Retail jobs are changing, and the arrival of robot “workers” in stores will only accelerate that evolutionary shift. Walmart recently acknowledged that it is testing the use of robots that can move down the aisles of its stores, scanning shelves for out-of-stock items, missing shelf tags or other problems. The robots are said to be
The holiday selling season has arrived, and it promises to be a memorable one for several reasons. A decade after the financial crisis that triggered the Great Recession, the U.S. economy has finally stabilized, with low unemployment and strong growth. Those conditions have led retail industry watchers to predict solid sales increases over the next
BOLINGBROOK, Ill. — Few retailers in recent years have shone more brightly than Ulta Beauty Inc. Thanks to a relentless focus on its guests, the company is attracting new customers, growing its share of the beauty market and increasing its store count. Shares in the beauty retailer are up over 100% over the past five
DEERFIELD, Ill. — Rona Fourte’s career path to Walgreens may have been one she was destined to be on. Today, she is the director of supplier diversity for Walgreens. However, when she was first starting out after college, little did she realize that one day her path would take a turn into the retail space.
PHOENIX — As senior vice president of pharmacy, health and wellness at Albertsons Cos., Mark Panzer heads a team that is working to turn the retailer’s food and drug stores into true health and wellness destinations. The company has been a leader in expanding the role of its pharmacists whenever there’s a change in the
MINNEAPOLIS — Target Corp. has long prided itself on having a merchandise offering that sets it apart from its peers and has won it the loyalty of millions of American shoppers. Curating that collection of products, both for Target’s different-sized stores and its digital platforms, is the responsibility of Mark Tritton, and it is one
WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Health is dedicated to helping people on the path to better health, says vice president of store brands and quality assurance Cia Tucci. “Millions of people rely on CVS Health brand of O-T-C products every day. As a pharmacy innovation company, being bold is part of our DNA in store brands.
CAMP HILL, Pa. — The way Ted Williams sees it, an element of surprise can be a wonderful thing. As vice president of general merchandise and seasonal at Rite Aid Corp., Williams strives daily with his category management team to meet customers’ shopping needs and — whenever possible — to provide a touch of the
BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart will double the number of U.S. curbside locations next year where online shoppers can pick up groceries and other merchandise, hastening its transformation into a channel-agnostic retailer, company executives said at Walmart’s annual meeting with investors this month. At the same time, Walmart is scaling back new store growth in the
CINCINNATI — Kroger Co. is considering a sale of its convenience store business, the company announced at its annual investor conference here. “We want to look at all options to ensure this part of the business is meeting its full potential,” said executive vice president and chief financial officer Mike Schlotman. “Considering the current premium
ISSAQUAH, Wash. — Costco Wholesale Corp. has introduced new delivery services for its members. Costco chief financial officer Richard Galanti said in a conference call earlier this month that the company’s brick-and-mortar business is “as strong as it’s ever been.” But he added that the company is expanding its online offerings. Costco has introduced a
NEW YORK — Retail giant Target Corp. has opened its new concept store in Midtown Manhattan, right across the street from the flagship Macy’s Inc. store. Located on West 34th Street in Herald Square, this is one of several small-format stores Target is opening in New York City. The first opened in Tribeca last October,