Today’s Tipsheet: Messy Lawsuit for Menards Owner | Sam’s Sensory Lab | Retailers Ready to Expand

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“Sam’s Club ‘Sensory Lab’ tests holiday products” by Kim Souza at The City Wire.  “Roughly 80% of the food tested meets the minimum standard, but Hebert said just 15% makes into the clubs.  “We have two test panels a day with four foods in each panel. Between 65 to 100 people come down to take part in the tests each day,” Hebert said.  The panel tests rate the products on a range of attributes from taste to texture and panel participants are allowed to share any suggestions to improve the product further.”  Read more:  https://www.thecitywire.com/node/28277#.UcA8cfnVDpU

 

“Lowe’s bid for California chain could be used as model in Canada: analyst” by Ross Marowits at The Globe & Mail.  ““It is conceivable that Lowe’s might test an Orchard Supply store format in Canada, operated under the Lowe’s brand,” Keith Howlett, an analyst at Desjardins Capital Markets, said Monday after the Lowe’s announcement.  A similar strategy of operating multiple formats has been used for years by Canada’s largest home improvement retailer, Rona Inc., which rejected a takeover overture from Lowe’s last year.”  Read more:  https://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/lowes-bid-for-california-chain-could-be-used-as-model-in-canada-analyst/article12607438/

 

“Lowe’s Buys Into the California Housing Rush” by Kyle Stock at Businessweek.  “To see how the deal adds up for Lowe’s, consider San Francisco, where home prices are up 22 percent from a year earlier. Home Depot has about nine stores in the Bay Area. Lowe’s has four; Orchard would give it five more.  But Orchard is no money tree. Its same-store sales have fallen for at least five years and it hasn’t posted an operating profit for five quarters. All the while, it has struggled under the debt load it shouldered when spun off from Sears (SHLD) in December 2011.”  Read more:  https://www.businessweek.com/articles/2013-06-17/lowes-buys-into-the-california-housing-rush

 

“From Kroger to PSK Supermarkets, Retailers Big and Small Are Acing Loyalty Game” by David Orgel at Supermarket News.  “That’s why LoyaltyOne’s advice for supermarkets makes sense: “The overall focus must shift from acquiring new memberships to better engaging the customer base and driving repeat purchase behaviors.”  Read more:   https://supermarketnews.com/blog/kroger-psk-supermarkets-retailers-big-and-small-are-acing-loyalty-game#ixzz2WZGWeH5b

 

“Target’s narrow vote on executive pay suggests shareholder discontent” by Thomas Lee at Star-Tribune.  “When it comes to “Say on Pay,” Target Corp. shareholders say they increasingly don’t like the way the company doles out cash and stock to its executives.  Despite Target’s healthy stock price, investors last week approved the retailer’s executive compensation policies with just 52.1 percent of the vote, a stunning rebuke to a company that Wall Street has long regarded as one of the best-run in the country.”  Read more:  https://www.startribune.com/business/211916201.html

 

“John Menard tried to ‘extort’ sex from Stephen Hilbert’s wife, lawsuit says” by Jeff Swiatek at Indy Star.  “The bitter falling-out between Carmel businessman Stephen Hilbert and billionaire hardware chain owner John Menard Jr. was initially portrayed as a deal gone bad from misspent millions.  A lawsuit suggests a more unseemly origin for the split: sexual extortion.  Hilbert’s wife, Tomisue, charges that Menard tried to extort sexual favors from her two years ago while he was visiting the Hilberts’ Caribbean home in Saint Martin.”  Read more:  https://www.indystar.com/article/20130617/BUSINESS/306170049/Menard-tried-extort-sex-from-Hilbert-s-wife-lawsuit-says?nclick_check=1

 

“Retailers Ready To Spend On Expansion, Technology, Branding, For Growth In 2013: KPMG Survey”  “Most executives (85 percent) expect capital spending will increase or remain the same over the next year. When asked where they will increase spending most, executives most frequently cited geographic expansion (61 percent), information technology (IT) (40 percent), and advertising and marketing/branding (24 percent).”  Read more:  https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/retailers-ready-to-spend-on-expansion-technology-branding-for-growth-in-2013-kpmg-survey-211809481.html

 

“Whole Foods Changes English-Only Store Policy” by Martha White at CNBC.  “After two of the chain’s employees in New Mexico were temporarily suspended from work for speaking Spanish, they claimed, calls for a boycott prompted Whole Foods to change its company language policy.  In a blog post, Whole Foods co-CEO Walter Robb maintained that the two workers received one-day suspensions for unacceptable “workplace behavior,” not for speaking in Spanish as the two alleged.”  Read more:  https://www.cnbc.com/id/100822119

 

“Builder Confidence Hits Major Milestone in June”  “Builder confidence in the market for newly-built single-family homes hit a significant milestone in June, surging eight points to a reading of 52 on the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI) released today. Any reading over 50 indicates that more builders view sales conditions as good than poor.  This is the first time the HMI has been above 50 since April 2006”  Read more:  https://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/home/permalink/?ndmViewId=news_view&newsLang=en&newsId=20130617005753&div=-1245645151

 

Thanks for reading…

 

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Today’s Tipsheet: Lowe’s to Buy Orchard Supply | Costco Cuts Off Iran | Big Lots Rebound?

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“Lowe’s Agrees to Buy Orchard Supply Hardware” by Mattioli and Glazer at WSJ.  “Under the agreement, Lowe’s would acquire at least 60 of Orchard’s 91 stores, plus an option to buy the rest, the people said. They said Orchard is expected to propose the deal Monday in a Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing…The deal would helpLowe’s diversify into a smaller-box format, a strategy that other big-box retailers are trying as more sales move online. Orchard stores average 36,000 square feet of selling space, the people said. Lowe’s stores average about 113,000 square feet of selling space. Lowe’s plans to keep the Orchard name and operate the stores independently, one of the people said.”  Read more:  https://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323836504578549843162739364.html?mod=pls_whats_news_us_business_f

 

“Lowe’s Enters into Purchase Agreement with Orchard Supply Hardware” – Lowe’s Press Release.  “Lowe’s Companies, Inc. the world’s second largest home improvement retailer, today announced it has entered into an asset purchase agreement with Orchard Supply Hardware, under which Lowe’s will acquire the majority of Orchard’s assets for approximately $205 million in cash.”  Read more:  https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20130616005087/en/Lowe%E2%80%99s-Enters-Purchase-Agreement-Orchard-Supply-Hardware?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

 

“New Sanctions Hit Iran: No Shopping at Costco” by Tom Gara at WSJ.  “A tightening noose of economic sanctions has been working to strangle the Iranian economy in recent years, as Western powers push the country to abandon its nuclear program. The effects have been felt at levels high and low, from raging inflation for food and basic goods to a 20% reduction in the capacity of the country’s oil industry.  And now, to add a small insult to a large economic injury, the country’s diplomats and overseas businesses are being cut off from Costco.  Read more:  https://blogs.wsj.com/corporate-intelligence/2013/06/11/irans-sanction-woes-continue-shut-out-of-costco/?mod=WSJBlog&mod=WSJ_corp_intel

 

“Wal-Mart de Mexico Puts Restaurant Business Up for Sale” at 4-Traders.  “Walmex shares barely moved on the news, with the market viewing the proposed sale as encouraging, but not spectacular.  “What people really want to see is for the stores’ sales numbers to improve month-to-month,” said Gerardo Roman, head trader at Mexican brokerage Actinver…During the first five months of the year, Walmex’s comparable store sales for Mexican outlets slipped 0.5% versus the same period of 2012.”  Read more:  https://www.4-traders.com/WAL-MART-STORES-INC-4841/news/Wal-Mart-de-Mexico-Puts-Restaurant-Business-Up-for-Sale-17024502/

 

“Big Lots may rebound as new CEO, sales moves take hold” at Reuters.  “Sales of the company, whose 1,505 U.S. stores are mainly located in strip malls, have been under pressure for the past two years from the weak economy and higher gasoline prices, the newspaper said.  But the arrival of the new CEO, David Campisi, and his 30 years of merchandizing experience, should help turn the tide, Barron’s said.”  Read more:  https://www.reuters.com/article/2013/06/16/us-biglots-barrons-idUSBRE95F0JX20130616?feedType=RSS&feedName=businessNews

 

“Ernst & Young Announces Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2013 Award Winners in Upper Midwest”  “Ernst & Young LLP announces the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2013 Award winners in the Upper Midwest. The award recognizes outstanding high-growth entrepreneurs who demonstrate excellence and extraordinary success in such areas as innovation, financial performance and personal commitment to their businesses and communities.”  See the list:  https://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/home/permalink/?ndmViewId=news_view&newsLang=en&newsId=20130614005026&div=-1245645151

 

“Wal-Mart: Is Reputation A Leading Indicator?” at Seeking Alpha.  “A company’s DNA is steadfast. Changes may occur that permeate strategy, store design, and earnings, but the inner-workings of a company depend upon a history of decisions that pave the way for the future.”  Read more:  https://seekingalpha.com/article/1504202-wal-mart-is-reputation-a-leading-indicator?source=email_rt_article_readmore

 

“Dollar General Sued Over Use of Criminal Checks in Hiring” by Andrew Harris at Bloomberg.  ““People who have been convicted of crimes and have paid their ‘debt to society,’ eventually ought to have a fair shot in the job market — especially if the conviction was years earlier and had nothing to do with the job they seek,” John Rowe, director of the EEOC’s Chicago-area office, said in a statement announcing the lawsuit.”  Read more:  https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-06-11/dollar-general-sued-over-use-of-criminal-checks-in-hiring.html

 

“The Problem With Mobile Advertising Isn’t Mobile. It’s Advertising” by Doug Stephens at Retail Prophet.  “And one can’t help but wonder why, if everything is truly going mobile, advertising on mobile devices remains so ineffective? How, if as studies suggest, we are almost never without our mobile devices, can advertising on those devices be so bad?”  Read more:  https://www.retailprophet.com/blog/the-problem-with-mobile-advertising-isnt-mobile-its-advertising/

 

Thanks for reading…

 

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Today’s Tipsheet: HD Supply May Raise $1.3 Bil in IPO | Will AmazonFresh Kill Online Grocery Startups?

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“HD Supply may raise up to $1.3 billion in IPO” at AP via Businessweek.  “The company plans to sell 53.2 million shares priced between $22 and $25 each…Home Depot remains its largest customer and accounted for $296 million in revenue last year.  HD Supply reported a loss of $543 million on revenue of $7.03 billion in its most recent fiscal year.”  Read more:  https://www.businessweek.com/ap/2013-06-13/hd-supply-may-raise-up-to-1-dot-3-billion-in-ipo

 

“Will AmazonFresh Kill Online Grocery Startups?” by Gabrielle Karol at Fox Business.  “The service, known as AmazonFresh, has been operating in Seattle since 2007. To use AmazonFresh, consumers need to pay a $299 annual subscription fee, plus an additional delivery fee for orders under $35. To get same day delivery, orders need to be placed by 10 a.m.; orders submitted after 10 p.m. will be delivered by 6 a.m. the next morning.  Online grocery startups in Los Angeles say they aren’t worried about competition from the $123 billion ecommerce giant in the estimated $6 billion industry.”  Read more:  https://smallbusiness.foxbusiness.com/entrepreneurs/2013/06/13/will-amazonfresh-kill-online-grocery-startups/#ixzz2WBWo5mGP

 

“Grocers sue spud growers over alleged price fixing” by John Miller at AP via Seattle Times.  “The grocery group (Associated Wholesale Grocers), a cooperative that supplies more than 2,000 stores including IGA, Thriftway and Price Chopper in 24 states, contends the potato growers banded together in 2004 to illegally inflate prices in a scheme akin to the petroleum-producing OPEC cartel, reducing planting acreages and destroying potatoes, all to restrict what was available for sale.”  Read more:  https://seattletimes.com/html/businesstechnology/2021184846_potatopricefixxml.html

 

“Is ‘Shark Tank’ Really Worth 5% Of Your Company? Business Owners Say ‘Absolutely’ ” by J.J. Colao at Forbes.  “This morning the New York Times reported an interesting piece of information about Shark Tank, the popular ABC show where business owners pitch their companies to a group of high-profile investors, including billionaire Mark Cuban. Just for appearing on the show, owners agree to give up 5% of their company or 2% of future royalties.”  Read more:  https://www.forbes.com/sites/jjcolao/2013/06/13/is-shark-tank-really-worth-5-of-your-company-business-owners-say-absolutely/

 

“Wild Oats chain is poised to reopen this year” by Tiffany Hsu at LA Times.  “Wild Oats Markets Inc., the closed purveyor of organic and natural foods, is planning a comeback this year, potentially aided by local billionaire Ron Burkle.  The company, which has been out of operation since 2007, now says on its website that it is “re-introducing” its brand, bringing beverages, snacks, cereals, pasta and other goods to store shelves….”  Story at: https://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-burkle-wild-oats-20130613,0,2377718.story

 

“Restoration Hardware Holdings, Inc. Reports Record First Quarter Fiscal 2013 Financial Results”  “Carlos Alberini, Chief Executive Officer, said, “We are extremely pleased with our first quarter performance and financial results. During the period, we delivered an increase in net revenues of 38%, comp store sales growth of 41%”  Read more:  https://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/home/permalink/?ndmViewId=news_view&newsLang=en&newsId=20130613006282&div=-1245645151

 

“Duck Dynasty’s Growing Retail Empire”  by Alexandra Alter at WSJ.  “The family now sells everything from gumbo bowls and toy ducks to Phil bobbleheads and a Willie Chia Pet that grows a verdant, bushy beard. The Duck Dynasty brand has become so popular in Wal-Mart stores that last week, Willie and Korie Robertson were brought in to address the company’s employees at the retailer’s annual meeting. Duck Dynasty T-shirts are the top-selling graphic T-shirt in Wal-Mart’s men’s, women’s and boys’ department…Wal-Mart currently sells Duck Dynasty products in six different departments, from apparel to home goods and sporting gear, and is expanding the line to 13 departments by the holidays. New and coming gear includes Halloween costumes for dogs, with fake beards and camouflage, and an “exclusive” line of Duck Dynasty antibacterial bandages.”  Read more:  https://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323734304578541634247239240.html?mod=wsj_share_tweet

 

“Microsoft sets up shop in your local Best Buy” by Alan Bunkingham at Beta News.  “The company’s Brandon LeBlanc lets us know, “today, we announce a strategic partnership to create the Windows Store only at Best Buy, a comprehensive store-within-a-store in 500 Best Buy locations across the United States and more than 100 Best Buy and Future Shop locations in Canada”.”  Read more:  https://betanews.com/2013/06/13/microsoft-sets-up-shop-in-your-local-best-buy/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=TechL0G&utm_desttype=twitter&utm_destname=techl0g

 

“Millennial Women Question Professional Ambition”  “A prominent theme emerging from the research is the extent to which millennial women are unwilling to make the personal sacrifices they believe are inextricably linked to their ability to climb the corporate ladder.

*  Forty-nine percent say the sacrifices women leaders have to make aren’t worth it, and nine in ten agree that women leaders have to make more sacrifices than their male counterparts

*  More than three-quarters of women surveyed (76%) are concerned about their ability to achieve a balance between personal and professional goals

*  Less than half of the women (46%) are willing to sacrifice aspects of their personal life to achieve professional goals

Read more:  https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/find-your-fearless-millennial-women-question-professional-ambition-211408921.html

 

“Kroger To Webcast Annual Meeting Of Shareholders June 27”  “The Kroger Co. today announced it will webcast the annual meeting of shareholders beginning at 11 a.m. (ET) on Thursday, June 27, 2013.  The meeting will be broadcast online at https://ir.kroger.com.”  Read more:  https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/kroger-to-webcast-annual-meeting-of-shareholders-june-27-211383971.html

 

Thanks for reading…have a great weekend!

 

Follow on Twitter @retaileyeretail

Today’s Tipsheet: May Retail Sales Beat Expectations | eBay Expands Same Day Delivery | Walmart’s “Eureka Moment”

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“Retail sales beat expectations as automobiles surge” at Reuters.  “Retail sales rose more than expected in May as households stepped up purchases of automobiles and bought other goods, suggesting the economy was squeezing out of a recent soft patch.  The Commerce Department said on Thursday retail sales increased 0.6 percent after edging up 0.1 percent in April.”  Read more:  https://www.reuters.com/article/2013/06/13/us-usa-economy-retail-idUSBRE95C0IF20130613

 

“Leverage game promotes savings and growth at Wal-Mart” by Kim Souza at City Wire.  ““Leverage is a key word, a corporate reminder that they are to continue to make the most out of what they have …  Not all that long ago, a large brick and mortar presence was seen as clunky and cumbersome in a world going digital,” Spieckerman said.  She remembers the “Eureka moment” when Wal-Mart began to see its 10,000 or so stores around the globe as an asset when linked together with its growing online business.  “It was a big awakening, and now you see purely online retailers looking for ways to have a physical presence with pop-up stores and warehouses,” Spieckerman said.”  Read more:  https://www.thecitywire.com/node/28242#.UbmtFvnVDpU

 

“eBay Expands Same Day Delivery Service” by Ina Steiner at Ecommerce Bytes.  “eBay is expanding its same-day delivery service, eBay Now, which can be used to order items from brick-and-mortar retailer such as Urban Outfitters, ToysRUs, Macy’s, Walgreens, Home Depot, Target..The service is currently available in California and New York…In the coming weeks, eBay will expand its existing delivery zones to the Bay Area Peninsula, Queens and Brooklyn, and this summer, it will add Chicago and Dallas to the service.”  Read more:  https://www.ecommercebytes.com/cab/abn/y13/m06/i12/s03

 

“Sobeys buys Safeway Canada in $5.7 billion ‘game-changing’ deal” at Reuters.  “Empire will gain control of 213 full-service grocery stores, cementing its position as Canada’s No. 2 grocer behind Loblaw Companies Ltd at a time when competition from U.S. retailers Wal-Mart Stores and Target is heating up.”  Read more:  https://www.reuters.com/article/2013/06/13/us-safewaycanada-sobeys-idUSBRE95B16520130613?feedType=RSS&feedName=businessNews

 

“Amazon Rolls Out 3-D Printing Shopping Section” by Cadie Thompson at CNBC.  “The online retailer recently launched a dedicated section on its website where consumers can buy 3-D printers as well as materials for them, including software, filaments and other accessories all in one place…3-D has been inching its way into the mainstream, though major retailers have been slow to embrace it. Staples entered the 3-D arena earlier this year, when it began selling systems called the Cube.”  Read more:  https://www.cnbc.com/id/100809948

 

“Target’s REDcard revs up sales” by Martin Moylan at MN Public Radio.  “Target will not disclose how many customers are currently packing its REDcards. But the cards accounted for 17 percent of the company’s U.S. sales in its most recent quarter. That’s a three-fold increase in just three years.”  Read more:  https://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2013/06/12/business/target-customer-loyalty

 

“Walgreen to Pay $80 Million Fine in D.E.A. Inquiry” by Barry Meier at NY Times.  “The Walgreen Company, the nation’s biggest pharmacy operator, agreed on Tuesday to pay $80 million to resolve federal charges that it failed to properly control the sales of narcotic painkillers at some of its outlets.    Agents said Walgreen failed to properly control the sale of painkillers at some of its drugstores.  Officials at the Drug Enforcement Administration described the fine as the biggest ever paid by a pharmacy chain.”  Read more:  https://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/12/business/walgreen-to-pay-80-million-settlement-over-painkiller-sales.html?_r=0

 

“Walmart’s Neighborhood Market ups competitive landscape in grocery sector (in Jacksonville, FL)” by Drew Dixon at Jacksonville.com.  “The Jacksonville area has plenty of grocery stores, including being a longtime hub for Winn-Dixie Stores Inc.  That marketplace just got more competitive as Walmart opened three of its neighborhood markets in the area Wednesday, a move that may be linked to the recent sale of Winn-Dixie to BI-LO Holdings.  Read more:  https://jacksonville.com/news/metro/2013-06-12/story/walmarts-neighborhood-market-ups-competitive-landscape-grocery-sector#ixzz2W6AZMnOU

 

“Meijer Opens New Supercenters in Northern Indiana”  Meijer will open two new 190,000-square-foot supercenters in Northern Indiana on Thursday, Meijer Co-Chairman Hank Meijer announced today. The Portage and Warsaw stores will create more than 500 new jobs.”  Read more:  https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/meijer-opens-new-supercenters-in-northern-indiana-211172371.html

 

“J.D. Power Reports: While Distribution Channels Vary among Window Manufacturers, Customers Hold the Brand Accountable for Both the Process and Product”  “Simonton and Window World tie for highest in overall customer satisfaction with windows and patio doors with a score of 801 each (on a 1,000-point scale), which is 16 points higher than the next highest brand.”  Read more:  https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/jd-power-reports-while-distribution-channels-vary-among-window-manufacturers-customers-hold-the-brand-accountable-for-both-the-process-and-product-211173721.html

 

“Thomson Reuters Gives Elite Traders Early Advantage” by Eamon Javers at CNBC.  “A closely watched consumer confidence number that routinely moves markets upon release is accessed by an elite group of traders, for a fee, a full two seconds before its official release, according to a document obtained by CNBC.”  Read more:  https://www.cnbc.com/id/100809395

 

Thanks for reading…

 

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Today’s Tipsheet: Walmart’s $10 Billion in E-commerce | Millionaires Shop at Costco & Walmart Too

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“How Costco saves taxpayers money” by Eleanor Bioxham at Fortune.  “Paying well ultimately saves Costco money. The company gets tons of applications and can afford to hire selectively. And it also doesn’t incur the high costs of turnover that other companies must deal with. In fact, turnover at the company runs just 10% overall for hourly workers and 6% if they stay longer than one year, he told me. Those figures are miniscule compared to overall turnover rates of 67% for part-time staffers and 24% for full-timers, according to statistics from the Hay Group.”  Read more:  https://management.fortune.cnn.com/2013/06/11/costco/?source=cnn_bin

 

“Wal-Mart ups the ante to $10 billion in e-commerce sales in fiscal 2014” by Kevin Woodward at Internet Retailer.  “The updated forecast, disclosed by Michael T. Duke, president and CEO of Wal-Mart Stores Inc., at the retailer’s annual shareholder meeting last week, is fueled by organic growth and the retailer’s investment in China’s Yihaodian, an online retailer that Wal-Mart bought a controlling interest in last year, a Wal-Mart spokesman says. Yihaodian is No. 42 in the Asia 500.”  Read more:  https://www.internetretailer.com/2013/06/11/wal-mart-ups-ante-10-billion-e-commerce-sales

 

“Whole Foods talks to local vendors (in Tallahassee)” at Tallahassee.com.  “The Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce assembled 22 vendors from around the Panhandle and South Georgia for an introduction with Whole Foods representatives. Companies such as Sweetbay Soaps of Monticello and Grassroots Coffee of Thomasville were invited to the Coton Colors giftware office on Centerville Road to present products and learn more about the major grocer.”  Read more:  https://www.tallahassee.com/article/20130611/NEWS01/306110023/Whole-Foods-talks-local-vendors?nclick_check=1

 

“Consumer Reports Index: Americans’ Financial Woes Fall to Lowest Level in Four Years”  “The Consumer Reports Index, an overall measure of Americans’ personal financial health, shows Americans are reporting significantly fewer financial troubles. The Index’s trouble tracker measure fell sharply to 34.0 from 41.7 a month earlier—the lowest level since the organization first measured it in April 2009.  The Consumer Reports trouble tracker has dropped more than 50 percent from its high-water mark in September 2009”  Read more:  https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/consumer-reports-index-americans-financial-woes-fall-to-lowest-level-in-four-years-210971801.html

 

“Bob Marley’s son creates gourmet coffee company” by Heather McPherson at Orlando Sentinel.  “Marley Coffee, a sustainably grown, ethically farmed and artisan roasted gourmet coffee founded by Rohan Marley, is sourcing beans from around the world, including Ethiopia, Central America and Jamaica. The coffee is sold in Winn-Dixie, Whole Foods Market, BI-LO stores.”  Read more:  https://www.orlandosentinel.com/entertainment/blogs/the-dish/os-bob-marleys-son-gourmet-coffee,0,3907229.post

 

“Walmart and Costco attract millionaires because rich people like good deals” at Canada.com.  “The new poll, performed by Ipsos, found that most wealthy people actually spend more time in low-end bargain shops than pop culture would have us believe.  “The results show that three quarters (72%) of the millionaires interviewed have shopped at Walmart in the past 12 months, placing it ahead of other major retailers in Canada such as, The Bay (70%) and Sears (54%),” the poll reads.”  Read more:  https://o.canada.com/2013/06/11/walmart-and-costco-attract-millionaires-because-rich-people-like-good-deals/

 

“Who’s Driving The Shopping Cart This Father’s Day? Dads Making More Household Purchasing Decisions”  “52 percent of fathers indicate they are the primary grocery shoppers in their households. And even if they’re not driving the shopping cart, dads are more involved in household purchases than ever before: more than one-in-three (35%) moms report dads’ influence on grocery store purchases is on the rise.”  Read more:  https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/whos-driving-the-shopping-cart-this-fathers-day-dads-making-more-household-purchasing-decisions-211034371.html

 

“Sam’s Club Launches 25-City Small Business “Boot Camp” Series” at Sacramento Bee.  “Sam’s Club CEO Rosalind Brewer announced the launch of a collaborative program supporting small business owners and entrepreneurs in 25 cities – the Grow Your Business Boot Camp series. The hands-on training seminars are backed by a funding commitment of $500,000 from Sam’s Club.”    Read more: https://www.sacbee.com/2013/06/11/5487892/sams-club-launches-25-city-small.html#storylink=cpy

 

“Shopko Announces Plans for 5 New Hometown Stores”  “The stores, located in Afton, Wyoming, St. Peter, Minnesota and Winneconne, Ellsworth and Tomahawk, Wisconsin, are expected to open in late fall 2013.”  Read more:  https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/shopko-announces-plans-for-5-new-hometown-stores-211079341.html

 

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Today’s Tipsheet: H.Depot Dines w/Analysts | Wmart Scoops Up Inkiru | Costco Eliminates Self-Checkout

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“Home Depot’s Breakfast with Analysts” by Andria Cheng at Market Watch.  “The company sees its 180-store Canada business only has 2 to 3 incremental stores while its 101-store Mexican business is “growing nicely” and on the way to 125 locations…The company has shut its seven larger format China stores after disclosing the plan last year. However, it told analysts it has a small team staying behind and has five small stores selling its Behr paint that “is doing very well,” signaling Home Depot may open small stores to sell U.S.-branded products in China, Schick said.”  Read more:  https://blogs.marketwatch.com/behindthestorefront/2013/06/10/home-depots-meeting-with-analysts-strikes-a-confident-tone/

 

“Amazon adds some twists as it expands grocery service to L.A.” by Amy Martinez at Seattle Times.  “Amazon.com is making its Los Angeles customers a value proposition unlike any other they’ve ever seen from the e-commerce giant.  As of Monday, AmazonPrime customers in several L.A. ZIP codes can receive a free, 90-day trial of same-day and early-morning delivery on 500,000 items, including fresh foods, toys and electronics.”  Read more:  https://seattletimes.com/html/businesstechnology/2021161414_amazonprimexml.html

 

“Walmart scoops up Inkiru to bolster its ‘big data’ capabilities online” by Dylan Tweney at Venture Beat.  “Inkiru’s “predictive intelligence platform” applies data analysis to a variety of e-commerce needs, including fraud reduction, customer segmentation and targeting, just-in-time recommendations to entice customers to buy more stuff, and more. It incorporates machine learning technologies to automatically improve its algorithms.”  Read more:  https://venturebeat.com/2013/06/10/walmart-scoops-up-inkiru-to-bolster-its-big-data-capabilities-online/#rfiPAV3SiGDqZ3PE.99

 

“Costco to eliminate self-checkout from stores” at Retail Customer Experience.  “Costco CEO Craig Jelinek announced last week the company’s plans to eliminate self-service checkout from its stores.  The reason? According to an article on Business Insider, his employees do a better job.   “[Self-service checkout is] great for low-volume warehouses, but we don’t want to be in the low-volume warehouse business,” Jelinek said.”  Read more:  https://www.retailcustomerexperience.com/article/214573/Costco-to-eliminate-self-checkout-from-stores

 

“Grocery Comparison Site mySupermarket Launches U.S. Megastore For Finding Best Prices” by Sarah Perez at Techcrunch.  “The new U.S. version of mySupermarket lets shoppers find the best prices across top stores, including Amazon, Walmart, Target, Costco, Walgreens, Diapers.com, Soap.com, and Drugstore.com.”  Read more:  https://techcrunch.com/2013/06/10/grocery-comparison-site-mysupermarket-launches-u-s-megastore-for-finding-best-prices-across-amazon-walmart-target-more/

 

“Wal-Mart distribution centers key to revenue growth” by Kim Souza at City Wire.  “He said if Wal-Mart could have the same inventory management discipline in the backroom of its stores as seen in the distribution centers there would be “an incredible amount value to unlock.’ Simon also said the supercenters have more inventory and warehouse square footage than any of the retailer’s distribution centers.  He said unlocking this value is No. 1 or No. 2 on the list to do for Chris Sultemeier, senior vice president of transportation for Wal-Mart.”  Read more:  https://www.thecitywire.com/node/28208#.UbcFy_nVDpU

 

“Home Depot #1 in Radio Spots” at Radio Ink.  “In our weekly check of top advertisers using radio, The Home Depot logged another week at the top of the charts, airing 57,263 spots, according to Media Monitors…Coming in fourth place was Wal-Mart at 26,292.”  Read more:  https://www.radioink.com/Article.asp?id=2662701&spid=24698

 

“Dollar Tree, Inc. Announces Promotion of Gary Philbin to President and Chief Operating Officer”  “After a thirty year career in the retail grocery industry where he held senior-level positions in both merchandising and operations, Gary joined Dollar Tree as Senior Vice President of Stores in December of 2001. He was promoted to Chief Operating Officer in March 2007.”  Read more:  https://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/home/permalink/?ndmViewId=news_view&newsLang=en&newsId=20130610005786&div=-1245645151

 

“Whole Foods Trims Prices in Detroit” by Elliot Zwiebach at Supermarket News.  “Whole Foods Market last week opened an inner-city store here that is a smaller unit than the chain’s norm, with lower prices and a larger selection of private-label items and frozen and prepackaged foods designed to appeal to budget-conscious shoppers. Similar stores are planned for New Orleans and the South Side of Chicago.”  Read more:  https://supermarketnews.com/retail-amp-financial/whole-foods-trims-prices-detroit#ixzz2VuKRZw3t

 

“Lee Clow on Advertising, Then and Now” by Rupal Parekh at Ad Age.  “The reason I’ve been calling what we do media arts for the last five years is because I would like the definition to change and the respectability to come back to big advertising networks. We have to claw our way back to respectability. I keep saying and wishing it’s time for another creative revolution to harness all these new media ideas and execute them in artful ways. It’s not been done yet.” Read more:  https://adage.com/article/agency-news/lee-clow-advertising/241987/

 

“US Small Business Confidence Hits One-Year High in May” at Reuters via CNBC.  “The National Federation of Independent Business said on Tuesday its Small Business Optimism Index increased 2.3 points to 94.4 last month, the highest level since May last year. It was the second straight month of gains in the index.”  Read more:  https://www.cnbc.com/id/100805567

 

Thanks for reading…

 

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Today’s Tipsheet: H.Depot Tests Video Conferencing | Wmart Invades Canada Bus Stops | Five Below Soars

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“Walmart Canada & P&G Launch QR Code Campaign at Bus Stops”  by Jennifer Kwan at Yahoo.  “Here’s the idea: customers can use their mobile devices to scan posters with QR-codes at certain bus shelters to buy select items including Pantene shampoo, Pampers diapers and Tide detergent and have the goods delivered to their homes for free. The campaign will last four weeks.”  Read more:  https://ca.finance.yahoo.com/blogs/insight/wal-mart-invade-toronto-bus-stops-190600620.html

 

“Home Depot testing video conferencing with on-line shoppers to sell custom kitchens” at MarketWatch.  “At a Goldman Sachs conference on Thursday, Kevin Hofmann, president of Home Depot’s online sales, said the company sees online opportunity not just on things like power tools or faucets. It’s also using it as a medium to sell larger projects from floor installation to kitchen cabinets and catering to professional contractors.  For instance, the company can send 3D renderings of kitchen design to its customers online and is testing video conferencing to engage with them beyond just an online chat.”  Read more:  https://blogs.marketwatch.com/behindthestorefront/2013/06/06/home-depot-improves-its-online-sales-but-plenty-of-room-to-grow/

 

“Wal-Mart’s Best Deal: A Free Talent Show” by Stock & Berfield at Businessweek.  “What does someone like Tom Cruise get out of the corporate circus, besides perhaps some free aviator sunglasses and tighty whiteys?…Consider Lions Gate Entertainment, which sells movies, TV shows, and soundtracks. Wal-Mart accounted for 38 percent of its disc sales last year, according to Securities and Exchange Commission filings. No doubt, the impact is similar for a company like United Artists, which Cruise and his production partner, Paula Wagner, took over in 2007. The pair owns 30 percent of the label.”  Read more:  https://www.businessweek.com/articles/2013-06-07/wal-marts-best-deal-a-free-talent-show

 

“Target Introduces Simply Balanced: An Organic & Healthy Food Collection”  “Launching June 9 with the full collection to arrive in stores by October, the line features nearly 250 products, catering to those with an appetite for ingredients they want and a food label that they can understand.”  Read more:  https://abullseyeview.com/target-introduces-simply-balanced-wellness-food-brand/

 

“Sears Comps Decrease 5% in Q1”   “The comparable store sales decrease of 5.0% was comprised of a 6.9% decrease in Hometown and a 1.2% increase in Outlet. The 5.0% decrease was primarily driven by lower sales of lawn and garden in Hometown due to colder weather conditions experienced in large portions of the U.S. delaying the start of the spring/summer season. Excluding lawn and garden, the Company’s comparable store sales increased 1.4%, led by appliances and mattresses.”  Read more:  https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sears-hometown-and-outlet-stores-inc-reports-first-quarter-2013-results-210531951.html

 

“Sears Hometown And Outlet Stores: Undervalued With Significant Growth Ahead” at Seeking Alpha.  “Sears Hometown & Outlet Stores benefits from the dealer/franchise model in the amount of control retained over product procurement, pricing, advertising, and in general how the brand is positioned and managed by the independent operators. What you see when you peel back the onion a layer or two on SHOS is a profitable company, with no debt, and the opportunity to materially expand its store count through the dealer/franchise model in place.”  Read more:  https://seekingalpha.com/article/1488952-sears-hometown-and-outlet-stores-undervalued-with-significant-growth-ahead?source=google_news

 

“Raley’s Investigates Possible Cyber Attack” at Supermarket News.  “Raley’s Supermarkets here said Friday it has discovered that a portion of its computer network systems may have been the target of a cyber attack.  While the company has not confirmed any unauthorized access to payment-card data, it said it has notified the FBI and initiated an investigation to determine whether anyone has obtained customer credit- and debit-card information.”  Read more: https://supermarketnews.com/retail-amp-financial/raleys-investigates-possible-cyber-attack#ixzz2Vocx5yYt

 

“Analysts quiz Wal-Mart officers on market, legal issues” by Kim Souza at The City Wire.  “As other retailers have expanded heavily into consumables and grocery, analysts wanted to know if Wal-Mart management might consider focusing less on consumables and differentiating more into other product categories. They cited the fact that Costco has used that strategy and had not suffered lower traffic or sales comps.  Simon responded, “Please don’t misinterpret our focus on consumables, as a lack of focus on everything else, because the velocity of a pillow is once a year or two where bananas and milk are a weekly or twice-weekly purchase.”  The consumables drive the “velocity” (numbers) for store traffic, he added.”  Read more:  https://www.thecitywire.com/node/28196#.UbWkJfnVDpU

 

“Five Below Soars on Teen Shopping Craze” at Bloomberg.  “Shares of Philadelphia-based Five Below closed June 7 at about 49 times its estimated earnings for the next 12 months, higher than any other retailer in the Russell 2000 Index other than Office Depot Inc. (ODP), which is in the midst of a merger, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Amazon.com Inc. (AMZN) closed at about 70 times estimated earnings on that basis.”  Read more:  https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-06-10/five-below-soars-on-teen-shopping-craze-post-zany-brainy.html

 

“Small-town hardware stores battle retail giants” at Cedar Valley Business.  “Ted Gehrke, 45, worked in hardware retail management for 30 years. In 2012, Gehrke decided to leave his job at Home Depot and open his own hardware store, Ted’s Home & Hardware off Lafayette Road in Evansdale.  “I was sitting in the sauna at the gym with a guy and he said, ‘You know what we need? A hardware store on the north side of town,’ and I thought ‘Aaah,'” Gehrke said.”  Read more:  https://wcfcourier.com/business/local/small-town-hardware-stores-battle-retail-giants/article_3b96c569-c7ac-5f09-9ea5-5747988957a4.html

 

Thanks for reading…

 

Follow on Twitter @retaileyeretail

Today’s Tipsheet: Walmart Annual Mtg Highlights: No Grocery Delivery Expansion, “Store of the Community” for AR, OK & MO, etc.

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“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!

 

Follow on Twitter @retaileyeretail