Archive for month: February, 2013

“Report: Wal-Mart February Sales a ‘Total Disaster’ Amid Tax Hike” by Matt Egan at Fox Business News.  “The report, from Bloomberg News, sent shares of the world’s largest retailer dropping more than 3% and pushed the S&P 500 to session lows.  “In case you haven’t seen a sales report these days, February MTD sales are a total disaster,” Jerry Murray, a vice president of finance and logistics at Wal-Mart, said in an email to other executives on February 12, according to Bloomberg. “The worst start to a month I have seen in my ~7 years with the company.”  Read more: https://www.foxbusiness.com/industries/2013/02/15/report-wal-mart-february-sales-total-disaster-amid-tax-hike/#ixzz2LFoSgA4b

“Wal-Mart shares tumble on report of weak February sales” at Reuters.  “Shares of Wal-Mart Stores Inc  fell 2.1 percent on Friday after Bloomberg quoted a mid-level executive’s email as saying the world’s largest retailer had the worst sales start to any month in seven years in February.  Wal-Mart executives blamed the poor sales performance on increased payroll taxes as well as delayed tax returns, Bloomberg said.  Higher payroll taxes this year are seen as a potential problem for Wal-Mart and other discount retailers that try to attract lower-income customers who have less disposable income.”  Read more:  https://www.reuters.com/article/2013/02/15/us-walmart-shares-idUSBRE91E12R20130215

“Greuel may have missed red flags in fight against Home Depot” by Jack Dolan LA Times.  “When former Los Angeles City Councilwoman Wendy Greuel led the successful charge to prevent Home Depot from opening a new store in her district, she talked about the potential environmental and traffic drawbacks and accused the chain store of flouting local development rules.  One thing she did not mention during the heated debate in the summer of 2007 was that weeks earlier, she had inherited a 50% interest in a competing business — her family’s building supply store about nine miles from the proposed Home Depot in Sunland.”  Read more:  https://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-greuel-home-depot-20130218,0,6308766.story

“Target Makes an Odd Fit in SI’s Swimsuit Issue” by Diane Brady at Bloomberg Businessweek.  “But what’s up with Target? Does it really think this monument to the male libido is the perfect place to pitch women on everyday style? Target spokesman Joshua Thomas notes that “Target has a phenomenally strong swim business” and views SI “as the authority on swim.” The retailer hasn’t advertised in the magazine for a decade or so and has never done anything on this scale. What changed the company’s thinking was the idea of a “minizine,” he says, wherein the company could feature ads that were “very female-focused, showing girls on a girls’ weekend.” Thomas says Target hasn’t yet received any negative feedback.”  Read more:  https://www.businessweek.com/articles/2013-02-12/target-suffers-wardrobe-malfunction-in-si-swimsuit-issue

“Trader Joe’s has them wowed” by Emma Sapong at The Buffalo News.  “Last fall, Trader Joe’s boldly encroached on Wegmans’ home turf, setting up shop in Rochester in the same suburban plaza where Wegmans’ mammoth flagship store towers.  The audacious move proved successful for the California-based specialty supermarket chain. Eager shoppers lined up early in the morning last October before the store even opened its doors in the sprawling Pittsford Plaza.  “The first few months you couldn’t even get in here because it was so jam-packed,” said Cynthia Van Houte, a Pittsford resident, during a recent trip to Trader Joe’s. “You had to come between 8 and 10 in the morning if you wanted to get in. It was unbelievable, especially since Wegmans’ iconic store – the supermarket Mecca – is right there.”  Read more:  https://www.buffalonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20130216/BUSINESS/130219313/1003

“Sears Jumps Into Same-Day Service Arena” with Mygofer Express by Adam Blair at RIS.  “Sears has jumped into the same-day service arena, joining retailers that include OfficeMax, Walgreens, Macy’s, Toys “R” Us and Best Buy. Through its Mygofer Express service, Sears will offer same-day pickup of digital orders at its flagship State Street store in Chicago in an attempt to target the busy urban commuter demographic.  Available items will include groceries, Sears-brand products and products from local Chicago merchants, according to published reports. Sears has revamped the Mygofer portal that it launched in 2009, which allowed customers to shop online or via mobile phones and then pick up their orders at a Kmart store in as little as two hours, without even leaving their cars.”  Read more:  https://risnews.edgl.com/retail-news/Sears-Jumps-Into-Same-Day-Service-Arena-with-Mygofer-Express84764

“Staples Executives Confirm Stores Will Begin Selling Apple Products in U.S.” at Mac Rumors.  “Last month, MacRumors had heard reports that office supply retailer Staples would begin offering Apple products for sale in the United States. Staples already sells Apple products internationally but had been unsuccessful in completing a deal with Apple for the U.S. market.  Tonight, we’d received word that Staples had a meeting today with corporate employees announcing that Apple products were coming to their stores.”  Read more: https://www.macrumors.com/2013/02/15/staples-executives-confirm-stores-will-begin-selling-apple-products-in-u-s/ 

“Hendrick: Lowe’s sticking with JJ” by Lee Spencer at Fox Sports.  “Hendrick said on Saturday at Daytona International Speedway that he has a verbal commitment from the North Carolina-based company. The deal is expected to run through the end of 2014.  “Lowe’s will be back,” Hendrick said. “I don’t know where that came from, but they’ll be back. Wishful thinking, maybe, by some of the other folks, but they’ll be back.”  Read more:  https://msn.foxsports.com/nascar/story/rick-hendrick-says-lowes-sponsorship-deal-will-continue-on-jimmie-johnson-no-48-car-021713

“Germany demands probe of Amazon work conditions” at France 24. “A German government minister called on Sunday for a thorough probe into allegations that foreign seasonal workers hired in Germany by US online retail giant Amazon were harassed and intimidated.  Labour Minister Ursula von der Leyen told the Welt am Sonntag newspaper that any proof of wrongdoing could result in serious consequences for the temporary employment agency used by Amazon.”  Read more:  https://www.france24.com/en/20130217-germany-demands-probe-amazon-work-conditions

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“Schnucks to Walmart: End “Inaccurate”, “Misleading”, “Unlawful” Ads” in Grocery & Retail News. “Nearly a year into Walmart’s advertising campaign that puts its grocery competitors’ prices in the crosshairs, one grocery chain is fighting back. St. Louis-based Schnucks is demanding that Walmart “cease, desist and refrain” from what it calls “deceptive and misleading” advertising. Schnucks’ allegations, and Walmart’s responses, also pull back the curtain a bit on how Walmart’s ads are produced, and who exactly is selected to appear in them…Walmart explains to Schnucks that “Sheri”, one of the shoppers featured in its St. Louis ad campaign, was chosen “through a standard selection procedure.” She “is an ordinary St. Louis-area consumer and mom” who is not a regular Walmart shopper and had no idea how the prices for the items she bought at Schnucks would compare to those at Walmart. “She had no basis to ‘game’ the comparison by loading up on multiples of items that were less expensive at Walmart.” Read more: https://couponsinthenews.com/2013/02/11/schnucks-to-walmart-end-inaccurate-misleading-unlawful-ads/

“Harris Teeter Considering Sale” at WSJ.  “Harris Teeter Supermarkets Inc., a publicly traded grocery chain with stores along the East Coast, is considering a sale and is working with J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. to pursue options, according to people familiar with the situation.  The Matthews, N.C.,-based company, with a market value of around $1.8 billion, operates roughly 200 stores in states along the coast from Florida to Delaware and has been adding locations in recent months. There have been waves of buying and selling in the grocery industry for decades, as larger chains have gobbled up small, independent grocers.”  Read more:  https://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324196204578300363998148432.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

“Kroger rumored as possible Harris Teeter buyer” by Steve Watkins at Business Courier-Cincinnati.  “Kroger Co.’s name has been mentioned as a potential buyer of North Carolina-based grocery chain Harris Teeter Supermarkets.  DealReporter, a Financial Times web publication that tracks mergers and acquisitions, said Wednesday that Kroger might be a likely buyer of the chain.  Harris Teeter hired J.P. Morgan to help it decide whether to sell the company and to consider other options, the Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday.”  Read more:  https://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/blog/2013/02/kroger-rumored-as-possible-harris.html

“Charles Redfield of Sam’s Club: The Realities of Global Business” at knowwpc.  “Charles Redfield, the executive vice president of merchandising for Sam’s Club, outlined the major lessons he’s learned in business at the February luncheon of the Economic Club of Phoenix:

“Customers and colleagues are the same everywhere around the world. Customers want to trust the organizations they do business with; colleagues want someone to listen, act and follow through.”

“Transparency is the new norm.” In this new world the details of businesses are in public view. This relates to trust, Redfield said, especially around pricing. But beware, he said, because transparency can be good for companies but it can also be used as a weapon.

“Global opportunities are difficult to execute.” Sam’s Club can leverage scale, but that’s not as simple as it seems. Example: genetically modified foods, common in the U.S., are not welcome in the U.K.

Read more:  https://knowledge.wpcarey.asu.edu/article.cfm?cid=25&aid=1340

“Apple, Costco and Container Store top ‘100 Best Retailers to Work For’ list” by Marianne Wilson at Chain Store Age.  “The 2012 100 Best Retailers To Work For include the following top 10 retailers:

Apple

Costco

The Container Store

DSW

American Eagle Outfitters

Coach

REI

Nordstrom

Starbucks

Ann Taylor/Loft

Read more:  https://chainstoreage.com/article/apple-costco-and-container-store-top-%E2%80%98100-best-retailers-work-for%E2%80%99-list

“Hispanic men present opportunities for marketers, reports Mintel”  “While the Hispanic population is growing at a fast pace in the US – and with them their purchasing power – it seems in the last few years much of the focus has been on Latinas, neglecting an equally important Hispanic shopper…Hispanic men. Indeed, according to latest research from Mintel, some 42% of Hispanic men and more than half (55%) of Hispanic dads are the top decision maker on the purchases made in their household.  Moreover, influence in the household also varies with age. Around half (54%) of Hispanic men aged 45-64 have the most influence on their household purchasing decisions, as do half (50%) of Hispanic men aged 35-44, versus 44% of those aged 25-34.”  Read more:  https://media.prnewswire.com/en/jsp/latest.jsp?resourceid=6300336&access=EH

“How Valuable Are Costco’s Ancillary Businesses?” at Trefis.  “Although ancillary revenues account for less than 20% of Costco’s total annual revenues, they have grown faster than its overall stores revenues. Their revenue share has increased from 13.5% in 2007 to 18% in 2011, and we expect this trend to continue. This can be attributed to growth in Costco’s membership as well as increased usage of ancillary services by its members. An average Costco member spends about $255 on ancillary services annually. Over the past five years, the average spending by a Costco member on general merchandise has increased by just 1% annually, whereas the spending on ancillary services has increased by about 10% every year. This clearly implies that while the customers have kept their shopping basket size more or less the same, they haven’t been hesitant in spending more on Costco’s low-priced ancillary services such as food court, pharmacies and gasoline.”  Read more:  https://www.trefis.com/stock/cost/articles/168315/how-valuable-are-costcos-ancillary-businesses/2013-02-13

“Meijer Announces Investment of More Than $160 Million in 2013”  “Meijer will finalize an investment of more than $160 million in new and remodeled stores this year, Co-Chairman and Co-Chief Executive Officer Hank Meijer announced today.  The new Meijer supercenters opening in 2013 include: Swartz Creek, Michigan Portage, Indiana Detroit, Michigan Danville, Illinois Evergreen Park, Illinois Warsaw, Indiana.”  Read more:  https://media.prnewswire.com/en/jsp/latest.jsp?resourceid=6299346&access=EH

“More Than One-Third of U.S. Adults Currently or Plan to Shop for Groceries Online, Reveals New CouponCabin.com Survey”  “As the popularity of online shopping grows, consumers are beginning to explore new digital shopping categories, including groceries. A new survey from CouponCabin.com finds that 15 percent of U.S. adults have shopped for groceries online. An additional 19 percent said they don’t currently, but plan to in the future. This survey was conducted online within the United States by Harris Interactive on behalf of CouponCabin from January 29 th to 31st, 2013, among 2,109 U.S. adults ages 18 and older.  The high cost of food may prompt some shoppers to click their way through their grocery list. The majority, 91 percent, of U.S. adults indicate they are at least somewhat aware of rising food prices due to weather-related issues in 2012. In addition, 70 percent of U.S. adults who haven’t shopped for groceries online said they would be at least somewhat likely to do so if online groceries were less expensive than buying them in the store.”  Read more:  https://media.prnewswire.com/en/jsp/latest.jsp?resourceid=6297626&access=EH

“Who Makes Trader Joe’s Food?: A Taste Test” at HuffPo.  “It’s no secret that Trader Joe’s sells marked-down name-brand products disguised under its own label. What is a secret is which big brands Trader Joe’s carries — when it comes to publicizing that information, TJ’s remains mum. The price difference between the Trader Joe’s and big brand products is sometimes so big ($2.99 vs. $5.49 for the same box of cereal?!) that it sparked our curiosity. Now, we’re on a quest to discover who’s hiding under those TJ’s labels.”  Read more: https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/02/12/who-makes-trader-joes-food_n_2664899.html 

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“Target regains its mojo” by Thomas Lee at Star-Tribune.  “Sunday night’s Grammy Awards wasn’t just the return of Justin Timberlake. The buzz from the “SexyBack” singer also rubbed off on Target, which rolled out a commercial during the awards touting an exclusive version of JT’s first album in six years, “The 20/20 Experience.”  The retailer also will announce Tuesday that it’s teaming with Sports Illustrated to present six pages of ads in this year’s swimsuit issue. Target also launched an exclusive spring design collection from Prabal Gurung over the weekend.  It’s all part of the latest marketing push from Jeff Jones. Since joining the Minneapolis retailer as chief marketing officer last year, he has taken Target’s traditional marketing strength and fused it with a pop-culture twist.”  Read more:  https://www.startribune.com/business/190786011.html

Home Depot’s Carol Tome — Atlanta Business Hall of Fame video.  See it here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmzgX9Qq7KQ

“CVS Caremark Appoints New Chief Digital Officer to Lead Digital Innovation Team”  “CVS Caremark announced today the appointment of Brian Tilzer to the position of Senior Vice President, Chief Digital Officer…Tilzer has more than 20 years of experience in strategic business development, operations and information technology, with a deep concentration in corporate and e-commerce strategy. Prior to joining CVS Caremark, he was the Senior Vice President of Global e-Commerce with Staples, where he developed and led several multi-channel digital innovation strategies.”  Read more:  https://media.prnewswire.com/en/jsp/latest.jsp?resourceid=6283523&access=EH

“Wal-Mart Remains Built To Last Regardless Of Competitive Threat Of Amazon” by Tim Travis at Seeking Alpha.  “Whenever an investor considers buying a retail stock, it is wise to assess how that company is coping with the massive threat presented by Amazon. E-commerce is growing rapidly and the advantages in Amazon’s cost structure through its efficient distribution network, as opposed to a large retail real estate footprint, will likely enhance its competitive position, even more so over time with the majority of retailers. Wal-Mart is highly focused on the threat of Amazon and in my estimation is by far and away the best prepared of the large retail companies to emerge even stronger over time”  Read more:  https://seekingalpha.com/article/1172201-wal-mart-remains-built-to-last-regardless-of-competitive-threat-of-amazon?source=google_news

“San Francisco’s City Target Store: An Urban Goldmine” by Rocco Pendola at The Street.  “Here’s where I stand on Target’s urban strategy now, which, by the way, interests me because I’m a big fan of urban environments.  One — I’m still majorly disappointed. Target had an opportunity to do something special in its urban stores. Instead, it ignored anything resembling retail innovation, pulling from the same tired tool box it uses in its suburban stores. Calling what Target is doing in the urban core a “concept” makes it sound all-too-sophisticated. It’s nothing but an urban planning and design workaround. There’s resistance to huge big box stores in places such as San Francisco. Therefore, Target compromises and opens slightly smaller stores.”  Read more:  https://www.thestreet.com/story/11837537/1/san-franciscos-city-target-store-an-urban-goldmine.html

“Amazon Ranks No. 1 In Mobile Satisfaction Index” by Laurie Sullivan at Online Media Daily.  “In a recent study, Amazon took the No. 1 spot in mobile satisfaction, per the ForeSee Mobile Satisfaction Index: Holiday Retail Edition, which was just released. Apple followed at No. 2 with 83 points; QVC, 83; NewEgg, 80; and Victoria’s Secret, 80.  Target, Victoria’s Secret, and Barnes & Noble saw the biggest improvements in the Index’s rankings.  Read more: https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/193247/amazon-ranks-no-1-in-mobile-satisfaction-index.html#ixzz2Kgq4lQkW

“Women in Toys grants industry awards, face time with Walmart” by Wendy Goldman Getzler at Kidscreen.  “Professional organization Women in Toys, which since 1991 has supported women within the global toy, licensing and entertainment industries, awarded 10 women and two men for outstanding business achievement at its ninth annual Wonder Women Awards yesterday.  The organization has also announced a new initiative with Walmart called The Walmart WIT Global Economic Empowerment Initiative at Toy Fair, designed to help members conduct business with the largest US retailer. The Walmart Toy Buying Team has dedicated an afternoon to meet with more than 40 WIT member companies who have businesses but are not yet doing business with Walmart.”  Read more:  https://kidscreen.com/2013/02/11/women-in-toys-grants-industry-awards-face-time-with-walmart/#ixzz2Kgn6AbZ0

“Product of the Year USA Unveils The Nation’s Most Innovative Consumer Packaged Goods Of 2013”  Product of the Year USA has consistently increased in popularity as the largest consumer product award that rewards innovation. Chosen by 50,000 consumers, Product of the Year USA will honor the nation’s most innovative consumer packaged goods of 2013 at its 5th annual Awards Ceremony, taking place at the Edison Ballroom in New York City on Tuesday, February 12.  A few of the candidates:

Pet Care – Adams™ Smart Shield™ Applicator – Central Garden and Pet

Laundry Packs – All® Mighty Pacs – Sun Products Corporation

Oral Care – Aquafresh® Extreme Clean Pure Breath Action Paste – GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare

Insect Repellent – OFF!® Bug Control Backyard Pretreat – SC Johnson

Home Appliance – SodaStream Revolution Home Soda Maker – SodaStream USA

Liquid Laundry – Surf Liquid Laundry Detergent – Sun Products Corporation

OTC Relief – TUMS® Freshers – GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare

Read more:  https://media.prnewswire.com/en/jsp/latest.jsp?resourceid=6283976&access=EH

“Nomi Raises $3 Million to Help Retailers Fight Amazon” by Tricia Duryee at All Things D.  “Rather than compete with Amazon on price alone, Nomi wants to help retailers provide better service by tracking consumer behavior across in-store and online channels. It is announcing a $3 million round today, led by First Round Capital. Other investors include Greycroft Partners, SV Angel, Forerunner Ventures and several angels.”  Read more:  https://allthingsd.com/20130211/nomi-raises-3-million-to-help-retailers-fight-amazon/?refcat=news

“Supermarket chain Aldi to open up to 50 stores across South Australia” by Giuseppe Tauriello at Adelaide Now.  “Australia managing director Tom Daunt said the company was committed to expanding its footprint in SA after opening almost 300 stores along the eastern seaboard since 2001.  The chain will also enter the West Australian market, planning to build another 50 stores.  “The benefits associated with Aldi’s decision to enter into the South Australian market will be substantial, with hundreds of millions in capital investment, over 900 new permanent jobs and a final rollout of 40 to 50 stores across the state,” Mr Daunt said.”  Read more:  https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/business/sa-business-journal/discount-supermarket-chain-aldi-to-open-40-stores-across-south-australia/story-e6fredel-1226576224850

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“Virtual Grocery and toy stores on the rise thanks to QR codes” by David Hill at Singularity Hub (Video and Text).  “The next big thing in shopping may be to walk away empty handed. That’s because an increasing number of companies are putting up virtual stores that have no physical merchandise; instead, posters display products with quick response (QR) codes. Customers scan the matrix barcodes with their smartphones, pay for the items in their virtual cart, and items are delivered to their doors within hours to days, depending on the items…Walmart teamed up with Mattel to offer a virtual toy store at Union Station in Toronto for a month before the holidays. This site sees over 200,000 commuters a day passing through, so the hottest toys were displayed to catch consumers eyes as they headed to and from work.  But Walmart wasn’t the first to occupy the space. The health and beauty online store Well.ca installed a virtual store at the site last April. According to its founder, it was a huge success and increased sales on the products that were displayed as well as serving as an advertisement for the store.”  Read and see more at:  https://singularityhub.com/2013/02/06/virtual-grocery-and-toy-stores-on-the-rise-thanks-to-qr-codes/

“Supermarkets cry foul as FDA proposes new food labeling rule under ObamaCare” by Shannon Bream at Fox News.  “The rule stems from an ObamaCare mandate that restaurants provide nutrition information on menus. Most in the restaurant industry were supportive of the idea, but when the FDA decided to extend the provision to also affect thousands of supermarkets and convenience stores, the backlash was swift.  The proposed regulation would require store owners to label prepared, unpackaged foods found in salad bars and food bars, soups and bakery items. Erik Lieberman, regulatory counsel at the Food Marketing Institute, said testing foods for nutritional data will require either expensive software or even more costly off-site laboratory assessments.  Lieberman said failure to get it right comes with stiff penalties: “If you get it wrong, it’s a federal crime, and you could face jail time and thousands of dollars worth of fines.”  Read more:   https://www.foxnews.com/politics/2013/02/06/jail-time-for-food-labels/#ixzz2KDtxzYud

“Firms assess effect of Postal Service shift to 5-day delivery” by W.J. Hennigan at LA times.  “Hallmark is worried about the end of Saturday mail. Amazon.com, not so much.  Across the business world, merchants, delivery services and mass mailers of all kinds were assessing the effect of no weekend delivery of first-class mail possibly starting this summer…Online retailer Amazon.com said it was not worried about the announcement’s effect on its business.  “We use multiple carriers in all of our geographies to ensure we are delivering products to customers on time,” said Scott Stanzel, a company spokesman.”  Read more:  https://www.latimes.com/business/autos/la-fi-postal-business-20130207,0,2221416.story

“Target’s January Sales Jump 3.1% on Clearance Strength” by Matt Egan at Fox Business.  “After flatlining in December, discount giant Target said Thursday its same-store sales leaped 3.1% in January and nearly doubled Wall Street’s expectations due to a strong appetite for clearance items.  Shares of the Minneapolis-based company ticked slightly lower during early trading.  Closely-watched same-store sales rose 3.1% last month, compared with forecasts from analysts for a 1.7% increase. That marks an improvement from December when Target’s same-store sales were essentially flat due to “softness” before the Christmas holiday.  Read more: https://www.foxbusiness.com/industries/2013/02/07/target-january-sales-jump-31-on-clearance-strength/#ixzz2KJEjyGJD

“Five Teams Compete to Win Walmart Canada’s Green Student Challenge”  “The top five teams are (in no particular order):

Carleton University: Carleton Composters, a team that has proposed the development of a new sustainable machine that creates nutrient-rich fertilizer from organic waste in as little as 24 hours

Université Sainte-Anne: On the Roof, a team that has proposed a system for harvesting rainwater to supply industry bathrooms, helping to reduce energy bills and water usage in an environmentally sustainable way

University of Toronto: EcoSense, a proposed mobile application that will make it convenient for users to find sustainable products from local retailers and their network of friends

University of Victoria: Gustavson Greenshifters, a team that has proposed a recycling program for chopsticks using the wood as raw material to manufacture furniture products

Wilfrid Laurier University: Canada Green Lawn Care, a start-up venture dedicated to providing zero-emissions residential and commercial lawn care service

Read more:  https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/five-teams-compete-to-win-walmart-canadas-green-student-challenge-190198061.html

“RetailMeNot Shoppers Trend Report: Men Outspend Women in Gift Giving for Valentine’s Day by More Than $120”  “RetailMeNot, the most widely used online coupon site in the United States, released today findings from the Valentine’s edition of the Shoppers Trend Report. Based on research conducted by The Omnibus Company, the survey of men and women in relationships revealed that men are far outspending women in their Valentine’s gift giving by $123 (men: $287 vs. women: $164).  The average person in a relationship plans to spend around $226 this Valentine’s Day.”  Read more:  https://media.prnewswire.com/en/jsp/latest.jsp?resourceid=6264226&access=EH

“Amazon seeks even more office space, records show” by Eric Pryne at Seattle Times.  “City permit records suggest ever-expanding Amazon.com is preparing to move into yet another Seattle office building.  The documents indicate mechanical work is being done on Amazon’s behalf on at least five floors — about 100,000 square feet — in the 15-story 1800 Ninth Avenue Building, at Ninth Avenue and Howell Street…Amazon’s growth has been a big factor in the Seattle office market’s recovery from the recession.  Over the past three years the company has moved into about 2.8 million square feet of new space — 1.7 million at its South Lake Union headquarters campus, plus 1.1 million it leases in four buildings in that neighborhood and the Denny Triangle.”  Read more:  https://seattletimes.com/html/businesstechnology/2020312419_amazon1800ninthxml.html

“CVS Caremark Raises Outlook” by Tess Stynes at WSJ.  “CVS Caremark Corp.’s fourth-quarter net profit rose 2.6% as the company reported revenue growth in its pharmacy-services and retail drugstore operations.  For the year, the company raised its forecast for per-share adjusted earnings from continuing operations by two cents and now expects $3.86 to $4.  On the retail side, revenue increased 5.1% to $16.3 billion. Same-store sales were up 4% from a year earlier, as pharmacy same-store sales also improved by 4%. Same-store sales in the front end of the store grew 3.9%.”  Read more:  https://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324590904578287620039675426.html

“Call Kurtis: They (Lowe’s) Installed The Wrong Door And Want To Charge Me To Fix It” by Kurtis Ming at CBS Sacramento (Video and Text).  “A Sacramento viewer says Lowe’s installed the wrong front door on her house, and when the company wanted to charge her to have the right one installed; it was time to call Kurtis.  The estimate Lowe’s wrote up had the description for the door she wanted. So how did this go so wrong?”  Read and see more:  https://sacramento.cbslocal.com/2013/02/07/call-kurtis-they-installed-the-wrong-door-and-want-to-charge-me-to-fix-it/

“Who Will Claim the Million $ Jewel?”  “The coveted Jewel.com domain will be opened up for immediate auction to online and offline bidders. This is a rare opportunity, particularly for traders and retailers of precious stones and related luxury goods to own this most prestigious web address, complete with embedded branding and pre-established web traffic.”  Read more:  https://media.prnewswire.com/en/jsp/latest.jsp?resourceid=6263637&access=EH

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