Archive for month: February, 2017

 

Heavyweight retail CEOs to meet with Trump today via Reuters. “The meeting will include Target CEO Brian Cornell, Best Buy CEO Hubert Joly, Gap Inc CEO Art Peck, Autozone Inc CEO William Rhodes, Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc CEO Stefano Pessina, J.C. Penney CEO Marvin Ellison, Jo-Ann Stores CEO Jill Soltau and Tractor Supply Co CEO Gregory Sandfort, according to those familiar with attendees.” Read more

 

A first look at how German grocer Lidl plans to conquer the U.S. market by Sarah Halzack at Washington Post. “When it comes to the exterior of the store, focus groups were initially shown a design that hewed fairly closely to what Lidl stores look like in Europe. Turns out, U.S. consumers thought it looked like a car dealership. That sent Lidl back to the drawing board.” Read more

 

Amazon taking its bricks and mortar to the Bay Area with another bookstore location by Kurt Schlosser at GeekWire. “Amazon Books is coming to Walnut Creek, Calif., according to a report in the East Bay Times, which says the Bay Area city’s Broadway Plaza will be home to the store. Amazon currently has bookstores in Seattle, Portland and San Diego.” Read more

 

U.S. Retail Sales Beat Expectations in January at Fox Business. “Sales at clothing stores jumped 1.0 percent, the largest rise in nearly a year. Department store sales climbed 1.2 percent, the biggest increase since December 2015.” Read more

 

BJ’s Wholesale readying for IPO or sale by Greg Ryan at Boston Business Journal. “The firms, CVC Capital Partners and Leonard Green & Partners, are now hiring investment bankers to explore the options, the Journal reported, citing anonymous sources. An IPO would come in the second half of 2017, one source reportedly said.” Read more | WSJ article (subs.)

 

Amazon, Google Dial Up Plans to Turn Smart Speakers Into Home Phones by Ryan Knutson & Laura Stevens at Wall Street Journal. “Amazon is considering multiple options for how the phone feature could work, the people said. The Echo could get its own phone number. Call forwarding could enable calls to that number to be answered remotely on a cellphone, and vice versa. Another option is to sync a user’s existing phone number and contacts with the Echo. Incoming calls would ring on the user’s cellphone.” Read more (subs.)

 

**A message from GlobalShop – as a retail expert, you impact the customer experience and GlobalShop is the driving force behind that experience. Through education, peer networking and interaction with retail suppliers, you’ll return with results to build your brand and create a more effective retail environment. From mannequins and lighting to flooring and signage, GlobalShop has it all. Register now to join us in Las Vegas March 28-30, 2017! Qualified attendees use code GS17EOR for free expo hall admission. Sneak peek at retailers attending! | Website | Networking Events

 

Etsy’s new marketplace aims to make it easier for everyone to start creating and selling their wares by Pavithra Mohan at Fast Company.”The simplified search results should help Etsy attract more creators to the platform. And if they still need a bit of inspiration, Etsy Studio will launch with 60 tutorials on everything from customizing a cutting board to creating a bezel setting for a ring.” Read more

 

Rent-A-Center major investor urging company to sell itself by Korri Kezar at Dallas Business Journal. “Engaged Capital, which owns a 12.9 percent stake in Rent-A-Center, released a letter on Tuesday alleging Rent-A-Center’s board of directors has “been largely ‘asleep at the wheel’” and allowed shares of the company to decline from over $35 two years ago.” Read more

 

H-E-B makes $1 million contribution to South San Antonio park construction by Katie Burke at San Antonio Business Journal. Read more

 

Nordstrom’s nixing of Ivanka Trump brand backed by sales data, reports WSJ by Janet I. Tu at Seattle Times via The Spokesman-Review. “The Wall Street Journal cited internal Nordstrom data in reporting that sales of the Ivanka Trump fashion line slid 32 percent last fiscal year, and plunged more than 70 percent in the second through fourth weeks of October, compared to a year earlier.” Read more

 

Wal-Mart Sued Over ‘Craft’ Labeling On Beer Collaboration by Kat Greene at Law 360. “Ohio beer shopper Matthew Adam said he bought a 12-pack of beer that was packaged to look like, and priced to sell like, the beer from other small beer makers.” Read more (subs.)

 

Amazon patents a plan to turn its drone delivery packages into gliders by Alan Boyle at GeekWire. “There would be control flaps on the package, which the drone could maneuver remotely to guide the package to its intended target. Parachutes could also deploy from the package to slow the descent.” Read more

 

Starbucks puts ice cream on menu at 100-plus stores by Janet I. Tu at Seattle Times. Read more

 

Wegmans faces boycott over Trump wines at USA Today. “The grocer is being called on to remove Trump Winery products from its Virginia stores, where it sells 237 different wines from 58 wineries in that state…”How a product performs is our single measure for what stays on our shelves and what goes” Natale said.” Read more

 

Tipsheet Extra Stories

REI CEO is ‘mad as hell’

Starbucks CEO reportedly bought a $40 million glassy penthouse in NYC

This Is the Best Ikea Product of All Time, According to the Co’s Head of Design

Here’s Why This Top VC Says Amazon Is Set to Rule the Fintech Game

Burger King Israel sold adult-only meal with adult toy for Valentine’s Day

Meet the Class of 2017: 10 Kids Behind Target’s Newest Fashion Line, Art Class

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Target will spend $10M to remodel flagship store near Minneapolis headquarters by Nick Halter at Minneapolis/St.Paul Business Journal. “CEO Brian Cornell announced the plans Thursday at the Minneapolis Downtown Council’s annual meeting. He said the remodel would add more fresh and prepared foods. It will also include wood plank walls, LED lighting, and an expanded Starbucks location.” Read more

 

Best Buy Pulling Oculus Rift Demo Stations From 200 Stores by Janko Roettgers at Variety. “Business Insider, which was first to report the news Wednesday, cited sources at Best Buy attributing the closures to a lack of interest. However, Oculus denied those charges, claiming the changes were “seasonal.” Read more | Business Insider article

 

Amazon.com Takes Aim at Victoria’s Secret With Its Own $10 Bras by Khadeeja Safdar & Laura Stevens at Wall Street Journal. “The online retailer plans to start selling its own line of competitively priced women’s intimate apparel on its U.S. website, according to people familiar with the matter, something that could begin in the next several weeks. It recently started selling bras for under $10 in Europe, where it uses the label Iris & Lilly.” Read more (subscription)

 

Harris Poll: 2017 Reputation Quotient Ratings (Amazon #1, Wegmans #2, Costco #14, Lowe’s #19…) Top 100 list

 

L.L. Bean generous return policy & free shipping may get the boot by Brian Dowling at Boston Herald. “The company wants to see 500 people take the early retirement deal, which would cut its workforce by 10 percent. The retailer is looking at adding more flexible time off, paid parental leave and paid elder-care support, according to CEO Steve Smith.” Read more

 

Kohl’s CTO: E-commerce may have hurt department stores, but tech also can help “Lavu sat down with the Tribune to talk about how online shopping is changing customers’ expectations, why you’ll probably see Kohl’s get into chatbots but not virtual reality (at least not yet), and how technology that’s caused problems for retailers can also help solve them.” Q&A/Video

 

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

 

Neiman Marcus bonds head deeper into junk territory by Lisa Fickenscher at NY Post. “The luxury retailer on Thursday got downgraded by Standard & Poor’s to CCC+ from a B-. The ratings agency also has Sears in the C category — a “junk” rating that signals risk the company is in danger of falling into bankruptcy.” Read more

 

Target in serious talks to open store on Denver’s 16th Street Mall by Emilie Rusch at Denver Post. Read more

 

Amazon’s shipping losses top $7B for first time by Todd Bishop at GeekWire. “Amazon showed a net shipping loss of $5 billion last year, by comparison. So what’s driving the increase? Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos noted in the company’s year-end earnings release that more than 50 million items are now eligible for free two-day shipping, an increase of 73 percent from the previous year.” Read more

 

Tower view showcases progress on Amazon’s unique biospheres by Kurt Schlosser at GeekWire. Pic/Read more

 

Alexa’s impact on music lands Amazon’s Jeff Bezos and Steve Boom on Billboard’s Power 100 list by Jillian Stampher at GeekWire. “Billboard has ranked Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos and Steve Boom, president of Amazon Music, 12th on its 2017 Power 100 list.” Read more

 

…Jeff Bezos admits he has installed smart AI speakers in every room in his house (including the bathrooms) by Stacy Liberatore at Daily Mail. “I have slowly but relentlessly added an Echo or an Echo Dot into every room of my house, including the bathrooms,’ Bezos told Stephen Witt with Billboard.‘I started in my kitchen, and I just kept adding to another room, and was frustrated when I happened to be in the bathroom and couldn’t ask Alexa what the weather is or something.” Read more

 

US lottery operators worry as fewer millennials line up to play via CNBC. “Only a third of Americans aged 18 to 29 said they played the lottery in the past year, compared with 61 percent for those aged 50 to 64, according to a 2016 Gallup survey. The rate for millennials fell from 39 percent in surveys conducted in 2003 and 2007.” Read more

 

Nordstrom unloads office space occupied by its IT department by Marc Stiles at Puget Sound Business Journal. Read more (subscription)

 

Aldi still thriving in UK, despite rivals’ claims, says CEO by James Davey at Reuters via Fox Business. “Matthew Barnes, Aldi’s chief executive for the UK and Ireland: “When you look at any price comparisons or our own internal data it shows us that if anything the price differential between Aldi and the big four is growing at the moment…It hasn’t dropped below 20 percent on your average basket of groceries; it’s as high as 35 percent against some of the more expensive of the big four. That will continue” he pledged.” Read more

 

Sears to Cut Costs, Pension Obligations at Fox Business. “Struggling retailer Sears Holdings Corp reported a 10.3 percent drop in comparable store sales for the holiday quarter, and said it would cut debt and pension obligations by at least $1.5 billion this year.” Read more

 

…Sears stock soars as ailing retailer maps out survival strategy by Nathan Bomey at USA Today. Read more

 

Big 5 Manager Had To Quit After Gun Sale, Suit Says by Fola Akinnibi at Law 360. “Big 5 Corp. violated California labor laws by admonishing a store manager for refusing to sell a shotgun to an erratic, aggressive customer, then giving her no choice but to quit after upper management let the sale go through, according to a recent state court suit.” Read more (subscription)

 

What Advertisers Need to Know About Values in Rural America Today by Katie Richards at Adweek. “Saatchi & Saatchi New York spent last summer conducting a survey in 13 states and 30 small towns across the country…People might assume government and other big institutions can and should provide people with the things they need to progress,” Eve Pollet, trends and innovation strategist, said. “The truth is rural America is more independent.” Read more/Infographic

 

Tipsheet Extra Stories

Woman who killed two people backing into Costco loses conviction appeal

NBC in Talks to Revive ‘American Idol’

At Duke, the Best Seats Go to the Smartest Fans (WSJ Subs.)

Arby’s probes possible data breach of 355,000 credit cards

Publix not offering free deli samples? That’s baloney

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Eye on Retail Tipsheet is must-read material for 20,000+ retail execs every weekday morning. Tipsheet stories are carefully curated bright and early every morning to ensure fresh and unique content.

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Contact us: Send story tips, press releases and advertising inquiries to info@eyeonretail.net

 

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Jeff Bezos slams NY Post report on automated Amazon grocery stores by Kurt Schlosser at NY Post. “Bezos tweeted at the Post and said that the paper’s anonymous sources, whomever they might be, “mixed up their meds!” Read more

 

Publix no longer offers you that free slice of meat at the deli counter by Laura Reiley at Tampa Bay Times. “I confirm with the clerk. Yes, there has been a policy change. As of two weeks ago, deli technicians are no longer offering the free slice, she says, and they don’t, strictly speaking, even need to show that first slice to you…” Read more

 

Whole Foods Now Has a ‘Produce Butcher’ to Chop Your Fruit and Veggies by Aric Jenkins at Fortune. “The service does not come without a price, however. The cost is set at $1 per pound for bulk items and an additional $1 for any individual items, according to Gothamist, a popular New York City blog.” Read more

 

Kroger’s acquires Murray’s Cheese and first retail location in New York by Steve Watkins at Cincinnati Business Courier. “Kroger gains Murray’s Cheese’s flagship location on Bleecker Street in Manhattan’s Greenwich Village as part of the deal.” Read more

 

Thieves turn their attention online as chip cards cut into store fraud at Bloomberg via Internet Retailer. “The use of stolen card data to pay for merchandise on websites, in mobile apps and by dialing call centers surged 40% last year, according to a recent report from Javelin Strategy & Research.” Read more

 

TJX stands to gain big-time from planned Macy’s, Kmart closures by Don Seiffert at Boston Business Journal. “T.J. Maxx saw a 47 percent gain in its market share following the closures (of nearby Kmart stores) and Walmart had an 8 percent gain,” wrote Foursquare’s editor-at-large Sarah Spagnolo in the study.” Read more

 

…When Macy’s Closes A Store, Dillard’s Local Market Share Doubles by Deborah Borchardt at Forbes. Read more

 

Michael Kors shares slump on handbag sales hit at NY Post. “Sales at stores open for more than a year fell 6.9 percent in the third quarter ended Dec. 31, falling for the seventh time in eight quarters. Analysts had expected a 4.9 percent decline.” Read more

 

Bon-Ton expands in-store Close to Home concept by Melanie Lawder at Milwaukee Business Journal. “Earlier this fall, Bon-Ton rolled out its Close to Home shops — which feature locally sourced and themed products specific to each store’s geographic location — at roughly 45 stores. By mid 2017, the company hopes to have the Close to Home shops at roughly 150 stores.” Read more

 

**A message from Fabe – Italian hand-crafted pillows help prevent 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 | Retailers request samples at info@shiftmarketinggroup.net. Italy to America product connection

 

HD Supply to explore sale of Waterworks unit by Greg Roumeliotis at Reuters. “A divestment of Waterworks, which could fetch more than $2 billion, would allow HD Supply to pay down some of its $4.1 billion debt as it positions its construction and facilities maintenance businesses to benefit from U.S. President Donald Trump’s emphasis on infrastructure spending and tax reform.” Read more

 

Aldi is the ‘clear price leader’ compared to Wal-Mart by Kim Souza at Talk Business. “When looking at only private label SKUs (30 items), Aldi’s price advantage grew further,” Trussell noted. “The private label basket was on average 21.4% more expensive at Walmart than at Aldi.” Read more

 

The Best Places to Live in the U.S. in 2017 at U.S. News Top 25 list

 

Container Store Q3 Comp Sales -3.9% Press release

 

IS THE HASHTAG OVER? Researchers reveal Super Bowl ads have abandoned them (and Facebook and Twitter) for URLs by Stacy Liberatore at Daily Mail. “Out of 66 ads only 30% of them had a hashtag – while 41% included a URL. This year had a 15% decrease in number of hashtags used in commercials. Twitter handles were only shown in 5 commercials and Facebook in 4.” Read more

 

Pier 1 Imports Reiterates Financial Guidance “Strong execution across the board enabled us to achieve slightly positive comparable sales growth of 0.6% quarter-to-date through January.” Press release

 

Calif. High Court Mulls Nordstrom’s Rest Day Policy by Cara Bayles at Law 360. “The California Supreme Court put the state’s labor code under a microscope at a hearing Monday, in an effort to determine whether statutory language that forbids working “more than six days in seven” means Nordstrom makeup counter employees can’t work more than six consecutive days, or whether the clock restarts every Sunday.” Read more (subscription)

 

Walmart to pay $875,000 in settlement over alleged misleading environmentally-friendly labels by Andrea Figueroa Briseno at Fresno Bee. “The case claimed Walmart was distributing items falsely labeled “biodegradable” or “compostable” in violation of California law.” Read more

 

Under Armour Settles Suit Over ‘Puppy Armour’ by Kelly Knaub at Law 360. Read more (subscription)

 

H-E-B places K-9 units in several San Antonio store parking lots by Andrea Martinez at KENS. “Bobby Contreras said he usually does the shopping at his house. “My wife doesn’t feel comfortable coming by herself,” he said. “A presence of a K-9 unit would make my wife feel a little more comfortable.” Video/Read more

 

Tipsheet Extra Stories

The Pinterest Version of Suburbia Grows Outside Atlanta

Barneys takes powerful stance on female equality, empowerment

Apple hires Amazon Fire TV boss to head Apple TV division

Dick’s Sporting Goods focuses on South Florida, California for expansion

Bankrupt Nasty Gal accepts the only bid it received

Walgreens CIO leaving to launch retail marketing startup

A $355 Million IPO in Moscow Aims to Be Toys R Russia

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Eye on Retail Tipsheet is must-read material for 20,000+ retail execs every weekday morning. Tipsheet stories are carefully curated bright and early every morning to ensure fresh and unique content.

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Contact us: Send story tips, press releases and advertising inquiries to info@eyeonretail.net

 

Website: www.eyeonretail.net

 

Tiffany CEO Out After Less Than 2 Years by Phil Wahba at Fortune. “…will be replaced on an interim basis by the New York jeweler’s longtime former CEO and current chairman Michael Kowalski while it looks for a new CEO.” Read more

 

SUPER BOWL AD RANKINGS – Kia wins USA TODAY’s Ad Meter behind Melissa McCarthy’s ‘Hero’s Journey’ Ad rankings

 

84 Lumber’s Provocative Super Bowl Ad Caused Its Website to Crash by Christopher Heine at Adweek. Video/Read more

 

Inside Amazon’s robot-run supermarket that needs just 3 human workers by Josh Kosman at NY Post. “…layout that could span anywhere between 10,000 and 40,000 square feet — would be devoted to goods that shoppers typically like to touch, sources briefed on the plans told The Post. Those could include as many as 4,000 items, spanning fresh fruits and vegetables, eggs, meats and cheeses, and grab-it-and-go stuff like beer and wine, the sources said. Pharmacies might also might spring up at some of the high-tech locations.” Read more

 

$80 MILLION PRIZE – Macy’s Executives to Get Lucrative Exit Packages if Takeover Happens by Vipal Monga at Wall Street Journal. “Chief Executive Terry Lundgren would receive more than $80 million if there is a change in control at the company, according to the company’s most recent proxy filing.” Read more (subscription)

 

**A message from GlobalShop – as a retail expert, you impact the customer experience and GlobalShop is the driving force behind that experience. Through education, peer networking and interaction with retail suppliers, you’ll return with results to build your brand and create a more effective retail environment. From mannequins and lighting to flooring and signage, GlobalShop has it all. Register now to join us in Las Vegas March 28-30, 2017! Qualified attendees use code GS17EOR for free expo hall admission. Sneak peek at retailers attending! | Website | Networking Events

 

Eastern Mountain Sports’ Parent Is Latest Retailer to File for Bankruptcy via Fortune. “Eastern Outfitters is owned by private equity firm Versa Capital Management, which acquired Bob’s and Eastern Mountain Sports through the bankruptcy last year of Vestis Retail Group, the previous owner of the store chains.” Read more

 

Amazon’s Super Bowl ad features a Prime Air drone delivery ordered with Alexa by Taylor Soper at GeekWire. “Notice the disclaimer Amazon includes: “Prime Air is not available in some states (or any really). Yet.” Read more

 

Nordstrom says no boycott behind dropped Ivanka Trump line, just poor performance by Tonya Garcia at MarketWatch. Read more

 

Macy’s Could Actually Be Worth an Astounding Amount by Brian Sozzi at The Street. “Macy’s could conservatively be worth about $16.4 billion, or $53 a share, points out Deutsche Bank analyst Paul Trussell. Trussell estimates that Macy’s real estate alone is worth in the “low” $40 a share range. Shares of Macy’s spiked 6.4% on Friday to $32.69 on news Hudson’s Bay approached the company for a deal.” Read more

 

…Hudson’s Richard Baker eyeing ‘iconic flagship locations’ by Hollie Shaw at Financial Post. “Citing sources familiar with the matter, the Wall Street Journal reported Friday that the two companies are in preliminary deal talks, including one option that involves Macy’s real estate.” Read more

 

Best Buy founder’s private-jet company plans expansion in St. Paul by Nick Williams at Minneapolis/St.Paul Business Journal. Subscription required

 

Amazon hunts for London shops at The Times. “Amazon has begun searching for high street locations in prime areas of central London ahead of the potential launch of a checkout-free grocery chain later this year.” Read more (subscription)

 

Google’s Super Bowl ad accidentally set off a lot of Google Homes by Kwame Opam at The Verge. Read more

 

J.C. Penney, Macy’s end 5-year feud over Martha Stewart merchandise by Korri Kezar at Dallas Business Journal. Read more

 

Amazon’s $400M North Carolina wind farm is ‘days’ from powering up by Lauren K. Ohnesorge at Triangle Business Journal. “Once its online, the farm will generate 208 megawatts of electricity – enough to power more than 61,000 homes.” Read more

 

Hasbro Sales, Profit Beat on Disney Doll Demand at Fox Business. “Hasbro said revenue from toys in the girls category jumped 52 percent, as demand for dolls based on Walt Disney’s Cinderella and Frozen rose significantly in the fourth quarter ended Dec. 25.” Read more

 

Tipsheet Extra Stories

See inside: Dollar General goes after millennials with DGX

CEO of Barneys New York retires

Wal-Mart spent more than $4.8 million on Oklahoma’s alcohol ballot measure

Yeti Coolers settles lawsuit with competitor

Saks revitalizes contemporary selling in new retail concept

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Eye on Retail Tipsheet is must-read material for 20,000+ retail execs every weekday morning. Tipsheet stories are carefully curated bright and early every morning to ensure fresh and unique content.

Subscribe to Eye on Retail Tipsheet here

 

Contact us: Send story tips, press releases and advertising inquiries to info@eyeonretail.net

 

Website: www.eyeonretail.net