TECHNOLOGY

Survey: Lidl poses big competitive threat
Consumers are very excited about shopping at German discount grocer Lidl — even though they have never set foot inside one of the company's stores before. Lidl's upcoming entry into North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia could remove $1 billion in local sales in the medium term, according to a report by global consulting firm Oliver Wyman which surveyed consumers in the three states cited above. It reveals that consumers are overwhelmingly excited about trying Lidl.
Supervalu embarks on IT transformation
Eager to strengthen operations across its enterprise, Supervalu is moving to the cloud. Through a strategic relationship with Sungard Availability Services (Sungard AS), the grocery company is replacing its mainframe technology infrastructure with a new mainframe platform that will offer cloud, back-up, and other solutions and services. The new configuration is designed to improve operations across the independent retailers it supports.

Best Buy to rent electronics

An electronics giant might is eyeing a program that could give it a leg up on online rival Amazon.
Online jeweler snags former Target exec as CEO

Blue Nile has a new chief executive. Jason Goldberger was named the online retailer’s new president and CEO. He will replace Harvey Kanter, who will remain on the company’s board as chairman.
Fast-food giant turns to Snapchat to attract millennial job seekers

McDonald’s is leveraging a hot app to encourage teens to join its workforce. The fast food giant is embarking on an aggressive summer hiring spree that aims to employ 250,000 restaurant employees across more than 14,000 restaurants operating in the United States. Eager to get the attention of millennials — its sweet spot — McDonald’s is taking a new approach.
Target and Cartwheel apps to merge

Target upping its mobile game. In a move that will eliminate customer confusion over the retailer's two separate apps, the discounter will move its Cartwheel savings app into the main Target app. The integration will happen this summer.
Ikea expands breadth through third-party sales

Ikea is getting in on the online marketplace game. The home furnishings giant is embarking on a test that will focus on selling its products on websites other than its own. This move will get merchandise in front of more online customers, according to Reuters.
Study: The most popular store credit card is...

A retailer that does nearly all of its transactions online has the most popular store credit card. Amazon wins the store card battle, ranking as the top choice among consumers with store cards (32%), followed closely by Target (30%) and then Macy’s (24%).
Analyst: Across the board adoption of Amazon Prime not imminent

Approximately 80% of low-income households will not opt for Amazon's new discounted Prime program. That's according to a broadlines and hardlines retail report by Gordon Haskett Research Advisors analyst Chuck Grom, which looks at Amazon, Walmart, Dollar General and Dollar Tree as Amazon announced discounted Prime membership for those on federal assistance. Here are excerpts from Grom's report:
Report: Online sales alter trade and brand marketing

As retail sales shift from offline to e-commerce, marketers must learn to adjust trade strategies and budgets to be successful in a digital world.