Corporate Governance

CVS Health shoppers have to wait a few more days for curbside pickup.   On the eve of launching its new ‘CVS Curbside Pickup’ service, the chain postponed the launch date due to technical difficulties.    The drug chain was ready to kick-off its app-based curbside pickup service across is 4,000 locations nationwide on Thursday, Sept. 22. However, due to overuse during the company’s soft-launch, the app became sluggish and orders began piling up.   

If Yahoo’s data breach announcement yesterday is any indication, cyber-attacks are more prevalent than ever — and gaining momentum.  

Target Corp. is putting the kibosh on what probably sounded like a good idea, but turned into what some shoppers called a nightmare.   In a pilot program that started in August, the discounter rolled out mini-shopping carts for kids in approximately 70 stores. But some kids apparently went wild with the little red carts, The Minneapolis Star-Tribune reported, crashing them into other shoppers, dumping merchandise into them and bruising their ankles and shins. Complaints about the kiddie carts went viral.  

Office Depot Inc. has agreed to sell its European business to an investment group.   The office-supplies retailer is selling its European operation to German investment firm Aurelius Group.   Office Depot Europe operates more than 100 stores in Europe, under such banners as Viking.  

The Finish Line Inc. on Friday posted Q2 sales that topped analysts expectations and announced a quicker-than-planned transition for its executive chairman   The athletic goods retailer reported a profit of $22.1 million, or 53 cents a share, in line with expectations, down from $25.9 million, or 57 cents a share, a year earlier.     Consolidated net sales for the quarter, ended Aug. 31, rose a 5.4% to $509.4 million, better than expected. Same-store store sales increased 5.1%, also topping forecasts.

The narrative is well established: Online sales are rising dramatically and having a major impact on brick-and-mortar retailers. The facts, however, are not quite so cut and dried. Internet sales still account for a remarkably small overall percentage of U.S. retail sales. A quarter century after Amazon’s first shipment was mailed, the Web accounts for less than 9% of U.S. retail sales. With sales of $500 billion, Walmart alone is the equivalent of six Amazons.  

A longtime McDonald’s veteran has joined the fast-growing Dunkin’ Donuts.    Dunkin' Brands Group, parent company of Dunkin' Donuts and Baskin-Robbins, announced that David Hoffmann has been appointed president of Dunkin' Donuts U.S. and Canada, effective Oc. 3.   

Photo: Paula Schneider    The saga continues at American Apparel.   Paula Schneider plans to step down as CEO of the apparel retailer on Oct. 3, according to yahoo.com, which cited a report by Women’s Wear Daily. Schneider will be replaced by the company’s general counsel and chief administrative officer, Chelsea Grayson.