Supply Chain & Merchandising

Minneapolis -- Target announced that, for the first time ever, it will offer shoppers the ability to match select online competitors’ prices in its stores between Nov. 1 and Dec. 16. Qualifying online retailers include Amazon.com, Walmart.com, BestBuy.com and Toysrus.com.

Cincinnati — With a focus on increasing square footage and building its presence in both new and existing markets, Kroger is poised for growth in 2013.

San Francisco — Gap Inc. is bringing several of its divisions under the leadership of one executive in order to fuel long-term growth.

With the start of the 2013 fiscal year, the company will bring together its North American, international, online, outlet and franchise divisions under a single global executive for each of its Gap, Banana Republic and Old Navy brands. In addition, the company will form a new Innovation and Digital Strategy team to further its leadership position in this area.

Houston — Waste Management has partnered with Sam's Club to provide membership discounts to small and medium business customers, allowing them access to Sam’s Club’s savings on bulk merchandise and supplies.

Now you can have your cake and eat it with candy, too. Tastycake and Hershey's have teamed up to create Kandy Bar Kakes — part perfectly baked cake, part candy, made with quality ingredients.

Kandy Bar Kakes are available in 2.1-oz. single-serve sizes and 5-count multipacks in three varieties: s'mores, made with Hershey's Cocoa; peanut butter, made with Reese's peanut butter; and peppermint, made with York Peppermint flavor.

In today’s connected world, complex technologies are creating richer consumer experiences, but are also creating greater expectations. With the explosion of connected and mobile devices in recent years, consumers now have better control of their interactions with the companies whom they choose to do business with than ever before. This is good news for the consumer electronics industry as it represents an excellent opportunity to engage with customers on a more regular basis.

Washington, D.C. -- A report released Monday by the Commerce Department showed that retail sales in the U.S. climbed more than anticipated in September, boosted by unexpected increases in household spending.

Sales advanced 1.1% in September, on the heels on a 1.2% increase in August that was the biggest since Oct. 2010. The median forecast of 77 economists surveyed by Bloomberg called for a 0.8% rise in September.

NEW YORK — The Deloitte Consumer Spending Index to 3.53 in September from a reading of 3.27 the previous month, primarily due to a nearly 11% increase in home prices, which offset weakness in other areas of the index.