Archive for month: November, 2015

Target CEO Brian Cornell on Bruce Dayton: A legacy of generosity by Brian Cornell at Star Tribune. “The night we met, Bruce brought me a set of books (two he’d authored himself) about the history of Target and the Dayton family…I keep these books on my desk, not as cherished mementos, but as guidebooks that help me do my small part in making sure Bruce’s legacy of generosity endures for generations to come.” Read more

Walmart’s U.S. CEO: Toys Will Have Biggest Christmas in Years by Phil Wahba at Fortune. “…And we’re already starting to see it,” Foran told reporters on a tour this week of a Walmart in Secaucus, N.J. as he stopped in the toy section. “I think a lot of it is because of the electronic componentry now getting put into these toys, and they’re becoming interesting again for customers.” Read more

Dillard’s Q3 Comp Sales -4.0% Read the release

Amazon cuts Prime cost in UK ahead of Black Friday by James Titcomb at The Telegraph Read more

Interview: Walmart E-com CEO Neil Ashe by Chris Bahn at Arkansas Online. “You have not been shy about publicly taking jabs at some online competitors like Jet.com and Amazon.com. Is that just your personality or a calculated move to send some sort of message? Look, we all want to have a little bit of fun doing this. We’re not curing cancer here. We’re trying to build a business. We’re trying to serve customers. Why not have a little fun? You’re not used to hearing somebody from Wal-Mart say these things.” Read the full interview

Merchants Watch Online Sales Data for Shifts in Buying Habits by Liam Pleven at WSJ. “With online sales taking up a greater share of the retail pie, merchants, mall owners and economists will be looking to data due out Tuesday for signs of a shift in buying habits that could point to further changes in America’s shopping infrastructure…” Read more (Subscription)

Lowe’s Names Bertram L. Scott To Board Of Directors Read the release

**A message from Dig It Gloves–This is the last week for placing Spring ’16 orders. Why are Dig It garden gloves loved by women? It’s easy–interior pillow-top protectors are built into each fingertip. That’s right, no more broken or chipped nails when gardening! Call it manicure insurance, or just plain brilliant, but you have to see it to believe it. Cross-merchandise in the garden center during Spring ’16. Request samples at: info@shiftmarketinggroup.net | www.digithandwear.com

‘Star Wars’ Is a Force in Stores’ Toy Aisles by Paul Ziobro at WSJ. “One property hit hard: “Peanuts.” Iconix Brand Group Inc., which controls the license to the newest animated Charlie Brown movie, this month cut its sales outlook from “Peanuts” licenses by $24 million for the year largely because it miscalculated how many Snoopy dolls and other “Peanuts” products retailers would buy.” Read more (Subscription)

Juniper Hires Security CTO From Walmart.com by Steven Norton at WSJ. Read more (Subscription)

Apple to open retail store in Singapore powered only by sun by Annabelle Liang at AP via Charlotte Observer. “With the deal, Apple will be the first company in Singapore to run exclusively on renewable energy.” Read more

Sears Canada’s downsizing deepens as it sells more real estate, including $100M distribution centre via Financial Post. Read more

Wal-Mart acquisitions raise presence in tech world by Chris Bahn at NWA Online. “I started about three months after the Kosmix acquisition. That was when they signaled to the world they were serious about making a change,” (Jeremy) King said. “That was the catalyst for me to take an interview. Until then, I wasn’t sure they were serious.” Read more

Deloitte’s 2015 Technology Fast 500 Ranking  See the top 500 list

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Ad Week: Target’s Holiday Campaign Brings a Magical Story to Life Across TV, Digital and Its Stores

PPG’s Glidden brand opens exhibit at Epcot

From Target to television: The strange trip of Channel 2 meteorologist Patrick Hammer

Aldi staff compare working at the store to going to the gym due to strict time demands

ESPN and Maytag combining to give the world a haptic moment on Monday

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Wal-Mart Labor Activists Demand Employee Discount on Food by Shannon Pettypiece at Bloomberg. “For the world’s largest retailer, that could cost more than $400 million. Wal-Mart currently offers workers a 10 percent discount on all merchandise except the vast majority of food. Fruits, vegetables and some snacks are the only food items included in the promotion, unless they’re on sale. Read more

How a Target shopping cart changed a Missouri family’s life at Fox 2 St. Louis. “Her husband Adam’s post expressing gratitude to Target’s Facebook page has gone viral with over 100,000 likes.” Read more

Walmart Buys “Deep”, Releases Black Friday Plans “Walmart will never be the retailer that broadcasts a great price on Black Friday and then ends up only having a few in stock,” added (Steve) Bratspies. “We bought deep on televisions, toys and more to ensure hundreds of customers in a store – not tens of customers – get the gift they want.” Read the release

REI CEO Grilled on Reddit Chat over Membership Tactics by Molly Brown at GeekWire. “…It got kind of nasty from there, with even customers getting in on the thread. From Gazorp: “As an REI customer, it’s incredibly irritating to be constantly pushed to buy a membership by every employee I encounter. A checkout employee laughed in my face yesterday when I told him I didn’t have a membership.” Read more

Buyout firms expected to bid more than $4B for Petco by Josh Kosman at NY Post. “The auction sale of the nation’s No. 2 pet-supply chain is turning into a real dogfight…The well-heeled groups, one with KKR & Co. and Hellman & Friedman, and the second with CVC Capital Partners and the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board, are expected to each bid more than $4 billion for the chain. That would be less than 10 times Petco’s $480 million a year in Ebitda, a source said. Buyout firm BC Partners paid a roughly nine times Ebitda for the better-performing PetSmart.” Read more

Dick’s launches new ecommerce site for Field & Stream brand by Tim Schooley at Pittsburgh Business Times. “Dick’s operates FieldandStreamShop.com in-house, as it does for its Golf Galaxy chain.” Read more

Costco’s Sinegal looks to offload Bird Rock mansion at San Diego Reader. “This is the first time the home has been offered on the open market in nearly 20 years, though public records indicate the property was purchased via private sale in 2012 for $12,000,000 by the Sinegal family of Hunts Point, Washington.” Read more

Kroger deal to buy Roundy’s ‘a strategic masterstroke,’ analyst says by Steve Watkins at Cincinnati Business Courier. Read more

**A message from Pro Chlor chlorine tabs – Does a gap exist in your septic assortment? Aerobic septic systems require chlorine tablets – not Rid-X® – to disinfect water. Aerobic systems are more environmentally friendly and mandated for use in certain communities in the lower-half of the US. Chlorine tablets are expensive to ship making them ideal to drive in-store traffic (at high margins). See why Pro Chlor is the choice of retailers’ nationwide.  Contact info@shiftmarketinggroup.net for program information. www.gwtcinc.com

Macy’s may be a takeover target by Fred Imbert at CNBC. “They’re trading at $40 a share; all those guys at your conference thought they were worth $60, $70, $80, $90 just on the real estate,” Kniffen said.” Read more

Why this robot may soon be cruising down your grocery store’s aisles by Matt McFarland at Washington Post. “The 38-inch tall Tally is programmed to navigate a store while stopping to take photos of shelves. These are uploaded to the cloud and compared against an idealized representation of the store to see if products are where they should be, and are properly priced.” Read more

Amazon Studios Chief Adds Oversight of TV, Film Licensing by Natalie Jarvey at The Hollywood Reporter. Read more

Here’s How Procter & Gamble Is Thinking About the Smart Home by Stacey Higginbotham at Fortune. “P&G is testing a relatively new wireless protocol that went live on Wednesday with its public certification. The protocol is called Thread and it was created by a group of companies that include Nest, Samsung, Freescale, Silicon Labs, and Big Ass Fans.” Read more

Sears Spoof Ad on Jimmy Kimmel (Sears – Technically Still in Business) via Chicago Crain’s  See the video

Former Gen. McChrystal speaks at Wal-Mart Veterans day event by Kim Souza at The City Wire. “On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 2015, Wal-Mart held its annual Veterans Day event at its home office in Bentonville. “The time and date of this event isn’t coincidental, it’s in keeping with the original Armistice Day first observed in 1919,” said Gary Profit, senior director of military programs for Walmart.” Read more

Amazon Opens Pickup Location in Isla Vista (CA) via KEYT 3 “Amazon@IslaVista is the fourth pickup location that the company has opened in 2015. “ Read more

No empty nest: Young women live with Mom & Dad like it’s 1940 via Chicago Tribune. “A Pew Research Center analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data found that 36.4 percent of women between the ages 18 and 34 lived with parents or relatives in 2014.” Read more

Angie’s List rebuffs $500M IAC proposal, sees shares jump by Reem Nasr at CNBC. Read more

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Bloomberg: Farm-to-Table Dog Food Is Now a Thing

The 10 Most Watched Ads on YouTube in October (Barbie #1, Squatty Potty #4)

How Birchbox Discovered the Beauty Consumer Everyone Else was Ignoring

Sam’s Club Chief Member Officer Praises Disney for Digital and Physical Integration

Amazon to open office in downtown Chicago

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Contact: Jason Long, jlong@eyeonretail.net

Consumers Aren’t Happy With Target Sweater That Makes Light of OCD by Kristina Monllos at Ad Week. “We never want to disappoint our guests, and we apologize for any discomfort,” said a spokesman for the company in a statement. “We currently do not have plans to remove this sweater.” Read more / See the pics

Walmart’s Use of Sci-fi Tech To Spot Shoplifters Raises Privacy Questions by Jeff John Robert at Fortune. “Walmart’s experiment, which it ended after several months, highlights the powerful high-tech tools available to retailers to reduce theft…Home Depot says it does not use face scanning software. Walgreens says it has no contract with FaceFirst, and added it does not discuss specific security measures. Target, meanwhile, would not confirm or deny if the company uses the software.” Read more

Frank Blake Joins Macy’s Board of Directors “Blake’s election increases the size of the board to 14 members.” Read the release

Apples’s Angela Ahrendts on Where the Company is Taking Retail Next by Austin Carr at Fast Company. “How do we get our kids who prefer no human interaction into these stores?” Ahrendts bemoaned how fragmented the Apple retail experience has been in the past…”I asked Tim a very simple question: Why do we do it this way?” she recalled. “He said, ‘I don’t know—we’ve always done it this way.’” Read more

Target Debuts Black Friday Promotional Strategy, Stores to Open at 6 p.m. on Thanksgiving  Read the release

Best Buy opening at 5 p.m. on Thanksgiving, releases Black Friday deals by Kavita Kumar at Star Tribune. “And in a twist, the nation’s largest electronics chain will once again close its stores at 1 a.m. when traffic begins to wane that night and re-pen them at 8 a.m. on the actual Black Friday.” Read more

14% of Canadians regularly engaged in so-called “commuter commerce” on the bus, streetcar or commuter train are spending an average of $529 per month on goods and services, according to a new survey from Ipsos Reid and PayPal.  By Hollie Shaw at Financial Post. Read more

**A message from Dig It Gloves–Only 1 week remains to place your order for Spring ’16. Why are Dig It garden gloves loved by women? It’s easy–interior pillow-top protectors are built into each fingertip. That’s right, no more broken or chipped nails when gardening! Call it manicure insurance, or just plain brilliant, but you have to see it to believe it. Cross-merchandise in the garden center during Spring ’16. Request samples at: info@shiftmarketinggroup.net | www.digithandwear.com

Know a Workout Warrior? With New CMO, JC Penney Aims to Be Gifting Destination by Adrianne Pasquarelli at Ad Age. “We’re trying to facilitate her shopping mission from beginning to end,” said Ms. (Mary Beth) West, who was formerly with Mondelez International. “We have a wonderful assortment at great value, but people don’t know all that,” she said.” Read more

Walgreens Executive Vice President to Present at Credit Suisse 2015 Healthcare Conference Today Read the release

Rite Aid’s troubled history of family drama, high debt and mismanagement by John Luciew at Penn Live. “The company was started and built by the frugal father. It was mortally wounded by the free-spending son, who would end up in federal prison for his role in a sweeping accounting scandal, costing investors millions in vanished stock value…” Read more

Kroger to retrofit 1,000 gas stations energy-efficient lights by Alexnader Coolidge at Cincinnati Enquirer. Read more

Oreo to let customers personalize packaging for holidays by Samantha Bomkamp at Chicago Tribune. “Or, for those who don’t want a digital design, Oreo is offering a black-and-white package that comes with markers to color the package by hand. Each Colorfilled Oreo pack costs $10, plus $5 for shipping.” Read more

Sam’s Club Adds New Pre-Black Friday Event Read the release

USPS worker fired after throwing $199 package of delicate electronics from customer’s driveway to his front door by Kieran Corcoran at Daily Mail. “I was expecting something professional. I mean grab the package, come to my door, leave it at my door and ring on the bell. But that’s not what I saw.’ See the video / Read more

Tipsheet Extra

Stores Realize It’s Dumb to Open Earlier and Earlier on Thanksgiving

CNBC: The other big retail frenzy you’ve never heard of

Home Depot loses bid to overturn N.C. Revenue Department’s denial of $4 million in tax deductions

J.C. Penney will open at 3 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day, two hours earlier

Meijer names Pepin SVP of foods

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By Jason Long, jlong@eyeonretail.net

Lowe’s to pay NY customers $1.1 million for deceptive sales practices by Katherine Peralta at Charlotte Observer. “According to the attorney general’s investigation, Lowe’s charged customers for floor installations based on how many square feet of carpeting, tile, wood and laminate flooring they ordered for a project instead of those that were actually installed.” Read more

Target believes audio porn played in Calif. store was from outside source by Paul Walsh at Star Tribune. “Molly Snyder, spokeswoman for the Minneapolis-based national retailer, said this week that “there is absolutely no indication that any team members were involved” and that the company believes the raunchy recording did not originate from inside the store.” Read more

Report: Bass Pro Shops explores bid for Cabela’s by Reuters via CNBC. “Bass Pro is working with an investment bank on the potential offer, the people said this week….The sources asked not to be identified because the deliberations are confidential.” Read more

WI: Costco opening to be “organized chaos” by Maureen Wallenfang at Post Crescent. “If you’re not into lines, wait until Sunday. Come during the Packers game,” she said. “The week after opening it starts to ‘normal’ out.” Read more

Alibaba in Talks to Invest Around $80 Million in Boxed, a Costco-Like Shopping App by Jason Del Rey at Recode. “If a deal is struck, it would mark Alibaba’s second investment this year in a U.S. e-commerce startup. Earlier this year, it invested in Jet.com.” Read more

Walgreens-Rite Aid deal could lead to elimination of 3,000 stores by Phil Wahba at Fortune. Read more

Amazon to provide grants for ‘globally-impactful’ research at universities by John Cook at GeekWire. “Amazon.com announced a new program today called Amazon Catalyst…it plans to provide grants in the range of $10,000 to $100,000 to researchers, students and faculties at universities working to solve big problems, from climate change to cybersecurity threats.” Read more

Dick’s Pitches to the Heart in Holiday Campaign by Adrianne Pasquarelli at Ad Age. “Sports provide lasting memories passed down through generations,” said CMO and Exec VP Lauren Hobart, a former PepsiCo exec who has been with Dick’s since 2011. “We found it compelling to capture a special moment between a father and his daughter that represents a family tradition being extended to the next generation.” See the spot / Read more

**A message from Dig It Gloves–Only 2 weeks remain to place your order for Spring ’16! Why are Dig It garden gloves loved by women? It’s easy–interior pillow-top protectors are built into each fingertip. That’s right, no more broken or chipped nails when gardening! Call it manicure insurance, or just plain brilliant, but you have to see it to believe it. Cross-merchandise in the garden center during Spring ’16. Request samples at: info@shiftmarketinggroup.net | www.digithandwear.com

Judge ‘troubled’ by his own ruling in Amazon counterfeit goods case, says it’s an issue for Congress to address by Jacob Demmitt at GeekWire. Read more

How Barnes and Noble Is Hitting Back Against Amazon—With Coloring Books by Robert Klara at Ad Week. “On Nov. 14, Barnes & Noble will be staging its most colorful event yet: All of its stores are inviting adults to come in, sit down and color.” Read more

Tesco Is Hiring Someone to Untangle Christmas Lights by Benjamin Snyder at Fortune. “A store in Wrexham, north Wales has put out the job listing, according to The Telegraph, and Grinches need not apply. In fact, the job description requires a person who is “genuinely passionate about Christmas” and who has “excellent people skills.” Read more

Ikea to double stores in Canada even as website sales soar by Hollie Shaw at Financial Post. “The news is more remarkable given that 2016 marks Ikea’s 40th year in Canada, and it has built just 12 of its cavernous showroom warehouse stores in that period. “We are going to expand from coast to coast, in existing cities and into new cities,” Ikea Canada president Stefan Sjöstrand said in an interview.” Read more

Gap Connects Stores Over the Internet With Software-Defined Networking by Rachael King at WSJ. “So far this year, Gap has installed routers at 860 retail stores, said Snehal Patel, network architect at Gap, speaking at the Open Networking User Group conference here Thursday at New York University.” Read more (Subscription)

QVC’s U.S. web sales rise 15% in Q3 by Fareeha Ali at Internet Retailer. Read more

Whole Foods co-CEO says customers not looking “benath the hood” by Phil Wahba at Fortune. “Without naming names, Mackey said that many competitors are aping Whole Foods without really offering the same thing. “They are not copying our quality standards, they are copying our look and feel,” he said. “Many customers are not looking beneath the hood.” Read more

Inside The Coors Family’s Secretive Ceramics Business Worth Billions by Dan Alexander at Forbes. Read more

P&G buys a secret ingredient by Alexander Coolidge at Cincinnati Enquirer. “ChromaDex Corp. develops patented and proprietary ingredient technologies for dietary supplement, food and beverage, skin care, sports nutrition, and pharmaceutical products.” Read more

Tipsheet Extra

CBS Atlanta Targets Stores for ‘Gun Porn’ Magazines in View of Children

Panera pledges to use all cage-free eggs by 2020

Accenture Holiday Survey: 40% plan to spend more on their holiday shopping this year

Sam’s Club top execs under pressure to boost holiday sales, improve traffic

Minnesota-born Twister inducted into Toy Hall of Fame

Walmart greeter gives stranded elderly woman ride home

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