Tipsheet: Temkin: Sam’s Beats Costco/Lowe’s Tops H.Depot | Toys R Us Poaches B.Buy Exec | Dick’s Call Highlights

/in

 

Walmart elevates merchants, marketers and operators via Chain Store Age. “Ashley Buchanan was named senior VP of packaged goods, after previously serving as senior VP of dry grocery, a move that aligns snacks, beverage, dairy and deli under his leadership. Reporting to Buchanan are Julie Barber, VP/DMM for snacks, Zach Simpson, VP/DMM for beverages and John Laney, VP/DMM for breakfast and baking.” See all the changes here

 

2016 Temkin Experience Ratings: (Sam’s & BJ’s beat Costco, Lowe’s tops Home Depot) See the full list

 

Dick’s CEO Vows to Go After Sports Authority ‘Aggressively’ by Phil Wahba at Fortune. “We’re going to be pretty aggressive to try to capture some of that displaced market share,” Dick’s CEO Ed Stack told Wall Street analysts on a call to discuss its financial results.” Read more

 

Amazon inks deal with Air Transport Services to serve its U.S. customers by Ciara Linnane at MarketWatch. “The deal includes the leasing of 20 Boeing 767 freighter aircraft to Amazon, the operation of the aircraft and logistics services.” Read more

 

Toys R Us Poaches Best Buy Exec by Joan Verdon at North Jersey. “Toys “R” Us…today announced that it has hired Best Buy executive Amy von Walter as its executive vice president for global communications and public relations.” Read more

 

Target Doubles Down on Healthy, Eco-Friendly Products by Phil Wahba at Fortune. “…items have topped $1 billion in annual sales….“When you take all of those things collectively, that’s what helps to share the understanding that Target is committed to wellness,” Target Chief Marketing Officer Jeff Jones told Fortune in an interview.” Read more

 

Yesterday: Home Depot Presents at Raymond James Investor Conference See the PowerPoint | Webcast Replay

 

**A message from PaintPincher – Never Waste Paint Again! The PaintPincher is an ingenious 8-in-1 paint can spatula that recovers paint, stain, adhesives and more from gallon and quart cans, leaving them 99.9% clean. The PaintPincher is great for Pro and DIY painters and can save up to a cup of paint per gallon! See the video | See the sell sheet | Packaging pic | paintpincher.com Retailers request a sample at info@shiftmarketinggroup.net

 

Jeff Bezos lifts curtain on Blue Origin rocket factory by Alan Boyle at GeekWire. “Today’s tour was incredibly fun for Bezos – who spent about three hours showing 11 journalists around the factory, and spent another hour answering questions over lunch…When one reporter asked how rocket engines were delivered from the Kent factory to Blue Origin’s test range in West Texas, Bezos joked that the shipment might be eligible for two-day Amazon Prime delivery.” Read more

 

Canada: TJX & Gap seek rent breaks in wake of Target exit by Marina Strauss at Globe & Mail. “TJX and Gap want retailers to be able to invoke their so-called co-tenancy rights to get rent breaks and even permission to leave a mall without a penalty as a result of Target’s closing.” Read more

 

Aldi Names Third Co-President “Brent Laubaugh has been promoted to co-president of ALDI in the US, joining David Behm and Chuck Youngstrom, who continue in their roles as co-presidents.” Read the release

 

Amazon’s Seattle footprint now equals around 16% of the city’s total inventory of premium office space by Marc Stiles at Puget Sound Business Journal. Read more

 

True Value Appoints Ex-Scotts Exec as Chief Merchandising Officer Read the release

 

Home Depot To Pay at Least $19.5 Million For Data Breach via Fortune. “Home Depot also agreed to improve data security over a two-year period, and hire a chief information security officer to oversee its progress.” Read more

 

Texas A&M Professor: U.S. tariffs on imported women’s apparel, on average, are 26% higher than on menswear by Cheryl Hall at Dallas Morning News. “The pink tax is more than a catchy phrase, says Lori Taylor, a professor at Texas A&M…“Silk shirts are a biggie,” Taylor says. “The tariff on women’s silk shirts is six times the tariff on men’s.” Read more

 

Amazon Is Launching a Live QVC-Type Show as Part of Push Into Fashion by Jason Del Rey at Recode. “The most Amazon-y piece of the experience, though, will be a product carousel showing viewers the stuff related to the show that they can purchase on Amazon.com.” Read more

 

Startup vet launches Package Guard to deter crooks who swipe packages from front porches by Madeline Vuong at GeekWire. “It sits on your doorstep and when UPS or Amazon or FedEx puts a package down on top of it, it lets you and your neighbors know with e-mail and text alerts that you’ve gotten a delivery. If someone tries to take a package, they get scared off because the packages cover the device, so they don’t know it’s alarmed. Read more

 

Tipsheet Extra Stories

Meet the People Who Sell Used Clothing to Rihanna & Amal Clooney

Harvard Business School Launches New Program For Senior Leaders In Retail

Cargill Foundation is giving a half-million dollars to build a new grocery store in Minneapolis

Variety: Amazon, Retail Behemoth, Taking Smaller Steps Into Hollywood

Marla Malcolm Beck Sold Bluemercury To Macy’s For $210 Million, Now She’s Betting On Vegan Cosmetics

Hawaii: Sneak peek at Nordstrom’s new Ewa Wing store

Read Tipsheet Extra Stories

 

Dick’s Sporting Goods Q4 Earnings Call Highlights

Edward Stack, Chairman & CEO

  • eCommerce business – for the full year increased approximately 19% to over $748 million.
  • The results for the quarter were significantly impacted negatively by performance of cold weather-related categories…they were down double digits.
  • Looking outside the cold weather categories, the balance of our business performed very well, topping up nearly 3%.
  • …guns and ammunition comped positively.
  • CALIA will be expanded to all doors and it remains well positioned to become our third largest women’s Athletic Apparel brand by the end of this year.
  • On footwear: we’ve got more of an elevated presentation and assortment than Kohl’s does
  • On Sports Authority: we are going to be very aggressive to go after that displaced market share so it comes to us versus another competitor.
  • On Field & Stream: we’re very comfortable with the growth rate right now, and don’t see that accelerating any time in the next year or two.
  • We think the Golf business has stabilized.
  • Would you consider taking any of the leases over that are coming up for auction from TSA? Well, we’re certainly going to take a look at some of those.
  • If we’re playing golf in Pittsburgh on December 15, it’s going to be a relatively tough quarter. And they were playing golf in December in Pittsburgh.
  • How many Field & Stream stores can market support? We’re not sure yet, but I can tell you that it’ll be well north of 55 stores.

Teri List-Stoll, CFO

  • Our eCommerce business grew 13% (in Q4)
  • In 2016, we expect to open up approximately 36 new DICK’S stores and relocate approximately nine DICK’S stores.
  • We also expect to open approximately two new Golf Galaxy stores and nine new Field & Stream stores with all but one of those in the combo store format.
  • For the first quarter…consolidated same-store sales are expected to be approximately flat to up 1%.
  • Due to the fact that Golf Galaxy is only approximately 3% of our total sales, 2016 will be the final year we will disclose Golf Galaxy same-store sales.

Read the full transcript via Seeking Alpha

 

Tipsheet: Dick’s -2.5% | Target/Petco ‘Most Ethical’ Retailers | Wmart Readies Food Lab

/in

 

Dick’s Q4 Comp Sales -2.5% “Same store sales for DICK’S Sporting Goods decreased 2.5%, while Golf Galaxy decreased 5.8%. Fourth quarter 2014 consolidated same store sales increased 3.4%.” Read the release

 

…CNBC: Dick’s Sporting Goods earnings miss estimates “The company posted fourth-quarter earnings per share of $1.13…Analysts had expected the company to report earnings of about $1.15 a share” Read more

 

Walmart readies new product development lab and sensory kitchen at Bentonville headquarters by Kim Souza at The City Wire. “The concept is designed to help food suppliers and Walmart better align on future food offerings, according to Walmart spokesman John Forrest Ales. He said the food lab is slated for completion in late May and will likely be unveiled during the retailer’s annual shareholder week in early June.” Read more

 

How Amazon Shames Warehouse Workers for Alleged Theft by Josh Eidelson & Spencer Soper at Bloomberg. “Amazon has put up flatscreen TVs that display examples of alleged on-the-job theft, say 11 of the company’s current and former warehouse workers and antitheft staff. The alleged offenders aren’t identified by name. Each is represented by a black silhouette stamped with the word “terminated” and accompanied by details such as when they stole, what they stole, how much it was worth, and how they got caught…” Read more

 

How Sam’s Club Scored 24 Million Views for Private-Label Diaper Ad by Jack Neff at Ad Age. “The brief generated 400 ideas, with the one that made it into development being “country club babies,” according to Mr. DeJulio. Sam’s liked the gist of the idea, but came back with making them “spa babies” or “resort babies” to seem more accessible and less snobby.” Read more

 

**A message from Sweets & Snacks Expo – Speakers You Can’t Miss! Amy Margolies, Sr. Leader with Google to present “The Digital Revolution and the Path to Purchase”. See bios for Amy & other speakers | Meet the Expo’s Taste Panel | This Year’s Exhibitors | May 24-26, 2016 – Chicago, IL

 

Gift Cards Feel Pinch of New Rules by Robin Sidel at WSJ. “To ward off thieves, (Kroger) is limiting the number of gift-card purchases that are made on a credit card within a 24-hour period, said Chris Hjelm, the chain’s chief information officer.” Read more (subscription)

 

Saks Fifth Avenue personalizes online shopping experience to transfer the service received in-store to anywhere consumers wish to shop by Jen King at Luxury Daily. Read more

 

CVS Store Destroyed During Baltimore Riots Reopens via ABC News. “CVS Health spokeswoman Carolyn Castel tells news outlets the store has been completely rebuilt at the same location where it was destroyed.” Read more

 

Walmart’s CTO Says It Wins Hiring Battles With Big Tech By Not Buying The Silicon Valley Hype by Alex Konrad at Forbes. “(CTO Jeremy) King surprised the assembled executives and investors with one statistic that Silicon Valley wouldn’t expect of the giant retailer. When Walmart Labs competes with top tech companies for talent, it gets the job candidate as much as 70% of the time, King says.” Read more

 

Petco Earns Fifth Consecutive World’s Most Ethical Company Recognition “Petco is one of only three companies in the retailer category honored this year.” Read the release

 

…Target and Marks & Spencer also Honored See the list of 131 honorees

 

Ex-Home Depot Director Joins Auto Plus & Pep Boys “Pete Bednarzyk has been named Senior Vice President, Supply Chain, for Auto Plus and Pep Boys…Bednarzyk previously served as Senior Vice President, Supply Chain for Auto Plus. He came from Home Depot, where he was Senior Director, Supply Chain Southern Division.” Read more

 

Wal-Mart to participate at the Bank of America 2016 Consumer & Retail Conference Read the release

 

Amazon to Open New Pickup Location at Georgia Institute of Technology “Amazon Student and Prime members will receive Free Same-Day Pickup for orders placed by noon and Free One-Day Pickup for orders placed by 10PM.” Read the release

 

Tipsheet Extra Stories

J.C. Penney seeks approval for big Plano office and retail complex

Krebs: IRS Suspends Insecure ‘Get IP PIN’ Feature

Kraft Mac & Cheese Changed Its Recipe and Nobody Got Mad

Kmart eyes merchandise of dying retailers – guarantees highest prices to bankruptcy attorneys

Walgreens SVP Joins Advance Auto Parts Board

American Express CEO Chenault On Thin Ice

Read Tipsheet Extra Stories

 

Tipsheet: Petco Pres. Q&A | B.Buy New HR Chief | Artist Wows Saks | Target Can. Reaches Deal

/in

 

Best Buy adds to C-suite with new HR chief by Nick Halter at Minneapolis/St.Paul Business Journal. “The chief human resources officer title was previously held by Shari Ballard. Ballard had been serving a dual role as HR chief and president of U.S. retail. She will continue in the latter position.” Read more

 

Target Canada reaches deal with former landlords by Marina Strauss at Globe & Mail. “Lou Brzezinski, a lawyer at Blaney McMurtry LLP who represented some of the big suppliers, said the recovery is more favourable to the unsecured creditors than almost all other ones in such corporate failures.” Read more

 

Amazon chooses San Diego for second brick-and-mortar bookstore by John Cook at GeekWire. “Amazon.com is poised to open its second location, choosing the Westfield University Towne Center Mall in San Diego…The new store will be located near a Tesla and Apple store at the mall.” Read more

 

Why J.C. Penney’s CEO Isn’t Closing More Stores by Phil Wahba at Fortune. “Ellison says he used to also think Penney needed far fewer stores, but he’s changed his mind…By the time back-to-school rolls around, all Penney stores will be equipped to let shoppers pick up online orders the same day.” Read more

 

NY Times Q&A with Petco President/Dick’s Ex-Chief Merchant by Patricia R. Olsen. “About a third of employees bring their pets to work. I bring my French bulldogs Gerti and Leo with me about three days a week. The animals become part of our routine. We think it adds to the environment, and it’s a definite draw in recruiting.” 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

 

Two shot in fight over retro $200 ‘Wing It’ Nike Air Jordan sneakers at a Minneapolis Foot Locker by Alexandra Klausner at Daily Mail. “It was absolutely crazy,’ shopper Latrissa Favorite told CBS. ‘I just hear the police screaming ‘Get down! Get down!”. Read more

 

Postmates Has Hired Qatalyst, the Silicon Valley Bank That Helps Companies Get Sold by Jason Del Rey at Recode. “Qatalyst Partners, has approached several larger companies to gauge their interest in Postmates. It is not clear which specific companies were pitched…” Read more

 

This Canadian ceramic artist is wowing Saks and other high-end retailers around the world by Stephanie Matteis at CBC. “Filmmaker Guillaume Alcaraz captured the process for her artistic creations in this short documentary from Exhibitionists, taking viewers behind the scenes when big retailers like Saks, Holt Renfrew, and famed Japanese restaurateur Nobu came calling.” See the video / Read more

 

Dick’s Kicks Off Its Olympics Marketing With New Spot by Adrianne Pasquarelli at Ad Age. “The spot depicts athletes at various difficult physical and emotional moments of their training. A voiceover asks, “Why are you doing this to yourself?” See the spot / Read more

 

Amazon China expands its selection to 10 million imported items by Frank Tong at Internet Retailer. “Amazon said it had added more than 2 million products in February…” Read more

 

Pier 1 Imports Q4 Comp Sales -0.7% Read the release

 

Woolworths’ new boss kept out of Masters exit by Catie Low at Sydney Morning Herald. “The decision to quarantine the new chief executive from the hardware business and the protracted negotiations to buy out the 33.3 per cent Lowe’s stake in the Masters chain has been welcomed by analysts, who see it as a sign of Woolworths’ commitment to get the supermarkets humming again.” Read more

 

Stevie Customer Service Awards: Wayfair Takes Gold, Kohl’s Gets Silver See the full list

 

Tipsheet Extra Stories

Hold on to your handbag near Macy’s – New York’s most dangerous block revealed

Costco buys land in La Vista, Nebraska – construction should start soon

Walmart opens large-scale e-commerce fulfillment center in Chino

Companies at housewares show seek recipe for success with millennials

Apple suffers first ransomware attack on Mac

Read Tipsheet Extra Stories

 

Tipsheet: Wmart Mex.+9.8 | Costco Ups Min to $13 | Target Can. Nears Deal | Gilt Lines | Aldi Owners = $20.3B

/in

 

Costco Will Raise Minimum Wage by Shannon Pettypiece at Bloomberg. “(Costco) will start paying at least $13-to-$13.50 an hour, up from $11.50-to-$12 an hour, the company said Thursday in a conference call with analysts. The increase will cut its earnings per share in the next three months by 1 cent, and by 2 cents in the following three quarters.” Read more

 

Wal-Mart de Mexico Reports Solid February Sales Growth via Dow Jones Business News. “Walmex’s February sales were helped by the month having an additional day this year. Comparing similar four-week periods, total sales in Mexico rose 11% and same-store sales were 9.8% higher.” Read more

 

Target Canada nearing a deal with its key creditors by Marina Strauss at Globe & Mail. “On Thursday, U.S. parent Target Corp. was ready to kick in an additional $30-million-plus for the former landlords, industry sources said. And the latest proposal would reduce the amount other unsecured creditors – mostly suppliers – would get by about 8 per cent of their proven claims from what they would have got in the original proposal, and directs those funds to the landlords, sources said.” Read more

 

Adidas to Open 3,000 Stores in China by 2020 by Laurie Burkitt at WSJ. “The German sportswear giant is expanding to 12,000 stores in China from its current 9,000 and aspires to more than double the cities where it sells its running gear and tennis shoes to 2,200-plus, said Adidas China head Colin Currie in a news briefing Friday.” Read more (subscription)

 

Meet Colleen McIntosh, SVP at CVS Health via New York Business Journal. “The most important life skill I learned was how to remain calm when the pressure was on and how to handle people. “Yes, but” is always a better answer than “No.” Read the Q&A

 

How Target fine-tunes merchandise for Chicago shoppers by Lauren Zumbach at Chicago Tribune. “But don’t expect to see local goods chainwide just yet. “We certainly like the results. But we don’t have the ability to roll this out everywhere and be successful,” said John Mulligan, Target’s chief operating officer.” Read more

 

Billionaire Vacation Homes – Jeff Bezos’ Beverly Hills Mansion via Forbes. “The Amazon founder and CEO’s extensive holdings include a $24.5 million Beverly Hills mansion purchased in 2007. Positioned on a two-acre lot behind Tom Cruise’s compound on North Alpine Drive.” See the pics

 

Walgreens Boots Alliance eyes Aussie pharmacies by Sue Mitchell at Sydney Morning Herald. “Walgreens Boots Alliance registered its trademark with IP Australia late last year and is looking at options to expand in Australia, including establishing a Boots franchise network and gaining distribution for its health and beauty brands in local pharmacies.” Read more

 

**A message from PaintPincher – Never Waste Paint Again! The PaintPincher is an ingenious 8-in-1 paint can spatula that recovers paint, stain, adhesives and more from gallon and quart cans, leaving them 99.9% clean. The PaintPincher is great for Pro and DIY painters and can save up to a cup of paint per gallon! See the video | See the sell sheet | Packaging pic | paintpincher.com Retailers request a sample at info@shiftmarketinggroup.net

 

PHOTOS – Saks Off Fifth opens first N.Y.C. store with champagne, Gilt boutique debut by Teresa Novellino at New York Business Journal. “A line to get into the store stretched down the block, and there were reportedly more than 1,000 Gilt members on a waiting list to get in.” See the 14 pics

 

‘Force Awakens’ Digital, DVD Release Dates and Bonus Footage Unveiled by Jon Blistein at Rolling Stone. “Star Wars: The Force Awakens will be available digitally on April 1st, while the special Blu-ray and DVD editions will arrive on April 5th…Target, Best Buy and Walmart will also stock different versions of the DVD and Blu-ray packages.” Read more

 

Kohl’s philanthropic giving hit nearly $51M in 2015 by Melanie Lawder at Milwaukee Business Journal. Read more

 

Gap February Comp Sales -2.0% “Comparable sales by brand: Gap Global: flat versus negative 7 percent last year,Banana Republic Global: negative 11 percent versus negative 5 percent last year, Old Navy Global: flat versus flat last year.” Read the release

 

Rite Aid February Comp Sales -0.8% “…front-end same store sales decreased 0.5 percent. Pharmacy same store sales…decreased 0.9 percent. Prescription count at comparable stores increased 1.4 percent.” Read the release

 

Owners of ALDI/Trader Joe’s see net worth climb to $20.3 billion, up from $19 billion a year ago via Forbes. Read more

 

Fred’s February Comp Sales +0.8% “Fred’s total sales for the month increased 12% to $171.1 million from $153.2 million in February 2015.” Read the release

 

Target Unlikely to Outsource other Departments by Brian Sozzi at The Street via Dallas Morning News. “I have thought about this a lot — the CVS partnership that was a great win for Target and a great win for CVS, it provided an opportunity to drive even more traffic to our stores, while re-directing our focus and attention to the categories that make Target what it is,” Target chairman and CEO Brian Cornell told TheStreet…Cornell added, “I don’t see other CVS-like opportunities on the horizon.” Read more

 

Kroger Q4 Earnings Call Transcript via Seeking Alpha. Read here

 

Tipsheet Extra Stories

Camila Alves stuns in scarlet at launch of Target’s Pillowfort collection for kids

Kansas City shopper claims department store has bedbug problem

The Billionaire African Behind The Continent’s Greatest Retail Empire

Hampton Creek Makes Big Moves Beyond Mayo in Walmart and Target

MasterCard using AI to turn staff into top sellers

Dunkin’ Donuts to target Starbucks customers after loyalty scheme shake-up

Read Tipsheet Extra Stories

 

 

 

Tipsheet: Wendy’s Breach 5-10X H.Dep or Target | Costco +3% | Wmart NOT Hacked | Dick’s Daughter Runs

/in

 

Costco Q2 US Comp Sales +3% “Net sales for the quarter increased three percent, to $27.57 billion from $26.87 billion last year. Net sales for the first half increased two percent, to $54.19 billion from $53.16 billion last year.” Read the release

 

Kroger Q4 Comp Sales +3.9% “Total sales, excluding fuel, increased 6.5% in the fourth quarter over the same period last year. Excluding Roundy’s, total sales without fuel increased 4.4% in the fourth quarter.” Read the release

 

DON’T CALL IT A HACK – Walmart Says a Coding Error Exposed Some Customer Data via Fortune. “We had a software coding error for a 72-hour period from February 15 to 18 that affected a limited group of online pharmacy customers,” said company spokesman Dan Toporek. “We moved quickly to fix the issue once it was discovered.” Read more

 

HIGHLIGHTS FROM TARGET’S INVESTOR DAY – Overhaul of Target’s grocery section is taking longer than expected by Kavita Kumar at Star Tribune. “Last March, executives said they expected to roll out major changes in 2016. On Wednesday, though, Cornell said that he expects it will be a “multiyear effort.” He added, “It’s better to get it right than to get it done fast.” Read more

 

…Target Culling Products in Its Stores to Help Resolve Out-of-Stock Issues by Paul Ziobro at WSJ. “Its merchants are combing through categories to determine how many different packs of water bottles and scents of deodorants should be stocked on its shelves. It also is expanding its shelves to hold more products and working with suppliers to ship goods in packages that match the shelves’ capacity.” Read more (subscription)

 

Report: Home Depot pays $2.1M to end class action suit by Carla Caldwell at Atlanta Business Chronicle. “The Home Depot Inc. will pay $2.1 million to end a class action alleging the Atlanta-based home improvement giant shorted sales managers in its roofing division on overtime pay and meal breaks, reports Law360.” Read more

 

Daughter of Dick’s Sporting Goods founder to run for Congress by Mark Weiner at Syracuse.com. “She grew up working for her father, Dick Stack, in the family sporting goods business before starting Kids Korner Inc., a Binghamton clothing and educational toy store.” Read more

 

Fortune: 100 Best Companies to Work for 2016 (Wegmans #4, Publix #67, Nordstrom #92) See the top 100 list

 

Ex-Wal-Mart CEO Simon Says Trump Can Unite GOP by Julia Limitone at Bloomberg. “Former Wal-Mart U.S. CEO Bill Simon’s pick for president may be out of the race, but Donald Trump grabbed his attention on Super Tuesday.” 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

 

Big-Box Warehouse Construction Surges by Loretta Chao at WSJ. “Building of new “big box” warehouse space, or facilities over 300,000 square-feet with 28-foot ceilings or higher, increased almost six times in four years to 61 million square-feet in 2015, according to Colliers International Group Inc. An additional 74 million square-feet are set to be complete in 2016.” Read more (subscription)

 

Wendy’s breach losses may be 5 to 10 times those of Target or Home Depot via Krebs on Security. “It’s more concentrated and the amounts hitting compromised debit accounts is much higher that what they were hit with after Home Depot or Target,” Berger said. “It seems to have been been [the work of] a sophisticated group, in terms of the timing and the accounts they targeted.” Read more

 

Survey of Walmart Suppliers: 46% said their Walmart U.S. sales rose 5% or better last year, but just 31% expect those same results in 2016 by Kim Souza at The City Wire. “In the fourth quarter, which ended Jan. 31, just 5% of suppliers surveyed said they saw meaningful better store conditions versus the prior 90-day period. Another 44% saw slightly better store conditions and 41% viewed store conditions the same, with 9% saying store conditions worsened.” Read more

 

Former Home Depot CEO Addresses Temple Fox School’s Future Entrepreneurs by Maggie Boccella at Metro MBA. “Discussing the challenges that he and Arthur Blank faced in the development of their business plan, Marcus said, “Everyone has that desperate moment in business when someone tries to break your conscience…[so] ethics are critically important.” Read more

 

Nordstrom lays off 10 as apparel giant restructures technology department by Taylor Soper at GeekWire. “Company spokeswoman Tara Darrow confirmed with GeekWire…that the Seattle-based retailer recently rolled out a new “technology leadership structure” that resulted in a handful of folks losing their jobs.” Read more

 

Rexall takeover shakes up Canada’s drugstore industry by Marina Strauss at Globe & Mail. “U.S. health-care-services giant McKesson Corp. is taking on the heavyweights of Canada’s drugstore industry with a $3-billion deal for the Rexall pharmacy chain and related companies.” Read more

 

Why retailers should take note of Fashion Week’s popularity on Instagram by Sarah Halzack at Washington Post. “…The engagement numbers seen on the other social platforms are paltry by comparison: On Twitter, where women’s brands posted an average of 26 times, tweets averaged 490 likes and 1,117 retweets. On Facebook, brands posted an average of eight posts each that generated 8,000 interactions per post.” Read more

 

Meijer will Invest more than $400 Million in New and Remodeled Stores in 2016 “The investment includes the construction of nine new Meijer supercenters and 32 different remodel projects.” Read the release

 

Amazon, FreshDirect home delivery trucks are congesting NYC streets, officials say by Chelsia Rose Marcius & Jennifer Fermino at NY Daily News. “City Councilman Mark Levine (D-Manhattan) has a bill pending in the Council that would require the city to study truck deliveries south of 59th St. in Manhattan and in downtown Brooklyn.” Read more

 

Report: Costco Average Basket is 68% Higher than Sam’s Club by Paul Ausick at 24/7 Wall Street. See the top 10 average basket rankings

 

Sports Authority Files for Chapter 11 to Implement Financial and Operational Restructuring “The Company has identified approximately 140 stores and two distribution centers, in Denver and Chicago, that it intends to close or sell in the coming months.” Read the release

 

Tipsheet Extra Stories

Target recalls coffee mugs for fire hazard

N.Y. lawmakers want lawsuit against Walmart for selling ammo used to kill three people

Ace Hardware’s New Ads Remind People Not to Eat Paint or Confuse WD-40 With Motor Oil

Amazon, Joseph Gordon-Levitt to Tackle Birth of KKK Film

Retailer adds women’s sizes up to 32 – can barely keep in stock

Robert Redford opens retail store in this city

Target To Turn Its Los Angeles Stores Into a Test Lab

Read Tipsheet Extra Stories

Tipsheet: Target: ‘Undying Love’ & Plus-Size | Pirate Joe’s Forced to Relocate | Saks Readies Velvet Rope | Amazon Will ‘Eat’ Australia

/in

 

Amazon’s Huge Advantage in the Online Grocery Battle with Walmart, Target by Phil Wahba at Fortune. “A survey released on Tuesday by Wall Street firm Cowen & Co found that one quarter of Prime members used Prime Now in January 2016…“We view Prime Now as one of the pathways Amazon is utilizing to gain share in the $1 trillion U.S. grocery market,” Cowen analysts wrote in a research note.” Read more

 

Target Canada Play: Employees more willing to talk to playwright now that gag order lifted by Oliver Sachgau at Toronto Star. “Motum said one thing has consistently jumped out at him during his interviews: most of the employees, despite being sad or angry about their employer closing down with little warning, are still very loyal to the company, even a year later. “They still sort of all have an undying love of Target. I think someone actually said ‘undying love,’” Motum said.” Read more

 

PIRATE JOE’S FORCED TO RELOCATE – Vancouver’s unauthorized Trader Joe’s reseller to shutter store by Lucy Lau at The Georgia Straight. “…he hopes that the relocation will give him the opportunity to expand the store’s concept, increasing stock and incorporating an eat-in café. From now until Wednesday, Hallatt is offering Pirate Joe’s customers “spot deals,” where they can come in and haggle for the shop’s remaining goods.” Read more

 

Gilt flash sale kicks off opening of Saks Off 5th by Lisa Fickenscher at NY Post. “Executives are bracing for a crush of fashionistas to show up for the sales — and will set up a velvet rope to keep the clothes hounds orderly.” Read more

 

Wall Street Journal: Sports Authority Plans to File for Bankruptcy Protection by Matt Jarzemsky & Sara Germano. “The Sports Authority Inc. plans to file for chapter 11 bankruptcy protection as soon as Tuesday evening and shut down in the coming weeks if the struggling retailer can’t find a buyer for its business, according to people familiar with the matter.” Read more (subscription)

 

CNBC Transcript: J.C. Penney CEO Marvin Ellison Speaks with CNBC’s Courtney Reagan on “Power Lunch” (Monday) Read the Q&A

 

Target Is Recruiting Barbie to Promote Swimwear by Phil Wahba at Fortune. “In a blog post, Target said the campaign was part of an ongoing plan to promote body acceptance and help customers “feel confident and fearless.” But more practically, it’s partly designed to help Target sell more apparel to segments of the population many retailers, including Target, have long overlooked.” Read more | More via A Bullseye View

 

**Show Spotlight–Last Day for ASD Market Week! 45,000+ attendees will 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. See product categories | See the show floor video | Register now

 

Dollar Tree says Family Dollar integration remains on schedule by Katherine Peralta at Charlotte Observer. “…revenue fell short of Wall Street analysts’ expectations by $50 million. And though profit was $229 million, up by $22.4 million from a year ago, adjusted earnings per share fell short of analysts’ expectations by 6 cents.” Read more | Read the release

 

Australian Retail Exec: ‘Amazon will eat our breakfast, lunch and dinner’ by Sue Mitchell at Sydney Morning Herald. “In Perth, for example, some large bricks and mortar retailers could only trade for six hours a day on Sunday, which is now the busiest shopping day of the week in other cities.” Read more

 

Publix Q4 Comp Sales +3.2% “Comparable-store sales for 2015 increased 4.2 percent.” Read the release

 

Q&A with GM of the first Walmart distribution center in Minnesota by Grace Webb at Connect Business Magazine. Read the Q&A

 

Souq, The Amazon Of The Middle East, Raises $275 Million by Michael Grothaus at Fast Company. “Much of the $275 million investment will go to improving the company’s mobile application, Souq’s CEO Ronaldo Mouchawar told the Times, explaining that 70% of Souq sales in Saudi Arabia were made on phones.” Read more

 

Tipsheet Extra Stories

Why Target is going big on this small water-bottle startup

Sheryl Sandberg posts viral ad that shows a mother struggle to juggle her job, housework and child while her husband sits on the couch

CDC Warns of ‘Healthy’ Food Outbreaks: Sprouts, Salads, Organic Shakes and Meals, Cucumbers

Why Meijer co-CEO is thumbs down on Michigan historic districts

Amazon recalls Kindle charger over electrical shock fears

Sneak peek inside Lexington’s new Cabela’s

Read Tipsheet Extra Stories

Tipsheet: Ex-Wmart Exec to Mills Fleet | Ex-H.Depot Exec to JCP Board | Sam’s Hires Regional Buyers | Target Poaches Amazon Exec

/in

 

Former Home Depot executive joins J.C. Penney board by Carla Caldwell at Atlanta Business Chronicle. “J. Paul Raines, who for eight years served in various management roles at Atlanta-based The Home Depot Inc. has been appointed to the 13-member J.C. Penney Co. Inc. board. Raines, who is the CEO of GameStop Corp. and a graduate of Georgia Tech, was appointed Tuesday to the board.” Read more

 

Ex-Walmart Exec Named CEO at Mills Fleet Farm “Former Chief Merchandising and Marketing Officer at Wal-Mart, Duncan Mac Naughton, will assume the role of CEO of Mills Fleet Farm. Also effective as part of the transaction close, Hugh Leasum, currently a member of Mills Fleet Farm’s executive management team, will assume the role of Chief Operating Officer.” Read the release

 

Sam’s Club hires regional buyers, sees ‘local’ food as key in upscale shift at Reuters. “Sam’s Club has hired a handful of buyers in Dallas and is considering putting teams in up to five other markets, John Furner, chief merchandising officer at Sam’s Club, told Reuters. Until now, all of its buyers have worked out of company headquarters in Bentonville, Arkansas.” Read more

 

Target hires Amazon executive to help improve supply chain by Kavita Kumar at Star Tribune. “Arthur Valdez will relocate to Minneapolis in the coming weeks to become Target’s executive vice president of supply chain and logistics…He will replace Keri Jones, who has been with Target for more than two decades.” Read more | Read the release

 

Sports Authority Said to Discuss Selling Stores to Rival Dick’s by Lauren Coleman-Lochner at Bloomberg. “The Dick’s transaction is one of several options being considered, said one of the people, who asked not to be identified because the discussions are private. The talks are in the early stages, the person said. It’s also not clear how many stores might be involved in a potential deal, which would take effect after a Chapter 11 filing.” Read more

 

You won’t ever play like Russell Wilson, but now thanks to Nordstrom, you can dress like him by Coral Garnick at Puget Sound Business Journal. “I’m not going to be the guy who is going to be all over the pictures,” he said during a public question and answer session with Nordstrom co-president Pete Nordstrom. “I have a day job, playing football, obviously, but I do love fashion.” Read more

 

**Show Spotlight–ASD Market Week is Open for Business! This week 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. See product categories | See the show floor video | Register now

 

Fayetteville, Fort Smith home to first group of new Walmart U.S. training academies by Kim Souza at The City Wire. “Tom Ward, vice president of U.S. store operations for the Central District, said each training academy will employ 14 people who were chosen for the training task….He said the academies will locate inside some stores that have extra space, or in adjacent buildings owned by the retailer. The training centers will be around 2,000 square-feet.” Read more

 

How Canadian Tire is pioneering tomorrow’s retail experience now by John Lorinc at Canadian Business. “Two frantic months later, Canadian Tire’s marketing team had cranked out 50 seven-second spots—with no sound—and also 50 more traditional social media ads for contrast. When they ran a side-by-side comparison, Fulton notes, the company realized the average sell-through rate with the Facebook micro-ads was 50% higher. “You need what’s called ‘thumb-stopping creative,’” muses (Duncan) Fulton.” Read more

 

Forbes: The World’s Billionaires (Jeff Bezos #5) See the list

 

Fortune: Walmart’s Stock Might Be Massively Undervalued by Phil Wahba. “…But behind some of that gloom are some promising signs that have led Barron’s newspaper…to say Wal-Mart shares could jump 30% in the next two years…betting that the retailer’s multi-billion dollar investments in human resources and e-commerce will pay off. Read more

 

Rite Aid Announces Results of First-Ever Rite Aid Innovation Challenge “The Tri-Tip Walking Cane features three legs that function independently for added stability and also uses a spring-loaded, shock absorbing system, alleviating hand, wrist, shoulder and back pain commonly associated with use of a traditional walking cane.” Read the release

 

Macy’s execs cash in on millions in stock amid rising expectations by Andy Brownfield at Cincinnati Business Courier. “Highest among those was Macy’s CFO Karen Hoguet, who is selling $1.5 million worth of Macy’s stock. Next was CEO Terry Lundgren, who is exercising options on up to nearly $1.1 million in stock. Chief Growth Officer Peter Sachse plans to cash in on $430,087 worth of stock…” Read more

 

Report: Luxury online retail market to reach $41.8B by 2019 by Sarah Jones at Luxury Daily. “At the top of the list is Nordstrom…The retail group has an 11.67 percent market share.” Read more

 

PetSmart and Arizona Diamondbacks Team up to Create First-Ever Season-Long Dog-Friendly Ballpark in the U.S. “…dog-loving fans can bring their dogs to all 13 Sunday D-backs home games in the 2016 season.” Read the release

 

Company Snatches Trademarks from Macy’s by Lisa Fickenscher at NY Post. “These brands had been locked up so tightly, but we were able to show that Macy’s had no intention of using them,” said Ellia Kassoff, chief executive of Strategic Marks, which had acquired the names and was later sued by Macy’s.” Read more

 

Amazon’s ‘Fire Phone’ Boss Is Now Running Its Restaurant Delivery and Ticketing Businesses by Jason Del Rey at Recode. “The fact that Amazon has placed a top exec atop this business should send a strong message about Amazon’s intentions to big competitors such as GrubHub, as well as startups such as DoorDash, Postmates and Caviar…” Read more

 

Dallas: The Nebraska Furniture Mart in The Colony is doing more than $9 million a week in sales by Marina Strauss at Dallas Morning News.  Read more

 

Tipsheet Extra Stories

How L.A. Sunshine Powers a Mom’s Target Line

Empty paper towel dispenser in men’s restroom leads to $990,000 lawsuit against Walmart

Under Armour Going for a Snug Fit with Foot Locker, Dick’s Sporting Goods

Kroger to open store next to 30K square-foot mansion that used to belong to this NFL star

P&G’s revelation about ingredients could be a ‘global game-changer’

Inside the Collapse of Fairway, New York’s Favorite, Failing Grocery Store

Angels’ Mike Trout debuts first smart bat in Tempe

Read Tipsheet Extra Stories