Target, Ulta, The Bay, Sam’s, Etc.: Monday Morning Musings

Another week, another round of observations about the weird and perhaps not-so-wonderful world of retail. Clearly, there’s never a shortage of things to muse about.

Some assorted thoughts in no particular order:

Target & DEI: The giant discounter continues to get slammed on both sides of the diversity issue and can’t seem to catch a break. Competitors like Walmart and tons of its suppliers have been caught on this one too but Target has become the poster child for losing out here. Seems like they could have handled this whole thing better as others have but it does seem to be consistent with a series of poor management choices. This just continues to get worse.

Target & Ulta: Target again, this time with the news that Ulta is putting a hold on any further expansion of its shop-in-shop program. There was some lame explanation about them wanting to concentrate on the existing 600 or so shops but clearly something is not working with these. We’ve seen uneven executions at the store level on Ulta shops and you have to think they are not doing what they are supposed to. Right now Target needs Ulta much more than the reverse and it’s one big red strike on the giant discounter’s track record now.

Sam’s Club: After playing second fiddle to Costco for decades, Sam’s is really stepping up its efforts, both on the merchandising and store remodeling fronts. Nice to see this happening.

Barnes & Noble: They continue to open new stores as their business improves. A lesson for dead retailers like Bed Bath & Beyond and Toys’R’Us that the category killer model still works and their demises didn’t have to happen.

Hudson’s Bay Co.: They will be auctioning off artwork and even their royal charter in what has to be the saddest rummage sale in retail history. What a travesty Richard Baker has committed here.

Brand Ambassadors: C’mon, these are paid advertising figures, spokespersons and shills. Stop with this doubletalk and call them what they are. WTF?