Target offers free shipping on online orders this week by Kavita Kumar at Star Tribune. “This is only the third time Target has offered a free-for-all when it comes to shipping on its website.” Read more

 

Target CEO Appears on Mad Money by Abigail Stevenson at CNBC. “…so how can Target appeal to all of those different constituencies at once? “We really can’t. We’ve got to make sure we stay very focused and we understand our sweet spot. Our sweet spot today is what we call the demanding enthusiast,” Cornell said.” See the video / Read more

 

Wal-Mart kicks off next phase of wage increases by Anne D’Innocenzio at AP. “Wal-Mart told The Associated Press late Monday that department managers of complex and service-oriented jobs in areas like produce, electronics and auto care, will start at $13 per hour and top out at $24.70 per hour, beginning next month. Starting next February, they will be paid at least $15 per hour. Previously, the pay range was from $10.30 to $20.09.” Read more

 

Home Depot asks court to dismiss consumers’ data breach lawsuit by David Allison at Atlanta Business Chronicle. “Home Depot’s June 1 court filing marks the first time the company has responded to charges leveled against it due to the data breach…Home Depot contends most of the consumers have been fully reimbursed for their losses. “In addition,” the company claims, “none of the named plaintiffs’ purported injuries are traceable to Home Depot’s conduct.” Read more

 

Retailers: Stop blaming millennials for weak sales by Krystina Gustafson at CNBC. “Misleading media and hype lead [online business] executives to believe that these changes are somehow different from anything that’s happened before, and that they must address these generational variances immediately or perish,” Forrester analyst Sucharita Mulpuru said. “That perception is misguided at best, false at worst.” Read more

 

Retail watcher talks decades of Wal-Mart coverage, picnics and float trips by Kim Souza at The City Wire. “Everyone remembers the time Sam Walton danced the hula on Wall Street in a grass skirt when the company’s sales growth surpassed 8%. In doing that, he endeared himself to analysts. He was a lot of fun and made a big impression on us back then,” (Walter) Loeb shared. Read more / See video of Sam dancing the hula

 

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Affidavit reveals glimpse into Loblaw pricing practices by Marina Strauss & Jeff Gray at The Globe & Mail. “Loblaw collected more than “tens of millions of dollars” from its suppliers last year for practices which, according to the Competition Bureau, could be anti-competitive and ultimately lead to higher prices. The revelation is contained in an affidavit sworn in Federal Court that is part of the bureau’s investigation into Loblaw’s potential anti-competitive behaviour with its suppliers, forcing them to make up the difference to match retail rivals’ lower prices.” Read more

 

Sears Shareholders Sue, Claim CEO Is Stripping Company For Parts by Laura Northrup at Consumerist. Read more

 

The 25 Companies Where Top Millennials Most Want To Work In 2015 (Amazon #11) by Susan Adams at Forbes. See the top 25 list

 

330 Family Dollar stores to become Dollar Express after acquisition by Jen Wilson at Charlotte Business Journal. Read more

 

***Check out the new Eye on Retail website www.eyeonretail.net

 

Wal-Mart shareholder week brings crowds, celebrities, concerts and protestors by Kim Souza at The City Wire. “This year Whaling said Train and Lighthouse will perform on Tuesday (June 2) while Lynyrd Skynyrd will perform on Wednesday night (June 3).” Read more

 

Kroger making huge investment in Greater Cincinnati, adding 650 jobs by Tom Demeropolis at Cincinnati Business Courier. Read more

 

Neiman Marcus fills key c-suite job with footwear executive by Maria Halkias at Dallas News. Read more

 

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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. Contact us at info@eyeonretail.net.