Tipsheet: Inside Kroger’s Kitchen | 7-11 Tests Deliv | Pier 1 -0.7%
Retail sales unexpectedly surge in November, +0.8% in Nov, vs +0.3% increase expected at CNBC. Read more
Pier 1 Imports Q3 Comp Sales -0.7% “CEO: ‘Our third quarter financial performance was impacted by the hurricanes in Texas and Florida, as well as deeper than expected promotional activity in October and November. We saw improved sales in November…However, overall trends dropped considerably during the first two weeks of December.’ Press release
…William Savage joins Pier 1 Imports as Head of Global Sourcing. Most recently, Mr. Savage spent two years as President of the Home Division for Sears Holdings. Press release
Target Pulls Mario Batali Products Amid Sexual Misconduct Allegations by Tim Kenneally at The Wrap via SF Gate. Read more
Amazon expands same-day delivery and one-day shipping to thousands more cities by Sarah Perez at TechCrunch. “Before, these services were available to Prime members in 5,000 cities and towns, the retailer tells us. Now, they’re available in over 8,000.” Read more
Walmart workers can request to get paid earlier on special app Press release
Home Depot’s Massive Investment Makes Use of 1.7 Trillion Data Points by Jamie Grill-Goodman at RIS. “(Kevin) Hofmann noted the retailer has even gone as far as putting geo-fences around brick-and-mortar stores to “surgically target customers with the right ads, allowing us to spend marketing dollars in both offensive and defensive ways based off customer mobility patterns.” Read more
‘The Greatest Showman’ Takes Over Bloomingdale’s for the Holidays by Stephanie Chan at Hollywood Reporter. “Bloomingdale’s has partnered with 20th Century Fox to enlist several brands and designers to create Greatest Showman-inspired fashion and beauty products, including a leather camera bag with sparkly red stripes ($395) by Marc Jacobs…” Read more | Merch list
Target is acquiring Shipt for $550 million by Jason Del Rey at Recode. “Target plans to join the Shipt online marketplace, while Shipt intends to keep serving its other retail partners. Eventually, Target will offer the Shipt same-day delivery service on Target.com and the Target app.” Read more | Press release
**A message from deVaca – Give decaf coffee drinkers what they want – a natural product. Great tasting caffeine free, non-GMO coffee substitute. Grown & roasted in Colorado – Fill the natural caffeine free gap in your coffee assortment. Sell sheet | Sample: info@shiftmarketinggroup.net
UK retailers enjoy bumper Black Friday sales at Reuters. Read more
Inside Kroger’s Kitchen 1883 restaurant that debuted to 1-hour wait times by Dan Monk at WCPO 9 Cincinnati. “After watching Kitchen 1883 operate for a month, (General Manager) Denham is convinced the concept has the potential to grow far beyond its current confines in a Kroger Marketplace store on U.S. 42 in Union. “We could put one of these in any community and it would feel just like a neighborhood restaurant,” he said. “I think this could go anywhere.” Inside video/Read more
53 retailers’ deadlines for Christmas delivery (Today is last day for USPS retail ground!) at USA Today. List
Empire plans to convert up to a quarter of its 255 Safeway and Sobeys stores in Western Canada to FreshCo, its discount store brand by Joanne Lee-Young at Vancouver Sun. Read more
7-Eleven testing mobile ordering, delivery and in-store pickup in some Dallas stores by Maria Halkias at Dallas Morning News. “The price of delivery will vary based on what the courier service charges. Postmates charges $3.99 to $5.99. 7-Eleven’s chief digital officer Gurmeet Singh said the proprietary app “is redefining convenience.” Read more (tiered subs.)
EBay acquires Terapeak to provide more analytics to marketplace sellers by Ingrid Lunden at TechCrunch. Read more
Video showing Amazon Prime Now app being used to help homeless people goes viral on YouTube by Kurt Schlosser at GeekWire. “The video, published by user Rob Bliss on Tuesday, is called “How to Hijack Amazon Prime Now for Good” and as of Wednesday had more than 650,000 views.” Video/Read more
Family claims Target potty training seat nearly ripped off tot’s genitals by Jackie Salo at NY Post. “The lawsuit, which seeks unspecified damages, claims that the Target and Prince Lionheart, maker of the weePOD Basix potty trainer, were negligent when they did not recall the product or warn customers about its dangers.” Read more
Tipsheet Extra Stories
Struggling Subway is now facing a franchisee revolt
Walmart is selling a marijuana Christmas tree that will ‘light up’ the room
Another craft fair hit with counterfeit cash
Costco opponents sue to stop store in Pleasanton
Nearly one-quarter of teens are using pot
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