Today’s Tipsheet: Rona Closing 11 Stores – Maybe 50 More | Hobby Lobby Victory vs. Obamacare | Kroger Shareholder Mtg

 

“Rona closing 11 stores in Canada,  50 more on ‘watch list’ ” by Paul Delean at Montreal Gazette.  “The Canadian hardware and home-improvement chain announced the closing of another 11 money-losing stores in Ontario and British Columbia by the end of this year. The stores — seven of them big-box — represented about $130 million in annual sales.  Fifty other stores among the 800 in the Rona network are on a watch list, as they “need some work” to generate “adequate returns,” chief financial officer Dominique Boies said.  Read more: https://www.montrealgazette.com/life/Rona+closing+stores+Ontario/8586338/story.html#ixzz2XVbqeTXl

 

“Kroger closes in on $100B sales” by Alexander Coolidge at Cincinnati.com.  “In an overview of Kroger’s fiscal year that ended Feb. 2, Dillon noted total sales grew 7.1 percent to $96.8 billion. The company generated a $1.5 billion profit. Sales at stores open at least 15 months grew 3.5 percent for the year, excluding fuel.”  Read more:  https://news.cincinnati.com/article/20130627/BIZ/306270084/Kroger-closes-100B-sales

 

“Kroger Annual Shareholder Meeting Webcast from 6/27/13 (registration required).”  Listen at:  https://ir.kroger.com/phoenix.zhtml?p=irol-eventDetails&c=106409&eventID=4964165

 

“List of rich facts buried inside luxury retailer Neiman Marcus’ IPO filing” by Maria Halkias at Dallas News.  “Here are some choice nuggets:

– Unredeemed gift cards totaled $41.8 million last year.

– More than 70 percent of its customers research online before shopping in its stores. Customers that shop with them online and in stores spend 3.5 times as much as its single-channel customers.

– 21.9 percent of total sales came from online shoppers last year. Just three years ago that was 18.5 percent. (Luxury shoppers know their brands and are confident not touching and trying on.)

Read more:  https://bizbeatblog.dallasnews.com/2013/06/list-of-rich-facts-buried-inside-luxury-retailer-neiman-marcus-ipo-filing.html/

 

“RetailNext Releases 2013 Spring Holiday Shopping Data and Insights For Brick-and-Mortar Retail”  ” “The two drivers for changing shopping patterns around holidays this spring were gift giving and special events that changed when consumers hit the stores. The increased activity leading up to both Mother’s Day and Father’s Day represents a genuine boost to retailers, although as with previous studies, we’ve seen those seeking gifts for women tend to shop later than those seeking gifts for men,” said Chitra Balasubramanian.  Read more:  https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/retailnext-releases-2013-spring-holiday-shopping-data-and-insights-for-brick-and-mortar-retail-213301511.html

 

Looking At The Intersection of Amazon.com And Whole Foods Market” by Christopher Versace at Forbes.  “There’s a good chance you haven’t heard of Abe’s Market. I could be wrong, but if your not a person that is looking for organic food and natural products, gluten-free solutions or some other healthy alternatives you may not have heard of Abesmarket.com.  I recently spoke with Richard Demb, the co-founder and CEO of Abe’s Market – a company that is exploding given the explosive demand for natural foods and products as well as the surge in demand for gluten-free products.”  Read the interview: https://www.forbes.com/sites/chrisversace/2013/06/26/looking-at-the-intersection-of-amazon-com-and-whole-foods-market/

 

“Hobby Lobby Just Scored a Major Victory Against Obamacare” by Becket Adams at The Blaze.  “In a health care decision giving hope to opponents of the federal birth-control coverage mandate, a federal appeals court ruled Thursday that Hobby Lobby stores won’t have to start paying millions of dollars in fines next week for not complying with the requirement.”  Read more:  https://www.theblaze.com/stories/2013/06/27/hobby-lobby-just-scored-a-major-victory-against-obamacare/

 

“Generation Y is learning to dig gardening” by Karel Holloway at Dallas  News.  “Generation Y shoppers look for herbs and vegetables. “They are growing them in apartments and even in dorm rooms,” he says.  Most are interested in organic gardening and avoiding pesticides. Consequently, the store (Home Depot) has doubled the number of organic soils it carries and has added other organic products, Pappas says.  Read more:  https://www.dallasnews.com/lifestyles/home-and-gardening/headlines/20130626-generation-y-is-learning-to-dig-gardening.ece

 

“Microsoft’s big 3D printing push: From retail to Windows 8.1” by Ricardo Binton at Venture Beat.  “Microsoft may not make its own 3D printers, but it sure is throwing its weight behind the technology.  At the company’s Build conference today in San Francisco, Microsoft announced its plans to sell devices like the MakerBot Replicator and 3D Systems Cube in its retail stores and online.”  Read more: https://venturebeat.com/2013/06/26/microsofts-big-3d-printing-push-from-retail-to-windows-8-1/#vuvMboTOcOa9qmeG.99

 

“Marissa Mayer Bets on Brit + Co. — And the Future of Retail” by Ryan Tate at Wired.  “There was a lot of head scratching in Silicon Valley Wednesday over a $6.3 million investment in Brit + Co., a shopping and crafts site whose traffic has been estimated at around 50,000 unique visitors a month, with the company saying it does somewhere north of 500,000 monthly uniques — both very modest numbers.”  Read more:  https://www.wired.com/business/2013/06/behind-brit-morins-big-investment/

 

Thanks for reading…have a great weekend!

 

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Today’s Tipsheet: 1st Lowe’s Express Opens | Hertz Kiosks @ Wgreens & Lowes | HD Supply IPO Blues

 

“Nations First Lowe’s Express Opens (in NJ)” by Michael Diamond at Asbury Park Press.  “Lowe’s Cos. Inc. Thursday will officially unveil a retail store half the size of its traditional store in a move experts said reflects consumers who increasingly believe that less may not be more, but it is enough.  The Lowe’s Express, opening in a former Pathmark supermarket, will be 50,000 square feet…The express concept is the first nationwide for Mooresville, N.C.-based Lowe’s.”  Read more & see the video:  https://www.app.com/article/20130626/NJBIZ/306260116/Smaller-Lowe-s-Express-in-Wall-is-first-in-the-nation?nclick_check=1

 

“Wal-Mart, Home Depot end relationships with Paula Deen” by Vldya Rao at NBC News.  “”We are ending our relationship with Paula Deen Enterprises and we will not place new orders beyond those already committed,” Wal-Mart spokesperson Danit Marquardt said on Wednesday. “We will work with suppliers to address existing inventories and agreements.”  Wednesday evening, a spokesperson for Home Depot confirmed to NBC News that the company will stop carrying Paula Deen-branded items under their kitchen and cookware category as a result of the scandal.”  Read more:  https://www.nbcnews.com/business/wal-mart-home-depot-end-relationships-paula-deen-6C10452621

 

“Square’s New Online Stores Could Make Twitter Where You Shop” by Marcus Wohlsen at Wired.  “Jack Dorsey may have hit the target with the launch today of Square Market, Square’s first big foray into online shopping…Square Market not only acknowledges the reality that small retailers can no longer afford to remain offline-only; it gives them a tool to obliterate the distinction. Now any shopkeeper using Square as a cash register can simply flip a switch in the app to create an instant online store.”  Read more:  https://www.wired.com/business/2013/06/squares-new-online-stores-could-make-twitter-the-next-place-you-shop/

 

“HD Supply IPO prices below range amid market volatility” by Olivia Oran at Reuters.  “Industrial and construction supplies company HD Supply Holdings raised $957.2 million in an initial public offering on Wednesday, less than expected, after recent stock market volatility and rising interest rates led some investors to take a cautious approach.”  Read more:  https://www.reuters.com/article/2013/06/26/us-hdsupply-ipo-idUSBRE95P1JO20130626

 

“Do-It-Yourself Checkout: Love It or Hate It, Barcode Scanning Is In Your Future” by Martha White at Time.  “Aside from do-it-yourselfers, shoplifters are also big fans of self-checkout because they’re not observed closely. According to USA Today, “Theft — intentional or not — is up to five times higher with self checkout than when cashiers are working.”  Read more: https://business.time.com/2013/06/26/do-it-yourself-checkout-love-it-or-hate-it-barcode-scanning-is-in-your-future/#ixzz2XPfAxpox

 

“Has Harris Teeter found a buyer?” by Caitlin McCabe at Charlotte Observer.  “The Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday that Cerberus, the New York City-based private equity firm, had made a bid for Harris Teeter…Cerberus is no stranger to grocery store chains. Three months ago, it acquired five supermarket chains from Minnesota-based Supervalu Inc.: Albertsons, Acme, Jewel-Osco, Shaw’s and Star Market. Cerberus gained 877 locations in the $3.3 billion deal.”  Read more: https://www.charlotteobserver.com/2013/06/26/4130136/wall-street-journal-cerberus-bids.html#storylink=cpy

 

“Hertz Rental Car Kiosks to Appear in Lowe’s and Walgreens” by Mark Clothier at Businessweek.  “Hertz, which has 2,600 neighborhood locations now, sees having as many as 12,000 locations in the next few years, Chief Executive Officer Mark Frissora said in an interview yesterday. Hertz is working with retailers including Lowe’s Cos.,  Walgreen Co. and Tire Kingdom Inc. to help broaden that reach.”  Read more:  https://www.businessweek.com/news/2013-06-26/hertz-ramps-up-enterprise-attack-with-lowe-s-walgreen-kiosks

 

“Orchard Supply Hardware Common Stock Listing Removed from NASDAQ”  “Orchard Supply Hardware Stores today announced that the NASDAQ Stock Market LLC has removed Orchard’s Class A Common Stock from listing and registration on the NASDAQ stock market.  Orchard’s Class A Common Stock will continue to trade on OTC Markets under the symbol OSHWQ.”  Read more:  https://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/home/permalink/?ndmViewId=news_view&newsLang=en&newsId=20130626006566&div=-1245645151

 

“UK’s supermarket watchdog has power to “name and shame” supermarkets” at My Retail Media.  “Christine Tacon, the UK’s new groceries code adjudicator, started work this week in her new position as supermarket watchdog.  Having spent the last few months speaking to suppliers ahead of her official appointment, Tacon has already warned supermarkets that she will use her powers to impose fines on supermarkets that do not treat suppliers fairly, and that she has the power to “name and shame” those retailers breaking the code.”  Read more:  https://www.myretailmedia.com/blog/9171/uk_039_s_supermarket_watchdog_has_power_to_name_and_shame_supermarkets.php

 

“Facebook Now Has 9 Million Users in Pakistan” at Mashable.  “Facebook is growing like a weed in Pakistan. In fact, the social networking service just broke the 9 million user mark — an especially impressive feat considering it only reached 8 million users earlier this year…70% of users are under 25.”  See the Infographic:  https://mashable.com/2013/06/27/facebook-users-pakistan/

 

Thanks for reading…

 

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Today’s Tipsheet: ‘Magical’ Coating that Repels Liquid @ H.Depot | Tesco Wants 3D Printed Products | Wgreens Q3 Miss

 

“Tesco could soon offer 3D printing so customers can print their own products” at Daily Mail.  “Paul Wilkinson, who is heading on a fact-finding mission to San Francisco with a team from Tesco, added in The Grocer magazine: ‘We already print photos and posters in many of our larger stores, so why not other gifts and personalised items?  ‘How about letting kids design their own toys and then actually being able to get them made? What if we had a digital catalogue of spare parts for items that you’d bought?”  Read more: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2348278/Tesco-soon-offer-3D-printing-customers-print-toys-spare-parts-clothes.html#ixzz2XHqR2OEu

 

“Home Depot to Sell ‘Magical’ Spray Paint that Repels Liquid” by Liz Klimas at The Blaze.  ““Any object coated with our NeverWet coating literally cannot be touched by liquid,” the Pennsylvania-based company stated. “Any liquid placed on this coating is repelled and simply rolls off without touching the underlying surface. Not only is this amazing to see, but it solves a myriad of problems.”  Must-see video:  https://www.theblaze.com/stories/2013/06/25/magical-ultra-waterproofing-spray-now-coming-to-a-hardware-store-near-you/

 

“Walgreen misses third-quarter target on lower traffic, weak economy” at Reuters.  “Sales at stores open at least a year, or same-store sales, grew by 0.4 percent, while customer traffic in the stores decreased 3.9 percent. Total sales increased 1.4 percent.  Walgreen President and Chief Executive Greg Wasson said front-end sales were “still not up to expectations,” adding that the economy remained “challenging.”  Read more:  https://www.reuters.com/article/2013/06/25/us-walgreen-results-idUSBRE95O0L920130625

 

“Walgreen’s prospects bright despite disappointing quarter: analysts” by Brigid Sweeney at Crain’s Chicago Business.  “”The pharmacy seems like it’s doing pretty well, the Alliance Boots (relationship) seems like it’s performing pretty well,” said David Magee, an analyst with Suntrust Robinson Humphrey in Atlanta. “They’re just having a difficult time trying to maintain front-end momentum, and the weather hasn’t helped them. But I think they’ll figure it out.”  Read more: https://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20130625/NEWS07/130629869/walgreens-prospects-bright-despite-disappointing-quarter-analysts#ixzz2XHrA50mh

 

“Bankrupt Orchard Supply asks judge for up to $3.1M in bonuses to keep execs at helm” by Nathan Donato-Weinstein at Silicon Valley Bus. Journal.  “Orchard Supply Hardware Stores Corp., the bankrupt San Jose-based retailer, has asked a judge to approve up to $3.125 million in bonus payments to keep top executives in their jobs while the company is being sold off to the highest bidder.”  Read more:  https://www.bizjournals.com/sanjose/news/2013/06/24/bankrupt-orchard-supply-asks-judge-for.html

 

“Walmart India Head Leaves Company” at Reuters. “Wal-Mart Stores Inc said on Wednesday it named Ramnik Narsey as interim head of its India business, replacing Raj Jain, who it said has left the company.  Walmart did not provide a reason for Jain’s departure.”  Read more:  https://www.reuters.com/article/2013/06/26/walmart-india-idUSI8N0CV01T20130626

 

“Discount grocer Aldi USA poised for move into Inland Empire (So.Cal)” by Tiffany Hsu at LA Times.  “Discount supermarket chain Aldi USA is headed for Southern California, but unlike most of its competitors, it’s skipping Los Angeles and aiming for the Inland Empire.The company, which runs more than 1,200 stores in 32 states from the Midwest to the East Coast, is planning a $55-million Moreno Valley complex that will serve as its regional headquarters and distribution center.”  Read more: https://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-aldi-grocer-expansion-20130625,0,4588736.story

 

“Walmart ‘Applauds’ Obama”  “We applaud the President and his administration for their commitment to renewable energy and conservation. Investing in renewable energy and energy conservation are good for business, good for communities and good for the environment.”  Read more:  https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/walmart-statement-by-president-and-ceo-mike-duke-regarding-president-obamas-renewable-energy-address-212986261.html

 

“Can RadioShack save itself with a DIY makeover?” by Laura Heller at Yahoo News.  “Already, RadioShack is reaping the rewards of these new hires. There’s a catchy new marketing program with Beats that actually evokes a younger more relevant RadioShack. Its architect, Warren, has already been named one to watch by Ad Age, andplans to open up RadioShack-branded departments within 4,000 college bookstores and renewed focus on its core DIY customer.”  Read more:  https://news.yahoo.com/radioshack-save-itself-diy-makeover-092500344.html

 

“33 things we love or hate about Costco” at Seattle PI.  “A recent survey of 7,600 people found Costco to be the most popular gas station in North America, according to customer research group Market Force. In light of that, here’s all the ways we love and hate about shopping at our favorite cavernous warehouse.”  Read more:  https://www.seattlepi.com/news/slideshow/33-things-we-love-or-hate-about-Costco-65247/photo-4836644.php

 

“Advertising Consumes 23% of Mobile Phone Battery Power”  “Advertising received on mobile phones causes an increase in the consumption of energy, with ads on average consuming 65% of an app’s communication energy and 23% of an app’s total energy demands, according an April, 2013 report.”  Read more:  https://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/home/permalink/?ndmViewId=news_view&newsLang=en&newsId=20130625006352&div=-1245645151

 

Thanks for reading…

 

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Today’s Tipsheet: Walmart CMO on Price Comparison Ads | Sam’s Growth Strategy | Costco’s Fresh Attack

 

“Interview with Walmart CMO Stephen Quinn:  Walmart Gets a Boost From Local Price-Comparison Ads” by Jack Neff at Ad Age.  “Ad Age: How do you do all those price comparisons and bulletproof them legally?…Stephen Quinn: We have a protocol around how each of these is done. It’s somebody’s real list. We don’t tell them what to buy. We take those groceries from the competitor and scan them across our scanner so there’s no doubt about … if it’s the same item.”  Read the interview:  https://adage.com/article/cmo-strategy/walmart-a-boost-local-price-comparison-ads/242755/

 

“Higher fees and coupons to boost Sam’s Club profits” by Kim Souza at The City Wire.  “Business members saw their annual rate increase from $35 to $45, while Advantage membership rates rose $5 to $45 per year. Sam’s Plus membership rate stood steady at $100.  Former company insiders said Sam’s membership comprises about 80% of the company’s total revenue on an annual basis. The City Wire estimates this fee bump has the potential to raise membership revenue by as much as $5 billion this year.”  https://www.thecitywire.com/node/28367#.UcmCdvnVDpU

 

“US Durable Goods Beat Forecasts, Rise 3.6% in May” at CNBC.  “Economists in a Reuters survey had forecast an increase 3 percent in May, after gaining 3.5 percent in the previous month.”  Read more:  https://www.cnbc.com/id/100841349

 

“The Grocery Competition You Never Saw Coming” by Andrew Marder at The Motley Fool.  “Costco’s management pointed out on its last earning call that foot traffic was being driven by two major factors: gas sales and fresh food. That fresh food portion is going to cut right into the sales at Whole Foods and Fresh Market, and if those companies aren’t careful, Costco’s going to walk all over them.”  Read more:  https://www.fool.com/investing/general/2013/06/24/the-grocery-competition-you-never-saw-coming.aspx

 

“Loblaw tests new store size to lure new urban customers” by Linda Nguyen at The Vancouver Sun.  “Canada’s largest grocer is trying out a new discount small-store format in a bid to attract more customers in urban areas.  Loblaw Cos. Ltd. said it opened the new 10,000-square foot store a few weeks ago in Calgary.  The location, named The Box by No Frills, offers “hard discounts and an everyday low price” on groceries and other merchandise.”  Read more:  https://www.vancouversun.com/business/commercial-real-estate/Loblaw+tests+store+size+lure+urban/8547923/story.html#ixzz2XEH18jLc

 

“Kroger bringing back division HQ to Nashville” by Duane Marsteller at The Tennessean.  “The Kroger Co. is re-establishing a division headquartered in Nashville…The Cincinnati-based grocer will split its mid-South division into Nashville and Louisville, Ky., divisions, reversing its decision to combine them more than a decade ago, a spokeswoman said Monday.”  Read more:  https://www.tennessean.com/article/20130625/BUSINESS01/306250020/2047/business?nclick_check=1

 

“Food Companies Face Class Action Lawsuit Over “Natural” Labels” by Jan Lee at Triple Pundit.  “What’s natural, and what’s not? It may sound like a great topic for a philosophical debate, but in the view of companies like Campbell’s Soup, Trader Joe’s and Ben & Jerry’s, finding a way to portray that quintessential goodness is important…Presently, all three companies are defendants in class action suits that allege they misrepresented the nature of the ingredients on their product labels.”  Read more:  https://www.triplepundit.com/2013/06/gmo-natural-label-consumers-speak/?3p=3p

 

“Luxury Retail Shuffle: Neiman Files for IPO, Suitors Circle Saks” by Matthew Rocco at Fox Business.  “Neiman Marcus filed plans Monday for an initial public offering of up to $100 million in stock, about a month after the luxury retailer was said to turn down a merger with rival Saks…Hudson’s Bay has now emerged as a potential suitor for Saks, which operates Saks Fifth Avenue stores and Off-5th outlets.”  Read more:  https://www.foxbusiness.com/industries/2013/06/24/neiman-marcus-files-for-100m-ipo/#ixzz2XENRBjeC

 

“PCC Launches Mobile Organic/Natural Coupons” at Progressive Grocer.  “PCC Natural Markets has teamed up with Chinook Book and 11 product brands to launch the nation’s first mobile grocery manufacturer coupons for natural and organic products. Using the popular Chinook Book mobile app, the coupons are initially available in the Seattle/Puget Sound area for redemption at all nine PCC Natural Markets stores.”  Read more:  https://www.progressivegrocer.com/top-stories/headlines/independent-grocers/id39383/pcc-launches-mobile-organic-natural-coupons/?icid=homepage

 

“The Home Depot Canada Donates $125,000 To Help Alberta Flood Victims at Digital Journal”  “”Our thoughts are with all those affected by the flooding in the region,” said Bill Lennie, president, The Home Depot Canada. “Whether it’s clean up kits, or volunteers, The Home Depot continues to work with the Canadian Red Cross to get help to the affected communities.”  Read more: https://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/1322557#ixzz2XEKayT2B

 

Thanks for reading…

 

Follow on Twitter @retaileyeretail

 

 

Today’s Tipsheet: Microsoft Explored Amazon Rival | India Meets Retail Heads Thur | Kroger in 26 seconds

 

“Role reversal: Online retailers seek physical stores” by Thomas Lee at Star-Tribune via Charlotte Observer.  ““I feel that everything we’ve done with this company was backward,” joked Simone Xavier, who launched Sigma with her husband, Rene Xavier Filho. “But we wanted to put a face on the brand, and we wanted people to touch and feel the product.”  Read more here: https://www.charlotteobserver.com/2013/06/22/4121627/role-reversal-online-retailers.html#storylink=cpy

 

“Microsoft Explored Plans to Build Amazon Rival” by Bensinger and Ovide at WSJ.  “The software giant held discussions with retailers and technology companies about a marketplace, proposing to equip it with an array of merchants, as well as a unified shopping cart and broad shipping options, according to these people. To lure shoppers, Microsoft was considering subsidizing the price of goods on its e-commerce service using a portion of advertising dollars merchants spend on Microsoft’s Bing Web-search engine or elsewhere, said the people.”  Read more:  https://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323300004578555731878370640.html

 

“Home Depot apologizes for pricey water goof during Calgary flood” by Katie Schneider at Calgary Sun.  “Sparked by angry social media users accusing Home Depot of price gouging during Calgary’s flooding disaster, the hardware giant has apologized for what it called a mistake.  A photograph circulating on social media of a receipt from the 1818 16 Ave. N.W. Home Depot and dated June 21 shows the store charged $42 for 24 bottles of Dasani water.”  Read more:  https://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Canada/2013/06/22/20921221.html

 

“Coupons on Consumers’ Mobile Devices Increase Likelihood of In-Store Purchases”  “In the survey, conducted April 2013, nearly 8 in 10 consumers (78%) polled had used their mobile devices to do some sort of research online in the past month.  More than half (54%) of consumers polled bought something using their mobile device in the previous month.  More than half (51%) said they would be more likely to buy something in-store if they received a coupon on their mobile device for that store while nearby.”  Read more:  https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/retailmenot-shoppers-trend-report-coupons-on-consumers-mobile-devices-increase-likelihood-of-in-store-purchases-212458211.html

 

“Russia’s O’Key Would Be ‘Potentially Attractive’ to Wal-Mart: CEO” at Bloomberg.  “O’Key Group chief executive officer said the 85-store Russian hypermarket chain would make a good fit for Wal-Mart Stores Inc. should the world’s largest retailer revive its interest in the country. “We are a potentially attractive acquisition target for Wal-Mart,” CEO Patrick Longuet said in an interview in a Moscow hotel, while adding that O’Key’s controlling shareholders don’t plan to sell because the business has high growth potential.”  Read more:  https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-06-20/o-key-would-be-potentially-attractive-to-wal-mart-ceo-says.html

 

“Dear Amazon Associate: You’re Fired” by Mark Reilly at MN/St. Paul Bus. Journal.  “A new Minnesota law requiring online retail sites like Amazon.com to collect state sales taxes is having unintended casualties. Thousands of bloggers and affiliate sites who get money for delivering customers to the e-tailer are being fired as Amazon and others try to avoid the law.”  Read more:  https://www.bizjournals.com/twincities/morning_roundup/2013/06/dear-amazon-associate-youre-fired.html

 

“India Invites Leading US Retailers (Home Depot, Walmart, Costco, Kroger’s, Walgreens) to Open House this Thursday” at Business Standard.  “For a meeting called by Sharma to clarify issues related to the multi-brand retail policy, announced in September 2012, heads of 11 foreign chains and 10 Indian companies have been sent the invites.”  Read more:  https://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/sharma-to-meet-heads-of-global-retail-chains-113062400091_1.html

 

“Walmart Canada Summer Research:  46% Are Planning Home Improvement Projects”  “According to Walmart Canada’s research, over 80% of Canadians intend to go shopping for their summer needs. On average, Canadians say they intend to spend almost $1,500 on the things they need to enjoy the summer season.  Canadians are ready to be outside, with three-quarters saying they plan to buy skincare products (75%) to get ready for summer.”  Read more:  https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/canadians-have-big-plans-for-summer-212453331.html

 

“Kroger says reduced wait times helped fuel earnings jump” at Louisville Morning Call.  “According to The Cincinnati Enquirer, customers now wait just 26 seconds to start in a checkout lane, down from four minutes a few years ago.”  Read more:  https://www.bizjournals.com/louisville/blog/morning_call/2013/06/kroger-says-reduced-wait-times-helped.html

 

“After Safeway deal (in Canada), Sobeys’ results are in the spotlight” by Marina Strauss at The Globe & Mail.  “To make gains, Sobeys followed a similar path that leading U.S. grocer Kroger Co. took to battle the rise of Wal-Mart Stores Inc. as a food powerhouse, stealing sales from specialty players. In Canada, Sobeys also takes on Wal-Mart, the emerging Target Corp. and other forces in its move toward becoming “a leaner, meaner machine,” Mr. Caicco said.”  Read more:  https://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/after-safeway-deal-sobeys-results-are-in-the-spotlight/article12765103/

 

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Today’s Tipsheet: Kroger Up 3.3% | Rona Sells Division | H.Depot’s “Hot” Tote Bag

 

“Kroger raises outlook on stronger 1Q profit” at USA Today.  “The Cincinnati-based company, which also owns Ralphs, Fry’s and Food 4 Less, said sales at stores open at least a year rose 3.3% during the period, excluding fuel.”  Read more:  https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2013/06/20/kroger-raises-outlook/2441337/

 

“Kroger execs talk double coupon impact on earnings call” by Steve Watkins at Cincy Business Courier.  ““We invested the monies that were saved from double coupons into lower everyday pricing,” President and COO Rodney McMullen said on the call. “So if you look in total, it actually had no effect on gross margin. What we found was there weren’t very many customers actually engaged with double coupons”  Read more:  https://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2013/06/20/kroger-execs-talk-double-coupon-impact.html

 

“Rona to sell commercial specialty division in $215 million deal” at Reuters.  “Home improvement and hardware store chain Rona Inc (RON.TO) has struck a deal to sell its plumbing, heating, ventilation and air conditioning business to Emco Corp and expects net proceeds of C$215 million, Rona said on Thursday.”  Read more:  https://www.reuters.com/article/2013/06/20/us-rona-asset-emco-idUSBRE95J0QY20130620

 

“Wal-Mart Challenges Dollar Stores” by Heide Malhotra at Epoch Times.  “With dollar stores and Wal-Mart opening more and more neighborhood stores, possibly saturating America in the near future with these types of stores, this is laying the groundwork for an increasingly competitive environment.  A June 13 Motley Fool article suggests that in the short term, dollar store stocks are still a decent buy, with Goldman Sachs assigning a “buy” rating to Dollar Tree. However, in the long run, the stores may need to slash prices further, which will eat into profit margins.”  Read more:  https://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/119355-wal-mart-challenges-dollar-stores/

 

“Twitter Said To Be Preparing Location-Based Ads For Clicks And Bricks” by Darrell Etherington at Techcrunch.  “Twitter is reportedly working on geolocated promoted tweets to help retailers target specifically consumers within spitting distance of their stores, according to AdAge. The location-based ads might be ready to launch as soon as later this year, the report claims, and would be the perfect means of delivery for spot deals designed to drive foot traffic to brick-and-mortar retailers and other businesses to nearby shoppers.”  Read more:  https://techcrunch.com/2013/06/21/twitter-said-to-be-preparing-location-based-ads-for-clicks-and-bricks/

 

“Optimists Not Wrong This Time on Rite Aid” at WSJ.  “The rally is “rite” on schedule.  Shares of Rite Aid Corp. are up sharply in 2013, as investors bet that the pharmacy chain can emerge from its multiyear profit slump. This year’s 130% gain is faster than those of nearly 60% in the first half of both 2011 and 2012.”  Read more:  https://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323300004578555713337554482.html

 

“3D Printing Arbitrage Is The New Hotness” by John Biggs at Techcrunch.  “As the 3D printing space heats up and home printers gain ground, there’s a new breed of startup that aims to grab the transactional costs associated with connecting printers and people. The first one I saw (and used), MakeXYZ.com, launched last February. Now the space is about to be inundated with competitors.”  Read more:  https://techcrunch.com/2013/06/21/3d-printing-arbitrage-is-the-new-hotness/

 

“Home Depot tote bags considered vogue?” by Heather Tooley at Examiner.  “Home Depot tote bags are getting some attention for being the latest “hipster” bag. On June 18, NYbag cites Paper Magazine as stating the Home Depot tote bag is a “hot” accessory. The sudden trend was born in Brooklyn after a few fashionable women showed up at an elite event donning Home Depot accessories.”  Read more:  https://www.examiner.com/article/home-depot-tote-bags-considered-vogue

 

“NRF Welcomes FTC Investigation of Patent Litigation Abuse”  ““Patent trolls are a drain on the economy,” NRF Senior Vice President and General Counsel Mallory Duncan said. “It’s time for Washington to put an end to this abuse of our nation’s laws. Seeing this issue receive top-level attention from the FTC is a significant development.”  Read more:  https://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/home/permalink/?ndmViewId=news_view&newsLang=en&newsId=20130620006186&div=-1245645151

 

Thanks for reading…have a great weekend.

 

Follow on Twitter @retaileyeretail

 

Today’s Tipsheet: H.Depot’s “Fetish” for Amazon | Kroger Releases Q1 Earnings | UK Sales Up

 

“Home Depot’s Fetish For Amazon Is Coming At The Expense Of Shareholder Return” at Seeking Alpha.  “Home Depot’s management has begun to view the world as full of constraints, not opportunities, by spending too much time looking over its shoulder at Amazon.  Instead, and given Home Depot’s ability to execute, it should be aggressively opening new stores to the benefit of shareholders and customers alike. Put another way, management’s current focus on integrating online sales into the channel mix to fend off Amazon is not an excuse for neglecting the brick-and-mortar portfolio.”  Read more:  https://seekingalpha.com/article/1510442-home-depot-s-fetish-for-amazon-is-coming-at-the-expense-of-shareholder-return?source=google_news

 

“Kroger Releases Q1 2013 Earnings Today at 10am ET”.  Listen to webcast:  https://ir.kroger.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=106409&p=irol-news&nyo=0

 

“Growth for Walmart suppliers linked to e-commerce” by Kim Souza at The City Wire.  “Suppliers on the whole are not moving quickly enough to the e-commerce retail segment, which experts say represents the greatest potential for growth in this decade. Hertel said national brand manufacturers are finding themselves in competition with many of the retailers they supply in the era of more sophisticated private brand initiatives.”  Read more:  https://www.thecitywire.com/node/28302#.UcLkO_nVDpU

 

“Home Depot’s Aaron Flowe – President, Northern Division – Presents at Jefferies Global Conference.”  Hear the webcast & see the Powerpoint:  https://wsw.com/webcast/jeff76/hd/

 

“Target to Heavily Promote Cause Campaign” by Natalie Zmuda at AdAge.  “As part of its back-to-college campaign, Target has partnered with Feed Projects, a nonprofit founded by Lauren Bush Lauren, to create a limited-edition collection.  The collection marks the first time Target has treated a cause-related campaign like one of its designer collaborations, with TV and print ads, as well as a digital campaign and broad-based support in store.”  Read and see more:  https://adage.com/article/cmo-strategy/target-heavily-promote-campaign/242192/

 

“Sears Canada Trims Two-Dozen Jobs at HQ” by Wally Hucker at Marketnews.  “Normally, when a company has 1,800 people working at its headquarters, as does Sears Canada, a reduction of staff by less than 1.5%, although of great importance to those laid off, would not likely attract much media attention. However, Sears Canada, which posted a $31.2 million loss in its recent Q1, had rounds of laying off hundreds of people at a time in the past year, so any ripple is being watched in case it becomes a tidal wave.”  Read more:  https://www.marketnews.ca/content/index/page?pid=14066

 

“Rebound in UK retail sales signals solid second quarter” at Reuters.  “The Office for National Statistics said on Thursday sales volumes grew 2.1 percent on the month, after posting the sharpest fall in a year in April. May’s rise was the biggest since February. Compared with a year earlier, sales rose 1.9 percent, again the fastest increase since February.”  Read more:  https://www.reuters.com/article/2013/06/20/us-britain-retail-idUSBRE95J0E020130620

 

“This is what the world will look like in 2045” at CNN Money.  “”It’s not so hard to predict the future, but it’s sometimes hard to connect the dots.” In the opening of his lecture to the Global Futures 2045 Congress, famed geneticist Dr. George Church neatly summed up what being a futurist is all about, though he was reminding the audience rather than the other speakers assembled at Alice Tully Hall in New York City this past weekend.”  See the slide show:  https://money.cnn.com/gallery/technology/2013/06/20/world-in-2045.fortune/index.html

 

“Walgreens to Expand Solar Energy Installations to More Than 200 Stores”  “Walgreens will build more than 200 new solar installations at Walgreens drugstores throughout California, Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, New Jersey and New York. This latest expansion will bring the number of completed solar installations at Walgreens stores to more than 350, making the company the leading retailer in number of solar powered stores.”  Read more:  https://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/home/permalink/?ndmViewId=news_view&newsLang=en&newsId=20130619005964&div=-1245645151

 

Thanks for reading…

 

Follow on Twitter @ retaileyeretail

Today’s Tipsheet: Walmart’s Steep Online Climb | BJ’s = 200 | Amazon Loves Webvan

 

“Wal-Mart Faces Steep Climb to Dominate Online Retailing” by Shelly Banjo at WSJ.  “Until recently, a warehouse in Carrollton, Ga., west of Atlanta, was Wal-Mart’s only company-owned U.S. distribution center dedicated to online orders.  By contrast, Amazon has spent 15 years building its e-commerce network, with more than 40 U.S. warehouses within 35 miles of major cities.  Figuring out how to get Web orders to online shoppers “has become a critical battleground,” said Eric Best, chief executive of e-commerce technology firm Mercent Corp. “As Amazon’s bets on infrastructure pay off, it can sell products at lower costs and puts even more pressure on other retailers.”  Read more:  https://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323566804578553300075547368.html

 

“The People Running Amazon’s Grocery Business Are The Ones Who Blew $800 Million Building Webvan” at Reuters via Business Insider.  “Former Amazon and Webvan officials say Amazon drew three big lessons from the Webvan debacle: expand slowly, limit delivery to areas with a high concentration of potential customers, and focus relentlessly on warehouse efficiency.  The opportunity for Amazon is huge. The grocery business in the United States generated $568 billion in retail sales last year, with online accounting for less than 1 percent, and it’s among the last major retail sectors that the online giant has yet to tackle.”  Read more: https://www.businessinsider.com/amazons-webvan-executives-2013-6#ixzz2Wf6so300

 

Sam’s Club Presents at Jefferies Consumer Conference, to Open 15-20 Stores in ’14.  See the Powerpoint Presentation: https://news.walmart.com/news-archive/2013/06/12/wal-mart-stores-inc-to-present-at-the-jefferies-2013-global-consumer-conference

 

“H-E-B, Whataburger introduce ‘Whatafries'” at The Monitor.  “Whatafries were developed by the H-E-B product team in conjunction with Texas icon Whataburger as a product sold at H-E-B. The product will make its way to H-E-B snack aisles this week and will be available in all H-E-B stores by June 24.”  Read more:  https://www.themonitor.com/business/business_news/article_999ff90a-d860-11e2-93da-0019bb30f31a.html

 

“Target Introduces New App Offering Coupons Only Redeemable In Stores” at CBS LA.  “Mom.me editor Anne Marie O’Neill reviewed the app for CBS2/KCAL9 reporter Sibila Vargas. Her blog is one of the leading sites geared toward mothers…“I wouldn’t necessarily drive down here for $5.30 of savings on four items, but if I had the app on my phone, the app is free, I’m here at Target and I’m looking at these items, I’d give it a search to see if they were there and if I could get the extra discount, sure!” O’Neill conceded.”  Read and see more:  https://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2013/06/18/target-introduces-new-app-offering-coupons-only-redeemable-in-stores/

 

“Why Americans hate Sears” by Jason Notte at MSN Money.  “Michael Santoli, who writes for Yahoo Finance’s Unexpected Returns blog, lays out his damning case against Sears by noting that even with 2,500 Sears and Kmart outlets and $40 billion in annual sales, revenue has plunged by 13.5% in the past four years.”  Read more:  https://money.msn.com/now/post.aspx?post=32a6436c-c2c2-46f5-b52d-102f17f26d37

 

“8 Crazy, Beautiful Pictures That Show Why The Apple Store Rules Tech Retail” by Steve Kovach at Business Insider.  “It’s not just about making good stuff, it’s about the presentation.  While electronics stores like Best Buy struggle, Apple Stores are on a roll, with new locations popping up all the time. Most recently, Apple opened a gorgeous new store in Berlin to massive crowds.”  See the pictures:  https://www.businessinsider.com/beautiful-apple-store-photos-2013-6?op=1#ixzz2WfCAMCIT

 

“BJ’s Membership Club In Fayetteville Marks Company’s 200th Opening”  “BJ’s Membership Club celebrates its 200th club with the opening of its newest North Carolina location at 5200 Red Tip Road in Fayetteville.”  Read more:  https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/bjs-membership-club-in-fayetteville-marks-companys-200th-opening-211953721.html

 

 “Kid Inventors Win $20,000 Prize for Creating Device to Help Seniors Pick Up Small Objects”  “The winning invention, submitted by “NeXT GEN” from Oakland, Md., is an assistive device that helps seniors pick up pills or other small objects that are difficult to retrieve with a conventional claw or magnetic-type device.”  Read more:  https://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/home/permalink/?ndmViewId=news_view&newsLang=en&newsId=20130618006831&div=-1245645151

 

“Consumer Packaged Goods Companies and Retailers Shift Focus to New Rules of Consumer Engagement, Says 2013 Grocery Manufacturers Association-PwC US Report”  “In 2013, more than 40 percent of CPG companies expect to sell products directly to consumers, up from 24 percent in 2012. According to the report, direct-to-consumer is a potent vehicle for testing new products and reaching out to new consumers faster and more effectively than ever before, making the retail store aisle no longer the last mile in the purchase journey.”  Read more:  https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/consumer-packaged-goods-companies-and-retailers-shift-focus-to-new-rules-of-consumer-engagement-says-2013-grocery-manufacturers-association-pwc-us-report-211961411.html

 

Thanks for reading…

 

Follow on Twitter @retaileyeretail