Events

X Team Appoints Cheatham, Martin to board
Photo: Sara Martin and Dave Cheatham X Team International has announced the appointment of Velocity Retail Group’s Dave Cheatham and Welsh Companies’ Sara Martin to its board of directors. Board members are elected by the retail advisory alliance’s 35 partner offices.
Apple stores add cool new summer class for kids
Apple is training the next generation of coders — in its stores. The company is expanding its Apple Camp workshops to include a course designed to teach children the basics of coding, Techcrunch reported. The “Coding Games and Programming Robots” course, open to children ages 8 to 12, will also allow kids to program Sphero robots.

Drug Store News, Mack Elevation co-host new 10x Thought Leadership Forum

The roster of speakers for the Aug.
Amazon to open another bookstore

Amazon is expanding its fledgling bricks-and-mortar bookstore format. The Internet giant plans to open a third Amazon Books this fall, at Washington Square Mall, in Tigard, Oregon, just outside of Portland, The Oregonian reported.
CSA names seasoned writer/marketer as real estate editor

Chain Store Age has named Al Urbanski as real estate editor & manager; effective immediately. Al takes the reins of CSA’s online and print real estate content as well as develops marketing strategies for shopping center companies, real estate advisers and brokers, tech firms and more to leverage CSA’s retailer audience.
Watch out Starbucks—iconic motorcycle brand adds latte to its lineup

Fans of Harley-Davidson can immerse themselves in the brand at the new “1903—A Harley Davidson Cafe” in downtown Toronto. Named for the year the company was founded, the 4,200-sq.-ft. café features a biker-themed décor inspired by the history of the 114-year-old brand. Folks who have never hopped on a Harley can get a taste of the experience by taking a test ride on the JumpStart ride simulator.
Wal-Mart Stores sets bullish sales target

Wal-Mart Stores sent out a message to naysayers who say the chain’s best days are behind it. Speaking at the Consumer Goods Forum conference in Cape Town, South Africa, Wal-Mart CEO Doug McMillion said the retailer expects to add $45 billion to $60 billion of new sales during the next three years.
Last-minute deal averts strike at landmark store

Macy’s has managed to avert what would have been the first strike at its most valuable property — its flagship in Manhattan — in over 40 years.
Target names freshman class for retail accelerator program

And then there were 10 — technology start-ups that is. And the lineup ranges from one that develops apps for supply chain inspectors to one that creates wearable technology that helps users prevent sexual assaults.
NRF: Inventory shrink getting worse

If it seems like more if your inventory is disappearing, you’re probably not imagining things. According to the 2016 National Retail Federation (NRF) Retail Security Study, conducted in collaboration with the University of Florida, retailers’ inventory shrink averaged 1.38% of retail sales, or $45.2 billion in 2015, up by 3% from $44 billion the previous year.