Canadian regulators suspend Costco’s fish importing license by Angel Gonzalez at Seattle Times. “Craig Wilson, Costco’s vice president for quality and food safety, said in an interview that it incurred the regulator’s wrath after its Canadian operations failed to file paperwork for two containers of tuna in olive oil that the company imported from Italy.” Read more

 

Amazon Expands in Canada With Move to Toronto Skyscraper by Katia Dmitrieva at Bloomberg. “Amazon is moving into one of Toronto’s newest skyscrapers, taking enough office space for 800 employees, as Canada’s largest city lures big technology firms. The company will occupy five floors near the top of 120 Bremner Blvd., a 31-story glass tower south of the financial core which opened last year, according to brokerage Jones Lang LaSalle Inc.” Read more

 

Temkin Customer Experience Rankings: Amazon & PetSmart Tie for #1 “Walgreens came in a close third with a rating of 81% and a ranking of 8th, while Bed Bath & Beyond, Lowe’s, and Costco all earned 79% and tied for 19th place overall.” Read the release

 

…Temkin Trust Rankings (Costco #9, Lowe’s #19, BJ’s #30, Sam’s #34, Home Depot #54, Walmart #120)  See the 268 ranked

 

Target moves money from stores to technology by Nick Halter at Minn./St. Paul Business Journal. “Target’s share of capital expenditures for opening new stores and store remodels declined from 58 percent in 2012 to 27 percent in 2014, according to its 10-K annual report. In actual dollars, spending on new stores fell from $673 million in 2012 to $381 million in 2014.” Read more

 

***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.

 

Target’s ‘Lumbersexual’ Collection Debuts Quietly by John Ewoldt at Star-Tribune. “It was given no “heads up” in Target’s Sunday circular. The dominant ad online on its release date Sunday was not the men’s collection but rather the “spring home sale.” “We kept it low-key,” Target’s (Jessica) Carlson said. “This program is a new twist on the traditional designer collaboration. It’s a test and learn.” Read more

 

...Target partners with Duluth, MN company by Peter Passi at Twin Cities/Pioneer Press. “We chose Duluth Pack for this initiative because they’re the oldest bag company in the U.S., and what they’re known for is the quality, fine-tuned craftsmanship of their products. As an added bonus of course, they’re also in Minnesota, which makes it really fun for us. We’re overall just thrilled to have them as a partner,” (Jamie Bastian) said.” Read more

 

Dick’s Sporting Goods Opens #610 on March 27th “…will be opening its 5th store in Idaho and 610th store nationwide on Friday, March 27th at Canyon Park West in Twin Falls, ID (1939 Fillmore Street).” Read the release

 

Target Canada considered winding down operations as early as September by Marina Strauss at Globe & Mail. “Even earlier – last September – the U.S.-owned retailer contacted its law firm, Osler Hoskin & Harcourt LLP, to consider “strategic options,” including quitting Canada, according to documents filed late Monday in Ontario Superior Court.” Read more

 

This is What You’ll be Eating in 2020 by Rebecca Greenfield at Fast Company. “Many of the most important advances in food will happen on the farm, from new sensors on equipment to smarter soil. “Understanding the composition of the soil is critical to developing insights and realizing better outcomes on the farm.” Read more

 

Apple’s TV service could be ready to launch by fall Geoffrey Smith at Fortune. “The Wall Street Journal reported that the company is aiming to provide a slimmed-down service covering around 25 channels for between $30-$40 a month. It would be available across all of the company’s iOS-driven devices” Read more

 

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