Target, Inc.

By Matthew K. Harding

With demand from national, local and franchise companies across a broad range of categories picking up markedly in the Northeast, this is an opportune time to take a look at the movers and shakers that are defining the next generation of retail tenancy. And interestingly, the most successful concepts are embracing a new reality that leverages technology and creative approaches for reaching consumers.

Categories to watch

Ann Arbor, Mich. - Customer satisfaction with retail is down for the first time in four years. According to a report by the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI), all brick-and-mortar retail categories show weakening or flat customer satisfaction for the fourth quarter of 2014.  Internet retail satisfaction, however, is up from the same quarter in 2013.

Minneapolis – Target Corp. is reportedly localizing the assortments at its smaller-footprint Target Express stores to a high degree.  The Minneapolis-St. Paul Star Tribune reported that since opening its first Target Express in the Dinkytown neighborhood of Minnesota in summer 2014, the discounter has carefully considered local customer demographics when stocking shelves.

Customer satisfaction with retail is on the decline for the first time in four years, according to a report by the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI).

The report says brick-and-mortar retail show weakening or flat customer satisfaction, while Internet retail is up from a year ago.

Target Corp. is reportedly localizing the assortments at its smaller-footprint Target Express stores to a high degree.

The Minneapolis-St. Paul Star Tribune reported that since opening its first Target Express in the Dinkytown neighborhood of Minnesota in summer 2014, the discounter has carefully considered local customer demographics when stocking shelves.

Brampton, Ontario — Shoppers Drug Mart, which was acquired by grocer Loblaw nearly a year ago, is testing the sale of fresh foods in select locations, according to published reports.

Tapping into Loblaw’s strengths and expertise, the Canadian pharmacy retailer is piloting the sale of fresh food in six locations, including fresh produce and meats.

Minneapolis – Although 550 Target Canada headquarters employees are being laid off as Target Corp. prepares to shut down its Canadian venture, the number one person will remain employed. According to the Minneapolis-St. Paul Business Journal, Target Canada president Mark Schindele will return to the company’s U.S. operation and assume a new position of senior VP of retail properties.

The president of Target Canada will return to the fold in the United States as the company shuts down its Canadian operations.

According to the Minneapolis-St. Paul Business Journal, Target Canada president Mark Schindele will return to the company’s U.S. operation and assume a new position of senior VP of retail properties.

The newspaper also reported that about 550 employees in Minnesota were laid off, the biggest reduction at its headquarters since 2009.

Minneapolis – Target Corp. has agreed to pay almost $4 million in fines for overcharging customers at stores in Contra Costa, Sonoma, Marin, Santa Cruz and Fresno counties in California. The payment will settle a complaint filed by the San Diego City Attorney’s Office in conjunction with the district attorneys of the affected counties.

The complaint said that Target charged consumers more money at the cash register than was advertised on price tags in aisles, and also misrepresented the weight of packaged food.

Wal-Mart Stores is giving a big boost to its Canadian operations even as Target shuts downs its failed Canadian venture.