Personnel Updates
• Office Depot Inc. has named Kevin Moffitt as Chief Digital Officer and Troy Rice as President, Retail Division.
• Staples Inc. announced Michelle Bottomley has been appointed as Chief Marketing Officer.
• Target Corporation announced that Dustee Jenkins, senior vice president and chief communications officer, is leaving the company. She will be replaced by Katie Boylan.
Mergers and Acquisitions
• Amazon.com Inc. is acquiring Whole Foods Market Inc. The transaction is expected to close during the second half of 2017.
Industry Insight
• Apple Inc. has launched a new initiative, called “Today at Apple,” in all of its stores. The program features more than 60 hands-on sessions in a range of topics, including photography, music, art, design and coding.
• Best Buy Co. Inc. is launching a rental service for gadgets ranging from cameras and audio equipment to fitness trackers. The try-before-you-buy option will be available on Best Buy’s website.
• Newegg.com announced it is extending its online reach to dozens of countries in key parts of Asia Pacific, Europe, Latin America and the Middle East.
Real Estate
• Amazon.com Inc. has opened its latest Amazon Books store in New York’s Columbus Circle mall.
• BJ’s Wholesale Club Inc. has expanded into South Carolina with the opening of a new store in Summerville.
• Books of Wonder announced that it would open a second location. The 2,600 sq. ft. store will open on West 84th Street in New York City, this summer.
• Dollar General Corp. announced it has opened a new distribution center in Janesville, WI. It is the company’s 14th warehouse. The company has already begun construction on its 15th distribution center in Jackson, GA, and is planning for its 16th distribution center in Amsterdam, NY.
• Target Corporation will open a new the 28,000 sq. ft. store in downtown Denver, CO next summer. Located on the top two levels of the California Mall building, the location will include a CVS pharmacy.
• Walmart Stores Inc. announced it will remodel 400-600 stores this year.
