Target faces new NLRB charges after in successfully fighting the unions last year in NY. The National Labor Relations Board added to charges that retail giant Target violated the law in the run-up to a failed unionization vote at its Valley Stream, L.I., location last year, alleging that supervisors interrogated workers about their support for the campaign and threatened to close the store if the union came in and organized a strike. Other new unfair-labor-practice charges pertain to an employee handbook that was revised in 2009 and contains policies prohibiting employees from sharing confidential company information with each other. (Source crainsnewyork.com)

Hackers at the Chaos Communication Congress in Berlin upset with internet censorship are planning their own satellites. The tech world is up in arms about proposed legislation (SOPA) that many feel would threaten online freedom. And they've developed a plan for a "Hackerspace Global Grid," that gives them their own network. And we think we have problems now! (Source csoonline.com)

Dollar General plans to open 625 stores this year and create 6,000 new jobs. This probably translates into new LP jobs as well. (Source retailingtoday.com)

Consumers spent $35.27 billion with web retailers from Nov. 1 through Dec. 26 up 15.3% over last year. Holiday sales last year increased 12% from 2009, according to comScore. That's 27% in two years. The momentum is incredible and the bricks and mortars will start looking more like their web sites as time goes on. (Source internetretailer.com)

KIOSK Information Systems (KIOSK) announces the launch of StoreBOT StoreBOT, created in conjunction with a world leading specialty retailer, is an automated retail platform providing secure self-service delivery of multiple product categories (games, electronics, perfume, and health/beauty items). The automated center provides retailers with a sales & delivery mechanism to resolve notoriously high shrink rates associated with small, but expensive items. (Source yahoo.com)

New cargo security council being formed in the mid-Atlantic region to combat cargo theft. The Virginia Carolinas Cargo Security Council will be modeled after a handful of other cargo security organizations in other parts of the country. The council's main missions will be to connect the industry with local and state law enforcement and to facilitate information sharing among different players in the supply chain, from manufacturers to distributors, trucking companies and warehouses. With 8 councils around the country and this new one the industry is trying to develop a nationwide information sharing system that ties together the industry and police. The Virginia Carolinas Cargo Security Council will hold its inaugural meeting in Greensboro, N.C., on Feb. 8. Subsequent meetings will be held in South Carolina and Virginia in March and April. For more information, visit the council's website. (Source transportsecurity.com)

Truck-stop heist of a truckload of Canadian-bound 5,200 Blackberry Playbook tablets ($1.7M) in Indiana done in 13 minutes were pro's. "Looking at the video, they were well-orchestrated. This wasn't a one-time shot," said Mike Milbourn, an officer with the Chesterfield Police Department. At least five people and three vehicles were involved in the elaborate caper, Milbourn said. Milbourn said FBI investigators have told him that the stolen electronic devices could be bound for Florida and shipped overseas. (Source transportsecurity.com)

Wal-Mart in Modesto, Calif., evacuated after shots fired; no one hurt A Wal-Mart store was evacuated in Modesto, Calif., Monday night after shots were fired in the parking lot and a man believed to be the shooter ran into the store. Although there were reports of multiple gunshots at 4:50 pm, police said no one had been hit. At least one vehicle in the parking lot had been struck by several bullets. No arrests were made, although several people were detained and the investigation is ongoing. (Source mercedsunstar.com)

Prosecutor: No charges for Kroger employee who fatally shot suspected robber The Marion County Prosecutor’s Office has determined the Kroger employee who fatally shot another man suspected of trying to rob the store will not be charged. On Dec. 26th a robber attempted to rob a Kroger store in Indianapolis and was fatally shot by a Kroger employee. "Under Indiana law, MCPO believes that the shooting was justified to prevent the commission of a forcible felony (robbery and criminal confinement) and based upon Indiana law pertaining to self-defense and defense of others," stated the prosecutor in the decision. The prosecutor’s office said at the time of the attempted robbery, Atkinson had an outstanding warrant. In that case, Atkinson was charged with robbery, as well as multiple counts of criminal confinement. (Source indianas4.com)

Another syringe was found in clothing from the same Wal-Mart store in Georgia making it the 15th case since November. Sheriff's officials in Bartow County. North of Atlanta, say they're investigating what appeared to be a broken piece of a syringe with the needle intact. The Daily Tribune News reports (http://bit.ly/9IsA2e) that it was found in a pair of brown slippers purchased from the store in December. (Source lakewyliepilot.com)

The UK's 11 Best Buy stores and website will be closing their doors on Jan 15th less than 2 years after opening them.

Same store sales up 5.3% last week according to the International Council of Shopping Centers and Goldman Sachs Weekly Chain Store Sales Index. Which estimates sales for 24 major stores like Target and Costco. (Source Associated Press)