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Mass Merchant

  • Walmart in deal with Google to offer voice-activated shopping

    Walmart is determined not to cede any ground to Amazon.   In a partnership that takes direct aim at the online giant and its Alexa voice-controlled device, Walmart is teaming up with Google to offer hundreds of thousands of items available for voice shopping via Google Assistant, the search giant's online shopping platform that lives on its smart speaker Google Home and other smart devices. It will be the largest number of items currently offered by a retailer through the platform, according to Walmart.   

  • Forget bricks vs. clicks, it’s all about distribution

    Everything you know about the battle between online and physical retail is probably wrong, according to a report issued this week by CBRE.   As business analysts and retail pundits focus on store closings, they miss the fact that 58% of retail warehouse space was leased by brick-and-mortar retailers last. Only a third of such space was leased by pure-play internet sellers.  

  • Teen apparel retailer tops Street

    Victoria's Secret loss is American Eagle Outfitters’ gain as the teen apparel retailer posted better-than-expected second quarter results, fueled by strong demand for its Aerie lingerie brand.   Net income fell to $21.2 million, or 12 cents per share, in the quarter ended July 29, from $41.6 million, or 23 cents per share, in the year-ago period. Excluding restructuring and related charges of $0.07 per diluted share, the company’s adjusted EPS was $0.19 for the quarter, above analysts' estimates.  

  • Target names new strategy and innovation chief

    Target Corp. has tapped a McKinsey & Company veteran to head up its innovation efforts.    The retailer appointed Minsok Pak as executive VP, chief strategy and innovation officer. He replaces Casey Carl, who left the company in May.   

  • FTC won't block Amazon's acquisition of Whole Foods Market

    The biggest retail deal of 2017 has moved one step closer to completion.    Shareholders of Whole Foods Market on Wednesday voted to approve the natural grocer's $13.7 billion acquisition by Amazon. The vote, which took place at Whole Foods' headquarters in Austin, Texas, was expected.   

  • Survey: Parents in no hurry to finish up back-to-school shopping

    Retailers still have time to capitalize on their second biggest selling season of the year.   Only 45% of households with children in grades K-12 had completed of their shopping as of early August, according to the National Retail Federation’s annual survey conducted by Prosper Insights & Analytics. That’s down from 52% at the same time in 2013 and 48% last year.     

  • Build-A-Bear Workshop completes strategic review

    Build-A-Bear Workshop is holding steady.   The specialty retailer's board of directors has completed its review of strategic alternatives and authorized a share repurchase program of up to $20 million. Build-A-Bear initiated the review in May 2016 after a sharp decline in net income in its first quarter, saying at the time that it would consider "all" options to boost shareholder equity, including a sale.     

  • First Look: Target's remodeled store in Minneapolis

    Target has given its two-level store at Nicollet Mall in downtown Minneapolis a $10 million top-to-bottom overhaul that combines the best of the retailer's digital and technology upgrades, elevated merchandise presentations and fulfillment services, with a goal to making the shopping experience  fast, efficient and fun.  
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