Corporate Governance

Here's where Walmart is expanding its store base
On the heels of announcing it would close more than 150 stores in the United States, Walmart says it will open 15 supercenters this month in Canada.

These grand openings bring Walmart Canada's total store count to 400 stores, including 312 supercenters and 88 discount stores. The company says its 15 supercenter projects represent an investment of more than $100 million and have generated approximately 700 new store jobs and 1,450 construction and trade jobs in that nation.
Bloomingdale’s to open second international store
Macy’s announced that a Bloomingdale’s store will open in spring 2017 in Kuwait as part of the company’s strategic partnership with Al Tayer Group LLC.

This will be Bloomingdale’s second international location (the first opened in Dubai in 2010) and ahead of Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s stores scheduled to open in Abu Dhabi in 2018 – all in partnership with Al Tayer.

Emerging Trends in Customer Experience for 2016

2016 will be a year when many niche innovations in customer experience will become mainstream as consumers expect more out of their shopping experiences, forcing traditional retailers to step up or risk becoming irrelevant. Marketplace buzzwords and emerging trends, such as personalization and seamless mobile access, will become table-stake elements of the customer experience.

Here are ways retailers will take their customer experience to the next level:

Personalization
Unilever targets football fans with Carson Palmer, Jordy Nelson ads

With the NFL Playoffs under way and Super Bowl 50 right around the corner, Dove Men+Care is challenging the idea that athletes’ strongest accomplishments happen on the field by celebrating the heroic impact of football greats in their personal moments.
2016 Retail IPO Outlook

When providing the BDO retail IPO outlook for 2015 at the beginning of this year, we asked: Will consumer businesses face a potential Alibaba hangover in 2015?
H-E-B to open convenience store format

Citing a Virtual Builders Exchange report, the San Antonio Business Journal last week reported H-E-B would be opening a pureplay convenience store operation with plans to construct a 7,500-sq.-ft. convenience and fuel center.
Supermarket chain names CEO

The Golub Corp., operators of the Price Chopper grocery store chain, named Scott Grimmett as president and CEO. Grimmett, who has been part of the family-owned company’s succession plan since joining Golub in January 2012 as executive VP and COO, is the first non-family member to head up the chain. He replaces Jerry Golub, who has been appointed vice chairman of the board
Walmart to hike pay of most U.S. workers; adding free short-term disability

The largest single-day, private sector pay increase ever will take effect Feb. 20, when more than 1.2 million Walmart U.S. and Sam’s Club associates receive a pay increase.

The salary hike is the second phase of the company’s two-year, $2.7 billion investment in workers. But it is broader than the original plan, which was announced last fall.
Report: H-E-B to open convenience store format

Citing a Virtual Builders Exchange report, the San Antonio Business Journal last week reported H-E-B would be opening a pureplay convenience store operation with plans to construct a 7,500-square-foot convenience and fuel center. "The convenience store market in San Antonio has become increasingly competitive over the past few years, made even more so with local CST Brands agressive expansion plans," the business journal reported.
Genesco sells Lids team sports division

Genesco has sold a subsidiary that sells apparel and equipment to schools and youth sports programs to a larger Texas-based competitor.

BSN SPORTS, a division of Varsity Brands and a direct marketer and distributor of sporting goods to the school and league markets, announced that it has acquired Lids Team Sports from the Lids Sports Group, a division of Genesco Inc.
Brookstone opens new concept store in Salt Lake City

Travelers dashing through the Salt Lake City International airport in need of travel-friendly clothing and gear have a new oasis courtesy of Brookstone.

The specialty retailer unveiled a new format, called Carry On, at the SLC Delta Terminal. The store offers the "best brands in travel gear,” according to the company.
Staples, Office Depot extend merger agreement

Staples is giving itself three more months before calling off its proposed $6.3 billion acquisition of Office Depot, giving the companies time to fight an antitrust lawsuit with the Federal Trade Commission.