Strategy

Legendary crooner Tony Bennett must live by the proverb if you love what you do you’ll never work a day in your life. He just observed his 85th birthday, has an exclusive deluxe edition of his album “Duets II” hitting Target stores today and is scheduled to perform throughout the United States during the remainder of the year. The new album is the second time Bennett has offered an exclusive mix of songs at Target with the first being the 2006 release of “Duets An American Classic.”

MOORESVILLE, N.C. —  Following a disappointing second quarter and a pledge to improve going into the second half of the year, Lowe's has launched a new brand strategy to help better position itself as a market leader in home improvement retailing. The company's new tagline, "Never Stop Improving," will replace "Let's Build Something Together," in a new advertising campaign that launched Monday.

Widespread reports surrounding the launch of the Missoni for Target brand last week had surging demand causing the company’s website to crash and stores disappointing customers because they prematurely ran out of merchandise. The unexpected run on Missoni even prompted the company to take the unusual step of issuing a public statement.

NEW YORK, and KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Duane Reade has added Smith Electric Vehicles' Newton zero-emission, all-electric commercial trucks to its delivery fleet.

With the addition of these medium-duty trucks, Duane Reade is the first retail pharmacy in the United States to choose fleet electrification through a pilot program with Smith Electric Vehicles, a global leader in zero-emission, all-electric commercial vehicles.

MATTHEWS, N.C. — Family Dollar Stores announced that it has named Trey Johnson to the newly created position of SVP food. Johnson will report to Dorlisa Flur, EVP and chief merchandising officer.

New York City -- Union leaders on Monday said they reached a tentative agreement with The Vons Cos. Ralphs Grocery Co.; and Albertsons, to head off the threat of a strike in Southern California by more than 60,000 workers, the Associated Press reported.

The union said the agreement, which still must be approved by the rank and file, would protect workers' health policies.

Washington, D.C. -- Import cargo volume at the nation’s major retail container ports is beginning to see cautious increases over last year again, ending a summer-long downturn as retailers prepare for the holiday season, according to the monthly Global Port Tracker report released today by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates.

New York City -- Robert Tacker, former chief marketing officer at Target, has been appointed executive director for Adopt-A-Classroom, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting teachers and ensuring all children have equal access to quality education.

Thacker joins the group following four decades in marketing and advertising at OfficeMax, Target and Sears and as former President and CEO of BBDO Minneapolis.

Sidney, Neb. -- Cabela’s announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, World’s Foremost Bank, has entered into a $411.7 million commitment with Royal Bank of Canada under an outstanding series of variable funding notes issued by Cabela’s Credit Card Master Note Trust. The commitment is for three years and accrues interest at a variable rate of commercial paper plus a spread.

Matthews, N.C. -- Family Dollar Stores has named Trey Johnson to the newly created position of senior VP – food.

Johnson comes to Family Dollar from Sears Holdings where he created a limited assortment food concept for K-Mart. He also led the development of Wal-Mart’s Marketside format as its chief merchandising officer.