Retailers are speaking up about the contributions they make to the nation’s economy, in the hope that their needs will be taken into account when lawmakers rewrite the tax code. Earlier this month the Food Marketing Institute (FMI) released its “Grocery Industry Economic Impact” analysis, which quantifies the food retail industry’s annual economic impact. FMI’s
BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart 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 company says the aim is not to reduce the number of employees in its stores, but to use automation to handle tasks that are
PHILADELPHIA — The health and beauty business is changing fast, and speakers at the recent Emerson Group Industry Day event here noted that companies will need new skills, as well as nerve, agility and vision, if they are to remain relevant. Emerson Marketing executive vice president Matt Poli set the stage for the 10th annual
BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart expects that its U.S. online sales will grow 40% in its next fiscal year, which starts on February 1. That forecast came ahead of the giant retailer’s annual meeting for the investment community on Tuesday, during which the company announced plans to redesign its website, double its number of online grocery
BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart is now live on the Google Express e-commerce site, and the retailer is offering its customers a deal to get them to try ordering merchandise by voice. From now until January 15, any customer who buys a Google Home or Google Home Mini speaker from Walmart will receive a coupon good
ISSAQUAH, Wash. — Costco Wholesale Corp. reported sales and earnings gains for its fiscal fourth quarter and year, and said it has expanded delivery options for its customers. The warehouse club operator said that its net sales for the 17-week fourth quarter ended September 3 were $41.36 billion, an increase of 15.8% compared to the
WASHINGTON — The National Retail Federation on Tuesday forecast that holiday retail sales in November and December will increase between 3.6% and 4% over last year, to total $678.75 billion. “Our forecast reflects the very realistic steady momentum of the economy and overall strength of the industry,” NRF president and CEO Matthew Shay said. “Although this
BENTONVILLE, Ark. —Walmart has acquired Parcel, a company specializing in same-day delivery of perishable and non-perishable goods to customers in New York City. “Delivery is increasingly one of the most important elements for today’s online shoppers, as demands for speed, flexibility, and reliability continue to grow,” Nate Faust, senior vice president, Walmart U.S. e-commerce supply
MINNEAPOLIS — Target Corp. on Monday said it will raise its minimum wage to $11 an hour in October. A further increase, to $15 an hour, is promised by the end of 2020. The retailer said the increases will allow it to continue to recruit and retain good people, who in turn will provide a
BOISE, ID — Albertsons Cos. has agreed to acquire the meal kit service company Plated. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. The grocery retailer says the move reflects its determination to keep up with consumers’ changing lifestyles and food preferences. “Today’s consumer is looking for a variety of personalized shopping alternatives, and this transaction
BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart is partnering with Google to give shoppers additional ways to buy its products online. Beginning in late September, hundreds of thousands of Walmart products will be available for purchase via the Google Express e-commerce platform, the companies announced on Wednesday. Besides increasing Walmart’s visibility online, particularly with people who use Google’s
BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart, which last year began testing a high-tech vending machines that make it easier for customers to pick up Walmart.com orders at their local store, is rolling the technology out. The retailer plans to have the giant self-service kiosks, which Walmart calls Pickup Towers, in more than 100 of its U.S. stores