News

Analyst: Coach turnaround in full swing
Coach ends its fiscal with a set of strong results that signify the turnaround program is making excellent progress. Although sales shrunk in both North America and Europe, this is because this quarter was a week shorter than the same period last year. When this is stripped out, total Coach brand sales rose by 5%, or by 7% on a constant currency basis.
First Look: Sarah Jessica Parker's new store in Las Vegas
Actress and fashion entrepreneur Sarah Jessica Parker is betting on Las Vegas. Parker, who gained global fame as the star of "Sex and the City," has opened her fledgling retail brand's second freestanding location, at Bellagio Resort & Casino in Las Vegas. The store, SJP by Sarah Jessica Parker, offers the label's full collection of shoes, handbags and accessories in a stylish, upscale environment. It is located in Bellagio's Promenade retail corridor.

Q&A: Why Target is acquiring Grand Junction

Target is looking to expand its delivery capabilities by acquiring Grand Junction, a transportation technology company. Arthur Valdez, Target’s executive VP, chief supply chain and logistics officer, and Rob Howard, CEO of Grand Junction, discussed the acquisition in the following Q&A, posted on the retailer's website. Why did Target decide to acquire Grand Junction?
Beauty giant gives loyal shoppers their own ‘chat-room’

Sephora’s new service strives to connect customers while they shop. The specialty retailer launched a digital platform that invites customers enrolled in its Beauty Insider loyalty program to connect and chat about all things beauty. The mobile and online platform serves as a destination for members to find inspiration, ask questions and get recommendations in an unsponsored, real-time social setting.
Aldi turns up the heat in already competitive supermarket industry

German discount grocer Aldi is jumping into home grocery delivery. The retailer announced a pilot program with Instacart, the on-demand grocery delivery service. Starting later this month, the service will be available in Atlanta, Dallas, and Los Angeles, with potential for future expansion.
Regulatory Wrap-Up: Updates on wage increases, NAFTA and transportation

Wages
Arizona: The state supreme court rejected an attempt to nullify a voter-approved statewide wage law that went into effect Jan. 2017. The mandate requires employers to provide three days of paid leave and increases the minimum wage to $12/hr. by 2020. The current statewide wage is $10/hr.
Sur La Table names former Abercrombie exec as CEO

Kitchenware retailer Sur La Table has tapped a veteran retailer as its new CEO. Sur La Table has appointed Billy May as CEO. May, who will also join the board of directors, succeeds Diane Neal who retired earlier this year. May joins the kitchenware retailer from Abercrombie & Fitch, where he most recently served as senior VP and member of the executive leadership team. At Abercrombie, May was responsible for marketing, e-commerce, omnichannel and geographies.
First Look: Indochino, King of Prussia, Pa.

Online made-to-measure retailer Indochino expands its brick-and-mortar footprint with its largest location to date, a 4,100-sq.-ft. space at King of Prussia mall, King of Prussia, Pa. The new outpost caps off a busy summer for the Canadian retailer, during which it also opened a second location in New York City, and flagships in Chicago and Washington, D.C. Earlier this year, the company opened two storefronts in Canada, in Edmonton and Vancouver. It currently has a total of 17 stores in North America.
Discounter names new food and beverage VPs

Target is bringing on talent from Walmart and General Mills to accelerate its food and beverage strategy. Mark Kenny will join Target as VP divisional, meat and fresh prepared food where he will oversee the meat, seafood, deli, bakery and prepared food categories. Kenny joins Target from Walmart, where he most recently was the senior director of private brands, deli and bakery.
Target revs up efforts to transform supply chain with acquisition

Target Corp. has acquired a transportation technology company and, in the process, gotten itself a VP of technology. Target Corp. announced it has agreed to acquire Grand Junction to improve and expand Target’s delivery capabilities and accelerate its investments and ongoing efforts to transform its supply chain. Upon the close of the deal, Rob Howard, Grand Junction’s founder and CEO, will become a VP of technology at Target.