Tipsheet: Costco’s Hep A Headache | Ex-PetSmart CEO to GNC | Smart & Final -0.3%

 

Ex-PetSmart CEO Named Interim CEO at GNC “Before joining PetSmart in 1999, (Robert) Moran was President of Toys “R” Us Canada following various executive positions across finance and merchandising with Sears, Roebuck & Company, including as President and CEO of Sears de Mexico.” Press release

 

Smart & Final Q2 Comp Sales -0.3% “Comparable store sales for the Smart & Final banner decreased 0.6% in the second quarter…Comparable store sales for the Cash & Carry banner increased 0.4% in the second quarter.” Press release

 

Honolulu: Costco notifies 2,700 customers of possible Hepatitis A exposure by Catherine Cruz at KITV 4 ABC. “Costco said it started notifying customers Thursday by mail and by phone. “While it’s possible that the employee may have handled your product, Costco has a very strict policy of no bare hand contact with ready- to- eat foods,” said Craig Wilson, Vice-President of Quality Control for Costco.” Read more

 

Amazon Second Quarter Sales up 31% to $30.4 Billion Press release

 

…Amazon added 23,700 employees worldwide in the second quarter, bringing its total employment to 268,900 by Nat Levy at GeekWire. Read more

 

Lowe’s builds massive direct-to-consumer fulfillment center in Tennessee by Nicole Young at The Tennessean. “Robertson County has been chosen as the site of Lowe’s first direct-to-consumer fulfillment center, a 1 million-square-foot, “state-of-the-art” facility that will bring 600 new jobs and a $100 million capital investment to Coopertown, Gov. Bill Haslam announced Thursday.” Read more

 

Tim Hortons plans expansion into Southeast Asia starting with the Philippines via Financial Post. “(CFO Joshua) Kobza hinted Tim Hortons would aim to match the level of some of its rivals in the local market — many of which boast hundreds of restaurants in the country, he said.” Read more

 

Q&A with Kroger’s Group VP of HR by Alexander Coolidge at Cincinnati Enquirer. Read more

 

**A message from 2016 Sweets & Snacks Expo – The Most Innovative New Products winners have been announced! Winners were awarded in nine categories: chocolate, non-chocolate, sweet, salty, savory, novelty, seasonal, gourmet/premium and gum/mints. See the 9 winners & 36 nominees The 2017 Sweets & Snacks Expo is nearly 90% sold out and will take place May 23-25 at Chicago’s McCormick Place – Notify me when registration opens

 

Walgreens to shut down drugstore.com and beauty.com by Taylor Soper at GeekWire. “Walgreens acquired drugstore.com in 2011 for an equity value of $429 million, which at the time represented a 102 percent premium over the company’s 30-day average closing stock price.” Read more

 

Apple opens first Brooklyn store by Noah Kulwin at Recode. See the pics / Read more

 

Dollar Tree co-founder, wife donate $2 million to Cleveland Clinic at Crain’s Cleveland Business. “The gift from Macon and Joan Brock will establish an endowed chair bearing their names that will support lung transplant research and education…Macon Brock received the lung transplant in September 2014.” Read more

 

Justice Department protests Sports Authority’s plan to pay top executives $2.85M in bankruptcy bonuses via Denver Post. Read more

 

Grocery cooperatives Associated Wholesale Grocers and Affiliated Foods Midwest to combine by Steve Vockrodt at Kansas City Star. “Affiliated Foods Midwest…supplies 800 stores in 15 states. AWG is the larger concern in this combination by serving 3,000 stores in 30 states.” Read more

 

Love’s fuel-hauling fleet awards drivers with $3.4 million in safety bonuses via Overdrive. Read more

 

Lowe’s donates thousands of dollars’ worth of lawn equipment to teens who cut lawns for free by Emily Maher at WLKY Louisville. “It all started when Travis got in trouble and his mom told him to go cut the lawn at the abandoned house on their street. Travis realized he enjoyed the chore, so he got his two brothers and cousin involved. They’ve been cutting lawns across Louisville for months — for free.” See the video / Read more

 

Tipsheet Extra Stories

NY Post: Pasta maker in hot water for allegedly under-filling boxes

Amazon starts alcohol deliveries to Prime Now customers in Twin Cities

The Container Store launches private-label credit cards

Sears focuses on employee comms after Kmart liquidation reports

Ex-Walmart VP talks e-commerce

Home Depot’s senior director of talent acquisition offers 12 questions you should ask during an interview

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Tipsheet: Cabela’s +1.5% | Kmart ‘Freaking Out’ Employees | Macy’s CFO #16 | Publix Heiress +$800K Donation

 

Cabela’s Q2 Comp Sales +1.5% “This marks the first quarter of positive comparable store sales since the third quarter of 2013. This increase was attributable to strength in firearms and shooting related categories as well as the camping, powersports, and fishing categories. Internet and catalog sales increased 3.3% in the quarter.” Press release

 

Dollar General buys 41 former Wal-Mart Express stores by Kim Souza at The City Wire. “The sale to Dollar General is somewhat ironic given that Walmart built the smaller Express format as way to better compete with Dollar General in rural markets.” List of store locations | Press release

 

Target – IndyCar’s longest-running primary team sponsor — to leave series by Curt Cavin at Indy Star. “Target will continue to sponsor Kyle Larson’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series program.” Read more

 

Kmart’s retail experiment is freaking out employees by Lisa Fickenscher at NY Post. “…has started moving Kmart stockroom merchandise onto the sales floor…But the cost-cutting maneuver had at least one immediate, unforeseen side effect: Employees thought the chain was going out of business.” Read more

 

Macy’s top Cincinnati exec named one of nation’s best by Andy Brownfield at Cincinnati Business Courier. “Macy’s Chief Financial Officer Karen Hoguet was ranked No. 16 in a list of the top 25 chief financial officers published by ExecRank.” Read more

 

Wal-Mart offers new mobile cross-channel features for Chinese shopper by Frank Tong at Internet Retailer. “Beginning this month, millions of Chinese shoppers have been able to check out in more than 100 Wal-Mart stores in China by using WeChat Pay…A consumer shows a bar code within the WeChat app to a cashier, and the cashier scans the code to verify the payment.” Read more

 

**A message from Man Dip – Sour cream is for sissies – Eat like a man! Sour cream is something you slap on a baked potato – it is not a dip! Man Dip uses real cream cheese loaded with chunks of meat and peppers to create dips that are rich and savory with just the right amount of kick. Protein rich – Gluten free – Served hot. See the website & five new flavors | Named a Top 5 new product | Retailers request a sample pack at info@shiftmarketinggroup.net

 

Whole Foods’ earnings misses on analyst forecast, shares fall by Claudia Grisales at American-Statesman. “Whole Foods executives said the earnings report was dragged down by the retailer’s new lower pricing strategy, higher healthcare costs and depreciation as well as marketing and technology expenses.” Read more

 

Overstock founder Patrick Byrne returns as CEO by April Berthene at Internet Retailer. “(Patrick) Byrne left…in April due to “stage IV Hepatitis C,” or advanced hepatitis with liver damage…Byrne is completely healthy for this first time in 31 years, he said in a statement Tuesday announcing his return to Overstock.” Read more

 

Claire’s banking on back-to-school sales to avoid bankruptcy by Josh Kosman & James Covert at NY Post. “The situation depends on the real cash flow in the next couple of months,” a source with direct knowledge of the situation said. “You have to think more likely than not it will result in bankruptcy.” Read more

 

Lower food prices add to challenges at Supervalu by John Ewoldt at Star Tribune. “We expect Supervalu will continue to cede share within the retail food category,” Morgan Stanley analyst Vincent Sinisi wrote after the company’s results announcement.” Read more

 

Publix Heiress Donates $800,000 to Fight Medical Marijuana Legalization in Florida by Jerry Iannelli at Miami New Times. “It appears Jenkins Barnett, who stepped down from her role with the chain last month as she fights early-onset Alzheimer’s at age 59, really doesn’t like medical marijuana. She reportedly gave more than $500,000 to Drug Free Florida in 2014.” Read more

 

Nordstrom Expands Madewell Partnership To 20 Additional Stores This Fall Press release

 

Australia: Aldi’s grows at more than five times the rate of Coles and Woolworths by Harry Pearl at Daily Mail. Read more

 

Amazon Has Launched a New Showcase for Kickstarter Products by David Meyer at Fortune. “Amazon also said Wednesday that Launchpad now includes products from over 1,000 startups, a year into its operation.” Read more

 

State officials ‘stand ready to help’ if Cabela’s asks, but analysts say there’s only so much government can do by Paige Yowell at Omaha World-Herald. Read more

 

Target touts new farm-to-cup coffee improvements at A Bullseye View. “To perfect our flavors, we engaged hundreds of guests and Target team members, asking them to test and rate the cups of coffee for texture, aroma and flavor…” See the packaging pics / Read more

 

Forrest E. Mars Jr., scion of a candy empire, dies at 84 via CNBC. “Scarred by years of criticism that was spurred by Forrest Sr.’s fear that he would raise spoiled children and by his refusal to let them eat candy, his sons forbid Mars executives from mentioning their father’s name in their presence…” Read more

 

Tipsheet Extra Stories

18-Wheeler Rolls Into Retainer Pond At Costco

NY Times: Brands Born Online, Reshaping the Retail Landscape

Man taken into custody after Krispy Kreme crumbs mistaken for meth

HuffPo: In 1995, Walmart Thought The Phrase ‘Someday A Woman Will Be President’ Was Offensive

Kroger Names IRI as Preferred Market Measurement Partner

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Tipsheet: Supervalu Down 3.9% | L.Liquidators -7.2% | 7-Eleven Sues Bodegas | eBay Suitors

 

Wal-Mart de Mexico posts 9 percent drop in second-quarter profit at Reuters. “During the second quarter of last year, Walmex sold its banking unit to Grupo Financiero Inbursa. Second-quarter revenue at Walmex was 127.5 billion pesos, 11.5 percent higher than the year-earlier period.” Read more

 

“WELLNESS HAS GONE MASS” – Goldman downgrades Whole Foods by Kate Rooney at CNBC. “Wellness has gone mass, and it is not coming back, never again to be relegated to niche specialty retailers serving price-insensitive, early adopters.” Read more

 

Lumber Liquidators Q2 Comp Sales Down 7.2% at CNBC. “Analysts on average had expected a 5.4 percent decline, according to research firm Consensus Metrix.” Read more

 

3 Fremont residents sue city over Costco chicken plant by Barbara Soderlin at World-Herald. “The plaintiffs worked with the advocacy group Socially Responsible Agricultural Project, an Oregon group that opposes what it calls “factory farming” nationwide.” Read more

 

Supervalu Q1 Net Sales Down 3.9% “Total net sales within the Wholesale segment decreased 7.6 percent. Retail identical store sales were negative 4.5 percent. Save-A-Lot network identical store sales were negative 1.4 percent. Identical store sales for corporate stores within the Save-A-Lot network were negative 1.0 percent.” Press release

 

…Supervalu misses 1Q profit forecasts via CNBC. “Supervalu shares have decreased 22 percent since the beginning of the year.” Read more

 

Bezos Joins Pentagon Board by Aaron Mehta at Defense News. See the 15 members / Read more

 

Toys”R”Us Launches Search For Next “Presidential Candidate” “One lucky kid in the U.S. will soon be selected to spend a year playing with the hottest new toys and games and providing true expert recommendations to parents and gift-givers.” Press release

 

Weis Markets Q2 Comp Sales +1.8% Press release

 

**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

 

7-Eleven is suing two Brooklyn bodegas for copying logo by Lla Eustachewich at NY Post. “One of the stores, called “Eleven 7 Food Mart,” is on Coney Island Avenue in Kensington. The other shop is “Z-Eleven” on Henry Street in Red Hook.” See pics of lookalike bodegas

 

Harry Potter Madness:

…Here’s the ‘secret product’ Amazon is selling at midnight on Sunday at GeekWire. Read more

…Target’s Exclusive Giveaway at A Bullseye View. Read more

…Barnes & Noble Aims to Recapture Magic With Harry Potter Release at Bloomberg. Read more

 

Prime Day: Amazon accounted for 74% of U.S. online purchases on July 12 according to Slice Intelligence by Don Davis at Internet Retailer. Read more

 

Delhaize America’s headquarters to stay in Salisbury by Amanda Raymond at Salisbury Post. Read more

 

eBay Seen As Likely’ Takeover Target at The Street. “Among the suitors may be foreign eCommerce companies wishing to expand their global footprint, such as Alibaba…Google’s parent Alphabet…incumbents in both media and retail seeking to strengthen their digital footprint, like Wal-Mart” Read more

 

Sears Canada President didn’t even last a year by Hollie Shaw at Financial Post. Read more

 

Kohl’s Announces New Partnership with Under Armour Press release

 

Target donates 8,000 pounds of food in Louisiana after power outage by Jade Cunningham at WWL CBS. “That act of kindness, like most things these days, was all recorded with a cell phone. It’s been seen by thousands and has many praising the actions of the employees.” See the video / Read more

 

Tipsheet Extra Stories

Walmart store hasn’t had working bathrooms for almost a month

Target’s Summer Interns Share a Peek Inside Their Program

Big Nordstrom event connects Instagram images and hashtag to in-store promotions

Bales of hay may have spontaneously combusted at Tractor Supply store

A rare look inside Tesla’s ‘gigafactory’

Supply Chain Insights Names Top Supply Chains (Walmart, Target, Whole Foods, CVS, Dollar Tree)

June Durable Goods Orders Plunge 4%

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Tipsheet: Ex-Wmart CFO Joins Deloitte | Paul Ryan @ Wgreens | Schnucks Produce Shortage | Wworths Shutters 27

 

Former Wal-Mart CFO Holley to join Deloitte as adviser at Reuters. “Holley, who served as the CFO of Wal-Mart… from December 2010 to January 2016, will join Deloitte’s ‘U.S. CFO Program’ and advise staff, clients and senior leadership.” Read more

 

Why have upscale retailer Nordstrom and other apparel giants lost their luster? by James F. Peltz at LA Times via Chicago Tribune. “Then, all of a sudden,” that growth began stalling in a “very strong” way, Michael Koppel, Nordstrom’s chief financial officer, told an industry conference in June. “For something that happened that quickly, it just begs a lot of questions.” Read more

 

House Speaker Paul Ryan joins Walgreens at launch of drug take-back disposal program in Wisconsin Read the release

 

Schnucks dealing with produce shortage by Sam Clancy at KSDK St.Louis. “High customer traffic, a warehouse change and a power outage have contributed to limited produce selection at area stores, a statement from the company said.” See the video / Read more

 

Amazon partnering with the United Kingdom to test its drone delivery service by Nat Levy at GeekWire. “Amazon will test flying drones beyond the operator’s line of sight in rural and suburban areas. The company also wants to evaluate sensors that help drones avoid obstacles and whether a single person can fly multiple automated drones at the same time.” Read more

 

Online dollar store Hollar is giving these old-school shops a makeover by Krystina Gustafson at CNBC. “Hollar’s Yeom is making the case that the company has figured out how to profitably bring the dollar store into the digital era. At the crux of its strategy are two tactics: playing into consumers’ love for a treasure hunt, and finding ways to ensure the orders they ship are additive to its bottom line. “A space this massive, an opportunity this big … we wondered, are we crazy?” Yeom said.” Read more

 

**A message from 2016 Sweets & Snacks Expo – The Most Innovative New Products winners have been announced! Winners were awarded in nine categories: chocolate, non-chocolate, sweet, salty, savory, novelty, seasonal, gourmet/premium and gum/mints. See the winners here The 2017 Sweets & Snacks Expo is nearly 90% sold out and will take place May 23-25 at Chicago’s McCormick Place – Notify me when registration opens

 

Seattle: Amazon real estate chief outlines strategy: ‘I don’t want to own it all’ by Marc Stiles at Puget Sound Business Journal. “Amazon Director of Global Real Estate and Facilities Director John Schoettler outlined the company’s strategy last week, saying Amazon wants to both own and lease space. Currently, the company has a total of 8.5 million square feet in Seattle, owning half and leasing half.” Read more

 

Starbucks’ Schultz to step back, focus on high-end strategy by Janet I. Tu at Seattle Times. “Starting Sept. 1, his priorities will be on Starbucks’ higher-end businesses, including the Roasteries…the Reserve Stores…and Princi, the high-end bakery chain Starbucks just invested in. Schultz is also aiming to build a premium business unit within Starbucks, he said in a letter to employees Monday.” Read more

 

Ex-CEO of several retail banners named Director at Sears Canada “Heywood Wilansky, a retail executive with over 45 years of retail experience…including CEO of several retail banners including Value City, Bon Ton Stores Inc., DSW Inc., Filene’s Department Stores, Filene’s Basement, and Foley’s, has been appointed as a Director of the Company. Read the release

 

Australia: Woolworths to close 27 stores, cut 500 jobs at Sydney Morning Herald. “Another 34 underperforming stores were identified, which would also potentially close at the end of their leases. The 27 supermarkets flagged for closure would do so before the end of their lease, the retailer said.” Read more

 

Under Armour signals it is looking for shoppers that tend to frequent department stores such as J.C. Penney and Kohl’s by Brian Sozzi at The Street. “The authenticity we have gained with the athlete over the past 20 years has positioned Under Armour to widen our access through categories, channels and geographies,” said (CEO Kevin) Plank in a statement on the company’s second-quarter earnings release.” Read more

 

…Under Armour’s quarterly revenue jumped nearly 28%, driven by strong demand for its basketball shoes endorsed by NBA star Stephen Curry via Fox Business. Read more

 

…Tweetable: @sbanjo: Wow. Under Armour takes over former FAO Schwartz space in NYC as newest flagship store

 

Redbox and Coinstar maker Outerwall agrees to $1.6B buyout by John Cook at GeekWire. “Outerwall has fallen on tough times in recent years…Redbox president Mark Horak stepped down last December, and the company shut down Redbox kiosks in Canada and removed several locations in the U.S.” Read more

 

Amazon Prime launches in India, initially without Prime Video service by Jon Russell at TechCrunch. “The service costs 499 INR (around $7.50) per year, although that “introductory” price will later rise to 999 INR ($14.80), for which customers get free one- and two-day delivery for products to over 100 cities.” Read more

 

Tipsheet Extra Stories

Michelle Obama stuns in a blue Christian Siriano dress at DNC

NASCAR legend Richard Petty surprises military family with free year of groceries at Kroger

Canada: Food prices drop as retailers scramble to keep up with Wal-Mart

Tampa: One year later, Bass Pro has become center of burgeoning development

Ex-Sam’s Club PR Manager named to college board

D’Agostino president: Supply shortage to end

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Tipsheet: Ex-Target Exec Now CMO | BJ’s #1 in SC | How Sobeys Screwed up Safeway | REI Bumps Pay

 

REI boosting wages for workers in 7 cities, including Seattle by Janet I. Tu at Seattle Times. “…it comes after employees have been increasingly vocal about wage and scheduling issues…The cities include Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Boston, Chicago, Denver and Washington, D.C.” Read more

 

Former Target exec joins Patterson as CMO by Katharine Grayson at Minneapolis/St.Paul Business Journal. “(Todd) Marshall spent 14 years at Minneapolis-based Target, most recently serving as the retailer’s senior vice president of marketing. His responsibilities included overseeing digital aspects of the company’s customer-rewards program, including expansion of its Cartwheel mobile app.” Read more

 

Sports Authority creditors want bankruptcy case converted to Chapter 7 via Denver Post. “The debtors are hopelessly administratively insolvent and will never, ever be able to propose a confirmable plan,” the unsecured creditors said in court papers.” Read more

 

How Sobeys screwed up Safeway in a messy takeover that left empty shelves, massive losses, and drove customers away by Hollie Shaw at Financial Post. “Seeing strawberries out of stock again was the final straw for long-time Safeway shopper Kevin Wipf. The Calgary resident is one of hundreds of consumers who are still taking to social media to complain about the grocer in the wake of Sobeys Inc.’s messy takeover of the Western Canadian grocery chain — even though the acquisition happened close to three years ago.” Read more

 

Wal-Mart beats shareholder appeal in Mexico bribery lawsuit by Jonathan Stempel at Reuters. “By a 3-0 vote, the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in St. Louis upheld a lower court dismissal of a federal lawsuit accusing the defendants, including former chief executives Mike Duke and Lee Scott, of breaching their duties in failing to stop alleged bribery at Wal-Mart de Mexico.” Read more

 

A New U.S.-European Grocery Giant Is Born by Stephen Wilmot at WSJ. “Its U.S. chains will account for 63% of sales this year, reckons brokerage Jefferies. An investment in the company is therefore a bet on U.S. grocery, in which it will become the fourth-largest player after Wal-Mart, Kroger and Albertsons.” Read more (subscription)

 

**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

 

Amazon exec: Bezos has planned for the eventual end of the company by Marc Stiles at Puget Sound Business Journal. “Jeff said to me, ‘John, opportunities like this come along once every 125 years. One hundred twenty-five years from now, when people have forgotten about Amazon…'”Schoettler was shocked, and wondered why Bezos would say that about the company he founded.” Read more

 

BJ’s starting work on first South Carolina store at The Post & Courier. “BJ’s Wholesale Club recently inked a 20-year lease for an 87,000-square-foot store it plans to open in Summerville as the chain makes it South Carolina debut.” Read more

 

A Year In, Jet.com Is Still Trying to Take On Amazon by Leena Rao at Fortune. On private-label – “It’s absolutely something we have in the works,” said Lore, calling the opportunity “low hanging fruit.” Some of the areas where Jet will be developing their own products include health and beauty, baby, and groceries.” Read more

 

LVMH to Sell Donna Karan to G-III Apparel for $650 Million by Thomas Mulier & Corinne Gretler at Bloomberg. Read more

 

7-Eleven Just Used a Drone to Deliver a Chicken Sandwich and Slurpees by Jonathan Vanian at Fortune. “After the drone reached the house, it hovered above while lowering the container to the family’s backyard using a rope…7-Eleven said it plans to work with Flirtey on future drone deliveries, but it did not say when it would roll out a broader drone delivery program for all of its stores.” Read more

 

Execs Remember Former Wal-Mart executive Don Soderquist by Kim Souza at The City Wire. “At 29 years old (Andy) Wilson said he had interviewed with executives all day for a job promotion that would take him from overseeing 12 stores to more than 120 stores. The last interview of the day was with Soderquist. Wilson said he will never forget that interview because Soderquist asked him to begin in prayer so that the two of them could align their focus before discussing the promotion.” Read more

 

…Doug McMillon: Remembering Don Soderquist Read more

 

Uncovering the rise and fall of the queen of Tupperware by Larry Getlen at NY Post. “One night in 1947, a salesman for the popular Stanley Home Products company — seller of mops, cleaners, detergents, and other products for housewives — knocked on the door of 34-year-old secretary and divorced mother of one, Brownie Wise. The man’s pitch was so inept that Wise could only think, “I could do better than that.” The ensuing years would show how right she was…” Read more

 

Europe: Here’s why P&G just launched online magazine for women over 50 by Barrett Brunsman at Cincinnati Business Courier. “The term “a woman of a certain age,”…is sometimes thought of as a polite reference to having reached a mature stage in life. But in France, one of the markets targeted by P&G, the term is considered sexy.” Read more

 

Lululemon CEO talks candidly about looming athleisure bubble by Krystina Gustafson at CNBC. “Athleisure, that bubble will pop and the people that are not in it for the right reasons will go away,” Potdevin told CNBC in an exclusive interview.” See the video / Read more

 

From the Archives: Sol Price and the FedMart story by Bob Dorn at San Diego Reader. Read more

 

Tipsheet Extra Stories

Target and other companies turning to ‘reverse mentoring’ to tap millennials’ knowledge

Computers will use more electricity than the entire world can generate by 2040, tech experts claim

Adweek’s Creative 100: The 2016 List

Former Microsoft leader Marc Whitten joins Amazon after stint with Sonos

P&G sells massive product innovation center

Jacksonville: Land sold for expected Amazon.com center, setting stage for 1,500 jobs

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Tipsheet: Sam’s Chief Jumps | Ellison Named Chairman | Amazon’s New Badge Irks | Ex-Wmart Exec Dies

 

J. C. Penney Board appoints CEO Marvin Ellison to the additional position of Chairman, effective August 1, 2016. Read more | WSJ article (subs.)

 

How a former Wal-Mart executive is helping the Air Force cut energy costs by Jim Puzzanghera at LA Times. “As assistant secretary for installations, environment and energy since 2014, Miranda Ballentine has used her private-sector experience to help the Air Force keep its energy costs down…” Read the Q&A

 

Amazon’s sleek new badges irk some employees by Angel Gonzalez at The Seattle Times. “The famous Amazon blue badge, which identifies many a South Lake Union denizen, is being replaced by a sleek, high-tech version that’s harder to counterfeit. But some staffers say the new badge reminds them of funerary portraits used in some Asian cultures.” Read more

 

Ex-Dollar General CFO named to US Foods Board Read the release

 

Remembering Betsy Bloomingdale, Who Reigned Over Los Angeles Society and Influenced a First Lady by Bob Colacello at Vanity Fair. “Her late husband, Alfred Bloomingdale, an heir to the New York department-store fortune and co-founder of the Diners Club, was among the group of tycoons known as the “Kitchen Cabinet,” who supported Ronald Reagan’s political career from his first campaign for the California governorship in 1966.” Read more

 

Former Wal-Mart exec Don Soderquist dies at 82 by Christie Swanson at Arkansas Online. “Soderquist spent 22 years with Wal-Mart, starting in 1980 as executive vice president of administration and distribution. He became chief operating officer and vice chairman in 1988, stepping down from those posts in 2000 and officially retiring in 2002.” Read more

 

Starbucks Blames Social Unrest After It Misses Third Straight Sales Target via Dow Jones Business News. “In Starbucks’s 24 years of public life, I can’t recall a quarter quite like” this, Chief Executive Howard Schultz said during a conference call to discuss third-quarter results.” Read more

 

**A message from 2016 Sweets & Snacks Expo – The Most Innovative New Products winners have been announced. Winners were awarded in nine categories: chocolate, non-chocolate, sweet, salty, savory, novelty, seasonal, gourmet/premium and gum/mints. See the winners here The 2017 Sweets & Snacks Expo is nearly 90% sold out and will take place May 23-25 at Chicago’s McCormick Place – Notify me when registration opens

 

Inside Amazon’s orbs: an office building, retail space and forest all in one by Nat Levy at GeekWire. “Amazon Director of Global Real Estate and Facilities John Schoettler gave insight into Amazon’s new campus, its impact on the neighborhood and everything that went into building the spheres as part of the Washington chapter of NAIOP’s annual property tour Thursday…” Read more

 

Tractor Supply CFO announces retirement at Nashville Post. Read more

 

Bass Pro Shops Hosts ‘Freedom Days,’ Gift Cards To Customers Who Join NRA by Awr Hawkins at Breitbart. “On two days–July 23-24–persons who join or renew their membership while in the store will be given a gift card they can use make purchases in Bass Pro.” Read more

 

Ex-CEO of Cumberland Farms Joins Yesway Read the release

 

$550M Bet – Amazon set to increase bet on Italy’s digital turnaround plan at Reuters. “It will be the biggest foreign IT investment to be unveiled in Italy since Prime Minister Matteo Renzi announced in April a new tactic to speed up broadband rollout across the country.” Read more

 

Sam’s Club HR Chief Jumps to Sprint “Sprint announced the appointment of veteran human resources executive Ismat Aziz to its leadership team…” Read the release

 

Amazon Prime’s latest perk is discounted student loans by Sarah Perez at TechCrunch. “Through the partnership, Wells Fargo is offering a 0.50 percent interest rate discount to Amazon Prime Student customers…” Read more

 

Etsy’s New Headquarters Will Fill You With Envy by Diana Budds at Fast Company. “Its new headquarters in the DUMBO neighborhood of Brooklyn serves as a physical embodiment of this “responsible citizen” philosophy—from the solar panels covering its roof down to the salvaged furniture outfitting its conference rooms to the public gallery of maker goods in its lobby. The hope? That it’ll push others to adopt its conscientious ways.” See the 26 pics / Read more

 

Pet industry hopes ‘Secret Life’ and ‘Dory’ unleash sales by Rui Ellie Miao at USA Today. “If you visit a store, you’ll see the characters ‘take over’ of PetSmart,” said Ted Passig, executive vice president of buying and sourcing at PetSmart. Among the top sellers are a Bungee toy, plushes and ruffle dress tied to characters in the movie, like Buddy, Max and Gidget.” Read more

 

EBay’s plan to stay relevant: Artificial intelligence by Anita Balakrishnan at CNBC. “We are planting the seeds right now to ensure that eBay is not only relevant, but a leader — a disruptor — in artificial intelligence,” CEO Devin Wenig said on Thursday.” See the video interview / Read more

 

Party City Announces CFO “Party City announced today the appointment of Mr. Daniel J. Sullivan as CFO to succeed Mr. Michael A. Correale.” Read the release

 

Ivanka Trump wears her own label’s $158 dress to introduce Dad by Raquel Lanerl at NY Post. “Melania, saw her fancy designer dress sell out after she wore it the first night of the convention. It won’t be surprising if Ivanka’s line gets a bump in sales at retailers like Macy’s and Lord & Taylor as well.” Read more

 

Tipsheet Extra Stories

North Dakota teacher finds black widow spider in Costco grapes

General Mills plans to sell or close several plants, putting more than 1,400 jobs at risk

Visa and PayPal have finally settled a long-standing feud

Nike workforce tops 70,000 for first time

Footage Captures Man Accused Of Building Chemical Weapon Inside Walmart Store

Fast Company: Can American Apparel’s CEO Mend Its Seams?

Sumner Redstone sells West Roxbury Home Depot for $34M

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Tipsheet: Ex-H.Depot Exec to Target | Saks Servers Sue | Safeway #1 Grocery Site | Meijer #19 Private Co.

 

Wal-Mart says 95% success rate in suppliers removing 8 toxic chemicals from consumer products by Kim Souza at The City Wire. “Schade said Target and CVS are also getting on the bandwagon with chemical policies, but retail titans Costco and Amazon are behind with no chemical policy of any kind.” Read more

 

Macy’s tests artificial intelligence in stores by Erin Caproni at Cincinnati Business Courier. “(Macy’s) has teamed with IBM’s Watson to create Macy’s On Call, a “mobile companion” for shoppers that allows them to ask questions and receive answers without waiting for a sales associate.” Read more | Read the release

 

Forbes 2016 Ranking: America’s Largest Private Companies (Albertsons #3, Publix #8, Meijer #19, Love’s #22, Menards #37…) See the rank order list

 

Wal-Mart Is Now Selling Ugly Fruit And Vegetables by Maria Godoy at NPR. “Starting this week, America’s largest grocer says it is piloting sales of weather-dented apples at a discount in 300 of its stores in Florida.” Read more

 

eBay shares up 5% after beating earnings expectations by Katie Roof at TechCrunch. “The company beat expectations, posting earnings at an adjusted 43 cents per share, when analysts were forecasting 42 cents…also brought in $2.23 billion in revenue, compared to the $2.17 billion expected by Wall Street.” Read more | Read the release

 

Safeway’s grocery site bags the top spot in customer engagement by Tracy Maple at Internet Retailer. “Safeway Inc.’s site, shop.safeway.com, led the list of the 10 most popular U.S. shopping websites in June as measured by the average number of pages viewed per visit on desktop, according to web analytics company SimilarWeb.” See the top 10 list

 

More Pics from Amazon’s new Seattle HQ tour by Nat Levy at GeekWire Read more / See the pics

 

Philly: Target’s new store puts a bull’s-eye on Center City by Suzette Parmley at The Inquirer. “We have been extremely busy all day,” said manager Alex Defeo, 24, just after 5:30 p.m…”We’ve had a lot of millennials. They’re happy with what we have to offer, and I think we’ll fit well in this urban environment.” Read more / See the pics

 

**A message from Man Dip – Sour cream is for sissies – Eat like a man! Sour cream is something you slap on a baked potato – it is not a dip! Man Dip uses real cream cheese loaded with chunks of meat and peppers to create dips that are rich and savory with just the right amount of kick. Protein rich – Gluten free – Served hot. See the website & five new flavors | Named a Top 5 new product | Retailers request a sample pack at info@shiftmarketinggroup.net

 

Kroger buys specialty pharmacy company by Bowdeya Tweh at Cincinnati Enquirer. “…one of its subsidiaries will buy Modern HC Holdings Inc., the corporate parent of Orlando-based ModernHealth. Modern HC Holdings is being folded into Kroger’s Axium Pharmacy business.” Read more

 

LAWSUIT – Former female servers at Saks Fifth Avenue eateries say they were fired because they were ‘not attractive enough,’ ‘getting old’ by Victoria Bekiempis at NY Daily News. “Under this new general manager, Michael Brafman, it “became clear to plaintiffs that only young, male servers fit within Centerplate’s image of fine-dining at Saks and its vision of creating ‘dining experiences reflective of the iconic luxury retailer,’” the suit claims.” Read more

 

Birkenstock quits Amazon in US after counterfeit surge by Ari Levy at CNBC. “Plagued by counterfeits and unauthorized selling on the online shopping site, the sandals company will no longer supply products to Amazon in the U.S. starting Jan. 1. Additionally, Birkenstock won’t authorize third-party merchants to sell on the site, according to a letter the company sent to several thousand retail partners on July 5.” Read more

 

Unrest in America fires up the pizza delivery business by Lisa Fickenscher at NY Post. “Political and social strife is driving Americans to eat at home instead of at their favorite neighborhood eateries, O’Cull claims, pointing to the casual restaurant sector, which has been down in customer traffic by 3 percent to 5 percent over the past several weeks.” Read more

 

Urban Outfitters gets political with anti-Trump, pro-Clinton, Sanders merchandise by Mike Sunnucks at Phoenix Business Journal. “Urban Outfitters calls its anti-Trump shirt and mug “the perfect t-shirt to communicate your somewhat decided indecision.” See the 12 pics / Read more

 

…This Is the Reason Urban Outfitters Bought a Pizza Chain by Peter Elliot at Bloomberg. Read the Q&A

 

Jet.com celebrates its first anniversary by Matt Linder at Internet Retailer. “To celebrate the company’s first anniversary, Jet is planning 11 days of deals starting Thursday, though a spokesman says the deals won’t be “massive Black Friday-type deals.” Read more

 

Walmart Launches New App for Canadians Read the release

 

Target hires Apple (and Ex-Home Depot) executive for logistics role by Nick Halter at Minneapolis/St.Paul Business Journal. “Target Corp. has hired former Apple Inc. executive Ben Cook as the senior vice president of global logistics, inventory allocation and replenishment. Cook was Apple’s director of logistics and supply chain for the America region. Before that, he held logistics roles at Kimberly-Clark and Home Depot.” Read more

 

Indian Retailer Makes ‘Fast Fashion’ Local by Preetika Rana at WSJ. “As demand for “fast fashion” spreads around the globe, an Indian retailer is betting it has figured out a way to take on the big global brands encroaching on its home turf…” Read more (Subscription)

 

Warby Parker is offering Snapchat-exclusive sunglasses by Anthony Ha at TechCrunch. Read more

 

Tipsheet Extra Stories

This Food Waste Activist Finally Got A Closed-Door Meeting With Walmart – It didn’t go as planned

Panera sues Papa John’s, alleges exec misappropriated trade secrets

Fruit of the Loom Opened a Fake Lingerie Store to Prove How Fancy Its Panties Really Are

C.E.O.s Meet in Secret Over the Sorry State of Public Companies

Watch Amazon’s Jeff Bezos try to eat and drink while in costume as a ‘Star Trek’ alien for his movie cameo

Walmart, site of 30-person brawl, now known for cops doing ‘Cupid Shuffle’

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Tipsheet: New Tiny Targets | Pirate Joe’s Reopens | CVS Pilots Google Beacon | Dick’s New DC | S.Auth.Scrambles

 

CVS pilots Google’s new Nearby beacon and app program by April Berthene at Internet Retailer. “Google Nearby lets retailers send beacon messages to shoppers via the Google Play app. CVS is one of the first retailers to jump on board.” Read more

 

Kroger’s Houston president to retire, replacement named by Olivia Pulsinelli at Houston Business Journal. “Bill Breetz, will retire after 44 years with the Cincinnati-based grocer, effective Aug. 26. Taking his place on Aug. 28 will be Marlene Stewart, currently president of the company’s Dillons division.” Read more | Read the release

 

BOSTON – Peek inside the new mini Target near Boston University by Megan Woolhouse at Boston Globe. “The newest Target to open in Boston, on Commonwealth Avenue, is small. Really, really small. The floor area of the new store, opening Wednesday, is about one-10th the size of some Target locations…” Read more

 

CHICAGO – Target with Freshii, Starbucks opening next week near Lincoln Park by Lauren Zumbach at Chicago Tribune. “The roughly 33,000-square-foot store at 2650 N. Clark St. will be the first of the Minneapolis-based chain’s smaller stores to have a Freshii restaurant inside.” Read more | See the 14 pics

 

Pirate Joe’s set to reopen this week after being closed for four months by Linda Nguyen at Canadian Press via Toronto Star. “(Founder Mike) Hallatt is banned at every Trader Joe’s store in the U.S. but admits he still visits from time to time in disguise, sometimes donning glasses and a pinstriped suit. Pirate Joe’s now operates three vans and employs about half a dozen shoppers.” Read more

 

Former PBR rider turned Bass Pro marketer talks career by Geoff Pickle at Springfield Business Journal. “Married to wife Jennifer, that means company founder (Johnny) Morris is not only Snyder’s father-in-law, but also he’s his boss. “It’s alright,” Snyder said jokingly of the dual relationship with Morris. “No, it’s great. We have a good time.” Read more

 

Dick’s to spend $100M on distribution center in New York by Chris Fleisher at Trib Live. “The distribution center will be the size of 11 football fields and supply more than 200 Dick’s stores throughout the Northeast.” Read more

 

…Gov. Andrew Cuomo: “Dick’s is coming home” at Press & Sun Bulletin See the 58 second video

 

KREBS – Cici’s Pizza card breach at 130+ Locations “The disclosure comes more than a month after KrebsOnSecurity first broke the news of the intrusion, offering readers a sneak peak inside the sprawling cybercrime machine that thieves used to siphon card data from Cici’s customers in real-time.” Read more

 

**A message from 2016 Sweets & Snacks Expo – The Most Innovative New Products winners have been announced. Winners were awarded in nine categories: chocolate, non-chocolate, sweet, salty, savory, novelty, seasonal, gourmet/premium and gum/mints. See the winners here The 2017 Sweets & Snacks Expo is nearly 90% sold out and will take place May 23-25 at Chicago’s McCormick Place – Notify me when registration opens

 

SCRAMBLING TO SHUTTER – Sports Authority accelerates store closings, could be gone by end of July by Peg Brickley at Dow Jones via Denver Post. “Managers have been instructed on procedures for wiping the computers, locking up and walking away, as the dying athletic gear seller prepares for the final stage of its bankruptcy, according to seven store managers interviewed by The Wall Street Journal.” Read more | WSJ article (subs.)

 

J.C. Penney announces same-day pick up of jcp.com orders in all stores at Reuters. Read more

 

CNBC: Back-to-school shopping season is here, but don’t expect fireworks by Krystina Gustafson. “…those who planned to start shopping early in July said they would spend roughly $619, those who intend to wait until late August said they’ll shell out just $394.” Read more

 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY – Army & Air Force Exchange Service Celebrates 121 Years of Service “To celebrate 121 years of service and support, shoppers who use their MILITARY STAR card from July 22 through July 24 will receive double reward points, earning 4 points for every $1 spent…” Read the release

 

Home Depot fighting attorneys’ demand for $8.5M in fees for data breach case by David Allison at Atlanta Business Chronicle. “The company says attorneys who battled it in court over its data breach shouldn’t get more than $4 million.” Business Chronicle subscription required

 

Wal-Mart’s online marketplace picks up sellers and momentum by Fareeha Ali at Internet Retailer. “Wal-Mart added 100 new sellers to its marketplace in May and 150 merchants in June, with hundreds more expected to be added by the holidays, says Seth Beal, the retailer’s senior vice president of global marketplace. Wal-Mart offers 11 million products online and plans to add 1 million items per month to the assortment, primarily through its marketplace, Beal says.” Read more

 

Amazon wants to turn streetlights and church steeples into drone pit stops for its delivery service by Alfred Ng at New York Daily News. “(Amazon) recently had its patent approved for docking stations on several high spots around cities, which would function like a post office in the sky. Like pigeons, the drones would fly and land on streetlights, office buildings, phone poles, radio towers, church steeples, parking decks and other high spots to rest its “wings.” Read more / See the patent drawing

 

Tipsheet Extra Stories

NY Post: Target’s expansion into cities may mean more smaller stores

Dollar Shave Club just sold for $1 billion to Unilever

Amazon goes Bollywood, plans to spend $300M on original Prime Video content in India

CNBC: Pro golfer reveals flying golf cart

A Bullseye View: Meet Target’s Dorm Room Redux Squad

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