Tuesday’s Eye-on-Retail Tipsheet: Wmart wants your Smartphone | Squirrel Cook Off in Bentonville | Wgreen’s Fancy Stores
“It’s on! Wal-Mart & Sam’s ratchet up smartphone turf war” by Courtney Reagan at CNBC. “The world’s largest retailer is expected to unveil details of the largest brick-and-mortar smartphone trade-in program in the U.S., just in time for the anticipated new iPhones. Starting Sept. 21 in more than 3,600 Walmart stores and Sam’s Club locations, consumers can get an instant credit, ranging from $50 to $300, for the trade-in value for more than 100 smartphones. That credit will then be immediately applied to the purchase of a new smartphone.” Read more
“Lim line at Target gets an unexpected early preview” by Janet Moore at Star-Tribune. “Fashionistas have been anxiously awaiting the Sept. 15 debut of designer Phillip Lim’s clothing and accessories line at Target. But a few eagle-eyed shoppers spotted some of the items last week at a Target store in Duluth, Ga., promptly snapped them up and then may have posted them for sale on eBay. Turns out that a few items were inadvertently stocked at a “handful” of Target’s 1,800 stores and have since been removed, according to Joshua Thomas, a spokesman for the Minneapolis-based retailer. It was an “unfortunate operational oversight.” Read more
“Walgreens makes a splash with flagship store (in Philly)” by Joseph DiStefano at Philly Inquirer. “It is so convenient, and it is aesthetically pleasing – the marble floor, that gilded plaster ceiling. It’s going to cut down on my trips to Whole Foods,” said Helene O’Neill, who lives with her husband, an insurance executive, at the Ritz-Carlton across Broad Street. She’s moved the family prescriptions to Walgreens, from her old CVS.” Read & see more
“Owners of Neiman Marcus sell chain for $6 billion” by Anne D’Innocenzio at San Fran Chronicle. “While overall luxury sales have rebounded, that over-the-top spending has lost its froth. In fact, the luxury market is showing signs of a slowdown. Consulting firm Bain & Co. predicts luxury sales will be up 5 percent to 7 percent in the Americas this year, down from 13 percent in 2012.” Read more
“Squirrel – It’s What’s for Dinner in Walmart’s HQ Town” by Anne Zimmerman at WSJ. “Now that it is home to a world-class art museum, a boutique hotel and a spate of fashionable restaurants, Joe Wilson says he worries that his hometown is losing its “hillbilly heritage.” So the 39-year-old construction project manager came up with an event designed to stave off big-city airs and remind locals that they still live in the Ozarks: The World Championship Squirrel Cook Off.” Read more
“Orchard Supply Hardware Launches New Mobile App” “Orchard’s mobile app is designed to help customers shop more easily, get “how to” advice for their home and garden projects and take advantage of special promotions, including those offered during the Founder’s Day celebration. The app will allow customers to: Access “how to” videos for home repair, painting, and outdoor projects…” Read more
“Target Collaborates with Designer Chris March on “Big Fun” Halloween Wig Collection” “The limited-time collection features over-the-top foam wigs, each priced at $20 or less, that will help Target guests create the perfect Halloween look. Inspired by his experience as a costume designer, March designed eight show-stopping styles: Geisha, Greaser, Starlet, Witch, Medusa, Monster Bride, Mohawk and Afro.” Read more
“Lowe’s Donates $2 Million To Rebuilding Together” “Lowe’s has teamed with Rebuilding Together to complete neighborhood projects in Charlotte, N.C.; Columbus, Ohio; Gerritsen Beach, N.Y.; Minneapolis-St. Paul; and New Orleans. In addition to funding, Lowe’s supports Rebuilding Together projects with hundreds of Lowe’s Heroes employee volunteers.” Read more
“Apple expected to unveil iPhone to drive emerging market sales” at Reuters. “More immediately, Apple will get a boost if it succeeds in enlisting China Mobile Ltd in its iPhone network. For the first time, the company will host media in Beijing just nine hours after its Cupertino, California launch, spurring speculation it will announce a distribution agreement with the Chinese carrier.” Read more
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