in the last six months, and is now delivering over 3 million meals a month to homes across the United States. To further its mission, Blue Apron has forged exclusive relationships with hundreds of farmers and artisans.” Read the release

 

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Eye-on-Retail Tipsheet is created early every weekday morning and read by retail merchants and executives worldwide. We love data, earnings reports, executive presentations and stories off the beaten path that get at what’s really happening in the world of retail. See our website at www.eyeonretail.net