Happening Tomorrow:  Earnings Releases for Family Dollar, SuperValu and Costco (Dec. Sales Results)...   "At Wal-Mart, moving the needle on e-commerce - Neil Ashe talks to Fortune" by Jessi Hempel at Fortune.  "Wal-Mart has largely watched Amazon clean up on web retail over the past decade while it largely ignored the centrality of the Internet to the shopping experience. Ashe believes that shoppers' shifting expectations will work to the company's advantage. "This is about how we take the assets we have and make them contemporary," he says."  See the video interview / Read more   "Customer Satisfaction Report:  Walmart [...]

  "Kroger:  Breaks Sales Record in 'Perfect Storm' " by Alexander Coolidge at Cincy Enquirer.  "Activity at many of the 110 Greater Cincinnati Kroger stores surpassed the crowds seen in the rushed days just before Christmas, she said...Kroger ordered more than twice the normal amount of in-demand items like milk, bread, cereal, beer and snacks in anticipation of the heavy traffic." Read more   "Walgreens December Sales Increase 7.2%" at WSJ.  "Calendar 2013 sales were $73.72 billion, an increase of 4.5 percent from $70.52 billion in 2012.  Fiscal 2014 year-to-date sales for the first four months were $25.54 billion, up [...]

  "Opening Wednesday:  New Walmart Express Store Across from Missouri Campus" at 4-Traders.  "The approximately 3,700-square-foot Walmart Express store features a pharmacy and offers groceries and general merchandise, including an assortment of fresh produce, dairy and meats, dry goods, consumables, health and beauty aids, over-the-counter medicines and merchandise tailored to the campus."  Read more   "Foot of Snow Wallops Midwest - Leaves Empty Store Shelves Behind" by Lauren Leone-Cross at State Journal Register. “It’s like they’re doing their holiday shopping all over again,” said Mike Greenwood, store manager for Schnucks, 2801 Chatham Road. “They’re not just stocking up on necessities. [...]

  "10 Ways Shopping At Wal-Mart In China Is Completely Different From How It Is In The US" by Ashley Lutz at Business Insider via SF Gate.  "Despite the recent scandal, the mega-retailer has become wildly popular in China. Wal-Mart plans to open 110 additional stores there in the next few years.  Shopping at a Chinese Wal-Mart is totally different from shopping in one in the U.S.  We highlighted some notable contrasts..."  Read more / See the Pics   "Costco CEO Can't Fully Support $15 Minimum Wage Proposal (Without Looking into it Further)" by Nina Shapiro at Seattle Weekly.  "We [...]

  "How Home Depot Copied Apple to Build an Ingenious New Bucket" by Joseph Flaherty at Wired.  "Home Depot’s new Big Gripper all-purpose bucket is a handy improvement on the old school, five-gallon contractor pail.  An ergonomic handle and patent pending “pocket grip” on the underside sets the product apart on the shelf, but more importantly, the design is a showpiece for a new approach to big box merchandising. Brick-and-mortar retailers have learned a lesson from Apple and are following their vertically integrated approach by developing high-quality, and exclusive, products to remain competitive in the age of Amazon."  Read more [...]