News

Kohl's CEO to retire in May; successor named
Kevin Mansell, chairman, CEO and president of Kohl's, will retire in May 2018 at the end of the company’s annual shareholders meeting. The 35-year Kohl's veteran has served as its chief executive for nearly 10 years.
Walmart signs on for Facebook's new platform
The nation's largest private employer is working with the country's largest social network. Walmart has signed on to use Facebook’s Workplace enterprise collaboration platform. Launched in fall 2016, Workplace is designed to connect colleagues within a company, and allow them to message each other, share images and broadcast live videos.

Discounter opens 'store of the future'

Big Lots has finally unwrapped its store of the future. Located in the company's hometown of Columbus, Ohio, the store has a less promotional, softer look. Gaudy, aggressive signs have been replaced with more traditional aisle markers and color coding have replaced the chain's signs that "shouted" at customers, Columbus Business First reported. Customers are greeted with a big "Hello" on a wall as they enter, with a "thank you" sign on the way out.
Regulatory Wrap-Up: A $15/hour wage increase approved for 2018 ballot in Massachusetts

Wages
Massachusetts: A joint committee held a hearing on a bill that would increase the minimum wage by $1/hr. each year until it reaches $15/hr. in 2021. The bill would also phase out the tip credit over an eight year period. The legislature may feel more pressure to act now that a $15/hr. wage increase has been approved for the 2018 ballot.
Report: Consumers to get early jump on holiday shopping

More and more Americans plan to get an early start on their holiday shopping. And they also plan on spending more. Nearly half (45%) of Americans plan to start holiday shopping before November, with one in four starting before October, according to RetailMeNot's 2017 Holiday Retail Trends and Guide. Retailers are capitalizing on this earlier start: Nearly 80% indicated they will begin holiday marketing efforts earlier this year.
Butler employs social media to tame Irma’s effects

As Hurricane Irma moved northward up the Florida peninsula, Butler Enterprises was ready with a plan to use social media to keep beleaguered Gainesville residents supplied with necessities.
Nordstrom in deal with fast-growing online apparel start-up

Nordstrom is collaborating with a retailer known for its high-quality, ethically made fashion basics and "radical transparency." The department store retailer's themed pop-up shop concept, Pop-In@Nordstrom, will be dedicated to a collection of products from Everlane. The in-store shop will launch in eight Nordstrom stores on Sept. 29, and run through Nov. 12. Items will also be available online.
Kroger creates new website to help identify local product vendors

Kroger on Friday launched a new website to welcome local and emerging brands to partner with the company.
The busiest online shopping day in history will be...

Black Friday is still No. 1 when it comes to setting sales records. Black Friday, which falls on Nov. 24 this year, will be the busiest digital shopping day in U.S. history, exceeding Cyber Monday (Nov. 27) for the second year in a row, according to a report by Salesforce.
Target ups minimum wage—with even bigger hike planned by 2020

Target Corp. is raising the stakes in the battle for retail store talent — and giving its employees a holiday surprise in the process. The discounter on Monday announced plans to raise its minimum hourly wage for all associates to $11 in October. It also pledged to increase the rate to $15 by the end of 2020. The retailer said the move will help it better recruit and retain top-quality staff and provide a better shopping experience for customers.