Tipsheet: Judge Bars Macy’s from Detaining | ‘No Taco Plate Deals’ @ Wmart | Amazon Triggered Robot Race

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Amazon’s second Prime Day will be July 12 by Nat Levy at GeekWire. “Amazon said it sold more units on Prime Day last year than its biggest Black Friday sale ever, as customers ordered a whopping 34.4 million items at a clip of 398 per second, even though some complained about selection.” Read more

 

Inside Kohl’s Plan to Win the Department Store Tech Wars by Phil Wahba at Fortune. “If the retailer’s top executives have their way, pretty soon Kohl’s stores will boast state-of-the-art features like undocked, mobile cash registers, holograms that show the latest runway collections, and robots that can take full inventory overnight at a 35,000-square-foot store…” Read more

 

How Amazon Triggered a Robot Arms Race by Kim Bhasin & Patrick Clark at Bloomberg. “…As (Kiva) contracts expired, they had to find other options to keep up with an ever-increasing consumer need for speed. The only problem was that there were no other options. Kiva was pretty much it. It’s taken four years, but a handful of startups are finally ready to replace Kiva and equip the world’s warehouses with new robotics.” Read more

 

NO ‘TACO PLATE’ DEALS – Hopeful suppliers share thoughts about Wal-Mart’s ‘Open Call’ by Kim Souza at The City Wire. “When asked about why so many were included in the Open Call but then told there was no shelf space in the category they were pitching, (mac and cheese, salsa and cocktail drink mixers) (Michelle) Gloeckler said products have to achieve a certain number of sales per store, per day and without sales records it’s difficult for products to make it on the shelf.” Read more

 

Pier 1 Q1 Comp Sales -2.5% “Net sales for the first quarter decreased 4.2% to $418.4 million, compared to $436.9 million in the same period last year.” Read the release

 

Judge bars Macy’s from detaining and fining suspected shoplifters by Julia Marsh at NY Post. “The law was never intended to “confer a license to embarrass, humiliate and harm innocent . . . consumers” (Justice) Mendez said.” Read more

 

**A message from Pirola Italy – Colorful, designer-inspired ironing boards add spice to any home. Exclusively made in Italy for 45 years, these high-quality boards bring design and excitement to the category. Featuring the Arco board from the Design Line and Luna from the Plus Line. Custom colors and designs available. Retailers request samples at info@shiftmarketinggroup.net. Italy-America new product connection

 

Virginia: Kroger employees rally for $15 minimum wage by Kevin Green at WAVY NBC. See the video / Read more

 

Visa Files Counterclaim to Wal-Mart by Phil Wahba at Fortune. “Indeed, at the time of (the contract’s) execution, Wal-Mart had already hatched a plan to eliminate the signature option at its physical locations,” Visa said in the filing.” Read more

 

Bay Area: Amazon leases 224,000-square-foot East Bay warehouse by Roland Li at San Francisco Business Journal. “(Amazon) has taken the entire 224,154-square-foot industrial building at 6015 Giant Road in Richmond, according to two sources familiar with the property.” Read more

 

Tractor Supply trims 2016 financial outlook on weak same-store sales by Sue Chang at MarketWatch. “…its same-store sales in the quarter shrank 0.5%…It also trimmed the full year same-store sales forecast to 2.5% to 3.5% from 3.5% to 5.0%.” Read more

 

Australia: Woolworths postpones deadline for final bids for its Masters and Home Timber & Hardware businesses until mid-July by Sue Mitchell at Financial Review. Read more

 

Fortune: 100 Best Workplaces for Millennials (Wegmans #40, Publix #74, Nordstrom #88, Whole Foods #90) See the top 100 list

 

Cabela’s Announces Closing of $1 Billion Securitization Read the release

 

Amazon Begins Selling Perishable Private-Label Foods by Greg Bensinger at WSJ. “Amazon this week began offering for sale on its website whole-bean and ground coffee under its new Happy Belly label…Similar to its rollout of private-label clothing lines over the past year, Amazon released its new products with virtually no fanfare.” Read more (subscription)

 

Birchbox cuts 12 percent of workforce as it looks for profits by Teresa Novellino at New York Business Journal. Read more

 

Belk Announces Retirement of Tim Belk as CEO “Tim Belk will retire as chief executive officer of the company in July 2016.” Read the release

 

Tipsheet Extra Stories

Grandma of boy who earned $300K+ from Kroger meet-up: We’re in danger

San Francisco: Fire breaks out on roof of Union Square Macy’s

Sobeys parent posts massive $942.6-million loss amid Safeway struggles

Cramer’s retail ranking: Stores that can survive Amazon (JCP #1)

Forbes: Retailers May Have Found A Smart Home Category That Works: Smart Kitchen

Indigo CEO Heather Reisman on reimainging the 21st century bookstore

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Tipsheet: Wmart Says ‘Yes’ to All | H.Depot Exec Jumps | Costco Repatriates

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Wal-Mart says ‘Yes’ to every U.S.-made product pitched for Walmart.com by Kim Souza at The City Wire. “When Steve Bratspies, chief merchandising officer for Walmart U.S., made the announcement at the Open Call and U.S. Manufacturing Summit in Bentonville Tuesday (June 28) the crowd erupted with cheers. Bratspies said a few weeks ago he wanted to be able to tell everyone yes and after working with buyers for Walmart.com that is now a reality.” Read more

 

WALMART CEO SPEAKS TO PROSPECTIVE SUPPLIERS AT END-OF-DAY MEETING by Kim Souza at The City Wire. “Your feedback is important to us as we try and achieve this $250 billion investment in U.S. made goods. We don’t manufacture things so we need your help. … We want to drive growth and be a place you can count on for growth year after year. We set an objective with Wall Street to grow our business by $45 billion to $60 billion over the next three years and we can’t do that without you” McMillon said.” Read more

 

Costco Used Weak Canadian Dollar to Repatriate Funds by Vipal Monga at WSJ. “A weak Canadian dollar and a quirk in U.S. tax rules allowed Costco Wholesale Corp. to repatriate more than $1.5 billion dollars over two years, virtually tax-free…The company essentially paid no U.S. taxes on the repatriated money, said Richard Galanti, the chief financial officer, in an interview.” Read more (subscription)

 

Home Depot Exec Named Head Merchant at Sobey’s “Lyne Castonguay will oversee all aspects of Sobeys go-to-market strategy, with responsibility for category management, marketing, data insights, research, procurement, private label and merchandising as well as the company’s digital strategy.” Read the release

 

Has Wal-Mart’s Revamped ShippingPass Subscription Ignited Shopper Interest? by Pam Goodfellow at Forbes. “A year ago…more than one in ten (12.4%) indicated that they would be “likely” or “very likely” to subscribe to the service. Fast forward a year: while Walmart has sweetened its subscription offering, it seems that interest in the program has only increased marginally with 14.8% reporting in early June 2016 that they would be “likely” or “very likely” to subscribe to the program, rising 18.6% year-over-year.” Read more

 

…Walmart offering a free 30-day trial of ShippingPass – unlimited two-day shipping Read more

 

**A message from Made in Italy – Fabe’s hand-crafted pillows prevent and relieve neck and back pain. Fabe’s Ergo Praxis pillow supports and aligns the head and neck to prevent cervical pain. Created in cooperation with Ludes University in Switzerland – it gets the body in the right position for a good night’s sleep. 100% Made in Italy. Ergo Praxis Specs | Fabe Website | How our Pillows are Made | Retailers request samples at info@shiftmarketinggroup.net. Italy-America New Product Connection

 

Colorado: Whole Foods to move regional headquarters to Denver from Boulder by Alicia Wallace & Emilie Rusch at Denver Post. “By early next year, the Austin, (Whole Foods) will settle about 100 employees into a historic, three-story brick building near Coors Field that once housed Centennial School Supply Co.” Read more

 

‘WE’RE NOT GOING TO MEET WITH A LYNCH MOB’ – Officials say no to Fremont town hall meeting for Costco chicken plant by Barbara Soderlin at World-Omaha. “His comments came after Cecilia Harry, executive director of the Greater Fremont Development Council, said attempts to meet with concerned residents in small groups have been disrupted when opponents became “hostile and disorderly.” Read more

 

Walmart heirs give $250 million to aid charter schools “To start, the initiative will focus on 17 cities to help create spaces for students to attend school in high-need urban areas. By 2027, the initiative will help public charter schools serve at least 250,000 more students across the nation.” Read the release

 

Bon-Ton could default in the next 12 months, says S&P Global Ratings by Melanie Lawder at Milwaukee Business Journal. “Bon-Ton operates 267 department stores in the Northeast, Midwest and upper Great Plains under the Bon-Ton, Bergner’s, Boston Store, Carson’s, Elder-Beerman, Herberger’s and Younkers nameplates.” Read more

 

Wal-Mart Deal With JD.com Includes Incentives for Retailer to Raise Stake by Juro Osawa at WSJ. “…Under those terms, which haven’t been made public, Wal-Mart would gain observer status at JD.com Inc.’s board meetings if the U.S. company increased its shareholding to a level equivalent to a 10% stake, based on current shares outstanding, the person said.” Read more (subscription)

 

Sports Authority received several bids covering “substantially all” of its intellectual property assets, bankruptcy research firm Reorg reported Tuesday via Alicia Wallace at Denver Post. Read more

 

Kellogg opening cereal cafe in NYC amid soggy sales at AP. “Kellogg says its cereal cafe, located on Broadway, between 48th and 49th streets, will open July 4. The cafe will also serve ice cream dishes, juices and coffees. Later this year, Kellogg says it plans to offer delivery.” Read more

 

Tweet @sbanjo: General Mills calls out Walmart for 30% fewer shelf displays as hurting sales 

 

Tipsheet Extra Stories

Man loses 330 pounds walking to Walmart, working out

Here’s How Pinterest Plans to Get You to Shop More

Amazon Prime Day will be tempting, but shoppers may be better off waiting

Retail app maker PredictSpring snags $11 million in funding

Whole Foods Selects Nielsen To Map Customer Grocery Preferences

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Tipsheet: H.Depot Clips Inventory | JCP Supports ‘Fat Girls’ | Kroger Sues Visa | Dick’s to Surge 32%?

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Walmart Canada’s COO Lee Tappenden to take over as Canadian head in August via Financial Post. “Prior to joining Walmart’s Canadian subsidiary, Tappenden held a number of global leadership roles including chief merchandising officer with Walmart Japan and vice-president of merchandising for the company’s international division.” Read more

 

Home Depot tells its stores, ‘Get comfortable with days of inventory, not weeks’ by Paul Ziobro at WSJ. “Home Depot Inc. is bringing a new philosophy to its cavernous stores: Less is more. Instead of filling its warehouse-style racks to the ceiling with Makita drills, rolls of Owens Corning insulation and cans of Rust-Oleum paint, Home Depot wants fewer items on its shelves and it wants them to be within customers’ reach.” Read more (subscription)

 

Kroger Sues Visa Over PIN Debit Transactions via The Enquirer. “It filed suit Monday in federal court in Cincinnati to block Visa from levying fines against the grocer for not allowing signatures instead of requiring PIN numbers when accepting Visa debit cards…The 47-page suit charges that Visa has fined Kroger $7 million over the 54,000 new chip terminals it has installed in 3,200 stores nationwide. Kroger said in the suit that it has paid $3.1 million to date.” Read more

 

Stores Accepting Food Stamps Face Stricter Rules by Annie Gasparro & Heather Haddon at WSJ. “Big supermarket chains like Wal-Mart already happen to meet the tougher requirements because of their breadth of inventory. But some 195,000 smaller stores would have to add as many as 168 items to their shelves—a move they say would be costly and unprofitable, given their limited shelf space and spoilage issues for fresh food.” Read more (subscription)

 

Planning Commission advises Fremont to take the next step on proposed Costco chicken plant by Paige Yowell at World-Herald. “Commissioners voted unanimously to recommend that the Fremont City Council declare more than 400 acres of land on Fremont’s southern edge “blighted and substandard,” which is required by state law for the project to qualify for tax-increment financing.” Read more

 

27 MILLION – After 3 Deaths, Ikea Recalls Millions Of Dangerous Dressers by Stephanie Gosk & Tim Stelloh at NBC. “Ikea has issued a recall for at least 27 million chests and dressers that can easily tip over onto children, injuring or killing them, NBC News confirmed.” Read more

 

**A message from 2016 Sweets & Snacks Expo –The Expo set a new attendance record with 17,000+ industry professionals from 90+ countries! Attendees represented 80% of the buying power in the candy category and 75% of the buying power in the snack category. Hershey’s Reese’s Pieces Peanut Butter Cups received Best-In-Show new product award. See the post-show highlights. The 2017 Sweets & Snacks Expo is nearly 90% sold out and will take place May 23-25 at Chicago’s McCormick Place. See 2016 Expo Instagram pics #SSE16

 

Online Costco meets Whole Foods raises $111 million by AnnLee Ellingson at L.A. Biz. “Venture capitalists didn’t get it at first. Co-founders Nick Green and Gunnar Lovelace wanted to bring the Costco membership model to the kinds of natural and organic products consumers bought at Whole Foods and sell them online…Launched in 2014, the company says it has more than 300,000 paid members and ships more than $200,000 in good per day.” Read more

 

Report: Dick’s Sporting Goods bids on 17 Sports Authority stores at Reuters. Read more

 

…Dick’s Sporting Goods to surge 32%: Goldman via CNBC. “We expect sharp acceleration in earnings growth in 4Q16, as DKS cycles an easy compare with the benefit of share gain from TSA, and further acceleration in 1Q-3Q17, when ‘full run rate’ TSA benefits compound margin gains from in-sourcing eCommerce next year.” Read more (subscription)

 

Forget ‘Plus Size.’ JCPenney Just Bravely Stood Up for ‘Fat Girls’ by Rebecca Cullers at Adweek. “The nearly three-minute fist-pump for JCPenney’s plus size Boutique+ puts the focus on five fabulous fat girls who are defying society’s limited perceptions of what you’re allowed to do beyond a certain size.” See the spot / Read more

 

Warby Parker to open optical lab in Hudson Valley, add 128 jobs by Teresa Novellino at New York Business Journal. “Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Sen. Chuck Schumer announced the move as part of an arrangement made through the state’s economic development agency.” Read more

 

Nielsen Announces 2016 U.S. Breakthrough Innovation Award Winners “This year’s Breakthrough Innovation Award process reviewed close to 3,500 consumer products that were introduced to the market in 2014. Through this objective analysis, 18 brands met Nielsen’s requirements for distinctiveness, relevance and endurance to earn the award.” See the 18 winners

 

Walgreens Enables Coupon Redemption and Clipping on Digital Channels Read the release

 

Tipsheet Extra Stories

Target: Video Capturing Girl Getting Scolded By Shopper For Selling Candy Outside Store Goes Viral

Mountain Biker Tests a Walmart Huffy on a Downhill Trail (GoPro video)

Marijuana shops are more lucrative than Whole Foods, by at least one metric

Nearly 40% of consumers willing to buy groceries online available in their area

Amazon launches education content sharing service for K-12 teachers and schools

Online grocers expand their offerings with a merger

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Tipsheet: Costco Over “Big Hump” | B.Buy Tests In-Home Consulting | FAA Hits Amazon (Again)

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COSTCO OVER THE “BIG HUMP” – Demand for the new Costco Visa not expected to slow down any time soon by Coral Garnick at Puget Sound Business Journal. “Monday and Tuesday many customers took to social media to voice frustration. That’s when average wait times at Citi were as much as 30 to 40 minutes, Costco CFO Richard Galanti said. But, by Friday, wait times were averaging just five minutes.” Read more

 

Best Buy tests in-home service to help customers figure out their tech needs by Kavita Kumar at Star Tribune. “The in-home consulting program launched in recent months in San Antonio, Austin, Texas, and Atlanta. “We will learn from these markets over time before making any decisions on expanding to other markets,” Best Buy spokesman Jeff Shelman said in an e-mail.” Read more

 

Meet the Instagrammers who made shopping at Target their full-time jobs by Adele Chapin at Racked via CNBC. “Consider Jen Coleman and Laura Wiertzema your personal Target sherpas. That’s what they are to more than 500,000 Instagram followers, who shop right along with them as they post real-time updates on @TargetDoesItAgain…” Read more

 

Amazon to Add Dozens of Brands to Dash Buttons, but Do Shoppers Want Them? by Sharon Terlep & Greg Bensinger at WSJ. “Companies pay Amazon $15 for each button sold and 15% of each Dash product sale, atop the normal commission, which typically ranges from 8% to 15%, the people familiar with the matter said.” Read more (subscription)

 

PetSmart plans to open 80 stores in 2016 by Steven Totten at Phoenix Business Journal. Read more

 

Can Walmart’s food labels make a dent in America’s $29bn food waste problem? by Twilight Greenaway at The Guardian. “Frank Yiannas, vice president of food safety for Walmart, says when the company last checked, roughly 70% of suppliers had complied. While the company couldn’t say exactly how many products will change in total, it said the number is in the thousands.” Read more

 

**A message from Alma Italy – Enjoy the innovative, yet simple elegance of Alma Cookware. Alma Cookware produces non-stick aluminum cookware products and delivers healthy and tasty foods with the security of a professional product. Featuring La Sughiera – the thick-tempered glass lid with upper hole allows for spice-adding and stirring without removing the lid. Featuring Egizia – this warm color pottery connects modern technology with a traditional rural aesthetic. Made in Italy | Website | Italy-America new product connection | Retailers request samples at info@shiftmarketinggroup.net

 

FAA hits Amazon with $130K more in hazmat fines by Rachel Nielsen at Puget Sound Business Journal. “In one episode described in the latest FAA announcements, Amazon is facing a $78,000 civil penalty for packages of Rid O’Rust Stain Preventer Acid Well Water Formula that leaked out of a plastic jug and through a cardboard box.” Read more

 

Sports Authority: No big bid for lots of stores by Mark Harden at Denver Business Journal. “…bids were due Thursday, with an auction set for June 29…suggests that the stores will be snatched up one by one or in small groups by various buyers.” Read more

 

Mission Impossible-style thefts at Best Buys by Dave Greber at WIVB 4. “Police said someone cut through nearly five inches of rubber, insulation and corrugated metal on the building’s roof. Once inside, they stole 400 iPads. “They definitely spent a lot of time in that store,” said Amherst Detective Lt. Richard Walter.” Read more

 

For Consumers, Injury Is Hard to Prove in Data-Breach Cases by Nicole Hong at WSJ. “As data breaches become more widespread, judges around the country are grappling with a new question: whether hacked companies should have to compensate customers for breaches that expose credit-card numbers or other personal information. The answer, at least so far, has largely been no.” Read more (subscription)

 

Walmart and T-Mobile Lead $1.7 Million Corporate Sponsorship Of NYC Pride by Katie Sola at Forbes. See the sponsors

 

Expanding in Africa, eBay partners with MallForAfrica.com by Jake Bright at TechCrunch. “The arrangement will launch a new “eBay Powered by MallforAfrica dedicated platform,” said eBay Business Development Director Fernando Saiz. “The platform will enable inventory from all eBay U.S. individual and business sellers with a 300+ star rating to be purchased by buyers in Nigeria and Kenya.” Read more

 

Wayfair Names Michael O’Hanlon Vice President of Government and Industry Relations Read the release

 

“RICH PEOPLE’S” KROGER – Donations for hungry Memphis teenager who offered to carry strangers’ shopping in exchange for donuts passes $250,000 mark by Euan McLelland at Daily Mail. “I started by asking for $250 to get Chauncy a lawn mower, lol!!! Oh my goodness !!! People have been showering Chauncy and his mother in an ocean of love and support.” Read more

 

Tipsheet Extra Stories

The Story Behind The Best New Lawn Game You’ve Never Heard Of

Here’s why P&G just patented a laundry detergent bottle with a see-through window

Krebs: How to Spot Self-Checkout Skimmers

Smart Home Products: Only 30% Of Consumers Even Know Where To Get Them

Nike Shakeup Creates Three-Man Race to Succeed Parker as CEO

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Tipsheet: Wmart Open Call ‘Sold Out’ | Circuit City is Back (Almost) | ‘Grandpas Boycotting Target’ | Macy’s Next CEO Hints

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Pride merchandise is growing business for Target and Macy’s by Kavita Kumar at Star Tribune. “…this is the fifth year Target has sold pride merchandise. The first two years, the items were available only online. This year, they were sold in about 100 of Target’s 1,800 stores…At 70 of its 700 stores around the country, Macy’s has put up prominent “pride + joy” displays this month…The retailer has been carrying pride merchandise for about a decade.” Read more

 

Next Tuesday: Walmart’s buyers have almost 800 meetings slated for its ‘Open Call’ by Kim Souza at The City Wire. “Michelle Gloeckler: ‘We had to close down registration this year a couple of days early because we sold out time slots. These are 30-minute meetings with buyers from Walmart.com, Walmart Marketplace, Sam’s Club and Walmart stores. We are using every conference room we have at home office, the apparel building and at Sam’s Club’. Read more

 

Macy’s Next CEO Hints How He Plans to Shake the Retailer Out of Its Sales Slump by Phil Wahba at Fortune. “It will build on its licensing model and will lease more space in its 800-plus department stores to outside specialty retailers and add to its in-store experiences…Introducing The Finish Line stores to Macy’s locations has been a big hit for the retailer in part because the retailer hadn’t been “credible in the athletic footwear arena,” says (Incoming CEO Jeff) Gennette” Read more

 

Wall Street Likes Best Buy’s New CFO, but Can She Help Best Buy? by Brian Sozzi at The Street. “Overall we were impressed with Corie Barry’s knowledge of the business, and we believe she will be a good fit to carry on what has been a very management-driven investment story,” proclaimed Credit Suisse analyst Seth Sigman in a note Thursday after having lunch with Barry, Best Buy’s CEO Hubert Joly, and former CFO Sharon McCollam.” Read more

 

Kroger details plans for downtown culinary institute by Steve Watkins at Cincinnati Business Courier. “We believe this will further establish Cincinnati as a hub for the food industry,” (CEO Rodney) McMullen said. “It’s nice this is in Cincinnati. The food scene here is kind of fun.” He pointed to startup restaurants in the city and venture capital investing in some of those business. The latter is something Kroger might partner with, he said.” Read more

 

Circuit City closer to Dallas debut; just launched online with Amazon by Maria Halkias at Dallas Morning News. “Circuit City has hired CBRE in Dallas to find a 6,000-to-9,000-square-foot “perfect spot” in one of the top Dallas shopping areas, said Circuit City CEO Ronny Shmoel…The store is going to be bigger than originally idea of a 2,000 to 4,000-square-foot store, so the layout and design is still in the works.” Read more

 

Wal-Mart Labor Group Asks Retailer to Sit Out of GOP Convention by Shannon Pettypiece at Bloomberg. “The group Making Change at Wal-Mart sent a letter to CEO Doug McMillon on Thursday asking the country’s largest private employer to speak out against Trump’s “racist, misogynistic, anti-veteran, and Islamophobic” remarks. If Wal-Mart doesn’t respond by next week, the organization is planning protests at its stores and Trump’s properties.” Read more

 

**A message from Made in Italy – Fabe’s hand-crafted pillows prevent and relieve neck and back pain. Fabe’s Ergo Praxis pillow supports and aligns the head and neck to prevent cervical pain. Created in cooperation with Ludes University in Switzerland – it gets the body in the right position for a good night’s sleep. 100% Made in Italy. Ergo Praxis Specs | Fabe Website | How our Pillows are Made | Retailers request samples at info@shiftmarketinggroup.net. Italy-America New Product Connection

 

Dollar General Settles Coupon Glitching Case via Coupons in the News. “Cory McNeley filed a federal lawsuit last year, claiming that Dollar General fired him after he blew the whistle on an $8 million coupon scam.” Read more

 

Australia: Woolworths extends hardware discounts as auction heats up at Financial Review. “The stakes are becoming increasingly desperate for Woolworths and former joint venture Lowe’s as the July 4 deadline for final bids for Masters and Home Timber and Hardware draws near…Bunnings is said to be seeking to buy about 20 Masters stores and Harvey Norman seven or eight, but Woolworths is reluctant to sell to its arch rivals.” Read more

 

Amazon rises to No. 2 electronics retailer (passes Walmart) by Mark Reilly at Minneapolis/St.Paul Business Journal. “Best Buy…saw its market share slip slightly to 22.7 percent…Amazon, meanwhile, has a market share of 17 percent, up from 6.3 percent in 2010.” Read more

 

Tampa: Police say Walmart program is reducing arrests, but one Council member is not satisfied by Christopher O’Donnell at Tampa Bay Times. “Walmart is still keeping Tampa police busy but a diversion program for people shoplifting items worth less than $25 is helping to reduce arrests and calls for police assistance…It’s designed to give a break to first-time shoplifters by letting them take a class on retail theft and pay restitution rather than face criminal charges.” Read more

 

Thank this NBA draft pick for making ‘Shout out to J.C. Penney’ a new closing phrase in sports by Maria Halkias at Dallas Morning News. “A “shout out to J.C. Penney” was heard by millions of fans watching the NBA Draft. It was a good night for the Plano-based department store chain Thursday on TV and social media. That phrase is what Minnesota Timberwolves NBA Draft pick Kris Dunn said after showing off his JF J. Ferrar suit at the end of an emotional interview.” Read more

 

‘Ecstatic’ shoppers flock to Burbank for grand opening of Walmart Supercenter via LA Times. “There were more than 150 people crowding the front entrance of the discount retailer’s newest facility…During a preopening ceremony… Patel and other Walmart and community representatives stood on a stage made out of Pepsi and Crush soda cases and plastic pallets.” Read more / See the pics

 

Barnes & Noble to sell booze in some stores by Lisa Fickenscher at NY Post. “In October, the first such store will open in Eastchester, NY, a leafy Big Apple suburb in in Westchester County. In the new stores, customers will be able to sit at a bar stool, be served by a bartender or sit at a table and order from a full menu covering breakfast, lunch and dinner. That store will also have a outdoor fire pit and a bocce court.” Read more

 

“Grandpas Boycotting Target” sit in rocking chairs at parking lot entrance to Target store by Jody Brown at One News Now. “Mike Deaton, one of organizers of the Lake Charles demonstration, reports the group received “many high-fives” from passing motorists. “Some actually stopped … to ogle the signs,” he adds.” See the pics / Read more

 

Tipsheet Extra Stories

Target: Trees Ripped Out From Front of New Store Should Be Replaced, Locals Demand

Ohio: Meijer purchases nearly 60 acres near dairy production plan

Dallas: New Wal-Mart superstore lands on busy intersection at north edge of Frisco

P&G backs off ‘more gos in every roll’ claim for toilet paper after Kimberly-Clark raises a stink

Yuengling to pay $2.8 million fine to settle dispute with the federal government

Vancouver: ‘Startling’ sales at furniture stores amid housing boom

General Mills selects Jeffrey Harmening as president, a steppingstone to CEO job

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Tipsheet: Costco’s Citi Headache | Bed/Bath -0.5% | Restoration Hardware Buyout?

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Costco card switch proves painful for many members by Janet Tu at Seattle Times. “Turns out, quite a few of them didn’t get their cards. Or they’re having trouble setting up online access to their new accounts at Citi. And they’re waiting exasperatingly long times to get through to customer service at Citi…Some wrote of being on hold with Citi for up to an hour and a few threatened to cancel their Costco memberships.” Read more

 

Walmart’s David Cheesewright shares international game plan by Kim Souza at The City Wire. “Cheesewright told the media there is no room in the portfolio for another country, but there are growth opportunities in expanding in some of the markets where Walmart already has a presence — namely Mexico and China where the majority of capital investments for new stores will be deployed over the next years.” Read more

 

Bed Bath & Beyond Q1 Comp Sales -0.5% “…compared with an increase of approximately 2.2% in the prior year period. Comparable sales from customer-facing digital channels grew in excess of 20%” Read the release

 

Bed Bath & Beyond misses Street 1Q forecasts via CNBC “On a per-share basis…it had net income of 80 cents…The average estimate of 13 analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research was for earnings of 86 cents per share.” Read more

 

Restoration Hardware Stock Surges on Williams-Sonoma Merger Speculation by Amanda Gomez at The Street. “I don’t think Gary Friedman, the CEO of Restoration, is ready to surrender… but you are going to see that stock pop because that’s a rumor that seems to make so much sense that people run with it” (said) TheStreet’s Jim Cramer.” Read more

 

**A message from PaintPincher – Save up to a cup of paint per gallon! 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. Never waste paint again! See the video | See the sell sheet | Packaging pic | paintpincher.com Retailers request a sample at info@shiftmarketinggroup.net

 

comScore May: Top 50 Multi-Platform Properties (Desktop and Mobile) – Amazon #5, Walmart #20, Target #48 See the top 50 list

 

Forbes: Home Depot takes unusual step of disassociating the company from its cofounder Bernie Marcus’s endorsement of Donald Trump by Dolia Estevez. “Bernie Marcus retired from the company 14 years ago, so he is not speaking on behalf of The Home Depot. The company does not endorse Presidential candidates,” Stephen Holmes, Director of Corporate Communications at The Home Depot, told me.” Read more

 

WalmartLabs Helps Empower Women and Girls in India Through Grants Read the release

 

Treehouse – the eco-friendly construction materials and products store – is opening store #2 and spawning a wholesale redevelopment of prime corner in North Dallas by Maria Halkias at Dallas Morning News. “Treehouse CEO Jason Ballard approves of the new space that will house the concept he co-founded. “We’re glad that when Treehouse shows up, the neighborhood gets better.” Read more

 

Chicago: Roundy’s CEO Bob Mariano and wife buy second condo in Palmolive Building by Bob Goldsborough at Chicago Tribune. Read more / See the building pic

 

For retailers, closing stores isn’t as easy as it once was by Krystina Gustafson at CNBC. “Over the last year and a half, the bottom third [of the market] has really turned the corner,” said Ryan McCullough, a real estate economist at CoStar Portfolio Strategy. “I don’t want to overstate that there’s going to be some kind of renaissance, … but if you’re a large retailer and you’re looking to see what stores to cut, I think it would have been very obvious over the last couple of years. Maybe it’s less obvious now.” Read more

 

Competitive pressure mounts for Publix by Ashley Gurbal Kritzer at Tampa Bay Business Journal. “At first blush, Safeway’s launch in South Florida is a blip in the local grocery market…But one facet of Safeway’s Florida debut is particularly notable…The new stores — all three of which are rebranded Albertsons — launched with online shopping and one-hour delivery service, via refrigerated trucks “with multiple temperature zones, so frozen items stay frozen and vegetables are crispy fresh when delivered…Publix Super Markets Inc. doesn’t offer online shopping” Read more

 

CVS Pharmacy Now Open in Target Stores Throughout Colorado Read the release

 

Food Lion now lets you pay for your groceries on your phone by Katherine Peralta at Charlotte Observer. “…it accepts mobile payments via Apple Pay, Android Pay and Samsung Pay at all of its nearly 1,100 stores. The grocer also said it has completed its “chip-and-pin” rollout, meaning all of its stores now accept new chip-and-pin credit and debit cards.” Read more

 

PetSmart Expands with 12 New Stores in Q1 2016 Read the release

 

Tipsheet Extra Stories

NY Post: JCPenney constructs cringe-worthy Orlando sales display

Iris Apfel Is The Best Thing To Happen To Macy’s

Hawaii made an example of Costco store – slaps with $16K fine for bottle bill violations

Brooklyn Navy Yard’s Wegmans Probably Won’t Open Until 2018

Man attacks Wal-Mart greeter after being asked for receipt

Bloomberg: How Did I Get Here? Build-A-Bear’s Sharon Price John

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Tipsheet: EPA Fines T.Joe’s | EEOC Hits Bass Pro | FAA Grounds Amazon | Kroger’s Mystery Building

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Trader Joe’s to pay $2 million to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by Sarah Whitten at CNBC. “Trader Joe’s agreed to spend $2 million over the next three years to reduce coolant leaks from refrigeration equipment at 453 stores, and improve overall compliance. In addition, the company will also pay a $500,000 civil penalty for alleged violations to the Clean Air Act.” Read more

 

FAA issues final commercial drone rules – setback for Amazon’s delivery ambitions by Nat Levy & Todd Bishop at GeekWire. “In short, the rules as written are a blow to Amazon’s ambitions to deliver small packages via drone, via its Prime Air initiative. However, the FAA says most of the rules can be waived through an application process “if the applicant demonstrates that his or her operation can safely be conducted under the terms of a certificate of waiver.” Read more

 

Kroger names Valerie Jabbar new President of Ralphs “Donna Giordano will retire from the company after 44 years of service, effective July 23.” Read the release

 

Merchants gear up for Amazon Prime Day by Matt Linder at Internet Retailer. “Amazon.com Inc. hasn’t yet announced when it will hold its second Prime Day this year, but given the success of the promotion last summer, experts are advising merchants to start preparing now for what is anticipated to be a mid-July event.” Read more

 

Lands’ End Promotes Becky Gebhardt to EVP & CMO Read the release

 

Chicago Housing Authority proposing Target store at Rogers Park senior high-rise by Robert Channick at Chicago Tribune. “Christopher Woods, president of Three Corners, said the project’s vision is for a seven-story, 220,000-square-foot development with 120 market-rate apartments and a 35,000-square-foot retail anchor.” Read more

 

**A message from Alma Italy – Enjoy the innovative, yet simple elegance of Alma Cookware. Alma Cookware produces non-stick aluminum cookware products and delivers healthy and tasty foods with the security of a professional product. Featuring La Sughiera – the thick-tempered glass lid with upper hole allows for spice-adding and stirring without removing the lid. Featuring Egizia – this warm color pottery connects modern technology with a traditional rural aesthetic. Made in Italy | Website | Italy-America Chamber of Commerce | Retailers request samples at info@shiftmarketinggroup.net

 

Home Security Camera Returned to Sam’s Club Accidentally Spies On New Buyer by Kevin Collier at Vocativ. “Arlo cameras are widely popular, with more than one million sold worldwide. While returns do happen, there isn’t a clear mechanism in place to enforce the policy that any returned camera needs to be returned to the company to wipe it.” Read more

 

Cincinnati: Kroger outlines plans for mystery downtown building by Steve Watkins at Cincinnati Business Courier. “Kroger plans to remodel the property into a culinary training and education center for its employees. In addition to training Kroger employees, the facility will serve as “testing ground for new food products and trend research.” Read more / See the bldg

 

Costco chicken plant controversy continues in Nebraska by Dave Roberts at KETV Omaha ABC. “I am for economic development, but I do not call these jobs economic development,” said Dawn Weigert, who opposes the plant.”… Out of the 280 people in attendance, the crowd appeared split when it comes to the plant.” Read more/See the video

 

New execs for Belk’s senior leadership team by Jennifer Thomas at Charlotte Business Journal. “Randy Whitaker will start as executive vice president, chief stores officer on June 27. Ron Garrow will become executive vice president, chief people officer as of July 11.” Read more

 

WSJ: A Beauty Retailer That Knows What You Want by Elizabeth Holmes. “One of the rare growth stories in retail can’t be found on Fifth Avenue or Rodeo Drive. It’s in a suburban strip mall. This summer, Ulta Beauty, a chain that sells makeup, skin care, fragrances and hair products, will add 40 stores, part of plans to increase by 100 this year to more than 970 stores. At a time when many are shuttering doors because of lagging traffic and growing internet sales, Ulta is drawing in shoppers and getting them to spend more…” Read more (subs.)

 

Amazon to Expand in Georgia with New Fulfillment Center Read the release

 

Legislators Consider Cybersecurity Initiative For Retail Sector by Dani Meyer at Law 360. “Legislators are considering a directive for the Department of Commerce to team up with experts to create a cybersecurity initiative specific to the retail sector, according to a recent bill report, while also encouraging the department to address internet of things-related security concerns.” Read more (subs.)

 

Appeals court: Government’s discriminatory hiring lawsuit against Bass Pro can proceed by Thomas Gounley at Springfield News-Leader. “We are pleased with the decision,” EEOC spokeswoman Kimberly Smith-Brown said in a statement. “We look forward to having the merits of this important race and national origin hiring case heard in district court.” Read more

 

Jeff Bezos wins Heinlein Prize for space commercialization by Alan Boyle at GeekWire. “The prize also traditionally involve the award of a Lady Vivamus sword inspired by the Heinlein novel “Glory Road.” Dula said Bezos would be getting a surprise gift, and hinted that it’d be a space artifact. “We have something to give him that’s very special,” Dula said. The goodies will be presented during a Sept. 14 ceremony in Washington, D.C.” Read more

 

Tipsheet Extra Stories

Agents raid Gladys Knight’s Chicken and Waffles restaurants

New Jersey: Target resolves problem with debit cards

ABC Carpet shuts down legendary Bronx warehouse

REI’s #OptOutside Black Friday ad campaigns wins big at Cannes

Kwik raises $3 million to take on Amazon Dash buttons

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Tipsheet: Last-Minute Sports Authority Talks | Walmart’s $6 Wine Rated Best | Paris Mayor Unhappy w/Amazon | Hy-Vee’s Clothing Boutique

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STRIKE VOTE AT RALPHS/ALBERTSONS – Grocery union reports high turnout for strike vote by Natalie Kitroeff at LA Times. “The results of the vote won’t be available until Tuesday night. But grocery workers historically have followed the union’s suggestion…said officials from the United Food and Commercial Workers union, which represents about 47,000 clerks, meat cutters and merchandise stockers across Southern California. The union advised members vote to authorize a strike.” Read more

 

Last-minute talks underway for many of Sports Authority’s stores by Mark Harden at Denver Business Journal. “The Wall Street Journal reports that Sports Direct International, the largest sporting-goods retailer in the United Kingdom, and privately held New York-based sporting-gear chain Modell’s Inc. are in talks about a potential joint bid for many of Sports Authority’s leases.” Read more | WSJ article (subs.)

 

Walmart’s $6 red wine named one of the best in the world via Fox News. “Asda has confirmed that sales of the wine have skyrocketed following the accolade; interest in it crashed the chain’s website — which now lists the La Moneda as out of stock.” Read more

 

TWIN CITIES – New Hy-Vee grocery store will carry clothing by John Ewoldt at Star Tribune. “…the head scratcher for some may be the F & F boutique, a 3,300-square-feet boutique with clothes, shoes and accessories for kids, women and men. The European brand is franchised mostly in Tesco supermarkets. This is Hy-Vee’s first franchise with the brand, which will be expanded in stores in Rochester, Minn., and Des Moines as well as Brooklyn Park.” Read more

 

Mayor of Paris isn’t happy about Amazon’s one-hour delivery service by Amar Toor at The Verge. “In a press release …, the office of Mayor Anne Hidalgo called on Amazon to guarantee that its Prime Now delivery service will not add to the city’s pollution problems and that it will preserve the “diversity” of Paris’ economy.” Read more

 

Study: Best 50 Corporate Citizens in Canada (Canadian Tire #41, Hudson’s Bay #43, Loblaw #49) at Corporate Knights. See the top 50 list

 

**A message from 2016 Sweets & Snacks Expo –The Expo set a new attendance record with 17,000+ industry professionals from 90+ countries! Attendees represented 80% of the buying power in the candy category and 75% of the buying power in the snack category. Hershey’s Reese’s Pieces Peanut Butter Cups received Best-In-Show new product award. See the post-show highlights. The 2017 Sweets & Snacks Expo is nearly 90% sold out and will take place May 23-25 at Chicago’s McCormick Place. See 2016 Expo Instagram pics #SSE16

 

Daughter of Publix founder to step down from board due to Alzheimer’s diagnosis by Justine Griffin at Tampa Bay Times. “Jenkins Barnett, 59, voluntarily decided to step down from the Publix board to focus on her health and spend more time with family.” Read more

 

Walmart’s Gloeckler & Furner Take Part in Panel Discussion by Kim Souza at The City Wire. “J.K. Symancyk, CEO of Academy Sports & Outdoors, said every year in the past there’s been some technology or format that everyone thought would dominate retail. That hasn’t happened. “The world doesn’t need another retailer it just needs better retailers. Customers don’t say they choose to shop this channel, they choose to do business with brands they trust and the same is true from a supplier and retailer standpoint,” Symancyk said.” Read more

 

ENERGY VAMPIRES – Kroger signs big deal to buy cutting-edge exit signs by Steve Watkins a Cincinnati Business Courier. “The exit signs glow in the dark and emanate light. They don’t require the maintenance or have lights that burn out that traditional exit signs do. “Nobody thinks of an exit sign as a cost center, but I do,” Green said. “We call them energy vampires.” Read more

 

Uniqlo’s struggles cause fashion chain to close stores by Lisa Fickenscher at NY Post. “Tokyo-based Uniqlo — a 1,700-store global chain with 43 US stores and big plans to grow its portfolio here — is the latest fast-fashion retailer to retrench amid slowing sales…Uniqlo has quietly closed five stores since January. They were all in suburban shopping malls.” Read more

 

Bloomberg: Whole Foods Is Getting Killed by Aldi. Is a Millennial Grocery Chain the Fix? by Joel Stein. “We were greeted outside with a sign that said “Free Air Guitars.” Walking in, we found a clean, well-lit, and colorful store, with exposed beams and ducts. There were no employees in sight, as if to say, “Shop, don’t shop, totally up to you, dude.” (What they’re actually saying is: fewer employees, less overhead, smaller costs to pass on.) Igor liked it immediately.” Read more

 

Facebook gives retailers more leeway to tell their stories by Zak Stambor at Internet Retailer. “Facebook today announced that, as of Wednesday, retailers and other marketers who operate brand pages on the social network will be able to use Canvases to create organic page posts. The HTML5 format was previously only available to advertisers.” Read more

 

Tipsheet Extra Stories

Shocked Amazon customer catches USPS driver chucking his package on the side of the road without even getting out of his van (pics)

Sam’s Club China will open a flagship store on JD.com

Downtown Calgary retail businesses rapidly closing as layoffs, oil prices take their toll

Detroit: Angry mom drop kicks birthday cake at Kroger

Ellen Degeneres to launch pet collection at PetSmart

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