Target agrees to $10M fund to settle lawsuit over consumer data breach by Tad Vezner at Twin Cities/Pioneer Press. “The tentative settlement, which was filed in U.S. District Court of Minnesota, would allow each plaintiff to receive up to $10,000 from the fund.” Read more

 

As Sears stumbles, suppliers grow uneasy by Krystina Gustafson at CNBC. “Sears has offered to speed up payments to certain vendors to 15 days, asking in return for a discount between 3 percent and 5 percent. The department store typically pays suppliers within two months, MarketWatch said.” Read more

 

Target extends its return policy to one year on select items by John Ewoldt at Star Tribune. “The new policy applies to all of Target’s 32 private-label brands, such as Archer Farms, Liz Lange, Merona, Mossimo and Threshold…“It’s a bit reminiscent of Costco’s liberal return policy,” said Edgar Dworsky, founder of Consumerworld.org, which tracks retailers’ return policies. “It certainly is an unusual move.” Read more

 

Wal-Mart’s first year in D.C., by the numbers by Michael Neibauer at Washington Business Journal. “In a comparison of a basket of “off-brand items,” only Aldi came in with lower prices than Wal-Mart — $54 for Aldi and $75 for Wal-Mart. Target was third, followed by Shoppers Food Warehouse, Giant, Safeway and Harris Teeter.” Read more

 

Amazon expands Prime Now one-hour delivery service to Baltimore and Miami by Chris O’Brien at VentureBeat.  Read more

 

Wal-Mart de Mexico to Taper Investment Plans in 2015 by Anthony Harrup at WSJ. “Wal-Mart de Mexico said Wednesday that it plans to taper its expansion plans this year, making capital expenditures of 12.4 billion pesos ($813 million) this year, slightly less than in 2014, including 5.6 billion pesos to open stores.” Read more (Subscription)

 

***A Message from CLUG: The World’s Smallest Bike Rack is Now Available. The CLUG Bike Clip is targeted at the urban cyclist and the casual enthusiast who are short on storage space for their bikes.  CLUG is a patent pending, high quality product that made the list of 2014 Best Stuff by GQ Magazine in their December 2014 issue.  CLUG is now ready for retail with its 100% recyclable, high volume packaging.  See the video.  See the sell sheet. Contact info@eyeonretail.net to request a product sample.

 

Retailers urge Congress to boost consumer protections in data breaches by Shan Li at LA Times. “In testimony before a congressional subcommittee on technology, David French of the National Retail Federation on Wednesday said the government should expand liability protection for people using debit cards, pass a nationwide notification law that will inform all parties handling sensitive data in the event of a breach, and boost the prosecution of cybercriminals.” Read more

 

J.C. Penney Decides Against Media Review After All, Sticks With OMD by Alexandra Bruell at Ad Age. “OMD, which referred calls to the client, has worked with J.C. Penney for 10 years.” Read more

 

Texas: Costco joins Kroger and Wal-Mart in efforts to change liquor laws by Maria Halkias at Dallas Morning News. “Texas is the only state in the nation that allows private companies to own package liquor stores while prohibiting publicly traded companies from doing so, said Travis Thomas, a spokesman for the retailers.” Read more

 

Amazon Will Shut Down Amazon Webstore, Its Competitor to Shopify and Bigcommerce by Jason Del Rey at Recode. “Amazon has started telling online merchants that it plans to shut down its Amazon Webstore business, which helps small and midsize retailers create and run their own online shop, according to sources.” Read more

 

Walmart & P&G Win Top Shopper Marketing Awards by Sarah Mahoney at Media Post. “P&G won a total of six Shopper Marketing Effies, with Walmart winning five, including four in partnership with P&G, and one working with Coca-Cola.” Read more

 

Target will raise minimum wage to $9 per hour by Nick Halter at Minn./St.Paul Business Journal. “Target is stopping short of matching wages at Wal-Mart, which is raising its lowest rate to $9 an hour this year and $10 an hour in 2016.” Read more

 

Whole Foods Hosts First-Ever ‘Beauty Week’ in All Stores Read the release

 

’10 Bleakest Cities of 2015′ to Receive Lowe’s Makeovers Read the release

 

Meijer Announces the Opening of Its First SKECHERS Concept Shop Read the release

 

French retailer Carrefour returning to Algeria at Reuters. “Carrefour is preparing to return to Algeria after a six-year absence, as part of a drive to tap booming consumer demand in Africa.” Read more

 

Billionaire Hard Rock mogul’s Hamptons home goes up in flames by Ian Mohr & Emily Smith at NY Post.  See the pics/Read more

 

***

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 happening in the world of retail. Contact us at info@eyeonretail.net.