Supply Chain & Merchandising

That was fast.   Jason Goldberger, the recently promoted chief digital officer of Target Corp., has left the company, effective immediatedly. No reason was given for his departure.    Goldberger's responsibilities will be split, with Target CIO Mike McNamara overseeing the website and digital operations, and chief merchandising officer Mike Tritton taking on pricing and promotions.  

The nation’s premier luxury department store retailer posted declines in profit and revenue for fiscal 2016.   For the full year, Neiman Marcus Group posted a $406.11 million loss, compared to an income of $14.95 million in 2015.   For the fourth quarter, the retailer posted a loss of  $407.25, compared to a loss of $32.88 million in the year-ago period.   

Charles R. (Cork) Walgreen III, former president, CEO, chairman of the board, and chairman emeritus of the iconic U.S.-based drug store chain Walgreens, died at on Monday, Sept. 26, at his home in Lake Forest, Ill. He was 80.

Walgreen was the grandson of Charles R. Walgreen Sr., founder of the 115-year-old pharmacy retailer that now is included in the Retail Pharmacy USA Division of Walgreens Boots Alliance.

One of the country’s oldest online grocers just secured a major cash infusion to help it expand its services.   FreshDirect has received a $189 million investment, led by JPMorgan Asset Management, that will be used to launch its grocery delivery service in more cities, to expand new business units and incubate others, reported RECode.   

Mark your calendars. Free Shipping Day, the one-day online event featuring free shipping with no minimum order requirement and delivery by Christmas Eve, is scheduled this year for Friday, Dec. 16.

"While we try to schedule the event one week before Christmas Eve, the calendar doesn't always accomodate," said Luke Knowles, founder of Free Shipping Day.  "What sets Free Shipping Day apart from other shopping holidays is small business participation.”

Dollar stores and off-price chains account for half of the spots on a list of 10 retailers adding the most new store square footage, according to commercial real estate and analytics firm CoStar.       Walmart tops the list, followed by Dollar General and Forever 21, according to a report by the Chicago Tribune.     Click here to read more.

CVS Health shoppers have to wait a few more days for curbside pickup.   On the eve of launching its new ‘CVS Curbside Pickup’ service, the chain postponed the launch date due to technical difficulties.    The drug chain was ready to kick-off its app-based curbside pickup service across is 4,000 locations nationwide on Thursday, Sept. 22. However, due to overuse during the company’s soft-launch, the app became sluggish and orders began piling up.   

Office Depot Inc. has agreed to sell its European business to an investment group.   The office-supplies retailer is selling its European operation to German investment firm Aurelius Group.   Office Depot Europe operates more than 100 stores in Europe, under such banners as Viking.