Target, Inc.

Apple did not create the mobile payment market when it launched Apple Pay in September 2014.

However, Apple Pay did effectively bring mobile payment to the forefront of retailers’ omnichannel commerce strategies. Consumers are slowly starting to follow, with Deloitte data showing in-store mobile payments have increased from 5% of total in-store payments 2014 to 18% in 2015.

Toys“R”Us is adding some communications expertise from Best Buy as the toy retailer announced it has named a new executive vice president.

The retailer said Amy von Walter will join the company as Executive Vice President, Global Communications and Public Relations, effective March 14. She will report directly to Chairman and CEO Dave Brandon.

Toys “R” Us is adding some communications expertise from Best Buy as the toy retailer announced it has named a a new executive VP.

The retailer said Amy von Walter will join the company as executive VP, Global Communications and Public Relations, effective March 14. She will report directly to chairman and CEO Dave Brandon.

Market Track compared retail circular advertising in February 2016 vs. February 2015 and noted trends occurring across top retail chains.

Kohl’s added four comparable circulars in February 2016, promoting mainly short duration sales like “50% Two-Day Sale,” “Doorbusters,” and “Make a Point to Shop.” They attempted to leverage their rewards program with 3X the points during the “Make a Point to Shop” sales.

The Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) convened its 31st annual Supply Chain Conference earlier this week. RILA’s Caroline Stec provided a recap of an event which drew record attendance.

The discounter plans to invest some $1.8 billion in 2016 on capital projects, with the majority going to e-commerce and supply chain improvements, as well as in-store improvements. And starting in 2017, Target will ramp up its tech spending even more, Fortune reported. [Fortune]

Nordstrom Rack is coming to Memphis.

The off-price retailer plans to open a 33,000-sq.-ft. store at Poplar Commons in Memphis, in the fall of 2017. The store is leased from Seritage Growth Properties who is replacing an existing Sears building with a 135,000-sq.-ft. shopping center.

“We're excited to bring our first Nordstrom Rack to Memphis and can't wait to open our doors in 2017," said Geevy Thomas, president of Nordstrom Rack.

Vendor partners of Target and Walgreens will soon be receiving actionable insights and alerts aimed at improving assortments, product availability, new item retail launches and promotion effectiveness in the Midwest.

Carlin Group (part of Beacon United), a regional sales and marketing solutions company focused on the Midwestern market, is leveraging the retail analytics platform from Retail Solutions Inc. (RSI) to help clients including Target and Walgreens suppliers improve their overall customer experience in the region.