Target, Inc.

Ride-sharing service Uber is getting more aggressive in its jockeying for position in the online delivery marketplace.

In October 2015, Uber expanded its UberRush same-day delivery service from New York, where it had been operating for about two years, to San Francisco and Chicago. UberRush uses Uber drivers to deliver merchandise from retailers to customers for a $5-$7 fee, often in minutes.

For more than 50 years, retail store planning, construction and facilities executives have gathered for the annual SPECS conference to assess key industry challenges and invent the future. That will be the case again this year, as SPECS focuses on the transformation and evolution of physical stores in a digital age.  

Chain Store Age’s annual SPECS conference is the must-attend event for retail and restaurant executives involved in the design, construction, and maintenance of stores.

Photo: Marvin Ellison, CEO, J.C. Penney

Some major retailers sharply reduced their use of printed free standing inserts (FSIs) last year but the total dollar value of FSIs still grew to a record $515 billion.

The value of free standing insert (FSI) coupons increased 3.7% in 2015 to $515 billion, according to Kantar Media. However, the number of FSI pages distributed fell 8.1% as marketers cut back on pages that didn’t include a coupon. The number of coupons circulated increased nominally versus the prior year, and combined with higher face value led to growth in dollars circulated.

Move over, Amazon, Target and Google – the fresh delivery space is getting a little more crowded.

FreshDirect, the New York-based online provider of custom and prepared grocery items and meals, is launching a mobile one-hour fresh item delivery service.

Target Corp.’s newest partner is a cycling studio chain knows for its high-intensity (and pricey) workouts and devoted, cult-like following.

The retailer has teamed up with SoulCycle to launch a 10-city tour that will offer special three-day weekend events in select markets with complimentary classes taught by certified SoulCycle instructors.

The annual Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas has wound down, and senior Target executives are sharing their thoughts on the retailer's official blog, A Bullseye View. CEO Brian Cornell, chief marketing officer Jeff Jones and chief strategy and innovation officer Casey Carl shared insights on hot topics from the event, such as personalization, wearable devices and the Internet of Things (IoT). [A Bullseye View]

Irvine, Calif. -- Irvine Company announced a major $150 million reinvestment in Irvine Spectrum Center located in Irvine, California, in the heart of Irvine Spectrum, a mixed-use community that provides a balanced district of retail, office, and living space.