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February 12, 2014 At a press conference this week, the National Retail Federation called for widespread adoption of chip-and-PIN payment card technology by U.S. retailers and their partners. “The chip validates that it’s the real card,” said Tom Litchford, VP retail technologies for NRF.  “The PIN provides two levels of validation.” Litchford said that while... Read more »

February 6, 2014 2013 was a challenging year for retailers that concluded with one of the most interesting holiday seasons on record.  Looking ahead in 2014, the economic outlook is strengthening and the moderate growth seen during the second half of 2013 should provide greater confidence as we move further into the new year. NRF... Read more »

February 12, 2014 Against the backdrop of a growing national debate over the minimum wage and part-time versus full-time workers, Home Depot has begun a huge seasonal hiring surge in preparation for spring. The nation’s largest home improvement retailer said it planned to hire approximately 80,000 seasonal employees, many of whom are part-time, the same... Read more »

February 13, 2014 Consumers leveled off post-holiday shopping ans spending in the beginning of the year due in part to severe winter weather in much of the country.  According to the National Retail Federation, January 2014 retail sales, excluding automobiles, gas stations and restaurants, were flat seasonally adjusted month-to-month, yet increased 3% unadjusted year-over-year. January... Read more »

February 11, 2014 CVS Caremark’s fourth-quarter results came in at the high end of expectations and helped produce a record year; however, one of the key topics analysts discussed was the company’s recent decision to stop selling tobacco products in all its stores by October 1. “Last week we announced our decision to exit the... Read more »

February 6, 2014 Walmart is marking the 20th anniversary of its entry into Canada this year by spending big bucks to expand physical stores and distribution capacity while devoting a much smaller portion of a $500 million budget to e-commerce. Walmart said it would spend close to $500 million in Canada this year with $376... Read more »

February 10, 2014 Sears has launched a new service powered by the chain’s Shop Your Way mobile app that enables customers to pick up their online purchases at any Sears store within five minutes of arrival.  The service allows members to pick up purchases without leaving their cars, hence its name: In-Vehicle Pickup. “The In-Vehicle... Read more »

February 10, 2014 The Home Depot has opened a new direct fulfillment center (DFC) in the Locust Grove suburb of Atlanta.  It is the first of three new DFC’s the company will open across the U.S. in the next two years, adding more than 3 million sq. ft. and approximately 1,000 jobs to its supply... Read more »

December 12, 2014 The Home Depot reportedly plans to invest $300 million on technology and supply chain upgrades during its fiscal year 2014, which begins in February 2014.  According to the Wall Street Journal, the results will include three new fulfillment centers in California, Atlanta and Ohio by 2016, as well as same-day shipping for... Read more »