“Target learns a second language as it expands to Quebec” by Thomas Lee at Star-Tribune.  “This month, Target Corp. will officially open its stores in Canada, its first reach beyond the United States. But if the Minneapolis-based retailer wants to truly master the art of operating in a foreign country, the province of Quebec offers the best chance to do so. Unlike the rest of Canada, French trumps English in Quebec, a reflection of the province’s deep attachment to its Quebecois culture and history.”  Read more:  https://www.startribune.com/business/201720981.html

 

“Investing in Africa – The hottest frontier” by Harare and Johannesberg at The Economist.  “When you are trying to keep a retail outfit afloat amid hyperinflation, it helps to have a sideline. “We had a business selling crocodile skins to Hermès and Gucci for shoes and handbags,” says John Koumides, chief executive of Innscor, a conglomerate based in Zimbabwe’s capital, Harare. The currency earned from this exotic export was a lifeline for the firm’s other arms”  Read more:  https://www.economist.com/news/finance-and-economics/21575769-strategies-putting-money-work-fast-growing-continent-hottest?fsrc=scn/tw_ec/the_hottest_frontier

 

“Costco: Things Are Looking Up” at Seeking Alpha.  “Two of Costco’s main competitors are BJ’s Wholesale and Wal-Mart’s Sam’s Club. But still, despite this competition, Costco remains dominant. Costco’s net sales are at about $97 billion, while Sam’s Club’s are at $56.4 billion. The privately-owned BJ’s has revenues that are only about one-tenth of Costco’s.”  Read more:  https://seekingalpha.com/article/1323771-costco-things-are-looking-up?source=email_rt_article_title

 

“Is Google Fiber coming to Austin?” by Marguerite Reardon at CNET.  “Google and Austin, Texas, have invited press and business leaders to a joint event in the city, which has some people speculating whether Austin might be the next place to get Google Fiber.  The event, which is to be held this Tuesday at 11 a.m., doesn’t specify what will be announced. It simply says that “the City of Austin and Google will make a very important announcement that will have a positive impact on Austinites and the future of the city.”  Read more:  https://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-57578226-93/is-google-fiber-coming-to-austin/

 

“Target releases flyer for Friday’s grand openings (in Canada)” by Carys Mills at Toronto Star.  “With Target’s grand opening of two dozen Ontario stores Friday, comes its first Canadian flyer.  The stores have been open since March but Target will make it official Friday, focusing on its flyer, Target Canada president Tony Fisher said last month.”  Read more:  https://www.thestar.com/business/2013/04/04/target_releases_flyer_for_fridays_grand_openings.html

 

Target’s first Canadian flyer:

https://f3.flyertown.ca/flyers/33387/5eb8c46fe765a501.pdf

 

“Sport Chalet joins Wal-Mart, Amazon in same-day-delivery parade” by Tiffany Hsu at LA Times.  “The La Cañada Flintridge-based company also does brisk business renting sports equipment to customers. And for those reluctant to haul the goods back to a Sport Chalet store themselves, the company said it will “drive to their home or office and retrieve the gear for them.”  Read more:  https://www.latimes.com/business/money/la-fi-mo-sport-chalet-same-day-delivery-20130404,0,1552114.story?source=email_rt_mc_body

 

“Macy’s, J.C. Penney Set to Resume Trial Over Martha Stewart” at Reuters via CNBC.  “Justice Jeffrey Oing last month ordered Macy’s, J.C. Penney and Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia Inc into mediation in the hopes of resolving the dispute while the non-jury trial was in recess because of scheduling conflicts.  But, as of Friday, no deal had been struck and witnesses were scheduled to testify on Monday and Tuesday, according to a person familiar with the case.”  Read more:  https://www.cnbc.com/id/100622926

 

“Retail chain sees value in Google Plus” by Adam Bender at Computerworld.  “Retail chain Dick Smith will use Google Hangouts to share best practices among its stores and bring employees closer together, according to the retailer’s IT director, Linda Venables.  The retailer plans to phase in Hangouts and other Google Apps starting with select staff next week, and will migrate the rest over the following several weeks, Venables said. The platform replaces a Microsoft environment.”  Read more:  https://www.computerworld.com.au/article/458183/retail_chain_sees_value_google_plus/

 

Thanks for reading…

 

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