Tipsheet: JCP -0.8% | Visa Ups Wmart Fight | H.Dep HQ for Heroes | Amazon Employee on ‘Jeopardy’
J.C. Penney posts surprise drop in same-store sales at Reuters. “J.C. Penney reported a surprise 0.8 percent fall in quarterly comparable-store sales on Friday…Analysts on average had expected Penney’s same-store sales to increase 2.7 percent.” Read more
Jeff Bezos doesn’t want to send Trump to space anymore by James Covert at NY Post. “Congratulations to @realDonaldTrump,” Bezos tweeted. “I for one give him my most open mind and wish him great success in his service to the country.” Read more
Alibaba’s Singles’ Day Obliterates Cyber Monday’s Sales Total In Less Than Two Hours at Fortune. “$1 billion in sales in its first five minutes on Friday morning China time. Within two hours it had reaped $7.2 billion in sales—already half of the 24-hour sale’s total $14.3 billion haul last year. At noon in China—midway through the bonanza—the toll stood at $11.9 billion.” Read more
Visa expands $10 free grocery offer for shoppers hit by Walmart’s Visa ban by Sophia Harris at CBC News. “It’s offering its customers in Thunder Bay a $10 rebate if they use their card to spend $50 or more at a grocery store…Last week Visa started offering its customers in Manitoba the same rebate deal on groceries purchased anywhere but Walmart.” Read more
Amazon recruiter, a former U.S. Army captain, eager to open door to veterans by Angel Gonzalez at Seattle Times. “But in her first real foray into the private sector she found herself selling clothes at Gymboree, which as a young mother returning from Kuwait she joined “because they had a great discount in kids clothes.” “I really felt like I was lost,” Williams, 55, said in an interview.” Read more
Two years ago, Nordstrom bought Trunk Club for $350 million. Now it’s worth $150 million. by Jason Del Rey at Recode. “While this business continues to deliver outsized top-line growth, current expectations for future growth and profitability are lower than initial estimates,” the company said in its third-quarter earnings release.” Read more
Amazon employee lands on ‘Jeopardy,’ gets shout-out from Jeff Bezos and wows her co-workers by Kurt Schlosser at GeekWire. Read more
**A message from GlobalShop – as a retail expert, you impact the customer experience and GlobalShop is the driving force behind that experience. From mannequins and lighting to flooring and signage, GlobalShop has it all. Register now to join us in Las Vegas March 28-30, 2017. Check out this year’s exhibitors. Website & welcome video
Walmart U.S. now offering mobile check-in feature for online grocery pickup service by Kim Souza at The City Wire. “Sam’s Club has offered mobile check-in, but this is Walmart’s first attempt at the service for its growing grocery pickup business that will be available in 500 markets by the end of the year.” Read more
Dillard’s Q3 Comp Sales -4.0% Press release
Home Depot’s corporate HQ will transform into a volunteer center today for Veterans Day by Jewel Wicker at AJC. “The parking lot of Home Depot’s corporate headquarters will transform into a volunteer center on Veterans Day.
More than 250 Home Depot associates will work with Habitat for Humanity and 20 nonprofit organizations to begin building homes, assembling furniture and more for local veterans.” Read more
…Fox Business: Home Depot Gallops to Help Vets with PTSD by Matthew V. Libassi. “We got the phone call and we came out and repaired several stables we built a roof between the stables and built a ramp for the handicap veterans” adds Perrelli.” See the video / Read more
Canadian Tire reports strong sales in all retail banners, look to expand house-branded goods by Hollie Shaw at Financial Post. “Solid sales and an improved product assortment helped the retailer raise its consolidated retail sales by 3.4 per cent to $3.52 billion from $3.41 billion a year ago in the quarter ended Oct. 1 as the company saw a 3.5 increase in same-store sales at its eponymous banner.” Read more
Walmart’s insurers demand Tracy Morgan justify how he was well enough to safely drive a Lamborghini after turnpike accident and be entitled to ‘staggering’ settlement of $90 million by Freya Berry at Daily Mail. Read more
Party City October Comp Sales -6.4% Press release
Deloitte: 42% of shoppers surveyed consider 3-4 day shipping “fast” – a significant drop from the 63% who said so last year Press release
Nordstrom Q3 Comp Sales +2.4% Press release
Eddie Bauer Turns to TV for First Time This Century by Adrianne Pasquarelli at Ad Age. “…will air a 30-second brand-focused commercial beginning Nov. 10 and running through Dec. 18. This is the first time Eddie Bauer has been on the small screen since 1999.” See the spot / Read more
Macy’s strikes deal with Brookfield to redevelop 50 stores by Lisa Fickenscher at NY Post. “Cosmetics was one of the weaker businesses in the third quarter,” CFO Karen Hoguet told analysts during an earnings call. “And we are focused on how to improve that in the fourth quarter, though the fragrance business has been very strong.” Read more
Camping World Q3 Comp Sales +5.8% Press release
Michael Kors’ streak has ended by Krystina Gustafson at CNBC. “Shares of Michael Kors dipped more than 4 percent in after-hours trading Thursday, after the handbag maker reported its first quarterly revenue decline since going public five years ago.” Read more
Tipsheet Extra Stories
Nintendo’s $59.99 NES Classic is in short supply … but you can buy one online for $1,000
Nasty Gal is expected to file for bankruptcy
Bob Hope’s UFO-shaped Mansion Potentially Sets Price Record in Palm Springs
Rare tropical bed bug reappears in Florida after 60 years
Why Shoe Carnival no longer worries about chargebacks
Macy’s CEO Says Dumping Donald Trump’s Line Was Still the Right Move
Pier 1 denies exemption to poison pill policy
Can KC support four Bass Pro and Cabela’s stores?
QUICK-SUBSCRIBE to Eye on Retail Tipsheet here