News

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.  

Microsoft will open its third flagship location, which will also be the company's first retail store in London.    The company announced plans to open a flagship on Regent Street at Oxford Circus. The location, which in the heart of the city's retail district, is just down the road from an Apple flagship.   

Chick-fil-A is going big in the Big Apple with a location that will also include some atypical features for the chain.    The company will open its third restaurant in Manhattan, on Fulton Street in the Financial District, in 2018. At more than 12,000 sq. ft., it will be the chain's largest location to date, with five levels, complete with a rooftop terrace for dining. It will feature design elements that have never been featured at a Chick-fil-A restaurant before.  

Finish Line missed analysts expectations for its second quarter amid continued heavy promotion in the athletic footwear market.    The retailer reported net income of $2.8 million, or 7 cents per share, for the quarter ended Aug. 26, down from $22.1 million, or 53 cents a share, a year ago.  

Rue21 is looking towards the future.    The retailer announced Friday that it has completed its financial restructuring and has emerged from bankruptcy. The chain filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in May 2017, listing $307 million in pre-petition assets. It filed a month after it said it would close 400 stores.   "We are pleased to be moving forward with rue21's next chapter of growth as a highly performing and distinctive retailer," said Melanie Cox, CEO of rue21.

Amazon is on the hunt for a team to head up its newest business venture.    The online giant is launching a new start-up called “Amazon Live.” The division “builds interactive streaming experiences that create new shopping experiences for customers,” according to a posting on Amazon Jobs.   

Walgreens is relying on data analytics to ensure all of its IT systems are working as efficiently as possible.   Through a partnership with IBM, the drugstore chain is taking steps to drive more IT support across its enterprise. The first step is to integrate hardware and software from different vendors under one roof. This centralization will make it easier to stay abreast of performance.  

Walmart’s new grocery delivery program could give it a huge edge in the online ordering game.