“Can interim Chairwoman Roxanne Austin help turn the tide at Target?” by Kavita Kumar at Star-Tribune.  “Target Corp. has been mired in quite a storm since last year, so it’s perhaps fitting that one of the people leading the company through it was once nicknamed “Hurricane Roxanne.”  Roxanne Austin, who was tapped earlier this month to serve as the retailer’s interim board chairwoman, was bestowed with the moniker more than a decade ago by employees at DirecTV during her two-year reign as president.”  Read more

 

“Texas to Get First Walmart Express by Christmas” by Mike Sackett at Daily Light.  “The plans presented to the council showed plans for a 12,000 square foot building with a fuel island. The construction will be masonry block and will be painted in earth tone colors…“We hope to start turning dirt in a couple of weeks. The construction should take about six months. We hope to be open for Christmas,” Caballero said.”  Read more

 

“14 Headshaking Photos that Show Target Canada is still a Major Problem” by Brian Sozzi at Belus.  “Ever since I began to chronicle the Canadian store operations for our coverage on Target, the situation has seemed to worsen. That is quite the opposite of what I was being pitched by Target on the phone…” See the Pics / Read more

 

“New Channel?…Facebook Yard Sales Grow in Popularity” by Hanah Cho at Dallas Star.  “Many of them appeal to women and moms.  While Facebook does not track the number of such groups, a spokeswoman said the social network is aware that they are becoming a popular vehicle for commerce.  Allen resident Casey Beruete created one of the largest online yard sale groups in the region. McKinney, Allen, Frisco, Plano Treasure Exchange has more than 14,000 members.”  Read more

 

“Deloitte study:  71 percent of shoppers expect free online shipping” at SF Gate via Chicago Tribune.  “The easier a transaction, the less cognitive effort has to be invested in making the purchase, the greater the likelihood of a sale,” Lewis said.”  Read more

 

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“Charlotte grocery wars: How do prices compare?” by Ely Portillo & Kathleen Purvis at Charlotte Observer.  “…the Observer comparison-shopped at four of the region’s most prominent grocers – Walmart, Harris Teeter, Food Lion and new entrant Publix – and compared a basket of 15 staple food items, such as milk and eggs. Walmart was the cheapest, followed by Food Lion, Publix and Harris Teeter, in order of ascending price.”  Read more

 

“Target names exec to lead acquisition integrations” by John Vomhof Jr. at Minn./St. Paul’s Bus. Journal.  “Target Corp. said Friday it has hired Peter Glusker as senior vice president of new business integration and operations effective May 19.”  Read more

 

“Kroger Rolls Out Carts for Special-Needs Children in Ohio” by Brian Wiechert at 19 Action News.  “Kroger Co. says nine stores in southwest Ohio and northern Kentucky now have what’s called “Caroline’s Cart,” designed for those who are too big to fit comfortably into traditional carts…cart spares caregivers from trying to maneuver shopping cars and wheelchairs at the same time while allowing the children to participate in shopping.” Read more

 

“Home Depot Earnings Call Preview” at Market Watch.  “Opinion: The retailer can’t be expected to channel the entire U.S. economy…”  Read more

 

Big week for earnings reports:

May 20:  Home Depot & Dick’s

May 21:  Target & Lowe’s

May 22:  Sears & Dollar Tree

Stay tuned for our “Heard on the Call” earnings call highlights…

 

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