Tipsheet: Wmart Deploys 4.5K ‘Helpers’ | Sinegal @ Univ. | CST Brands CEO: Amazon Can’t Compete | Deloitte/IRI Shopper Studies
Walmart Will Deploy Thousands of ‘Holiday Helpers’ to Shorten Checkout Wait Times by Phil Wahba at Fortune. “Walmart is deploying “Holiday Helpers” to all of its 4,500 or so U.S. stores during the upcoming months. These workers, clad in yellow vests to make them easily identifiable to customers, will be tasked with speeding up checkout time by, among other things, fetching items that shoppers may have forgotten, so they don’t lose their places in line; helping to unload shopping baskets at the registers; and if it’s very busy, opening a cash register.” Read more
…Wal-Mart is bringing in selfie booths and toy demonstrations to liven up its store this Christmas by Krystina Gustafson at CNBC. Read more
Deloitte Study: Shoppers plan to spend 47% of their budget online – matching what they plan to spend at physical stores for the first time Press release
Costco’s longtime corporate controller steps down by Coral Garnick at Puget Sound Business Journal. “He was always a pleasure to work with,” Chief Financial Officer Richard Galanti said in an interview. “He’s passing the torch to Dan Hines who’s also been here a long time. He’s leaving the accounting department in very good shape.” Read more
The 25 Best Global Companies to Work For at Fortune. Rankings
Neiman Marcus names new technology executive by Korri Kezar at Dallas Business Journal. “…promoting Sarah Miller to senior vice president and chief information officer…Her resume also includes serving in information technology roles with Lowe’s Companies and as CIO for Nash Finch Co.” Read more
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NO STRIKE – Schnucks employees approve contract, avert strike by Lisa Brown at St.Louis Post Dispatch. “Members of United Food and Commercial Workers Local 655 who are employed by Schnuck Markets Inc. voted 1,020-507 to approve the contract, or 67 percent of the total votes cast.” Read more
CST Brands’ CEO: Amazon Can’t Compete With Convenience Stores at Fortune. “What we sell, things like hot cups of coffee, a breakfast taco, and a gallon of gas, you can’t really get on the Internet,“ (CEO Kim) Lubel says…Lubel also talks about why CST decided to sell the company after only three years since its spinoff from Valero Energy, and how consolidation could impact the competitive convenience store industry.” See the 2:26 video / Read more
IRI Study: Nearly two-thirds of U.S. consumers believe their financial health is poised to deteriorate in 2017 regardless of who wins the presidential election this year Press release
Costco Co-Founder Sinegal shares company’s story at Heritage University by Ryan Yadao at KIMA TV. “I’m just going to show them a lot of pictures of me [laughs]. No, just kidding,” said Costco co-founder and former CEO Jim Sinegal.” See the video / Read more
Cabela’s Q3 Comp Sales -2.3% Press release
Wal-Mart stocks up on ugly Christmas sweaters by Krystina Gustafson at CNBC. “Customers just can’t get enough of it, and the tackier the better,” said Deanah Baker, a senior vice president who oversees Wal-Mart’s apparel. “The more you can put on it the better it sells.” Read more
Keen names former Patagonia CEO Casey Sheahan president by Matthew Kish at Portland Business Journal. Read more
“Best Entrepreneurial Companies in America” – Entrepreneur Magazine’s 2016 Entrepreneur 360™ List (RetailNext #1) Rankings
Home Depot Presents 2016 Innovation Awards Top 10 product innovations
Wal-Mart testing watermark barcodes by Jennifer Joyner at The City Wire. “We take the same information that’s inside that typical barcode and replicate it hundreds of times across the package” said Larry Logan…Wegmans Food Markets of Rochester, N.Y., has adopted the technology for its private-label brand.” Read more
Amazon leases former Tommy Bahama HQ in Seattle by Mike Rosenberg at Seattle Times. Read more
American Apparel Prepares to File for Bankruptcy, Again at Bloomberg. Read more
CEO: Costco is still pursuing chicken plant in eastern Nebraska by Barbara Soderlin at Omaha World Herald. “Until we have the permit in our hand, we don’t commit to anything,” Jelinek said. He said Costco hopes to start construction in 2017. “We hope to get it done.” Read more
Murphy Oil posts third quarter loss of $16.2 million, beats Wall Street estimates by Wesley Brown at The City Wire. Read more
Tipsheet Extra Stories
Vacant Sports Authority to become Manhattan flagship for another chain
Barneys New York to sell new man-made ‘cultivated’ diamond collection
Jay Z offers $40M for Prince’s unreleased tracks
College student: I used Target gift card to get past security in 9 buildings
Chanel Haute hijabs on display in boutique windows on Rodeo Drive
Apple Leak Confirms ‘All Glass’ New iPhone
A Cubs-focused sports retailer halts online orders after demand surges
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