OPERATIONS / SUPPLY CHAIN

Report looks at what drives holiday sales
Shoppers will do anything to qualify for free shipping — even spend more money if need be. That's according to a new report by Radial and CFI Group, which surveyed online shoppers to find out what they expect from retailers during the holiday shopping season. Sixty-five percent of the respondents said they are willing to purchase additional items to qualify for free shipping. In other key findings:
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.

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?
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.
New Oregon law impacts employee scheduling in stores

Oregon has become the first state in the nation to pass legislation that puts an end to on-call scheduling by guaranteeing hourly employees advance notice of their work schedules.
Five ways Walmart uses big data

Walmart is bullish on big data — especially when it comes to finding ways to better serve its shoppers. Big data volume continues to grow, but Walmart is using it to the company’s — and its customers’ — advantage. By analyzing the robust information flowing throughout its operations, the discounter has gained a real-time view of workflow across its pharmacy, distribution centers, stores and e-commerce, according to a company blog.
Study: One in four retailers feel paralyzed by Amazon

Retailers are eager to combat the force of Amazon, but they lack the strategy, marketing dollars and digital resources to do so. Specifically, 44% of retailers do not know how to respond to the power of Amazon, according to “A New Path for Retail: Co-Existing with the Force of Amazon.” The report is from Bluecore, a commerce decision platform provider.
British online fashion giant doubling down on the U.S.

As if American apparel retailers didn't have enough homegrown competition, ASOS, the largest online fashion retailer in the U.K., is making a major push into the American market.
Online giant explores ‘mobile’ drone launch pad

Amazon has lots of ideas about how drones can improve package deliveries, but they also need supportive facilities and operations. In hopes of getting the ball rolling, the online giant has filed a patent application for “ground-based mobile maintenance facilities for unmanned aerial vehicles.” Simply put, these hubs would be dedicated to accommodating, loading, launching, receiving and maintaining the delivery drones.
Regulatory Wrap-Up: Minimum wage and paid-leave ballot initiatives popping up

Wages