By Alistair Barr, Reuters
“(Reuters) – Target Corp (TGT.N) said on Friday it opened a new San Francisco office to track down technology companies that can help the second-largest U.S. retailer grow its online commerce business.
Target’s Technology Innovation Center is run by David Newman, an executive who spent six years at the online business of Wal-Mart Stores Inc (WMT.N), which has had a major presence in Silicon Valley for several years.”
By Steve Alexander, Star Tribune
“Target Corp. is testing a Netflix-like movie streaming service with its own employees. Called Target Ticket beta (find it at www.targetticket.com/home/beta), the service claims to offer “instant access to 15,000 titles, new releases, classic movies and next-day TV.” The site requires a Target employee login to use.
The Target website says users can either stream or download movies (streaming video is not stored on a computer’s hard drive, and thus can be watched instantly instead of after a lengthy download.) Target on Thursday acknowledged it was testing the video service with its employees, but provided no details.”
By Thomas Lee, Star Tribune
“Target just friended Facebook, big time. In its boldest foray into digital retailing, Target is launching Wednesday a test version of Cartwheel, an ambitious collaboration with the world’s largest social network that will allow users to earn savings via Facebook and then use their smartphones to redeem those savings in stores.
Though retailers have used social networks like Twitter and Pinterest to promote products and influence opinion, generating real sales has so far proven elusive. By using mobile devices to help drive people to its stores, Cartwheel might be the missing piece to this “multichannel” puzzle, Target officials say.”
By Thomas Lee, Star Tribune
“With the U.S. Senate poised to pass a bill to allow the collection of online sales taxes, mega-retailers such as Best Buy Co. and Target Corp. are close to a legislative dream they have pursued for decades.
Only one problem: the issue might not matter as much anymore. Best Buy and Target, both based in Minnesota, have long argued that Internet giants like Amazon and eBay can unfairly offer lower prices because states do not require them to collect sales taxes. The federal legislation, called the Marketplace Fairness Act, authorizes states to require online retailers to collect the tax.”
Via News Release
“Minneapolis – May 3, 2013 – MakeMusic, Inc. announced today the appointment of Karen VanDerBosch as CEO. Following the news on May 1, 2013 of the successful completion of the acquisition of MakeMusic by LaunchEquity, Andy Stephens, managing member of LaunchEquity, announced the appointment. VanDerBosch was formerly MakeMusic’s chief operating officer and chief financial officer, and has been acting CEO of MakeMusic since June 2012.”
By Katharine Grayson, Minneapolis-St.Paul Business Journal
“BestBuy.com president Scott Durchslag on Tuesday outlined the retailer’s plans to revamp its online strategy, saying it will focus on “streaming” tailored deals to loyalty program members and forging partnerships with innovative technology companies.
Durchslag, senior vice president of digital and marketing and president of Best Buy.com and eCommerce, spoke before a crowd at the Minnesota High Tech Association spring conference.”
Via News Release
“MINNEAPOLIS, MN–(Marketwired – Apr 29, 2013) – Soul and Vibe Interactive Inc. (OTCQB: SOUL), “The Company,” a video and computer games company, announced today that award-winning interactive entertainment pioneer Jamie King has joined their Advisory Board.
King was a Co-Founder and VP of Product Development at Rockstar Games, the video game developer and publisher best known for game franchises such as Grand Theft Auto, Max Payne, Red Dead and Manhunt.”
By Dhanya Skariachan and Paul Sandle, Reuters
“(Reuters) – U.S. retailer Best Buy Co Inc (BBY.N) retreated from its ill-fated European expansion on Tuesday by selling its stake in a joint venture to Carphone Warehouse Group (CPW.L) for less than half what it paid five years ago.
The 500 million pounds ($775 million) sale is the latest sign the world’s largest consumer electronics chain is scaling back its overseas ambitions to focus on its mainstay U.S. business, which faces cut-throat competition from the likes of Wal-Mart Stores Inc (WMT.N) and Amazon.com Inc (AMZN.O).”
General Mills recreated their second “Idea Weekend” earlier this month, building off the momentum of their inaugural event last year.
By Martin Moylan, MPR News
“ST. PAUL, Minn. — Best Buy reached a new high for recycling last year, as the retailer collected 173 million pounds of unwanted appliances and electronics In-store electronics recycling collections have been growing at a 20 percent annual clip for several years, said Leo Raudys, the retailer’s senior director for environmental stability.
“About half of the weight we collect is TVs, and most of that is still the old tube TVs,” Raudys said. “So there’s quite a bit more out there than you would imagine. About 30 percent of the rest of the weight is computer monitors. Again, very heavy. A lot of glass. And the rest is made up of things like desktops and laptops and miscellaneous electronics.”
about MakeMusic finally gets scooped up
about What Best Buy’s layoffs mean for the company
about Digital River sells subsidiary CCNow to Snorrason Holdings
about Digital River sells subsidiary CCNow to Snorrason Holdings
about Digital River sells subsidiary CCNow to Snorrason Holdings