Thursday Tipsheet: Retail’s Top 25 Earners | Costco Rolls Out Christmas | Dick’s/Chelsea In-Store Video | TreeHouse Raises $16M
Retail’s Top 25 Earners by Arthur Zaczkiewicz at Women’s Wear Daily (Brian Cornell #2, Marvin Ellison #4, Doug McMillon #6) See the top 25 list and how much they earn
Costco’s French Revolution by Angel Gonzalez by Seattle Times. “After four years mired in a thicket of red tape, Costco Wholesale is getting closer to opening its first warehouse in France, a key building block in its slow but sure-footed global push. Now the hard part begins. When the Issaquah retailer opens the store, possibly next spring, it will land right on the doorstep of some of the world’s most powerful retailers.” Read more
Wal-Mart HQ cuts could reduce economic activity in Northwest Arkansas by $47 million a year by Kim Souza at The City Wire. “You have to think that not everyone will leave. You may have some people stay in the area and become entrepreneurial. So there could be a positive from that aspect,” Collins said.” Read more
Costco July Comp Sales Flat (US +3%) “Costco today reported net sales of $8.64 billion for the month of July, the four weeks ended August 2, 2015, an increase of one percent from $8.55 billion during the similar period last year. “ Read more
Dick’s is Stretching for a niche in ‘athleisure’ by Sarah Halzack at Washington Post. “The demographic that we have in mind is somebody that is really on the cutting edge of both fitness trends and fashion trends. So somebody who really likes to try things,” said Lauren Hobart, general manager of Chelsea Collective.Athleisure.” Read more
…See the in-store video at Washington Business Journal. See the video
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5-month-old Durham tech startup snags Lowe’s investment by Lauren K. Ohnesorge at Triangle Business Journal. “SoloPro, which is only a few months old, is an online market place aimed at helping home buyers purchase agent services.” Read more
Amazon, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Tractor Supply Hang On To ‘Sizzling’ Growth by Sarah Mahoney at MediaPost. “And (NRF) also ranked what it calls the “sustained sizzle” companies, those that have maintained their dominance and managed to stay in the “Hot 100” for the six years it has been compiling its rankings. Amazon continues its reign as supreme sizzler, followed by O’Reilly Automotive; Tractor Supply Co.; Dick’s Sporting Goods; Dollar Tree, and Ross Stores.” Read more
Sustainable home improvement retailer raises millions to add new stores by Michael Theis at Austin Business Journal. “The goal: To take on giants such as The Home Depot and Lowe’s Companies Inc. in the same manner Whole Foods Market Inc. challenged traditional grocers. The company announced Wednesday that it closed a $16 million funding round. The funds will be used to open stores in new markets and launch an e-commerce platform, among other things.” Read more
Costco Rolls Out Christmas in August by Jeremy Appel at Toronto Sun. “Christmas-coloured ornaments, lights, gift wrapping, winter jackets, snow pants and two trees were on sale. A Costco Canada spokesman said they have been doing this at all stores at least since Costco came to Canada in 1986…pointing out that Costco has sold more than $20,000 worth of winter coats since July.” Read more / See the video
Jeff Bezos just sold $534 million worth of Amazon stock by Emily Parkhurt at Puget Sound Business Journal. Read more
Raw pet food sales are booming, but are the products safe? by Laurie Tarkan at Forbes. “The FDA is mostly concerned about humans. Handling raw meat at home can expose pet owners to the bacteria, and could potential make you, well, sick as a dog.” Read more
Tipsheet Extra
Fastest-growing retailer isn’t a household name
Home Depot Names Gerard Arpey to Its Board of Directors
John Deere recalls more than 2,000 tractors over crash risk
General Mills revives monster cereals, with Target and Walmart gimmicks
Chicago Avenue Walgreens sells for $3.8M
Can P&G’s shaving cream-dispensing razor revive Gillette’s sales?
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Eye-on-Retail Tipsheet is created early every weekday morning and read by retail merchants and executives worldwide. We love data, earnings reports, executive presentations and stories off the beaten path that get at what’s really happening in the world of retail. See our website at www.eyeonretail.net