Thursday Tipsheet: Target’s Tech Funhouse | Costco June -1% | Lowe’s #1 in Appliances

/in

 

Inside Target’s Tech Funhouse and Search for Its Next Billion-Dollar Business by Jason Del Rey & Liz Gannes at Recode. “This is the house of the future, but it’s existence shows that it’s also possible in the present. The acrylic abode, dubbed Open House, opens on Friday on the street level below the Metreon City Target store, and it’s the first major manifestation of a big entrepreneurial bet by Target CEO Brian Cornell to re-energize the retailer’s brand and create a new billion-dollar business outside of its comfort zone.” Read more

 

Costco June Comp -1% “Costco reported net sales of $11.01 billion for the month of June, the five weeks ended July 5, 2015, an increase of one percent from $10.88 billion.” Read more

 

Wal-Mart says reshoring not a ‘PR stunt’ by Kim Souza at The City Wire. “We are still at the very early stages of this manufacturing shift. It’s more like a 10- to 20-year cycle. U.S. manufacturers and suppliers have to innovate, apply technology and robotics where they can and they will figure it out,”(Mike) Zinser said.” Read more

 

Forbes: 2015 America’s Richest Families (Walton #1, Meijer #31, Dayton #157) See the rankings

 

J.D. Power: Lowe’s #1 in Appliances “Nearly one-half (46%) of customers who purchased one or more appliances from Lowe’s say they “definitely will” purchase their next appliance from the retailer, compared with the study average of 38 percent.” Read the release

 

***A message from Dig It® Handwear – Protect your finger nails when gardening!  Revolutionary garden glove protects finger nails from chipping or breaking with patented “pillow-top” finger nail protection.  See the innovation at www.digithandwear.com. Peggable gloves merchandise easily. Retailers contact info@shiftmarketinggroup.net to request samples.

 

How Restoration Hardware landed in Chicago’s Gold Coast by Melissa Harris at Chicago Tribune. “The building will include dramatic artistic installations featuring collections from renowned designers and artisans across the globe, as well as RH Contemporary Art, a full-service RH Design Atelier and a Rooftop Park & Conservatory with sweeping views of historic Chicago in the distance,” the company said in a statement.” Read more

 

Wal-Mart unveils ‘JUMP’ portal to support U.S. manufacturing agenda by Kim Souza at The City Wire. “To date, Wal-Mart says it has 150 unique projects approved which range in value from $1 million to $370 million across 42 departments. Marsiglio said JUMP also will provide a link to ThomasNet.com, which is used by suppliers and manufacturers to help them locate capacity and component materials across the supply chain.” Read more

 

Target Commercial Interiors is rebranded Atmosphere under new ownership by Kavita Kumar at Star-Tribune. “We’re ready for something different,” said Mike Litwin, who led the business under Target, shaped its sale and is now its chief executive. “We’ve had enough red. It’s not us anymore.” Read more

 

Albertsons Files for IPO Read the release

 

Luxury Brands Dip Toes in E-Commerce Waters by Loretta Chao at WSJ. “With brands including LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE’s Fendi and French fashion house Chanel now experimenting with online sales, e-commerce is expected to make up 18% of luxury goods sales by 2025.” Read more (Subscription)

 

Tipsheet Extra

Darden gets new CFO from Walmart

Man accused of repeatedly stealing vacuums from Target

P&G reveals why most women would rather skip breakfast than a morning shower

This co. raised $86 Mil to revolutionize the tired, boring world of socks

Aldi and Lidl Are Ready To Invade the U.S. Beware Walmart and Target

How to spot a ‘cyberloafer’ in a job interview

Retail eyeing a cure for the summertime blues

Amazon slashes the price of an unlocked Fire Phone to essentially $60

Read Tipsheet Extra Stories

 

***

Eye-on-Retail Tipsheet is created early every weekday morning and read by retail merchants and executives worldwide. We love data, earnings reports, executive presentations and stories off the beaten path that get at what’s really happening in the world of retail. See our website at www.eyeonretail.net

Wednesday Tipsheet: Wmart’s Active ‘Shark Tank’ | CVS Leaves Chamber | ‘Old Man’ at Amazon Gives Advice

/in

 

‘Shark Tank,’ Wal-Mart style by Courtney Reagan at CNBC. “I wish I knew right now how it is going to be in that room,” said George Peters, KettlePizza co-founder and vice president. His board touts the advantages of using the product to create a picturesque pizza experience.” Read more

 

Wal-Mart’s ‘Open Call’ Draws Governors, Prospective Vendors by Marty Cook at Arkansas Business. “There’s nothing more that I like doing than getting out there and finding new items that we can sell to our customers,” (Greg) Foran said. “I love getting my hands on new items.” Read more

 

CVS Health leaves U.S. Chamber of Commerce over Tobacco by Jacob Bogage at Washington Post. “The Chamber in a statement called CVS’s departure “unfortunate” and said the reports about its tobacco positions were part of a “concerted misinformation campaign.” Read more

 

Target installing rooftop solar on eight N.C. stores by John Downey at Charlotte Business Journal. “The largest will be a 644-kilowatt project atop the Charlotte store on Northlake Center Parkway. That installation will cost $1.35 million. The smallest will be a 336-kilowatt project built at the Monroe store on U.S. Highway 74 at a cost of $694,510.” Read more

 

Kroger invites you to bring your growler to Greater Cincinnati stores by Steve Watkins at Cincinnati Business Journal. “Kroger is adding beer taps to a few stores in the Dayton area and will add taps to its Harper’s Point and Anderson Town Center stores in Greater Cincinnati, Kroger spokeswoman Patty Leesemann told me.” Read more

 

***A message from Mobee’s Bees: Mobee has over 350,000 GPS tracked, Smartphone enabled ‘Bees’ located within 5 miles of every US retail store. Detect supply chain issues quickly. “Supply Chain Fix Alerts” have resulted in post-alert sales increases of up to +35%. How Mobee works video. Contact dowdy@getmobee.com to request a free pilot.

 

Kantar: US slow to embrace online grocery shopping “Only three countries in the world exceed the average 3.9% share: the UK (6.0%), France (4.3%), South Korea (13.2%).” Read more

 

Saks, Lord & Taylor Personalize Websites, Email to Lure High-Spending Shoppers by Kim S. Nash at WSJ. “People who interact with a store both digitally and physically during a single transaction spend two to four times as much money, said Michael Burgess, president of HBC Digital, a technology division that runs the e-commerce sites for Hudson’s Bay brands.” Read more (Subscription)

 

Home Depot Canada Raises $1.2M in 36 Days to Fight Homelessness Read the release

 

‘Old man’ at Amazon gives advice to interns: Find a better job somewhere else by Todd Bishop at GeekWire. “If you are smart enough to get through an Amazon interview loop then you’re smart enough to get through a Google/Facebook/Apple/etc. loop without any problems. So why throw yourself into an environment that is designed to chew you up and spit you out?” Read more

 

Digital Grocers Attract Opposite Female Shoppers in China and Japan at eMarketer “Polling found that female digital grocery buyers in Japan were on much less of a schedule than their counterparts in China…More than half said they bought groceries digitally on no set schedule, compared with just 10.5% who said the same in China.” Read more

 

Meijer stores will open in Oak Creek and Wauwatosa (WI) Aug. 4 by Natalie Wickman at Milwaukee Business Journal. Read more

 

Tipsheet Extra

Walmart Labs, Microsoft alums look to tap $150B market with HoloLens startup

Costco shopper says trip to store landed her in ER

Fayetteville inventors land another product on Walmart U.S. shelves

Container Store Q1 Comp -0.9%

Nine West stores caught in bankruptcy protection

PetSmart Expands Premium Food Selection with Introduction of Natural Balance

Read Tipsheet Extra Stories

 

***

Eye on Retail Tipsheet is created early every weekday morning and read by retail merchants and executives worldwide. We love data, earnings reports, executive presentations and stories off the beaten path that get at what’s really happening in the world of retail. See the website at www.eyeonretail.net

Tuesday Tipsheet: Wmart Pitch Today | Target OK on Lead | H.Dep Cyber Kudos | Dick’s #618

/in

 

Home Depot Has Better Cyber Security Than 25 US Defense Contractors by Aliya Sternstein at Defense One. “When measured in aggregate, network controls at breached J.P. Morgan Chase and Home Depot, combined with the rest of the retail and financial sectors, rated higher than the top companies supporting the U.S. military.” Read more

 

Amazon patents tech to help you cheat at video games by Emily Parkhurst at Puget Sound Business Journal. “Basically, if you can’t figure out how to beat the level, you can have someone else do it from their own device. Some might call that cheating. Others might say it’s no different than handing the controller off to your friend.” Read more

 

Wal-Mart de Mexico Keeps Up Strong Sales Growth at Nasdaq. “Same-store sales in Mexico…rose 3.6% in June and were up 5.2% in the first six months of the year.” Read the release

 

Dick’s Sporting Goods Opens #618 Read the release

 

Children’s jewelry at Target did not contain high levels of lead, health department says by Carrie Wells at The Baltimore Sun. “Health Department spokesman Michael Schwartzberg said Monday that a staff member misread a lab test of the $6 Hello Kitty necklace sold at the Target store in Canton. The necklace did not violate the federal government’s lead limit for children’s items, he said.” Read more

 

800 to pitch products to Wal-Mart today by Chris Bahn at Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette. “Wal-Mart is the first to see this. I got my first delivery of socks two weeks ago and sat on them because I wanted Wal-Mart to see them first,” said Jarratt. “They’ve been very, very good to us. Maybe they give me a shot at a couple stores. Maybe not. I don’t know where it will wind up, but I didn’t want to go anywhere else first.” Read more

 

***A message from Dolce Extra Virgin Olive Oil – Looking for a true extra virgin olive oil? If you’re looking for high quality and high-impact packaging you’ve found it. Dolce features a maximum acidity rate of 0.2% and adheres to strict quality standards. Our advanced systems ensure less than 12 hours between harvest and oil extraction to packaging. See the new website. Retailers-request a sample at info@shiftmarketinggroup.net

 

Appeals court rules against Amazon in dispute over product search results by Todd Bishop at GeekWire. “Watch manufacturer Multi Time Machine Inc. won its appeal against Amazon this morning in a dispute over the way the e-commerce giant displays search results for products it doesn’t sell.” Read more

 

InMarket says nearly 40 percent of Millennial Moms are now beacon-accessible by Barry Levine at Venture Beat. Read more

 

Watch out Amazon…Home Depot narrowing price gap by Dan Berthiaume at Chain Store Age. “According to a recent study from pricing analytics provider 360pi,…” Home Depot was the most aggressively priced home improvement “category killer,” with an average price of just more than 5% above Amazon…Lowe’s, was pricing the sampled assortment at an average of 11%-13% higher than Amazon.” Read more

 

Walmart Canada launches grocery pickup option today by Dan Berthiaume at Chain Store Age. “Starting on July 7, customers will be able to place online grocery orders for select product, including fresh food, for pickup in six stores in the Ottawa area. An additional five stores will offer the service starting on July 21. The pickup fee is $3 and customers will be able to order up to 21 days in advance.” Read more

 

Dollar Tree Completes Acquisition of Family Dollar Read the release

 

Ahold fresh formats executive resigns at Supermarket News. “Ahold USA said Monday Bhavdeep Singh has announced plans to resign as EVP, fresh formats, effective July 17. Succeeding him on an interim basis will be Scott Miller, SVP, operations, the company said.” Read more

 

Confederate “Stand by the Flag” Rally at Walmart Got Heated by Miriam Wasser at Phoenix New Times. “At 3:40 p.m., Walmart management, accompanied by the plainclothes Phoenix Police Community Response Squad, kicked everyone out of the parking lot after enough customers complained about the presence. As the crowd dispersed, a Walmart manager off-handedly told New Times that he thought this was all pretty silly and even a little confusing, “we never sold Confederate flags here,” he said. “We’re not in the south.” Read more / See the pics

 

***

Eye-on-Retail Tipsheet is created early every weekday morning and read by retail merchants and executives worldwide. We love data, earnings reports, executive presentations and stories off the beaten path that get at what’s really happening in the world of retail. See our website at www.eyeonretail.net

 

Monday Tipsheet: Amazon’s ‘Prime Day’ | F.Dol/D.Tree Unite Today | TV Punishment

/in

 

Amazon is kicking off a huge Black Friday-like sales event called ‘Prime Day’ for its 20th anniversary by Tricia Duryee at GeekWire. “The 24-hour sale called Prime Day officially kicks off on July 15, the eve of its anniversary. The discounts will start at 12:01 a.m. and last until the end of the day. To participate, shoppers must be an Amazon Prime member or sign-up for a free 30-day trial.” Read more

 

Family Dollar Sale to Dollar Tree Closes Today by Katherine Peralta at Charlotte Observer. “Dollar Tree has said it plans to trim annual expenses by $300 million in the deal over the next three years, which could include a slew of changes for Family Dollar, including possible layoffs for some of the 1,300 workers at Family Dollar’s corporate headquarters in Matthews.” Read more

 

Target and Supervalu down, Best Buy up in NRF rankings by Nick Halter at Minn./St.Paul Business Journal. “Target fell from No. 4 to No. 6 on the list with $72.6 billion in U.S. sales, up 1.8 percent. Target was passed by Walgreen Co. and The Home Depot.” Read more  See the top 100 list via NRF

 

Is this the greenest supermarket in the world? by Anmar Frangoul at CNBC. “For Sam Fishman, the Store Team Leader at the Whole Foods Market, the benefits of using renewable technology have not just been felt in the environment. “The wind turbines, Skypumps and solar panels actually draw people into our store,” Fishman said.” Read more

 

Study: Amazon changes having little impact on product ratings so far by Todd Bishop at GeekWire. “Out of 185 products, representing the top 5 selling products in each major Amazon category, only one product saw a significant decrease in its overall rating since the change started to roll out, according to the study by Seattle-based DNA Response.” Read more

 

Will Amazon Soon Challenge Jet, the Hot Discount Shopping Site from a Former Employee? by Jason Del Rey at Recode. “I asked Amazon whether the Prime-exclusive discounts were the first step toward a more streamlined discount program for Prime members to challenge Jet’s approach. I didn’t actually think the company would admit it if they were, but was curious what kind of response I’d get.” Read more

 

Home Depot asks court to dismiss financial institutions’ lawsuit over data breach by David Allison at Atlanta Business Chronicle. “Home Depot goes to on say that “No individual bank alleges any harm that it specifically incurred as a result of the Home Depot data breach, and the majority of the types of damage the banks seek to recover are expenses voluntarily incurred to protect against possible future harm.” Read more

 

…Read Home Depot’s Complete Response Here

 

Some retailers still giving out plastic bags on Oahu, and they’re legal by Ben Gutierrez at Hawaii News Now. “It’s a very thick plastic bag, and the intent of the law was to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and stop producing bags made out of fossil fuels, which is plastic,” he said.” Read more

 

Televisions Are No Longer the Screen of Choice for Kids by Anthony Crupi at Ad Age. “800 parents quizzed by Miner & Co. reported that they confiscate their kids’ tablets when they act up and make them watch TV instead, thereby fostering a sort of Pavlovian response that equates TV with punishment.” Read more

 

***

Eye on Retail Tipsheet is created early every weekday morning and read by retail merchants and executives worldwide. We love data, earnings reports, executive presentations and stories off the beaten path that get at what’s really happening in the world of retail. See the website at www.eyeonretail.net

 

Thursday Tipsheet: Lowe’s Sense of Humor | W.Foods Execs Apologize | F.Dol +0.7% | Academy #200

/in

 

How Lowe’s Brought Social Savvy and a Sense of Humor to Home Improvement by Jeff Beer at Fast Company. “The advertising in our category tends to be pretty earnest,” (CMO Tom Lamb)says. “I mean, home is important, but our work takes a more wink-and-a-nod approach to home improvement which also helps get back to the idea that home improvement is an approachable proposition and we’re an approachable brand.” Read more / See the Vines

 

Family Dollar earnings dip to $79.9M in Q3 by Jennifer Thomas at Charlotte Business Journal. “That’s down roughly 1.5 percent from the same period a year ago.” Read more

 

…Family Dollar Q3 Comp +0.7% Read the release

 

Top Whole Foods execs apologize for overcharging customers by Reuven Blau at NY Daily News. “Straight up, we made some mistakes and we want to own that,” Whole Foods co-CEO Walter Robb said in a nearly two-minute video posted on YouTube.” See the video / Read more

 

Judge Blasts Home Depot Attys’ ‘Dishonest’ Dismissal Bid by Aebra Coe at Law 360. “Attorneys for Home Depot USA Inc. crossed the line from zealous advocacy to dishonesty when they argued that a proposed class action accusing the retailer of improperly conducting employee background checks failed to allege a willful violation of the Fair Credit Reporting Act, a California federal judge said Tuesday.” Read more (Subscription)

 

Topeka Man Gave Sam Walton the Idea for Greeters by Mike Hall at The Topeka Capital Journal. “Walton asked him what he thought of the store. “I don’t like it,” Ray replied. Walton was briefly taken aback by the reply and asked what was wrong with it. Ray noted he was greeted by a man in a police uniform as he entered the store. He told Walton that wouldn’t sit well with Topekans. …When Walton asked Ray for a better idea, Ray suggested friendly greeters who weren’t law enforcement — maybe some affable retired people. Walton asked Ray to stay around after the ceremony and share lunch with him.” Read more

 

Study: Consumers favor ‘Made in USA’ products over sustainability by Kim Souza at The City Wire. “American consumers continue to rally their support around “Made in USA” products with 45% admitting that such a label is “extremely” or “very” important to them, according to a new survey by Fayetteville-based Field Agent.” Read more

 

***A message from Mobee’s Bees: Mobee has over 350,000 GPS tracked, Smartphone enabled ‘Bees’ located within 5 miles of every US retail store. Detect supply chain issues quickly. “Supply Chain Fix Alerts” have resulted in post-alert sales increases of up to +35%. How Mobee works video. Contact dowdy@getmobee.com to request a free pilot.

 

Hawaii first to ban plastic bags statewide by Darin Moriki at Pacific Business News. Read more

 

Lidl selects North Carolina for regional HQ, distribution hub by Kristin Zachary at Triad Business Journal. “The German discount grocer is expected to invest $125 million and create 200 jobs during the next three years.” Read more

 

Academy Sports + Outdoors to open #200 Read the release

 

Wal-Mart seeks product-relevant content from its suppliers at The City Wire. “The retail giant notes in a recent blog post that its new Product Content Collection System (PCCS) is being piloted with dozens of suppliers and will be launched across the Wal-Mart ecosystem later this year.” Read more

 

Sears Hometown and Outlet Stores, Inc. Announces New CEO Read the release

 

Instacart shopper sues grocery delivery startup for back wages, expenses by Curt Woodward at The Boston Globe. “Busick, 57, said Instacart initially paid a minimum of $10 per hour for the work. But a few weeks into her work, Busick said, her minimum hourly wage disappeared and she was only paid based on the number of deliveries she made.” Read more

 

Tipsheet Extra

How Facebook and Campbell Soup Are Trying to Read Your Mind

Starbucks inks deal with French supermarket giant

This is Facebook’s new logo

Why Lego Is Spending Millions To Ditch Oil-Based Plastic

There’s a ticking time bomb inside the online advertising market

Grand Rapids birthplace of the supercenter gets historical marker

Read Tipsheet Extra Stories

 

Eye on Retail will return next Monday – have a great weekend!

 

***

Eye on Retail Tipsheet is created early every weekday morning and read by retail merchants and executives worldwide. We love data, earnings reports, executive presentations and stories off the beaten path that get at what’s really happening in the world of retail. See the website at www.eyeonretail.net

 

Wednesday Tipsheet: Sneak Peek CityTarget Fenway | 1st Lowe’s in Winnipeg | Kroger Pres Out | Bitter Pods

/in

Sneak Peek Inside the first CityTarget on the East Coast by Eden Shulman at The Boston Globe. “We’re tailoring the store to Fenway Park,” said Don Aldridge, the store’s general manager. As such, several original Fenway Park seats, dating back to the 1950s, are installed in the ground floor entryway.” See the pics / Read more

…13 more pics via Boston Business Journal.  See the pics

 

Lowe’s to build its first store in Winnipeg at Winnipeg Free Press. “The document estimates the cost of constructing the building at between $15 million and $20 million. It says construction work is to get underway this year, with completion in 2016.” Read more

 

Best Buy rolls out mini-shops for Samsung appliances by Kavita Kumar at Star-Tribune. “The “Samsung Open House,” a roughly 20-by-20-foot area, was installed in Best Buy’s Maple Grove and Maplewood stores, as well as one in the Chicago area, in early June. It will roll out the mini-shop to about 200 more locations by the end of the year.” Read more

 

Amazon Launches Full Retail Operations In Mexico by Sarah Perez at TechCrunch. “The company is also launching its online selling service for Mexican businesses and sellers as well as its Fulfillment by Amazon service.” Read more

 

A struggling Sam’s Club refocuses on treasure hunt deals, daily values by Kim Souza at The City Wire. “During a recent tour of the Sam’s Club in Bentonville, management unveiled several new merchandising plays in the retailer’s turnaround game plan. Sam’s Club merchant teams were told to take more risks on items and to turn over the merchandise in quick fashion so that there is “more newness, more often.” Read more

 

***A message from Dig It® Handwear – Protect your finger nails when gardening!  Revolutionary garden glove protects nails from chipping or breaking with patented “pillow-top” finger nail protection.  View the innovation at www.digithandwear.com. Peggable gloves merchandise easily. Retailers contact info@shiftmarketinggroup.net to request samples.

 

Kroger president and COO makes exit by Steve Watkins at Cincinnati Business Courier. “Kroger Co. president Michael Ellis has retired, effective immediately. Ellis, who is 57, became president and COO in January 2014. That’s when Rodney McMullen vacated those roles to become CEO after David Dillon retired.” Read more

 

Controversial WinCo store opens in Surprise, AZ by Garrett Mitchell at The Arizona Republic. “After two years of legal hurdles and local resistance, the seventh Arizona WinCo supermarket has finally opened its doors in Surprise. But the legal battle is ongoing, with one attorney for a competing store saying WinCo could close its doors if it loses one of the four lawsuits the store faces.” Read more

 

Macy’s urged to drop Donald Trump after anti-immigrant comments by Teresa Novellino at New York Business Journal. “Macy’s carries a Trump menswear line that includes business apparel and accessories, and the department store chain has also featured Trump and other celebrity merchandising partners in TV commercials.” Read more

 

Loblaw workers appear headed for strike in coming days by Ahmad Hathout at Globe & Mail. “On Monday, Locals 175 and 633, representing 14,000 employees, set a strike deadline of July 2 at 12:01 a.m.” Read more

 

Wal-Mart works to correct ‘Made In USA’ label problem by Kim Souza at The City Wire. Read more

 

RadioShack is back, the retailer proclaims by Krystina Gustafson at CNBC. “Even as details of the brand’s future are being hashed out, it has launched a marketing campaign to let shoppers know that it’s still in business. By using the hashtag #RadioShackisBack, the firm is posting to itsTwitter and Facebook accounts its products, deals—and endorsements by celebrities Carlos Mencia and Orlando Jones.” Read more

 

P&G adds bitter taste to make Tide Pods safer by Alexander Coolidge at Cincinnati.com. Read more

 

CEO Lundgren: ‘I was the obstacle’ to Macy’s discount concept by Andy Brownfield at Cincinnati Business Courier. “I think, frankly, I was the obstacle in the way here because I didn’t really want this business. I thought we could do enough of this ourselves,” Lundgren said.” Read more

 

Tipsheet Extra

High-end fashion label Dion Lee goes to Target Australia

Pier 1 Imports Appoints Retail Veteran to EVP & CFO

Meijer Announces up to $100 Million Commitment to Locally-Grown Produce

Jo-Ann Promotes Exec to EVP, Merchandising & Marketing

Dallas: Nebraska Furniture Mart’s Grandscape now has a lake and a Cheddar’s

Read Tipsheet Extra Stories

 

***

Eye-on-Retail Tipsheet is created early every weekday morning and read by retail merchants and executives worldwide. We love data, earnings reports, executive presentations and stories off the beaten path that get at what’s really happening in the world of retail. See our website at www.eyeonretail.net