Marketing

Department store executive and Target co-founder Douglas Dayton died Saturday of cancer at 88.

Dayton was the inspiration for the first Target stores and oversaw the development and early growth of the concept of an upscale discount store. Dayton served as Target's first president in 1961 and a year later he opened the first Target stores in the Twin Cities communities of Roseville, Crystal, St. Louis Park and Knollwood.

Toronto -- A "Sears Hometown" store owner in Woodstock, Ontario (Canada), has launched a class action lawsuit on behalf of approximately 260 Sears Hometown dealers across Canada against Sears Canada and its American affiliate, Sears. Both are subsidiaries of Sears Holding Corp.

The lawsuit alleges that Sears lowered dealers' commissions, reduced advertising for local stores and bypassed the franchises by selling directly to customers who are located within their markets.

Boca Raton, Fla. -- Office Depot announced that Michael J. Massey, previously CEO and president of Collective Brands, has been nominated to join the board. He fills the vacancy created by current director Brenda Gaines, has decided not to stand for reelection at this year’s annual meeting of stockholders.

New York -- The co-founder of Target, Douglas Dayton, died Saturday after a long battle with cancer. He was 88.

With his four brothers, Dayton took over and reshaped the Dayton Co., which was founded by their grandfather, George Draper Dayton, as Dayton’s department store in Minneapolis.

David Jimenez was named SVP of visual and store experience at Williams-Sonoma to drive further growth and innovation at the operator of 587 upscale home goods stores.

In addition to the appointment of Jimenez, the company named three other executives to new leadership roles in the supply chain area.

BOCA RATON, Fla. — Office Depot has nominated former president and CEO of Collective Brands Michael J. Massey to its board. If elected, he would fill the vacancy created by current director Brenda Gaines, who has decided not to stand for re-election at this year’s annual meeting of stockholders. 

West Bridgewater, Mass. -- Shaw’s and Star Market have ended their loyalty card program. The program offered shoppers sale prices on selected items.
 
In line with the decision to drop the loyalty card program, Shaw’s and Star Market announced they are lowering prices on thousands of items across all of its 169 locations.

It’s not your father’s Pep Boys...not by a long shot. The auto parts and service retailer is testing a new store concept designed to extend its appeal beyond its core DIY-car enthusiasts audience to “do-it-for-me” drivers, which include many female customers.