Tipsheet: Wmart Pulls Account from MediaVest | Rona Tops | Ecom +15% in Jan.

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Walmart Pulls Its North American Account From MediaVest by Noreen O’Leary at Adweek. “A Walmart rep confirmed the split…She declined to share further details about what is happening to the business…According to Starcom MediaVest Group, the agency staffs 95 people on its Walmart team. They are primarily based in New York, with two in Chicago, one in California and one in North Carolina.” Read more

 

Ecommerce sales pick up strongly after Christmas, with 15% growth in January by Chloe Rigby at Internet Retailing. “That’s more than double the 7% boost recorded last January and suggests, says the IMRG, that the Black Friday effect of a lingering post-Christmas slump was not repeated this year.” Read more

 

Wal-Mart de Mexico Net Profit Falls, Comp Sales Up via Dow Jones Business News. “Same-store sales in Mexico grew 8.6% from a year before, and in Central America they were up 4.6% in local currencies. The turnaround at Sam’s Club membership stores continued into the fourth quarter, as same-store sales grew 7% from a year earlier.” Read more

 

Inside Canada’s first Saks Fifth Avenue store: Valentino, private jewelry rooms, a Pusateri food hall and more by Hollie Shaw at Financial Post. “Saks Fifth Avenue is opening its first two Canadian stores this month with the launch of its downtown Toronto flagship on Thursday and later at Sherway Gardens on Feb. 25.” See the pics/video/read more

 

Q&A with Roundy’s CEO Bob Mariano at New Metro Market in Milwaukee by Sean Ryan at Milwaukee Business Journal. “The Metro Market, which opened its doors to the public for the first time Tuesday morning, brings several new features…There’s an oyster bar, which Mariano said is among his favorite additions, wood-fired pizza, a 12-hour smoked BBQ, kettle corn and gelato.” Read the Q&A | See the 30 pics

 

Cabela’s earnings report could come with clues about company’s future by Paige Yowell at World-Herald. “It’s very rare that they would say nothing,” said Damien Park, managing partner at Hedge Fund Solutions in Philadelphia, which advises companies and investors on shareholder activism.” Read more

 

***A message from Black Flag® Brand: When the flag flies, pests die. The Black Flag® indoor/outdoor pest arsenal arms homeowners in the battle against invading bugs. Offering quick, decisive formulas that act fast and never back down, Black Flag insect and rodent controls get the job done, and take no prisoners. It’s time to Let It Fly. Check out our videos | Visit us on Facebook

 

Amazon’s Clothing Line Is Definitely Happening by Cameron Wolf at Racked. “WWD notes that a job posting for a senior sourcing manager went out late last week. The job description says Amazon is looking for “an entrepreneurial, analytical and highly motivated [senior] sourcing manager to join our team to launch new high-quality products for our global customers,” according to WWD.” Read more

 

WSJ: Men Are Shopping Like Women by Ray A. Smith. “A recent report from the Boutique @ Ogilvy, the retail and fashion division of marketing agency Ogilvy, says men are increasingly opinionated about what’s in their closet, with 94% of American men saying they have a “defined” sense of personal style.” Read more (subscription)

 

Ex-P&G Exec Joins BJ’s Board “BJ’s Wholesale Club announced today that Robert Steele will be joining BJ’s Board of Directors, effective March 24, 2016.” Read the release

 

Rona Inc tops estimates in potentially last report as Canadian-controlled retailer by Damon Van Der Linde at Financial Post. “…it had a net income of $21.2 million or 20 cents per share in the 13 weeks ended Dec. 27, compared to $17.3 million or 15 cents per share a year earlier. Rona also boasted its sixth consecutive quarterly increase in same-store sales.” Read more

 

Groupon rises from the dead as Alibaba buys stake by Paul R. La Monica at CNN Money. “Alibaba disclosed in an SEC filing…that it acquired nearly 33 million shares of Groupon in the fourth quarter. That works out to about a 5.6% stake. This makes Alibaba the fourth-largest owner of Groupon. Shares of Groupon soared more than 40% in midday trading.” Read more

 

UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS – Representatives from Walmart and Sam’s Club will participate in a panel discussion (Feb. 29th) as to how their science, technology, engineering, or math degree has assisted them in the work they currently do. See the details

 

Barneys New York Returns to Downtown Manhattan With New Flagship Store “The opening in Chelsea on 7th Avenue between 16th Street and 17th Street marks the return of the store to the same block that the company was founded on in 1923.” See the pics / Read the release

 

Wal-Mart stumbles hard in Brazil by Brad Haynes & Nathan Layne at Reuters. “It was never clear who Maxxi was for. It wasn’t cheap enough for the poor. But there was no appeal for the middle class,” said Ordecy Gossler, 40, a public accountant filling his cart with cleaning supplies and toilet paper at Atacadão, a rival chain run by France’s Carrefour. “When they announced in December that both Maxxis were closing, no one in my office knew where they were.” Read more

 

Online grocery prices are 25% higher than offline prices by Kurt Peters at Internet Retailer. “Shoppers pay the highest premium at Netgrocer, where prices are 42% higher than average…Groceries at Amazon.com are 18% lower than average…Target 9% lower and Wal-Mart 19% lower.” Read more

 

Weis Markets Q3 Comp Sales +4.0% Read the release

 

Minimum Wage Hikes Aren’t All Bad News for Wal-Mart by Shannon Pettypiece at Bloomberg. “Those companies are well placed to attract some of the extra money in American pockets. While wage growth has generally been lackluster since the financial crisis, in the five months through January hourly earnings rose at an average annual pace of about 2.5 percent. That’s the best run since 2009.” Read more

 

Google Acknowledges It Collects Student Information, but Doesn’t Target Ads by Dawn Chmielewski at Recode. “Google says it uses the personal information it collects solely to provide its educational services. The schools are responsible for obtaining a parent’s consent and determining whether students have access to services such as Google Search, Earth, Maps or YouTube.” Read more

 

Tipsheet Extra Stories

NY Times: E-Commerce – Convenience Built on a Mountain of Cardboard

Update: Wal-Mart spokesman says 8 vehicles shot driving on U.S. 75

Inside Google’s expanded Seattle-area campus: ‘Like a Willy Wonka chocolate factory’ for technology

The Parmesan Cheese You Sprinkle on Your Penne Could Be Wood

Mother’s invention ‘Baby Vida’ lands on Walmart shelves

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Tipsheet: Top 10 Innovative Retailers | Lowe’s Robot Turns One | Bullets Strike Wmart Trucks | JCP Exec to Retire

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Online sales tax supporters hope gamble pays off by Mario Trujillo & Naomi Jagoda at The Hill. “Supporters of online sales tax legislation have been promised a vote in the Senate this year, but the timing is vague and House consideration is uncertain. To secure considerations of the online sales tax bill known as the Marketplace Fairness Act, advocates traded away one of their major bargaining chips by allowing a separate long-term ban on local Internet access taxes from going forward.” Read more

 

What The Lowe’s Robot Will Do For You—And The Future Of Retail by Jessica Hullinger at Fast Company. “People ask me, ‘Why do you work for Lowe’s?’’ (Kyle) Nel says. “One of my metrics of success is how often people go, ‘Robots at Lowe’s? What?’ We’re really good at retail and understanding home improvement, which means we understand how people live in their homes. Why can’t we also continue to iterate and innovate in uncharted ways?” Read more

 

Fast Company: The Most Innovative Companies of 2016 (CVS #3, Amazon #6…) See the top 50 list | Top 10 retailers

 

Looks Like Amazon May Sell Its Own Diapers, Using a New Non-Amazon Brand by Jason Del Rey at Recode. “A few weeks ago, Amazon emailed some customers, including me, a link to a market research survey about “the look and design of packaging of products that will possibly be sold on Amazon.” In it, Amazon asked a host of questions about a new diaper brand called Mama Bear, as well as the design of packaging associated with it.” Read more

 

Saks braces for battle in Canada’s crowded luxury fashion market by Marina Strauss at Globe & Mail. “It’s six days before the official opening, and Saks’s president is touring the almost-finished Toronto store before Hudson’s Bay Co., which bought Saks Inc. in late 2013, launches the first Saks Fifth Avenue in Canada on Thursday, raising the stakes in the country’s increasingly crowded luxury fashion market…” Read more

 

Why Trader Joe’s Big Move On Eggs Is So Important by Jenny Che at Huffington Post. “The company announced it would begin selling only cage-free eggs in all stores by 2025. Locations in California, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, New Mexico and Colorado could see the switch as early as 2020.” Read more

 

**A message from 2016 Sweets & Snacks Expo – Discover what products are trending and guaranteed to fly off your shelves! Items selected during the Sweets & Snacks Expo’s Most Innovative New Product Awards go on to enjoy sweet success – See the 2015 New Product winners here. Get the first glimpse on the newest items and receive a sneak peek at products predicted by industry experts to become best-sellers. Register now to join us at Chicago’s McCormick Place from May 24-26. See this year’s exhibitors | See featured speakers | Learn More on Our Website

 

Amazon acquires Indian payments processor Emvantage via Reuters. Read more

 

Amazon’s second Treasure Truck deal sells out in an hour, courting Valentine’s Day procrastinators by Todd Bishop at GeekWire. “For the second straight weekend, the company on Sunday surprised customers in its hometown of Seattle with a bargain from the deal delivery vehicle: $10 for 24 long-stemmed roses, just in time for Valentine’s Day procrastinators.” See the pics / Read more

 

The 5 Ways Ed Lampert Destroyed Sears by Adam Hartung at Forbes. Read more

 

IKEA investigated for ‘underpaying taxes by one billion euros between 2009 and 2014’ in Europe by Corey Charlton at Daily Mail. “According to the Greens’ statement, IKEA uses ‘a series of tax loopholes in different European countries, namely the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg to avoid paying taxes’.” Read more

 

Ken Mangone to retire after coming back to help save J.C. Penney by Maria Halkias at Dallas Morning News. “Mangone, executive vice president of product development design and sourcing, retires on April 1. Val Harris becomes senior vice president of product development and design…Penney’s private label network of 400 suppliers located in 32 countries is considered one of the most experienced retail sourcing organizations in the industry.” Read more

 

Watch Gwen Stefani and Target’s Live Four-Minute Ad on the Grammys via Adweek. See the video

 

Retailers turn to Snapchat to share fashion week with curious clientele by Forrest Cardamenis at Luxury Daily. “Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue and Moda Operandi have all created Snapchat accounts in recent weeks, joining retailers such as Nordstrom and Bloomingdale’s on the network.” Read more

 

Tipsheet Extra Stories

Bullets strike five Wal-Mart trucks along U.S. 75 in north Tulsa County

No, Gwen Stefani didn’t fall at the Grammys. That was someone else.

Billboard: 2016 Grammys Performances Ranked From Worst to Best

Photo of young Kroger employee helping visually impaired customer goes viral

Aldi Australia sells 3D printers in its stores

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Tipsheet: Target HR Chief to Alibaba | Victoria’s Secret CEO Resigns | Hoverboards In-Store in April

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Target HR chief Jodee Kozlak heads to Alibaba; retailer promotes Stephanie Lundquist by Evan Ramstad at Star-Tribune. “Stephanie has played a critical leadership role in Target’s transformation efforts, developing and initiating the human resources strategies necessary to drive long-term growth for Target,” Cornell said. “She’s been a leading voice as we push ourselves to think differently and work in new ways across Target.” Read more

 

Why Do So Many People Go Crazy for Wegmans? by Robert Klara at Adweek. “Wegmans feels like a European food hall—and you understand that the people who are selling you the food are passionate about it,” observes global food trend expert Christine Couvelier, founder of Culinary Concierge. “Customers know more about food than ever before, so smart retailers like Wegmans put the right people in the right roles. They involve you in it.” Read more

 

Whole Foods Works to Reduce Costs and Boost Clout With Suppliers by Ilan Brat at Wall Street Journal. “Whole Foods is shifting more responsibility for buying packaged foods, detergents and other nonperishable items for the more than 430 stores to its Austin, Texas, headquarters.” Read more (subscription)

 

Carrie Underwood Incognito as Sales Person at Dick’s Sporting Goods via The Big 98. “Looks like she may have missed her calling. “I can TOTALLY work here.” See the video

 

eBay Bests Amazon and Etsy in Sellers Choice Awards by Ina & David Steiner at EcommerceBytes. “eBay took first place in this year’s Sellers Choice for the first time in the seven-year history of the awards. While winning by a scant .02 points, what set eBay atop the field this year was a clear advantage it had over the other marketplaces in Profitability.” See the Rankings / Read more

 

**A message from ASD Market Week – ASD has the widest variety of goods anywhere! On February 28 – March 2, 2016, we open the doors of the Las Vegas Convention Center to 45,000+ attendees looking to shop the world’s widest variety of wholesale lifestyle accessories and general merchandise at the lowest price points available. Discover hot new products and stylish finds from over 2,600 vendors in categories including: fashion & accessories, beauty & fragrance, gift & home, toys & novelties and many more. Learn more about ASD / See category list | See the show floor video | Register now

 

The CEO of Victoria’s Secret resigns by Matt Linder at Internet Retailer. “Sharon Jester Turney on Friday resigned as CEO of Victoria’s Secret, calling it a personal decision…Succeeding her will be Leslie Wexner, current chairman and CEO of L Brands.” Read more

 

Macy’s Terry Lundgren “Not Talking About Business” at Dress Collection Show by Sharon Edelson at WWD. “Prior to the show, Martine Reardon, chief marketing officer at Macy’s, the presenting sponsor of Go Red for the third year in a row, said the retailer is focusing its incubator program in San Francisco, Chicago and Philadelphia. The designs are “going into stores in some ways,” she said, adding that participants have free reign “to design whatever they want.” Read more

 

Aldi will open 80 new stores across the UK creating 5000 jobs via Mirror. “The German-owned company currently employs around 28,000 workers in more than 600 stores.” Read more

 

Want to buy one of everything on Amazon? This guy figured out what it would cost by Kurt Schlosser at GeekWire. “He says it would cost $12.86 billion. Eng writes that, according to export-x.com, there were 488 million items available on Amazon.com in 2015. He estimated the average price of an item is $26.86, with an uncertainty (standard error of the mean) of $6.03.” Read more

 

What’s next in Kroger’s shopping spree? by Alexander Coolidge at Cincinnati Enquirer. “If Kroger were to go hunting for smaller chains that could meaningfully boost market share in specific markets, it would likely be interested in operators such as: Stater Bros. Markets…Ingles Markets…or Fiesta Mart…” Read more

 

PopSugar Wants to Become the Mobile Shopping Cart for Fashion by Mike Shields at Wall Street Journal. “Essentially, ShopStyle wants to evolve from serving a role akin to Kayak—which helps people find deals across multiple airline websites—to that of iTunes, but for apparel. To facilitate this evolution, PopSugar Inc. purchased the mobile shopping technology firm Cosmic Cart in November.” Read more (subscription)

 

Tipsheet Extra Stories

Walmart and Toys ‘R’ Us to Sell Hoverboards in Stores as Soon as April

North Texas: Nebraska Furniture was supposed to run small furniture stores away but they are thriving one year later

Death-Metal Rocker Believes Lost Vest Ended Up in Macy’s Display 3 Years Later

Walmart Central America COO Welcomes Team to Nicaragua

H-E-B grocery has added two more land parcels in Tarrant County

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Tipsheet: Target’s New Anti-Bullying Line | Lowe’s/Ellen Donate $500K | Retailer Demands 10% Supplier Discount | ‘Red Flag’ for Cabela’s Sale?

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Target debuts Generation Kind, an anti-bullying clothing line by Embry Roberts at NBC Today. “But the message is just the beginning. To ensure that kindness is catching, each T-shirt comes with a friendship bracelet — perfect for anointing new members of your kind-minded squad. In keeping with the line’s mission as an anti-bullying resource, each tag bears the phone number for a non-profit crisis hotline run by partner organization Teenline.” See the shirts / Read more

 

‘Red flag’ that Cabela’s sale is soon?; chairman puts 11 million shares into trust by Paige Yowell at World-Herald. “It could mean that he’s expecting that that’s going to happen soon,” said Jim Zipursky, managing director of Omaha’s Corporate Finance Associates MidWest, which handles mergers and acquisitions. “It’s just another signal that something’s coming down.” Read more

 

Ellen DeGeneres, Lowe’s donate $500,000 to Detroit school by Michael Lewis II at Crain’s Detroit Business. “DeGeneres secured $500,000 from Lowe’s for technology, renovation supplies and additional staff. The North Carolina-based home improvement store chain initially pledged $50,000 for technology and $200,000 for renovation materials and labor. However, Lowe’s pledged an additional $250,000 soon after DeGeneres’ announcement.” Read more | See the full video

 

Retailers seek vendor discounts after slow holiday season by Lisa Fickenscher at NY Post. “Avenue, a plus-size clothing chain, this week asked its vendors for a whopping 10 percent “cost reduction” on products going forward, according to a letter sent by the New Jersey-based chain, a copy of which was obtained by The Post. Some vendors were shocked by the size of the demand and the tone of the e-mail. The e-mail describes the increase as “an assumption unless I can give compelling reason as to why” a vendor can’t afford the discount.” Read more

 

Amazon Planning to Bring Robots In-House, Forcing Rivals to Look Elsewhere by Rebecca Borison at The Street via Dallas Morning News. “Amazon Robotics started off as Kiva, which came along with 25 previous customers, including big-name retailers such as Toys ‘R’ Us, Staples, Walgreens, Gap, Dillard’s, and VF Corp’s Timberland…As of 2019, Amazon will no longer support those Kiva clients, according to multiple sources familiar with the matter.” Read more

 

Sam’s Club searching for 102 small businesses for its annual Small Business Championship by Kim Souza at The City Wire. “(Susan) Kohler said the Walmart Foundation provided the program funding with a $600,000 corporate grant through Sam’s Club to the SCORE Foundation. She said there will be two preliminary champions chosen from each state for 102 overall state winners.” Read more

 

**A message from 2016 Sweets & Snacks Expo – Discover what products are trending and guaranteed to fly off your shelves! Items selected during the Sweets & Snacks Expo’s Most Innovative New Product Awards go on to enjoy sweet success – See the 2015 New Product winners here. Get the first glimpse on the newest items and receive a sneak peek at products predicted by industry experts to become best-sellers. Register now to join us at Chicago’s McCormick Place from May 24-26. See this year’s exhibitors | See featured speakers | Learn More on Our Website

 

Target’s Jeff Jones Mingles with Fashion Crowd at NYFW via The Daily Front Row. “Considering The Daily Front Row is the official magazine of NYFW—or the fashion insiders’ bible, as many like to call it—it’s only natural we should kick off the fashion festivities with champagne, style, and a serious chic collab with ultra-cool retailer, Target…” See the pics / Read more

 

Whole Foods May Put Tattoo Parlors Inside New Millennial-Focused Stores by Leslie Patton at Bloomberg. “Whole Foods has advertised that it’s looking to find suppliers and vendors to set up shop in its 365 stores through a program called “Friends of 365.” The new chain’s website says shoppers may see other businesses, such as body-care product sellers, record shops and tattoo parlors, inside 365 stores and on its outdoor patios.” Read more

 

Battle for REI’s new headquarters may come down to Renton versus Bellevue by Marc Stiles at Puget Sound Business Journal. “We haven’t yet made any decisions and our employees will be the first to know,” a company spokesperson said. Broker chatter, however, has Southport competing against the Spring District, with sites in Issaquah and downtown Bellevue no longer in the running.” Read more

 

Amazon’s bookstore buzz hits San Diego by Jennifer Van Grove & Lori Weisberg at LA Times. “In an email exchange, Reg Kobzi, senior vice president for commercial real estate brokerage CBRE, indicated that Amazon had been looking for retail space, but he would not comment further, citing a confidentiality agreement.” Read more

 

ZIKA SPURS RETAIL SALES – Beginning in March, Target will make bug spray and repellants a centerpiece of its lawn and patio areas in 1,400 stores – about three months earlier than usual via Jack Neff at Ad Age. Read more

 

Toys“R”Us, Inc. Names Joe Venezia Executive Vice President, Global Store Operations Read the release

 

Kroger could buy Fresh Market by Steve Watkins at Cincinnati Business Courier. “Those people told Reuters that Fresh Market is in the second stage of an auction process that involves Kroger and other companies and private equity firms. It named private equity firms Apollo Global Management, KKR & Co. and TPG Capital as others taking part in the Fresh Market auction.” Read more

 

Burberry faces U.S. lawsuit accusing it of deceptive price tags via Reuters. “British luxury fashion brand Burberry is to face a class action lawsuit in the United States, claiming it used misleading price tags at its outlets stores to fool shoppers into believing they were getting big bargains.” Read more

 

Tipsheet Extra Stories

Amazon Helped Make This One of the Fastest-Growing E-Commerce Categories Last Year

Nordstrom has officially become a discount outlet chain

Employee Steals $14K from Club Store to Pay College Tuition

Mooresville neighbors upset after plans for Costco approved

Bacardi Fights to Reclaim Ownership of Havana Club in Closely Watched Trademark Case

Quebec’s ‘autocratic’ control over maple syrup producers in need of major overhaul

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Tipsheet: Target Teams w/Stefani | Lowe’s CMO Q&A | W.Foods -1.8% | Wgreens Threatens

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Target to team with Gwen Stefani for live music video commercial during Grammys by Kavita Kumar at Star Tribune. “The four-minute live commercial/music video will include multiple sets and costume changes — and Target promises there will be guest appearances and other surprises. It will be performed Monday at a soundstage in Los Angeles while the Grammy Awards event happens across town at the Staples Center.” Read more

 

Whole Foods Q1 Comp -1.8% “For the quarter, total sales increased 3% to a record $4.8 billion.” Read the release

 

Whole Foods Is Undergoing a ‘Fundamental Transformation,’ Says Co-CEO by Beth Kowitt at Fortune. “Announced last year, the smaller, lower-priced 365 stores are “the future of where Whole Foods Market will be evolving,” company co-CEO and co-founder John Mackey said on an earnings call Wednesday evening.” Read more

 

Walgreens threatens to pull out of Theranos partnership at Reuters via WSJ. “Walgreens…threatened to terminate its relationship with Theranos Inc unless the blood-testing company quickly fixes the problems found by federal inspectors at its laboratory in California, the Wall Street Journal reported.” Read more | Read WSJ article (subs.)

 

Lumber Liquidators’ Flooring Has Low Risk of Cancer, CDC Says by Matthew Townsend at Bloomberg. “..though it could potentially trigger irritation and breathing problems.” Read more

 

The NRF said Wednesday that it expects a year of healthy though hardly stellar growth for the industry in 2016, releasing a forecast that sales will rise about 3.1 percent via Washington Post. Read more

 

Amazon VP Diego Piacentini takes two-year position with Italian PM by Madeline Vuong at GeekWire. “He will serve as the lead for the prime minister’s digital technology office and he will do so pro bono. “After 16 years at Amazon, it’s a way for me to give back to the country in which I was born,” Piacentini said in statement. “… I travel a lot anyway in my life, so it’s not going to be a really big change.” Read more

 

**A message from Orchard Road Canning – Decorative Series lids spice up the home canning category! Orchard Road’s Decorative Series delivers three distinct designs: Wild Daisy, Fruit and Gingham. See the lid designs here. Contact info@shiftmarketinggroup.net for program information

 

Q&A with Marci Grebstein, Lowe’s Chief Marketing Officer via Total Retail. “Q: If you weren’t working in the retail industry, what do you think you’d be doing? A: I would go to culinary school. I love cooking and have found it to be my creative outlet…Q:What’s the best advice you’ve ever received, and who gave you the advice? A: A former boss of mine who I greatly respect used to tell me that if I haven’t ticked someone off today, I wasn’t doing my job…” Read the Q&A

 

Walgreens CIO starts with the customer and works backward by Clint Boulton at CIO-Asia. “He says his toughest challenge is luring talented IT workers, which are in short supply, in the Midwest…With so many IT startups and the allure of pre-IPO riches in Silicon Valley, why should IT workers joined Walgreens? Dhar points to the popularity of the company’s mobile app, among other factors.” Read more

 

Hudson’s Bay Co eyeing acquisition of bankrupt Dutch department store chain V&D by Hollie Shaw at Financial Post. “Several recent reports in the Dutch media, citing sources close to the negotiations, say HBC governor Richard Baker is squaring off for the stores against Dutch retail and real estate investor Roland Kahn of Cool Investments, owner of the Netherlands-based retail chains CoolCat, M & S Mode, America Today and the lingerie brand Sapph.” Read more

 

Ex-call center workers sue Kroger by Alexander Coolidge at Cincinnati Enquirer. Read more

 

CVS employees save elderly Port Charlotte man from falling for scam at WINK News. “When the cashier found out why he was buying the cards, she felt something wasn’t right. “She said, ‘Mister, it’s a scam,’” Matheson said. “‘I’m telling you, it’s a scam,’ she said. ‘Please don’t buy those things there.” See the video / Read more

 

Nordstrom Unveils Manhattan Flagship Store Footprint And Exterior Design “The store will encompass four properties in the Columbus Circle neighborhood of Manhattan along Broadway between West 57th and West 58th Streets. The approximately 363,000 square-foot store is expected to open in 2019.” See the pic / Read the release

 

Amazon shares bounce on news of $5B buyback via CNBC. Read more

 

The Top CMOs of 2015, as Chosen by an Algorithm (Walmart #7) by Jack Neff at Ad Age. Read more

 

Tipsheet Extra Stories

Target bumped from top spot as Minnesota’s top institutional donor

Fishpeople partners with Walmart to push sustainable seafood option

BuildDirect Wants To Become The Amazon Of The Home Improvement Industry, Launches Marketplace

The real problem luxury brands aren’t talking about

Judge poised to OK $10 million deal ending asst managers’ class actions vs Dick’s Sporting Goods

Man steals $380 worth of DVDs from Walmart, dies while running away

The Adult Diaper Market Is About to Take Off

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Tipsheet: H.Depot Founder has Cancer | ‘Zombie’ Target Back on Track? | Cabela’s New Pres. | Can. Cooling to Rona/Lowe’s?

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Home Depot co-founder reveals he has cancer by Maria Saporta at Atlanta Business Chronicle. “Arthur Blank said from all the tests, the doctors believe the cancer is contained and “removing the cancer physically is the best way to treat it.”He expects it will take a couple of weeks to recover from surgery, so it would be equivalent to him taking a vacation. No other additional treatment — radiation or chemotherapy or hormonal therapy — is planned as of now.” Read more

 

Burberry Accuses J.C. Penney of Ripping Off its Check Pattern by Phil Wahba at Fortune. “Taking a dig at Penney, which caters to more frugal customers, Burberry said in the court filing that “even though defendants’ infringing products are of inferior quality, they appear superficially similar to genuine Burberry products.” It then said Penney had intended to “deceive and mislead consumers into believing that defendants’ or their products are authorized, sponsored by or connected to Burberry.” Read more

 

Target jet use ranks CEO among highest-flying Fortune 100 executives by Jim Hammerand at Minneapolis/St.Paul Business Journal. “Target reported Cornell’s airtime value at $112,486 of his $28 million in pay for fiscal 2014. His jet perk is worth more than all but 32 Fortune 100 CEOs.” Read more

 

These Are the Brands Americans Trust the Most by Michal Addady at Fortune. “The annual BrandSpark Most Trusted Awards honors the brands Americans trust most, those they would recommend to friends and neighbors,” president and CEO Robert Levy said in a press release. “This award boosts shoppers’ confidence when making a purchase decision in store aisles.” Read more/See the list | 2016 Most Trusted Award Winners via BrandSpark

 

Cabela’s appoints president, splitting role from CEO by Paige Yowell at World-Herald. “Cabela’s has appointed Scott K. Williams as president, it announced Tuesday. The appointment splits the roles of president and chief executive. Chief Executive Tommy Millner had held both roles since 2009.” Read more

 

Rona-Lowe’s deal dominates 1st question period of 2016 at National Assembly at CBC News. “…the government has backed off somewhat from the positive tone it took when the Rona-Lowe’s deal was first announced. In response to a question from Péladeau about possible job losses, Premier Philippe Couillard said that the government shares the PQ’s concern. Couillard said Economy Minister Dominique Anglade was working on getting guarantees from Lowe’s to keep jobs in Quebec.” Read more

 

**Trade Show Spotlight—Sweets & Snacks Expo’s Insights: A recent NCA poll shows that 95% of candy and snack buyers identified the winter holidays as their key time for sales. Keep your seasonal offerings current, stay ahead of your competitors, attend the Sweets & Snacks Expo to identify the hottest trends for 2016 and beyond. More candy and snacks than any other event! Last Year’s Recap Video | This Year’s Exhibitors | Register Now

 

$365,694,500,000: U.S. Merchandise Trade Deficit With China Hit Record in 2015 by Terence P. Jeffrey at CNS News. “The deficit with China increased $22.6 billion to $365.7 billion in 2015,” the BEA said in a press release. “Exports decreased $7.5 billion to $116.2 billion and imports increased $15.1 billion to $481.9 billion.” Read more

 

Staples wins EU approval for $6.3 billion Office Depot buy at Reuters. “Staples said on Wednesday that it agreed to sell Office Depot’s contract distribution business in Europe and all operations in Sweden. The companies will also divest Office Depot’s retail, online and catalog operations in Europe.” Read more

 

‘Zombie’ Target project in Hollywood may get new life from L.A. City Council by David Zahniser at LA Times. “Three months ago, Mayor Eric Garcetti’s appointees on the Planning Commission voted to require that Target Corp. provide a 3,895-square-foot child-care facility within a mile of the Hollywood site as part of the project’s approval. In paperwork filed with the city, Target representatives called that demand “excessive, impractical, illegal, erroneous and an abuse of discretion.” Read more

 

Amazon Building Global Delivery Business to Take On Alibaba by Spencer Soper at Bloomberg. “Amazon’s plan would culminate with the launch of a new venture called “Global Supply Chain by Amazon,” as soon as this year, the documents said. The new business will locate Amazon at the center of a logistics industry that involves not just shippers like FedEx and UPS but also legions of middlemen who handle cargo and paperwork associated with transnational trade.” Read more

 

Here’s How Gilt Will Be Added To Saks Fifth Avenue’s Discount Retail Stores by Leena Rao at Fortune. “In a new, 47,000 square foot, two-level Saks Off 5TH in midtown Manhattan, Gilt will have a section of the store entirely for its merchandise…” Read more

 

Tipsheet Extra Stories

Container ship larger than the Empire State Building will visit Seattle waters this month

Adidas offers $1M to any NFL prospect that breaks 40-yard dash record

NASCAR shifts business model to franchise-like system

Amazon: All bets are off in a zombie apocalypse

A Camouflage Clothing Line Wants to Be Lululemon for Hunters

Google patents self-driving delivery trucks to bring packages where drones can’t fly

Amazon personalizes wine-buying experience with phone calls to Japanese customers

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Tipsheet: Sears to Speed up Closings | CVS FE -0.5% | Gap/Old Navy -6% | Wmart Exec to Asda

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After challenging holiday, Sears to speed up store closings via Yahoo. “Comparable-store sales in the fourth quarter dropped 6.9 percent at Sears, and 7.2 percent at Kmart, which the also company owns…” Read more

 

Asda gets its new chief customer officer from Walmart at International Supermarket News. “Mr.Murray, a former P&G marketer is currently working with Walmart as its senior vice-president of creative and customer experience.” Read more

 

Why aren’t stores selling more clothes? Maybe we are just bored of the skinny jean. by Sarah Halzack at Washington Post. “Overall, bottoms take about 10 years to fully evolve,” said Sidney Morgan-Petro, retail editor at trend forecasting firm WGSN…By that analysis, we’re getting awfully close to the twilight of the skinny jeans moment, if we’re not in it already. And such a period can be a tough one for apparel retailers.” Read more

 

Back From the Brink: American Apparel Has a Marketing Budget Again by Adrianne Pasquarelli at Ad Age. “American Apparel hopes to have a marketing budget of around $500,000, though that figure is still subject to approval. In 2015, the struggling brand, which was founded in 1989, spent no money on marketing…” Read more

 

Kohl’s to air five commercials during its Oscars debut by Mark Kass at Milwaukee Business Journal. “(Kohl’s) also plans to broadcast two 30-second commercials to promote its newly re-launched Sonoma in-house brand in the Oscars pre-show.” Read more

 

**A message from ASD Market Week – ASD has the widest variety of goods anywhere! On February 28 – March 2, 2016, we open the doors of the Las Vegas Convention Center to 45,000+ attendees looking to shop the world’s widest variety of wholesale lifestyle accessories and general merchandise at the lowest price points available. Discover hot new products and stylish finds from over 2,600 vendors in categories including: fashion & accessories, beauty & fragrance, gift & home, toys & novelties and many more. Learn more about ASD / See category list | See the show floor video | Register now

 

CVS Growth Driven by Acquisitions, Pharmacy Services by Chelsey Dulaney at WSJ. “Sales at stores, excluding newly opened or closed locations, rose 3.5%, though front-of-store sales edged down 0.5% amid softer traffic.” Read more (subscription)  Read the company press release

 

Walgreens will install safe medication disposal kiosks in more than 500 drugstores in 39 states and Washington, D.C “Walgreens will be joined at today’s launch, held at its Washington, D.C. flagship store, by Director of National Drug Control Policy for the White House Michael Botticelli. Also joining Director Botticelli at the launch are special guests Sen. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.); Rep. Bob Dold, (R-Ill. 10)…” Read the release

 

Online retailers ship 100 million orders into China via special zones by Frank Tong at Internet Retailer. “The total product value of those parcels has topped 15.5 billion yuan,” a spokesman for Chinese customs authority General Administration of Customs of China said in a recent press meeting. ”In some cities, custom workers have worked 24 hours a day to speed up the clearance of imported products.” Read more

 

Old Navy Hits Deepest Sales Slump In 4 Years by Phil Wahba at Fortune. “Last month, comparable sales at Old Navy fell 6%, capping an awful quarter for both the brand and the company at large.” Read more

 

…January Comps: Gap -6%…Banana Republic -17%…Old Navy -6%  Read the release

 

Lifestyle changes send dough falling at Betty Crocker, Pillsbury by Mike Hughlett at Star Tribune via Seattle Times. “There are headwinds in the (baking) category,” said Elizabeth Nordlie, vice president for baking at General Mills…“Clearly, people are making more better-for-you food choices. But I think the biggest factor in our category is that people are just busy.” Read more

 

Tipsheet Extra Stories

National retailer entering bankruptcy to close 70 stores

How Amazon inspired a drone delivery system for birth control in Ghana

L’Oréal’s Latest Beauty Secret: It’s Acting Like A Tech Company

Bananas May Help Detect, Cure Skin Cancer

NFL, Stanford show off the future of sports in startup competition

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Tipsheet: Costco Delays Amex Switch | Target & Gender-Neutral | Goodwill Beats Sears

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Costco delays credit-card switch by Janet I. Tu at Seattle Times. “The original contract with Amex ends March 31 this year but “our plan is to extend that” by a few months until the Citigroup deal kicks in, said Richard Galanti…The timing of the transition is “fluid,” Galanti said. “It’s between Amex and Citi — negotiating and completing the agreements to do that transition.” Read more

 

Target takes gender-neutral approach with new kids home brand by Kavita Kumar at Star Tribune. “It was an aisle of pink, fairy princesses, ponies and flowers,” Julie Guggemos, Target’s senior vice president of design and product development said of Target’s current offerings for children’s bedrooms. “And for the boys it was rockets and dinosaurs. Well, you know what? Girls like rockets and basketball. And boys like ponies. “Who are we to say what a child’s individual expression is? We really wanted to develop a collection that would be universal.” Read more

 

USA TODAY RANKS SUPER BOWL COMMERCIALS – Amazon Echo #14 See the 63 spots ranked

 

Sears Ranks Below Goodwill Among Women Shoppers by Phil Wahba at Fortune. “According to a January survey of 3,917 American women by Prosper Analytics & Insights, Sears is the preferred apparel store of only 1% of female shoppers.” See the top 13 retailers ranked

 

First look at Amazon’s Treasure Truck: Getting a deal from Jeff Bezos’ ‘four-wheeled joy machine’ by Kevin Lisota at GeekWire. “The Treasure Truck itself felt like a carnival hawker, with colorful marquee-style signs, LED message boards and a display case for today’s treasure. Rotating at the top of the truck was a bright yellow sign saying “Hello Seattle”, along with some salmon spinning on a wheel in front of a bubble machine, of all things. The Treasure Truck even has its own name: Scout.” See the pics / Read more

 

**A message from Black Flag® Brand: When the flag flies, pests die. The Black Flag® indoor/outdoor pest arsenal arms homeowners in the battle against invading bugs. Offering quick, decisive formulas that act fast and never back down, Black Flag insect and rodent controls get the job done, and take no prisoners. It’s time to Let It Fly. Check out our videos | Visit us on Facebook

 

CHICAGOLAND – Jewel-Osco president: ‘We’re here to battle for the customer’ by Greg Trotter at Chicago Tribune. “We’re basic operators. We keep it pretty simple. We work hard every day at just running better stores. That may sound overly simple, but there’s a lot of work that goes into that.” Read the Q&A

 

JCP HQ Sale: “It’s going to be the most sought after development opportunity in North Texas this year” by Steve Brown at Dallas Morning News. Read more

 

Ingles Q1 Comp Sales (ex-gas) +2.3%  Read the release

 

Hasbro’s 4Q Revenue Rises 12.8% at Fox Business. “Hasbro reported its biggest jump in quarterly revenue in nearly five years, beating analysts’ estimates by a wide margin, driven by demand for toys based on the “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” and “Jurassic World” movies.” Read more

 

Amazon Releases the Top 20 Most Romantic U.S. Cities  See the top 20 list

 

Google set to open Kirkland campus expansion with ‘human-sized nest’ and ‘hideaway caves’ by Taylor Soper at GeekWire. “The tech giant will officially open its Kirkland campus expansion…Tuesday…The land formerly housed a chemical mixing and packaging plant and Google completed two environmental cleanups to remove contamination at the property.” Read more

 

Tipsheet Extra Stories

Arizona mom says Barneys told her to breast-feed in bathroom

Man Dies After Running In Krispy Kreme Challenge

Politico: 100 biggest donors of 2016 election cycle

NY Post: Kendall and Kylie Jenner’s clothing line starts to catch on

Jessica Alba’s ecommerce firm Honest Co working on IPO

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