Today’s Tipsheet: Walmart Annual Mtg Highlights: No Grocery Delivery Expansion, “Store of the Community” for AR, OK & MO, etc.
“Wal-Mart has no U.S. grocery delivery expansion plans for now” at Reuters. “For now, it is holding off based on a lack of demand. “We are not making any announcements about other markets for grocery delivery in the U.S. right now,” Neil Ashe, the president and chief executive officer of Walmart Global eCommerce, told reporters on Thursday afternoon, a day before the company’s annual shareholder meeting. While the test in San Jose and San Francisco has proven that the company “can serve a market effectively from our existing supercenters … we’ll have to wait and see whether the customer wants it,” he said.” Read more: https://www.reuters.com/article/2013/06/06/us-walmart-meeting-ecommerce-idUSBRE95517X20130606
“Wal-Mart says U.S. shoppers resilient, small businesses strapped” by Jessica Wohl at Reuters. “Walmart’s shoppers are spending on special events, such as Mother’s Day, but in the interim “they hunker down a little bit,” and make choices such as buying lower-priced chicken or pork when beef prices go up, Simon said.” Read more: https://www.reuters.com/article/2013/06/06/walmart-meeting-us-idUSL1N0EI1Y620130606
“Target Canada Has Online Shopping in Its Sights” by Karen Johnson at WSJ. “Target Canada Chief Executive Tony Fisher, speaking at a national retail conference in Toronto Tuesday, said he wants to create a “truly Canadian” online site. But he told Canada Real Time he hasn’t set a timeline for its launch…“We are taking the time to understand the digital landscape in Canada and what will resonate well with our guests,”Mr. Fisher told Canada Real Time.” Read more: https://blogs.wsj.com/canadarealtime/2013/06/04/target-canada-has-online-shopping-in-its-sights/?mod=google_news_blog
” ‘Arkansas’ Own’ rolled out by Wal-Mart” by Kim Souza at The City Wire. “Wal-Mart executives are taking the retailer’s “store of the community” seriously these days across Arkansas, Oklahoma and Missouri…Michelle Gloeckler, senior vice president of Walmart home, said media attention to the “source local campaign” has caused some suppliers to reach out to Wal-Mart about their products. “Many times suppliers don’t realize that they don’t have to furnish product to all the stores and we are finding more small companies are calling us since we have launched this program,” Gloeckler said. Read more: https://www.thecitywire.com/node/28175#.UbG_RkDVDpU
“The Home Depot to Present at Jefferies 2013 Global Consumer Conference” The Home Depot today announced that Aaron Flowe , president, Northern Division will present at the Jefferies 2013 Global Consumer Conference in Nantucket, MA. The presentation will begin at 9 a.m. ET on June 19, 2013.” Read more: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-home-depot-to-present-at-jefferies-2013-global-consumer-conference-210224181.html
“Wal-Mart Provides Peek Into Sam’s Lab” by John Springer at Supermarket News. “Company officials on Wednesday provided media members with a look into the “sensory lab” at Sam’s Club’s headquarters here as part of its annual shareholders meeting. “Because we’re the buying agents for our customers it’s important that we provide them with the items that they want at a great value,” Bryant Harris vice president of fresh grocery for Sam’s Club, said in a presentation. Read more: https://supermarketnews.com/retail-amp-financial/wal-mart-provides-peek-sams-lab#ixzz2VX1out7P
“Kroger rolling out more Ruler Foods shops” by Tom Demeropolis at Cincy Business Courier. “Ruler Foods, a discount grocery store that sells Kroger brand food and a limited assortment of other national brand items, opened its 18th location this week, according to the Commercial-News in Danville, Ill. It’s part of JayC Food Stores, which was purchased by Kroger in 1999. Keith Dailey, spokesman for Kroger (NYSE: KR), said Ruler Foods is still a test concept for the grocery giant.” Read more: https://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2013/06/05/kroger-expanding-its-ruler-foods-concept.html
“Wal-Mart execs remain positive for growth” by Kim Souza at The City Wire. “Doug McMillon, CEO of Walmart International said the company is working to perfect its low-cost price strategy in all of the markets it serves. China, he said, is planning to begin the conversion over this next year and Brazil is already in the process of implementing the “Everyday Low Price” cost model. McMillon said he is pleased with how Wal-Mart Canada is faring against heightened competition in that market, especially since 40% of the stores are still the older discount store format. “We are seeing growth in grocery marketshare in Canada,” McMillon said.” Read more: https://www.thecitywire.com/node/28176#.UbG_NUDVDpU
“Countries Seek Entrepreneurs From Silicon Valley” by Somini Sengupta at NY Times via CNBC. “A bold new billboard looms over U.S. 101, the highway that runs through the heart of the global technology industry. “H-1b problems?” it reads. “Pivot to Canada.” That sassy invitation is directed at the thousands of foreigners having trouble getting temporary visas, known as H-1b’s, to work in the United States. Canada’s new so-called start-up visa offers them the prospect of permanent residency and with it, the country’s relatively low business taxes and public health insurance.” Read more: https://www.cnbc.com/id/100793794
“Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. to present at the 33rd Annual William Blair Growth Stock Conference” “Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. will participate in the 33rd Annual William Blair Growth Stock Conference on Wednesday, June 12. Walmart U.S. Chief Merchandising Officer Duncan Mac Naughton will provide an update on the Walmart U.S. business beginning at 5:40 p.m. EDT.” Read more: https://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/home/permalink/?ndmViewId=news_view&newsLang=en&newsId=20130605005996&div=-1245645151
“Over $1 Million In Sales For The 15-Year-Old Entrepreneur Behind Fish Flops” by Karsten Strauss at Forbes. “A 15-year-old burgeoning captain of industry from Galveston, Texas named Madison Robinson (or “Maddie,” as she prefers) is on track to make a serious profit in the clothing industry. Robinson’s company, Fish Flops, makes apparel for children and it all began with her designs for flip flops.” Read more: https://www.forbes.com/sites/karstenstrauss/2013/06/06/over-1-million-in-sales-for-15-year-old-entrepreneur/
Thanks for reading…have a great weekend!
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