OPERATIONS / SUPPLY CHAIN

Retailers in big push to uphold debit swipe fee reform
Target to test next-day delivery service
Target is planning to test a next-day delivery of essentials ordered online in the Minneapolis area. Called Target Restock, the service will pilot this summer in the discounter’s hometown. Once the pilot is live, shoppers who have a Target REDcard will be eligible to visit a dedicated online experience to access thousands of household essentials.

Global Retail: Classifying workers as employees vs. independent contractors
Walmart debuts new financing plans

The nation’s largest retailer is introducing special financing for its credit cards that comes with an appealing hook. The new offer provides no-interest financing plans for the Walmart Credit Card and the Walmart Mastercard Credit Card, with plans extending across either six months or 12 months on purchases. Similar to most plans, customers don’t pay any interest during the promotional period. But the Walmart offer is different from most others in that the interest also does not accrue during the promotional period.
NRF: Retail jobs on the increase in April

The retail industry had some good news on the job front in April.
Department store retailer ends tux rental partnership

It seems the party is over between Macy’s and Tailored Brands’ Men’s Wearhouse.
Report: Amazon steps up distribution network in India

Amazon is making new moves to support its expanding business in India. Specifically, the online giant is adding seven new warehouses — a move that will provide employment to about 4,000 people, according to The Times of India. Further, the company is planning to have 41 warehouses or fulfillment centers open by the end of June this year, the report said.
UPS reportedly asks retailers to share delivery fees

Who is responsible for fees related to unexpected, yet low shipping volume? According to UPS, it should be its retailer partners. The delivery service is putting retailers on the hook to share costs related to labor and surplus space on trucks if the merchant fails to ship its forecasted packages during peak periods, according to MarketWatch. Fees could also apply if there is a discrepancy among the sizes of boxes expected to ship,
The Future is Unified — and You Should Be Too

Customer experience is everything. In fact, Accenture found that 45% of customers are willing to pay more for a better customer experience. It’s also what gets customers into the physical store. With more consumers turning to the ease of online ordering and straight-to-door shipping, retailers are in a bigger crunch than ever before to not only increase footfall, but to keep customers coming back. So what can retailers do to turn first time visitors into loyal customers? Get unified.
Analysis: Amazon’s growth, success will continue to come at expense of bottom line

Although Amazon's sales advanced by a respectable 23% over the quarter (do link to our story yesterday), the pace of growth at the online behemoth remains much slower than it was over most of the prior fiscal year. Some of this is the result of a less favorable exchange rate diluting contributions from the international business. However, some is also down to a more challenging demand environment in North America which has limited spending uplifts on products within Amazon's core territory.