Strategy

Aldi has extended its partnership with Nielsen to gain more shopper and advertising effectiveness insight.    Nielsen and Aldi announced an expanded multi-year relationship for integrated analytics data around shopper panel, custom retail analytics and advertising effectiveness. Under the agreement, Nielsen will be Aldi's preferred data and analytics provider, covering the chains' nearly 1,700 stores in 35 states across the U.S.  

One of the nation's leading supermarket executives has tapped a retail and digital veteran to join its team.    Albertsons Companies appointed Kevin Turner, former COO at Microsoft, as vice chairman of the board of managers of AB Acquisition, its direct parent. Turned has also been named senior advisor to Albertsons chairman and CEO, Bob Miller.  

Hunter, best known for its signature rain boots, is expanding its fledgling retail footprint.   The iconic British brand will make its North American freestanding retail debut in October, at Yorkdale Shopping Centre in Toronto.   

The retail industry is actually in better shape than some of today's headlines may lead folks to believe.    "Distressed [retail] names are growing, but still a small part of our rated universe," Moody's analyst Christina Boni told CNBC. "The broader industry remains fundamentally healthy."   Dollar stores, home-improvement chains, convenience stores and auto-parts retailers are among the leaders of the pack, according to the report.   

Gap's local franchisee in Australia is ending its four-year relationship with the specialty retailer.

The financially struggling OrotonGroup is expected to close its six Gap stores by the end of January as it looks to focus on its core Oroton handbag business and limit related future losses.  In June, Oroton, which operates 70 stores and is best known for its luxury handbags, announced it was exploring options, which could include a sale of its business.

Dick's Sporting Goods will be busy in August, opening five stores in three different states.   The nation's largest sporting goods retailer will open two namesake stores and three Field & Stream stores in the first half of August. In Prosper, Texas, Dick's and Field & Stream will open under one roof at the Gates of Prosper. And in Houston, Dick's will open at Post Oak Shopping Center.   

The Tile Shop is entering the most populous metropolitan market in Texas   The specialty retailer of manufactured and natural stone tiles has opened its first store in the Houston market, in the suburb of Webster. Throughout 2017, The Tile Shop will open several other stores in the greater Houston area, including a second location in mid-August, in Sugar Land. With the two Houston openings, the retailer will have a total of 132 stores in 31 states and the District of Columbia,   

FedEx is giving its customers an early holiday gift — while taking a stab at its rival UPS.   The delivery service announced that it will forego additional surcharges on deliveries this holiday season — unless packages require additional handling, are oversized or unauthorized. FedEx made the decision based on the growing volume of large packages moving through the FedEx Ground network during the holidays.