Target, Inc.

Grocery is one of the fastest-growing segments of retail — just not in Chicago.   Over the past two years, 25 supermarket shut their doors in Chicagoland. Sixteen new ones opened, but they were smaller than the ones that closed, making for what Mid-America Real Estate calls an “alarming” loss of 544,512 sq. ft. of inventory.  

The delivery wars continue to heat up.  

Irvine Retail Properties’ flagship shopping destination, The Irvine Spectrum Center, has demolished the 140,000-sq.-ft. Macy’s that opened there in 2002 and is erecting a new building in its place to accommodate up to 20 shops, according to a report in the Orange County Register.  

Target is bringing on talent from Walmart and General Mills to accelerate its food and beverage strategy.     Mark Kenny will join Target as VP divisional, meat and fresh prepared food where he will oversee the meat, seafood, deli, bakery and prepared food categories. Kenny joins Target from Walmart, where he most recently was the senior director of private brands, deli and bakery.    

Target Corp. has acquired a transportation technology company and, in the process, gotten itself a VP of technology.   Target Corp. announced it has agreed to acquire Grand Junction to improve and expand Target’s delivery capabilities and accelerate its investments and ongoing efforts to transform its supply chain. Upon the close of the deal, Rob Howard, Grand Junction’s founder and CEO, will become a VP of technology at Target.  

Target is looking to expand its delivery capabilities by acquiring Grand Junction, a transportation technology company. Arthur Valdez, Target’s executive VP, chief supply chain and logistics officer, and Rob Howard, CEO of Grand Junction, discussed the acquisition in the following Q&A, posted on the retailer's website.    Why did Target decide to acquire Grand Junction?

Target is getting more pet-friendly as it extends its partnering initiatives with popular online retail brands.   The discounter announced it will sell toys and treats from Bark, the company that operates subscription-based online pet supplies retailer BarkBox. It's the first time Bark products will be available in retail stores.    Based in New York City, Bark launched in 2012 and now counts over 500,000 subscribers. It is known for its fun and quirky toy and natural treat lines.

Houston-based Fiesta Mart has appointed a retail veteran as its new chief executive.   The Hispanic grocery store chain named Sid Keswani as CEO, effective August 9, 2017. He replaced outgoing chief executive Mike Byars.