Walmart

Bentonville, Ark. – Phoenix area consumers have a new option for online grocery shopping, at least for now. According to the Phoenix Business Journal, Wal-Mart is piloting an online grocery service in and around Phoenix.

Mississauga, Canada – Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is reportedly expanding its Canadian operation, even as chief rival Target is exiting the country after spending $4 billion in an effort to open stores there. According to the Wall Street Journal, Wal-Mart plans to spend $270 million on building 29 new Canadian supercenters and an expanded distribution network to support them.

Walmart is making good on its pledge to boost sourcing of U.S. products by introducing its latest Made in the USA merchandise: bicycles.

The retailer and Bicycle Corporation of America announced that BCA bicycles, which are assembled in the United States, are now available for purchase in-store at various Walmart locations nationwide and on the Walmart website.

ECRM compared retail circular advertising in January 2014 vs. January 2015 and noted trends occurring across top retail chains. Target boosted circular pages used in January 2015 by 18%. Get Fit, Choose Well Eat Well, and Baby circular themes were seen at Target Y/Y. Target added a “Halftime Spread” theme Wrap section in the pre-big game circular featuring PepsiCo products and private label snack foods.

By Will McKitterick, analyst, IBIS World

Target’s goal of becoming a leading omnichannel retailer will be led by Tesco veteran Mike McNamara who joins the company as executive vice president and chief information officer.

Framingham, Mass. – The office supply retail vertical may be in for more consolidation. According to the Wall Street Journal, Staples Inc. and Office Depot Inc. are in the “advanced stages” of negotiations to combine the two biggest U.S. office supply chains.

In an effort to boost its appeal to Latina fashionistas, Macy’s has launched a new collection designed by an international Hispanic superstar.

The retailer’s new, exclusive Thalia Sodi collection includes apparel, shoes and jewelry and is available at 300 Macy's stores nationwide and on macys.com.