Target makes big push into soccer marketing by Kavita Kumar at Star Tribune. “(Target) is embarking on its biggest push ever into team sports…it has signed a three-year deal to be an official partner of Major League Soccer; will be a major sponsor of the local team, whose players will soon sport the company’s trademark bullseye on its jerseys, and will be the official retailer for U.S. Youth Soccer…“Soccer merchandise — think soccer balls and shin guards — were up 10 percent [in sales] in 2016 versus the previous year,” he said. “That is growing faster than any other sports category at Target.” Read more

 

Nordstrom CIO Dan Little announces plans to retire as retailer looks to fill several roles on tech team by Kurt Schlosser at GeekWire. “He said the company is searching for a new CTO who will have accountability for all aspects of technology at Nordstrom and absorb responsibilities that previously were part of the traditional CIO role.” Read more

 

Meet the One Retailer That Didn’t Get Killed During the Holidays by Brian Sozzi at The Street. “If you read the tea leaves, Best Buy not only won the holiday season because of its improved shopping experience in stores and online — not to mention the insatiable consumer interest for gadgets — but entered the new year with some form of sales momentum and a decent story to pitch to investors on the first-quarter earnings call (unlike everyone else in retail).” Read more

 

Ex-Target Grocery Head Anne Dament Named Supervalu SVP “Dament will lead the Company’s retail banner operations, oversee the retail merchandising and marketing functions, and report to Mark Gross, Supervalu’s President and Chief Executive Officer.” Press release

 

Robots, on-demand knitting and smart shelves: Welcome to the future of shopping by Krystina Gustafson at CNBC. “One of the buzziest technologies shown looks to satisfy customers’ craving for more unique merchandise. The partnership between Intel and Shima Seiki, a company that makes knitting machines for factories, allows consumers to customize their own apparel and have it created on the spot.” Read more/Pics

 

American Consumers’ Economic Expectations Are The Highest Since 2002 by Austin Weinstein at Bloomberg. “Comfort picked up last week among consumers in the Midwest, the most optimistic of all four regions, and in the West.” Read more

 

**A message from Hot Shot – There’s no place like home. And when you rule the roost, you do it all… keep the peace, dry the tears, mop up the messes – even squash the spiders. When bugs cross your threshold, count on Hot Shot® brand for practical, easy-to-use, effective home insect solutions that take care of the creepy-crawlies for you – without breaking the bank. Save the Day. Facebook page

 

Amazon captures a third of online visits by holiday shoppers by Don Davis at Internet Retailer. “The next-highest retailer was Wal-Mart Stores Inc. at 6.69%, followed by Target Corp. at 3.25%, Best Buy Co. Inc. at 2.93% and The Home Depot Inc. at 2.1%.” Read more

 

OPEN TODAY – Nike opens “future of sports retailer” – two-story, multi-sport store at more than 31,000 sq. ft. Press release

 

Wall Street Journal: The Most Coveted Ball in Golf Is From Costco by Brian Costa. “Clinton Svoboda, a 43-year-old electrician in Iowa City, Iowa, said he bought 44 dozen balls through multiple orders on Costco’s website and has since sold 40 dozen of them on eBay. He sells them for up to $40 per dozen, including the cost of shipping, which leaves him with around a $10 profit per box.” Read more (subscription)

 

Ex-Advance Auto Parts/Best Buy/Home Depot exec George Sherman named CEO of A Wireless Press release

 

Legoland starts construction on castle hotel by Lori Weisberg at San Diego Union-Tribune. “Instead of a mix of standard and premium rooms as in the first hotel, the new one will all have upgraded rooms with more detailed and colorful decor tied to the castle experience. From the moment young guests arrive, they’ll be greeted by staff costumed as princesses and wizards and made to feel as though they’re preparing for a grand tournament.” Read more

 

Walmart sued for firing of employee with Down syndrome by Alisa M. Schafer at Herald Times Recorder via USA Today. “The manager I talked to, she said ‘Well, we have to treat her just like everyone else,’ and I was done talking to her at that point because that is the farthest from the truth,” said Stevenson.” Read more

 

Shannon Johnson joins Pilot Flying J as Vice President of Food Innovation Press release

 

Target blamed after customer attacked by Demond Fernandez at WFAA. “Dallas police released surveillance images of the suspects who they believe attacked Whitener after he alerted store staff. “He asked Target for help,” Hamilton said. “Instead of giving the help that Derek needed, the help that any customer would need, Target turned Derek into a target.” Video/Read more

 

Small-town department store defying the odds by Beccy Tanner at The Wichita Eagle. “Her only competition, Eaton joked, is the obituary page. Her shoppers come from Oklahoma, Texas and all over Kansas. Longtime multigenerational customers talk about cherished bathrobes, dresses and other merchandise bought at Jetts decades ago – and still in use.” Read more

 

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