News

Target hires Apple veteran to oversee global logistics
A veteran of Apple has been named as the new senior VP in charge of global logistics, inventory allocation and replenishment at Target. Ben Cook will lead the optimization of Target’s inbound and outbound supply chain processes, including carrier transportation and last-mile delivery. He’ll also oversee inventory allocation and replenishment, merchandise planning operations and global logistics. He will report to Target’s executive vice president and chief supply chain and logistics officer, Arthur Valdez.
Kroger to create new specialty pharmacy division
The Kroger Co. is expanding its position in the pharmacy vertical. Axium Pharmacy Holdings Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Kroger, will acquire Orlando, Florida-based specialty pharmacy retailer ModernHealth. Financial terms of the agreement with ModernHealth parent company ModernHC Holdings Inc. were not disclosed. The deal will create a combined specialty pharmacy that will operate as a wholly-owned Kroger subsidiary.

Mall of America joins virtual reality revolution

Mall of America is using leading-edge technology to enhance the on- and offsite customer experience. The Bloomington, Minnesota-based center is the latest retail participant to adopt virtual reality (VR) technology. A new, VR-based immersive experience allows customers to “see” retail, entertainment and live events within the mall.
GameStop goes seamless with geeky ‘loot’

Even geeks appreciate the convenience and hands-on experience of visiting a physical store. Recognizing the continuing popularity of brick-and-mortar, specialty video game retailer GameStop Corp. has been extending its pure-play ThinkGeek banner into physical stores. GameStop purchased ThinkGeek parent company GeekNet Inc. in 2015. ThinkGeek specializes in selling “loot,” or collectible items and memorabilia, rather than video games.
Deloitte: Retailers should catch early bird back-to-school shoppers

Hesitating to offer back-to-school deals could result in significant loss of potential sales.
Analysis: Prime Day really was that good

Sequels are rarely better than the original, but the second annual Amazon Prime Day may deserve comparisons to “The Godfather Part II” and “The Empire Strikes Back.”
As renovations go, this one is particularly challenging

The multi-million dollar redevelopment of one of Times Square’s most iconic buildings — the former home of the Toys “R” Us flagship and future home of Gap and Old Navy flagships — is well underway.
GameStop has big plans for virtual reality

Augmented reality mobile game Pokémon Go has given a big sales boost to GameStop.
Macy’s tests in-store artificial intelligence tool

It won’t help you find Pikachu, but a new mobile tool from Macy’s will assist shoppers in navigating the store. The department store retailer is piloting “Macy’s On Call,” a solution that lets in-store customers use their mobile phones to interact with an artificial intelligence (AI) platform powered by IBM Watson. The Satisfi intelligent engagement platform provides the connection between the mobile tool and the Watson platform.
Unilever buys Dollar Shave Club in megadeal

Consumer goods giant Unilever is paying a reported $1 billion to buy an online retail start-up that has yet to turn to profit. Unilever PLC announced it is buying Dollar Shave Club, the razor delivery subscription service known for its irreverent brand positioning and viral You Tube videos. Terms of the deal were not announced, but The New York Times and other media outlets reported Unilever is paying $1 billion in cash for the scrappy company, which has yet to turn a profit but expects to do so by yearend.
Appliance wars: A tale of two retailers

J.C. Penney and Sears are turning up the heat on one another in the appliance category — and that translates into good news for consumers. Penney began rolling out expanded appliance departments to stores nationwide this past weekend, offering aggressive price cuts and other special deals, Fortune reported.
Dick’s Sporting Goods plans regional facility in New York

Dick’s Sporting Goods is building a new $100 million regional distribution center that will service more than 200 stores throughout the Northeast. The 650,000-sq.-ft. facility will be located at Broome County Corporate Park in Conklin, New York. Construction will begin in August 2016 and is scheduled for completion in early 2018. Dick’s expects to create 466 full-time jobs at the center during the next five years.