Tipsheet: Costco Sues Titleist | Lore: “We’re behind” | Bezos +$27.6B this year

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Walmart e-commerce CEO Marc Lore says the company will make more acquisitions by Edmund Lee at Recode. “We’re being pretty active, yeah,” he told Recode Senior Editor Jason Del Rey at the Code Commerce conference in Las Vegas. “We’re behind,” he added. “We need to catch up.” Read more | Full interview

 

Costco Sues Titleist In Battle Over Golf Balls via Fox Business. “Costco is asking the court to rule that the ball doesn’t infringe on any valid patent rights owned by Acushnet and that it hasn’t engaged in any false advertising in reference to the ball. In the complaint, Costco says that the suit is necessary because Acushnet has accused it of patent infringement and false advertising.” Read more

 

Your Target store is about to look a lot different by Krystina Gustafson at CNBC. “Coming to the Houston area in October, Target’s first fully redesigned shop will include two separate entrances: one for time-crunched shoppers, and another for those who want to browse fashion or beauty. The “speed” entrance will lead shoppers to the redesigned grocery aisle, which will include grab-and-go items…Outside, there will be reserved parking spots for shoppers who want their items delivered to their cars.” Read more | Press release

 

Target taps Kroger executive Jeff Burt to head grocery business by Krystina Gustafson at CNBC. “The 30-year Kroger veteran most recently served as president of the company’s Fred Meyer division. He will report to Target’s executive vice president and chief merchandising officer, Mark Tritton, starting April 10.” Read more | Press release

 

Kroger Names Joe Grieshaber President of Fred Meyer Stores, Dan De La Rosa President of Columbus Division Press release

 

Walmart Is Launching a Tech Incubator in Silicon Valley by Phil Wahba at Fortune. “Sometimes you invest in these big transformative ideas that maybe aren’t ready for prime time today,” said Seth Beal, a four-year Walmart executive leading the Store No 8 initiative with Katie Finnegan, a head of strategy at jet.com.” Read more

 

Trump’s China Tariff May Crack Home Depot Lampshade Supplier at Bloomberg. Read more

 

Forbes 2017 Billionaires List: Meet The Richest People On The Planet (Bezos #3, Waltons #16-18, John Menard, Jr. #128) Full list

 

…Jeff Bezos Is The Biggest Billionaire Gainer On The 2017 List by Kate Vinton at Forbes. “No billionaire has had a better year than Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos…Bezos’ net worth jumped by $27.6 billion in the past year — more than the total net worth of all but the 24 richest billionaires.” Read more

 

HUBBA BUBBA FOR ALL: Study says handing out gum to shoppers encouraged them to shop for more items and with a higher level of engagement by Francine Kopun at Toronto Star. “The act of chewing made the shoppers more alert. “If you’re more alert, you’re more likely to absorb the information that is in the store — the promotional and even the nutritional labels — and have the cognitive function to absorb that information” Read more

 

**A message from GlobalShop – only seven days until show time! 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. Retailers attending | Website | Networking Events

 

Amazon Prime Air delivery drone drops off sunscreen during semi-public U.S. debut by Alan Boyle at GeekWire. “The drone demonstrated its delivery technique during Amazon’s MARS 2017 conference at a resort in Palm Springs, Calif.” Video/Pics/Read more

 

…Delivery robots and robo-farms: Here’s what’s headlining Amazon’s MARS meet-up Read more @ GeekWire

 

Tech Exec Joins Costco Board of Directors “Most recently, Ken Denman was the president and chief executive officer of Emotient, Inc., which built an artificial-intelligence based platform for measuring facial expressions to predict emotions. Emotient was acquired by Apple in January 2016.” Press release

 

Ebay takes on Amazon with guaranteed 3-day delivery on 20 million items by Sarah Perez at TechCrunch. Read more

 

Nordstrom turns to the cloud for point-of-sale system by Coral Garnick at Puget Sound Business Journal. “Koppel mentioned that migrating to the cloud means that the company’s spending on technology is transitioning from a build to a rent model.” Read more

 

Heard at Recode’s Code Commerce: “If you go to any kind of venture capital firm on Sand Hill Road and you say you want to build a retail business, you’re not going to raise any money.” Read more

 

Pottery Barn’s AR app will preview your future furniture by Rob LeFebvre at Engadget. Read more

 

Wal-Mart Signs Deal With Oak View Group To Get Marketing Presence In 21 Arenas at Sports Business Daily. “Wal-Mart has “signed a massive deal with the Oak View Group,” giving it a “major marketing presence at 21 big league arenas,” according to Don Muret of Sportbusiness Journal. Sources said that the agreement is “valued in the eight figures annually.” One source said that it is worth $40M.” Read more (subscription)

 

Meet Ad Age’s 40 Under 40 List

 

DO-OVER – eBay is overhauling its homepage again to personalize recommendations for each visitor by Jason Del Rey at Recode. Read more

 

Retailers Ask House to ‘Close the Book’ on Obamacare by Passing Repeal-and-Replace Legislation NRF press release

 

Lands’ End Q4 retail segment net revenue down 6.3% Press release

 

Walmart Will Hold Annual Shareholders’ Meeting on June 2 Press release

 

Ex-Gordmans CEO Jeff Gordman, another bidder poised to make offers for bankrupt company’s stores by Russell Hubbard & Paige Yowell at Omaha World-Herald. “Stage Stores Inc. also says it is seriously considering submitting an offer to Gordmans for the purchase of stores and assets so that it would operate at least some of the locations and one warehouse on an ongoing basis.” Read more

 

Baby Boomers Expect Deeper Discounts Than Millennials and Gen-Xers “Across every category including vehicles, smartphones, furniture, and home appliances, more than 70 percent of Baby Boomers said they would ‘definitely not’ or ‘probably not’ purchase an item in these categories at full price..Significantly less than half of Millennials stated they would ‘definitely not’ or ‘probably not’ buy vehicles (39%), furniture (40%), home appliances (42%) and home electronics (41%) at full price.” Press release

 

Tipsheet Extra Stories

Man repeatedly stabs Walmart greeter for no apparent reason

California Retailer Sues Ivanka Trump’s Company For Profiting Off Political Ties

Modcloth deal brings Walmart into same building as Amazon in Pittsburgh

What worked and what didn’t (lines, bots) at SXSW 2017

Kiddie Activity Centers Seen as Way to Make Malls Amazon-Proof

Brazil’s Biggest Meat Buyers Restrict Supplies After Tainted Food Scandal

Retail CFOs Forecast Sunny Outlook For 2017 – BDO Survey

Amazon director William ‘Bing’ Gordon steps down for consulting role

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

 

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Albertsons/Sprouts Merger? | Saks Data Exposed | Jones Exits Uber | H.Dep VP to Speak

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Uber president Jeff Jones is quitting, citing differences over “beliefs and approach to leadership” by Kara Swisher & Johana Bhuiyan at Recode. “Jones, said sources, determined that this was not the situation he signed on for, especially after Uber CEO Travis Kalanick announced a search for a new COO…Jones’ decision to leave Uber likely won’t surprise people who worked with him at Target. “Jeff does not like conflict,” a source previously told Recode.” Read more

 

Personal data of Saks customers exposed at BuzzFeed via CNBC. “The pages, which were reviewed by BuzzFeed News in recent days, were taken offline after HBC was contacted for comment on this story. The Saks website also serves logged in customers some pages over unencrypted connections, leaving online shoppers’ information vulnerable to hackers while they browse the site on an open Wifi network. “This is as bad as security gets,” said Robert Graham, a cybersecurity expert and owner of Errata Security, to BuzzFeed News. “Everyone is vulnerable.” Read more

 

Albertsons Said to Consider Merger With Sprouts by Ed Hammond and Kiel Porter at Bloomberg. “The discussions, which took place in recent weeks, are at an early stage and may not lead to a deal, said the people, who asked not to be named discussing private details. The talks have involved a plan to take organic grocer Sprouts private and add it to Albertsons’ portfolio.” Read more

 

Wal-Mart asks Brazil suppliers to clarify alleged bribes to officials at Reuters. “Brazilian police raided the premises of dozens of meatpackers, including giants JBS SA and BRF SA, as part of a probe into the alleged bribes. In a statement, the Brazilian unit of Wal-Mart said it fully trusts its internal food safety procedures.” Read more

 

Costco’s South Australian booze battle continues by Madeleine Heffernan at Sydney Morning Herald. “Costco Australia managing director Patrick Noone told Fairfax Media that Costco was now seeking a different liquor licence to sell in the state. “It’s a slow process,” he said of the attempt. Costco sells alcohol in NSW, Canberra and Victoria.” Read more

 

Home Depot VP Bill Lennie to speak at Berry College on March 23 via All on Georgia. “(Lennie) will speak about “Building a Values Based Culture,” March 23 at Berry College. Lennie’s talk begins at 7 p.m. in the Krannert Ballroom and is part of the Berry Center for Integrity in Leadership Lecture Series.” Read more

 

**A message from Lock-it Block-it – Get rid of the stick! It’s time to retire the ugly wooden sticks sitting in window tracks around the world. Wooden sticks fall out, require measuring and cutting and don’t adjust up or down (no summer breeze for you!). The Lock-it Block-it is a high-impact security bar that allows windows to stay open AND secure at the same time. 13 adjustment holes allow for inch-by-inch opening adjustments. Great for sliding doors/windows too! Watch the video | Sell sheet. Retailers request samples: info@shiftmarketinggroup.net

 

JACKPOT – Costco pays above-average $20,600 an acre for site of proposed Fremont chicken plant by Barbara Soderlin at Omaha World-Herald. “Costco paid $8,550,000 for the 414 acres of land — about $20,600 an acre. The average price of farmland in east-central Nebraska is $6,330 an acre. “For us, it was a good business transaction, and we’re happy,” said land seller Fred Culp.” Read more

 

Sears May Blow Through $1.8 Billion In Cash This Year, Yet It’s Still Trying to Hire at The Street. “They’re hiring across the board” but particularly in electronics, Jason Hanold, CEO and founder of Chicago-based human resources executive search firm Hanold Associates told TheStreet. One position Sears could be looking to fill soon is the head of discounter Kmart. Alasdair James, president and chief member officer of Kmart since 2014, has reportedly abandoned the sinking ship.” Read more

 

Amazon will now tell Prime members what to wear via a new “Outfit Compare” feature by Sarah Perez at TechCrunch. “Outfit Compare works as you’d think. It prompts shoppers to share two photos of themselves wearing two different outfits they’re deciding between. A minute later, you’ll get a response from an Amazon stylist who will tell you which outfit looks better on you.” Read more

 

Secretive Billionaire Reveals How He Toppled Apple in China by Yuan Gao at Bloomberg via Yahoo. “I’ve met Tim Cook on several occasions. He might not know me but we’ve chatted a little,” Duan said. “I like him a lot.” Read more

 

Is fashion’s love affair with see-now, buy-now over? by Danny Parisi at Luxury Daily. Read more

 

MR. ROBOTO – Jeff Bezos, piloting a giant robot at hush-hush MARS conference by Alan Boyle at GeekWire. “Why do I feel so much like Sigourney Weaver?” Bezos can be heard saying in a video clip from the demonstration, which took place at a hush-hush conference organized by Amazon in Southern California.” Pics/Read more

 

A Small Table Maker Takes On Alibaba’s Flood of Fakes by Michael Schuman at NY Times. Read more/Video

 

Massive Target store coming to Midtown Manhattan by Lois Weiss at NY Post. “Target has leased 43,000 square feet for a new store that will open this fall at 112 W. 34th St., across the Street from the Macy’s flagship on Herald Square.” Read more | Press release

 

Neiman Marcus To Pay $1.6M In Shopper Data Breach Suit by Suevon Lee at Law 360. “…over a December 2013 cyber intrusion that revealed the credit card data of 350,000 shoppers of the luxury retailer, according to a court document filed Friday.” Read more (subscription)

 

These Are China’s Most Valuable Brands 141 page WPP report

 

What’s Attacking the Web? A Security Camera in a Colorado Laundromat by Drew Fitzgerald at Wall Street Journal. “Within nine seconds of turning on these things, they get hit,” Steve McGregory, a researcher at security firm Ixia, said of machines that are poorly secured.” Read more (subscription)

 

Apple’s Next Big Thing: Augmented Reality by Mark Gurman at Bloomberg. “CEO Tim Cook is betting on augmented reality…that he believes will keep his company on top and may even supplant the iPhone.” Read more

 

Free Seeds Cheerios Are Giving Out Could be Dangerous by Mahita Gajanaan at Fortune. Read more

 

How Amazon teaches Alexa, and what it hopes the virtual assistant will learn someday by Geof Wheelwright at GeekWire. “Nikko Strom spoke at the AI NEXT tech conference in Bellevue, Wash., this weekend…We have over 100 scientists working on Alexa on speech in general.”Strom said the company didn’t yet have anything to announce on emotion recognition, but that it would continue to be an area of interest.” Read more

 

Tipsheet Extra Stories

Gang breaks into Neiman Marcus, steals up to $150K in luxury purses

Ex-Home Depot CEO Bob Nardelli’s estate annexed by Sandy Springs

Suppliers hear details on Walmart.com restructuring

This multimillionaire ‘Harry Potter’ star loves Costco

The female farmer whose business success was built on saying no to Wal-Mart

Target’s Swimsuit Model Denise Bidot Embraces Her Stretch Marks

Rite Aid employee bodyslams female ‘shoplifter’ as she tries to punch him

Sunday night blues? 76% said it’s “really bad”

Aldi confirms its plans to keep controversial “self-tipping” measures

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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

 

Tipsheet: Target Pulls Boston T’s | Costco’s ‘Cult Status’ Booze | JCP’s ‘List’ | Venezuela Seizes Bakeries

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CULT STATUS – Costco’s Private-Label Booze Helps Warm Spirits During Dry Spell by Molly Smith at Bloomberg. “Alcohol sales have surged at the warehouse-club chain, lifted in part by the cult status of Costco’s Kirkland Signature-branded liquors…some are even convinced that the spirits are actually top-shelf liquors such as Grey Goose and Tanqueray hidden behind Costco packaging…The category has grown 46 percent during the past five years.” Read more

 

Target’s Boston pride T-shirts get yanked over errors by Arden Dier at Newsday via USA Today. “A Twitter user was among the first to draw attention to numerous misspellings (Jamaica Plain is Jamaca Plain, for instance) on one shirt displaying a map of Boston neighborhoods, but that was just the beginning. The shirt also omitted the Mission Hill neighborhood and replaced Chinatown, Downtown, and a few other neighborhoods with a single non-existent one dubbed “Central,” reports Boston.com. Perhaps worst of all, it spelled Southie as Southy, notes Boston.com.” Read more

 

Tiffany’s profit beats on strong demand in Japan, China at CNBC. “Tiffany’s Americas sales fell 3 percent to $587 million in the quarter ended Jan. 31…leading to a 7 percent drop in sales in the quarter…Sales in Asia-Pacific, which includes China and Korea, rose 9 percent to $284 million, while sales in Japan rose 15 percent to $185 million.” Read more

 

Amazon’s Amit Agarwal promoted to SVP at The Times of India. “It is not clear how many SVPs Amazon currently has. The company website has names of four SVPs in the leadership team. A disclosure made to the markets in 2010 lists 10 SVPs in the company.” Read more

 

UNLEASH YOUR INNER ORANGE – Home Depot And Others Look To Recruit Visionaries At SXSW by Alissa Coram at Investors Business Daily. “Our primary benefit here, I would say, is recruiting,” said Home Depot (HD) Corporate Communications Manager Matt Harrigan, who said the company has been connecting with top tech talent, “definitely some visionaries, problem-solvers, that can help us stay on the leading edge of retail.” Video/Read more

 

These are the 138 JC Penney stores that are about to close List

 

Coachella suing Urban Outfitters by Alison Burdo at Philadelphia Business Journal. “Urban Outfitters’ website features a section called “The Festival Shop” that advertises “sunny days spent with friends at our favorite festivals,” and the company has for years run blog posts about “Coachella Street Style.” Read more

 

**A message from Fabe – Italian 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 | Retailers request samples at info@shiftmarketinggroup.net. Italy to America product connection

 

Dollar General Q4 Comp Sales +1.0% Press release

 

…Dollar General Announces James Thorpe to Retire as Chief Merchandising Officer Press release

 

…Dollar General is starting to look a lot like Wal-Mart by Krystina Gustafson at CNBC. Read more

 

1-800-Flowers.com sells Fannie May and Harry London chocolate brands to the maker of Nutella for $115 million by Gina Hall at New York Business Journal. Read more

 

Venezuela seizes bakeries amid bread shortage by Jim Wyss at Miami Herald. “President Nicolás Maduro launched “Plan 700” against what he called a “bread war,” ordering officials to do spot checks of bakeries nationwide. In the plan, the government said it would not allow people to stand in line for bread but it’s unclear how it might enforce the order.” Read more

 

Washington Post: D.C. Whole Foods closes for renovation after problem with rodents by Justin Wm. Moyer. Read more

 

Gordmans owes money to trucker Werner, possibly Nebraska Furniture Mart – 450 jobs lost by Russell Hubbard at Omaha World-Herald. “The company said this week it plans to permanently close its Aksarben Village headquarters and Omaha warehouse by May 12.” Read more

 

Jessica Alba’s Honest Company is replacing its CEO after a sale to Unilever fell through by Jason Del Rey at Recode. “Nick Vlahos was most recently one of Clorox’s two chief operating officers and previously ran its Burt’s Bees subsidiary, a brand known for its “natural” vibe.” Read more

 

Amazon, eBay and QVC have the most loyal mobile shoppers (Walmart #4, Home Depot #8, Costco #13) by Stefany Zaroban at Internet Retailer. Top 15 list

 

hhgregg Terminates Letter of Intent Press release

 

Subway sues TV network over ‘soy chicken’ report by Josh Kosman at NY Post. “Subway’s is claiming $210 million in damages in the legal flap, blasting the soy-filler allegations from news show CBC Marketplace as “defamatory and absolutely false,” a Subway spokesman told The Post.” Read more

 

Jo-Ann Fabric Aims to Retarget Its In-Store Wi-Fi Users by Kate Kaye at Ad Age. “We’ll start targeting people who come in, are permissioned into Euclid, but don’t buy,” said Steve Miller, VP-marketing and business development at JoAnn.” Read more

 

COSTCO COMPLAINER – Former producer warns of costly chicken contracts by Andrew Ozaki at KETV ABC 7. “Watts doesn’t know what is in the Costco contract. He urged farmers to read it carefully. “Why would this be any better than anywhere else in the United States?” Ruppert said. Walt Shafer, the project manager of Lincoln Premium Poultry, the company that will operate the plant, said he didn’t know Watts or what his experience was.”The contract we are offering farmers is like nothing offered before,” Shafer said.” Video/Read more 

 

Why shoppers can expect Christmas-like deals at their local malls by Lisa Fickenscher at NY Post. “We are in for a wild ride,” said Gabriella Santaniello, founder of A Line Partners, a retail research firm. “This is a massive, unprecedented wave of store closures, and when a Macy’s closes, it has the ability to impact every retailer in the mall.” Read more

 

Pine Grove kindergartners get inside look at Publix by Paulette Lash Ritchie at Tampa Bay Times. Read more

 

Apple’s other new office: Bizarre building shaped like a Mac’s command key revealed near the iPhone maker’s new spaceship HQ at Daily Mail. Pic/Read more

 

Tipsheet Extra Stories

Two states accounted for nearly 30% of grocery store openings last year

CBS Sports website crashed just before March Madness tipoff

Fewer Mexican shoppers are heading to San Marcos outlet malls

Target plans liquor store at flagship Nicollet Mall location

Outage by Square causes some SXSW annoyance

Pinterest is now blocked in China

Fortune: Expensive Handbags Are Going Out of Style

The world’s most powerful package label claims in 6 product categories

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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

Tipsheet: McMillon @ Conf. | Macy’s CEO Wants 5 Changes | Cabela’s Cuts | Gordmans Delisted

/in

 

Walgreens Said Poised to Sell More Assets to Win Rite Aid Nod by Robert Langreth & David McLaughlin at Bloomberg. “Walgreens is nearing an agreement to sell more assets to Tennessee-based discount chain Fred’s Inc. — boosting the number of stores and adding distribution centers, software and personnel, according to one of the people. Walgreens could present the beefed-up package to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission within weeks, the person said, in hopes of satisfying the agency’s concerns after an initial proposal fell short.” Read more

 

Here’s What Walmart’s CEO Looks For In a Takeover Target by Phil Wahba at Fortune. “Assortment is driving a lot of these acquisitions,” McMillon said at an investor conference in New York on Tuesday.” Read more | Transcript via Seeking Alpha

 

…Wal-Mart’s McMillon says digital transformation is key by Kim Souza at The City Wire. “He said the company must be thoughtful about what areas to expand reach and not get too far from “the core DNA.” “But there are things that are closer to the core of what we do,” McMillon concluded. “Financial services would be one, health and wellness is an area where we think we have an opportunity that we probably need to be more aggressive.” Read more

 

Saks Owner Hudson’s Bay in Talks to Buy Neiman Marcus by Suzanne Kapner & Dana Cimilluca at Wall Street Journal. “Hudson’s Bay is seeking a complex and unusual deal that would give it control of Neiman Marcus without assuming the company’s debt, the people said. The discussions are moving quickly, though it is far from certain that a deal will be reached.” Read more (subscription) | Fox Business article

 

Walmart.com hiring hundreds of tech workers in San Bruno, Sunnyvale to challenge Amazon Prime by George Avalos at Mercury News. “We are in the process of hiring hundreds of merchandise and category specialists for Walmart.com,” said Ravi Jariwala, a spokesman for Walmart.com…At present, Walmart.com employs about 2,300 people in the Bay Area, primarily on the Peninsula.” Read more

 

What day is it at Amazon? Jeff Bezos knows in this photo from inside the company’s all-hands event by Kurt Schlosser at GeekWire. “Other images on Twitter showed folks in attendance and some idea of the crowd size. Even actor Tom Skerritt, who played Viper in the film “Top Gun,” made an appearance with the Amazon Military Recruiting Team.” Pics/Read more

 

Macy’s next CEO wants to make these 5 big changes at the store by Krystina Gustafson at CNBC. “Speaking at the Bank of America Merrill Lynch Consumer & Retail Technology Conference in New York City Tuesday, Gennette walked investors through five tests Macy’s is conducting that could eventually be rolled out across its fleet…” See the list/Read more

 

Prime Now Adds Alcohol to the Mix “Starting today, Prime members in Cincinnati and Columbus can add beer and wine to their Prime Now order for delivery in one hour or less.” Press release

 

**A message from Hot Shot – There’s no place like home. And when you rule the roost, you do it all… keep the peace, dry the tears, mop up the messes – even squash the spiders. When bugs cross your threshold, count on Hot Shot® brand for practical, easy-to-use, effective home insect solutions that take care of the creepy-crawlies for you – without breaking the bank. Save the Day. Facebook page

 

DSW Q4 Comp Sales -7.0% Press release

 

Wal-Mart de Mexico to Invest 17 Billion Pesos in 2017 by Anthony Harrup at Wall Street Journal via MarketWatch. “Around 38% of the investment will be in store remodeling and maintenance, and 31% will be in new stores, which the company expects will contribute between 2 and 2.2 percentage points of sales growth.” Read more

 

Amazon plans to open store on Ohio State campus via WCMH TV Columbus. Read more

 

No, the rest of America is not online shopping like you are by Sarah Halzack at Washington Post. “Meanwhile, online spending actually retreated or held steady in a handful states, including Idaho and South Dakota. But things get especially interesting is when you look at per-person online spending in relationship to the state’s affluence.” Charts/Read more

 

Cabela’s lays off undisclosed number of workers at its Sidney headquarters by Paige Yowell at Omaha World-Herald. “Borowski said the layoffs were not part of Cabela’s proposed acquisition by Bass Pro Shops, which is pending regulatory and shareholder approval, but rather to make the company “more efficient and streamlined.” Read more

 

Gap Appoints Mark Breitbard as New Global Head of Banana Republic Press release

 

1 day after declaring bankruptcy, Gordmans learns it will be delisted from Nasdaq by Paige Yowell at Omaha World-Herald. “Shares of the company are most likely worthless now, said Erik Gordon, a professor at the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan who focuses on corporate governance.” Read more

 

Inside Amazon’s Spheres: Official Instagram account launches to chronicle plant life and views by Kurt Schlosser at GeekWire. “Under the name @seattlespheres, the account went live on Monday and so far features nine posts and has attracted 277 followers. The description says the three glass domes, located between Sixth and Seventh Avenues at Lenora Street, will be “blossoming” in early 2018.” Read more

 

Tipsheet Extra Stories

Mark Zuckerberg wants to understand Nascar – takes spin with Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Cramer: Walmart Could Be One of Few Survivors of a Border Tax

Mother arrested after intentionally abandoning her two-year-old daughter in grocery store

Amazon patents drones with telescoping landing legs and foldable propellers

Bruce Springsteen’s mansion sells for $3.2M in hush-hush deal

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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

 

 

 

 

Tipsheet: Bezos’s New Shadow | ‘Cool’ Walmart Store | Costco Chicken Fight Lingers

/in

 

Rising rates will speed up the clock on retail’s $3.7 billion time bomb by Krystina Gustafson at CNBC. “After years of low rates fueled a private equity “feasting” on retail firms, Moody’s Investors Service says that 19 distressed companies have “well over” $3.7 billion in debt that matures over the next five years. Roughly 30 percent of that total is due by the end of next year.” Distressed retailers’ next maturities/Read more

 

Jeff Bezos has a new top adviser at Amazon by Jason Del Rey at Recode. “Jeffrey Helbling, most recently a vice president of the Kindle business, is the new technical adviser to the CEO — otherwise known as Bezos’s “shadow,” according to his LinkedIn bio.” Read more

 

BIG LINE – Winter Storm Stella Has Freaked-Out Shoppers Cleaning Out This NY Trader Joe’s by Jeff John Roberts at Fortune. “How bad did it get? In the case of a Trader Joe’s in Brooklyn, the line to get into the store stretched for an entire block in the early evening….Here’s the line shortly after 7 pm local time on Monday, more than five hours before storm Stella was due to hit.” Pics/Read more

 

‘COOL’ WALMART – Analyst: Walmart’s next-gen Supercenter concept called ‘cool’ at Barron’s. “In his pre-recorded earnings conference call, Walmart CEO Doug McMillon noted that the company had recently opened two new “test” Supercenters (Florida and Texas) that had scan-and- go technology and consumer touch screens plus a number of other features…we took the opportunity to visit the stores not once, not twice, but three times just before, during, and just after the conference. Okay, you can stop laughing – NOW. It is, in our humble opinion, a really cool store!” Read more

 

Documents reveal ‘AmazonFresh Pickup’ as the tech giant’s next physical retail concept by Nat Levy at GeekWire. “The filings show signs on the exterior walls with messages like “Shop online. Pick up here,” and “Relax while we load your groceries,” along the exterior.” Permit drawings/Read more

 

Shopping Malls Are Tracking Your Every Move by Esther Fung at Wall Street Journal. “According to the International Council of Shopping Centers, a trade group. In its survey of 1022 adults in February, 39% of the respondents said they would visit a mall or shopping center more often if they received alerts from stores that are selling products they are interested in purchasing.” 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. Retailers attending | Website | Networking Events

 

Under Armour taps GM exec as first chief innovation officer by Ryan Sharrow at Baltimore Business Journal. “(Clay) Dean spent more than 20 years at GM (NYSE: GM), and most recently led GM’s Global Advanced Design organization. He was also the chief designer on a team that produced the Hummer H2, H2 SUT and H3 programs.” Read more

 

Sugar and Salt Content Shrivels as Consumers Get Wise on Health by Sam Chambers at Bloomberg. “…reduced ingredients such as sugar and salt in about 20 percent of their products in 2016 as shoppers shift toward healthier brands. A survey of 102 companies, including Nestle SA and Procter & Gamble Co., found that 180,000 products were reformulated in 2016, according to a report from the Consumer Goods Forum. That was about double the previous year.” Read more

 

CHICKEN FIGHT LINGERS ON – Group opposed to Costco plant hosting meetings this week by Barbara Soderlin at Omaha World-Herald. “A North Carolina farmer known for his criticism of the chicken industry’s growing and contracting practices will speak to farmers at meetings this week around eastern Nebraska…hosted by Nebraska Communities United, a group that formed last year to challenge retailer Costco’s plans to build a chicken processing plant.” Meeting times/locations

 

Big Food’s Next Course Could Be Big Mergers by John Kell at Fortune. “AB InBev, fresh off its SAB­Miller acquisition, will still likely need another deal to hit its goal of $100 billion in revenue by 2020. PepsiCo and Coke are potential targets…“3G is the catalyst. They are out there with a plan to consolidate the industry” says SIG analyst Pablo Zuanic.” Read more

 

Amazon’s Delivery Drones Can Be Seen at SXSW by Jonathan Vanian at Fortune. “The drones are instead protected behind a glass enclosure, with a security guard nearby ensuring that no one would tamper with them, reported NBC News.” Pic/Read more

 

BIG BUTTER – Americans Are Eating More Butter Than Ever by Leslie Patton at Bloomberg. “Americans are forecast to eat a whopping 8 percent more of the stuff than last year, reaching 940,000 metric tons…” Read more

 

Visa Is Developing a Pair of Sunglasses That Can Pay For Things by Aric Jenkins at Fortune. “To pay, a wearer removes the glasses from their face and taps them on a Visa near field communication (NFC) enabled terminal. Card swiping is not required.” Read more

 

Gander Mountain list of 32 stores closing at USA Today. List/Read more

 

Cramer: A border tax could lead to thousands of layoffs in retail at CNBC. “Marginal retailers won’t be able to keep the pace with Amazon or Wal-Mart if they have to pay more for their goods. “They will most likely not make it. That is a real risk, not a canard,” Cramer said.” Read more

 

Target & Sears Execs to Speak at Internet of Things Conference & Expo Press release

 

Disney postpones release of Beauty and the Beast in Malaysia due to backlash over ‘gay’ character at Daily Mail. Read more

 

Tipsheet Extra Stories

Woman kicks mother before stealing her daughter’s Girl Scout money box at Walmart

Former P&G employee to plead guilty in $454K fraud scheme

CVS commits $10M to eradicate tobacco use among nation’s youth

Car vending machine company looks to go public

Struggling Fairway Market quietly taps new CEO

Teen-fashion retailers thrive or die at the hands of smartphone users

Two U.S. Airlines Are Already Done With Cuba

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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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Website: www.eyeonretail.net

Tipsheet: Most Ethical: Target & Petco | New Yorkers Stockpile | FBI Loves B.Buy | eBay’s Advertising

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New Yorkers stockpile supplies as massive snowstorm looms at NY Post. “Do you know what is worse than 18 inches of snow? No food delivery,” grad student Jen Marcus, 24, said while loading up on groceries at a Morton Williams in Greenwich Village.” Read more

 

A border tax would throw a wrench into retail’s price wars by Krystina Gustafson at CNBC. “Costco is somewhat cushioned by its annual membership fee, which accounts for three-fourths of its operating income. Those two factors would make a border tax less burdensome than on a company like Target, analysts have said.” Read more

 

eBay is doubling down on its advertising business, just like Amazon by Jason Del Rey at Recode. “eBay is in the process of building up its own internal advertising sales team, cutting ties with the outside sales firm along the way. eBay is also eliminating product ads that link to other websites, and replacing them with advertising options that help brands drive sales directly on eBay.” Read more

 

FBI Actively Cultivated Informants in Best Buy’s Geek Squad by David Z. Morris at Fortune. “New federal court filings analyzed by the Orange County Weekly reveal a deeper relationship than previously understood between the FBI and members of Best Buy’s Geek Squad. The documents include information about the long-term training and management of Geek Squad staff as FBI informants, who used their access to customers’ computers to actively search for illegal material, primarily child pornography. The FBI had previously acknowledged a program that paid Best Buy employees $500 for tips about child pornography.” Read more

 

Gordmans Stores Files for Bankruptcy With Plan to Liquidate by Andrew Dunn at Bloomberg. “The company, which posted losses in five of the past six quarters, listed total debt of $131 million in Chapter 11 papers filed Monday in Nebraska federal court.” Read more

 

Amazon invests in Costa Rica as tiny nation carves out profitable niche in world economy by Angel Gonzalez at Seattle Times. “Amazon declined to comment for this story and wouldn’t provide access to its Costa Rica facilities. But last September, before Trump’s election, Amazon was trumpeting the addition of 1,500 jobs in Costa Rica, bringing its local head count there to 5,500. That’s less than 2 percent of Amazon’s total worldwide workforce of 341,400, but the company’s Costa Rican payroll makes it a big fish in this country of less than five million.” Read more

 

Wal-Mart Doubles Down in Brazil Despite Sluggish Sales by Samantha Pearson & Sarah Nassauer at Wall Street Journal. “Wal-Mart has said it plans to spend 1 billion reais, or some $320 million, over three years on upgrades to its hypermarkets in Brazil, mostly sticking with a strategy it has followed here for two decades.” Read more (subscription) | MarketWatch article

 

**A message from Lock-it Block-it – Over 5,000 children fall from open windows every year. The Lock-it Block-it is an adjustable childproof AND burglar proof security device for home windows and patio doors. The device allows windows to be LOCKED OPEN at various safe heights. Simply adjust the Lock-it Block-it to a safe opening that allows fresh air to flow in AND blocks children from falling out. Easy to install. Easy to use. High-impact resistant. Video | Sell sheet | Request a sample: info@eyeonretail.net

 

World’s Most Ethical Companies Honorees (Target, Petco) See the list

 

Amazon scoops up yet another Seattle office building as it continues to juice downtown construction boom by Nat Levy at GeekWire. “This time around, Amazon has taken Tilt49, a 306,000-square-foot office building under construction at 1812 Boren Ave.” Read more

 

PetSmart Estimates Donating More Than 60 Million Pet Food Meals in 2017 Press release

 

Huggies Enter Parenting Minefield, Pushing Switch to Pricier Pull-Ups by Sharon Terlep at Wall Street Journal. “Huggies, still the dominant player, saw its share drop to 53% from 62% in that time. Overall, U.S. sales of training pants rose 5.3% to $1 billion in the 52-week-period ending Jan. 28, according to Nielsen. Diaper sales fell 4.4% to $3.9 billion during that period, the first decline in at least four years.” Read more (subscription)

 

No mass store closings for Buckle despite dismal sales report by Paige Yowell at Omaha World-Herald. “What percentage (of Buckle stores) would you say are in crappy malls?” one analyst asked Chief Executive Dennis Nelson on the call.” Read more

 

Dahua, Hikvision IoT Devices Under Siege at Krebs on Security. Read more

 

Costco Australia: We’re 28 per cent cheaper than Woolworths, Coles at The Age. “But the price gap had narrowed from 37 per cent, thanks to price cuts at Woolies and Coles, analyst Tom Kierath said.” Read more

 

Retired Amazon executive lists 100-acre Friday Harbor waterfront estate for $20 million by Patti Payne at Puget Sound Business Journal. “We built the (Amazon.com) website,” Ayre explains. “What you see and what you read – that’s (part of) what we did – art and editorial and production.” 20 pics/Read more

 

Tipsheet Extra Stories

Diaper-wearing boomers are coming to the rescue of the beleaguered paper industry

C-store says Michael Brown did rob them despite new video evidence showing ‘drug deal’

Arby’s reports data breach

Alberta man says he found piece of metal bolt in jumbo Costco muffin

WinCo ready to shake-up Tulsa grocery market

Amazon’s Fake #ResistanceRadio Becomes a Real Political Battleground on Twitter

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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

 

Tipsheet: JCP CEO on CNBC | Ulta +16.6% | Pig Visits H.Depot | Macy’s Self-Serve Shoes

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Ulta Q4 Comp Sales +16.6% “Retail comparable sales increased 12.8%, including salon comparable sales growth of 8.8%…E-commerce sales grew 63.4% to $154.9 million.” Press release

 

…CNBC: Ulta blows past Wall Street forecasts, but shares drop on soft outlook “After opening 100 stores last fiscal year, it will open another 100 in fiscal year 2017.” Read more

 

Fortune: 100 Best Companies to Work For (Wegmans #2, Publix #21, REI #28, Container Store #49, Whole Foods #58, QuikTrip #68, Nordstrom #94) Top 100 list

 

Target Security Chief Joins Booz Allen Hamilton by Steven Norton at Wall Street Journal. “Brad Maiorino, former information security chief at Target Corp., has joined Booz Allen Hamilton as an executive vice president responsible for growing the defense contractor’s U.S. commercial business.” Read more (subscription)

 

Meijer Leapfrogs Midwest Rivals In Rolling Out Home Delivery by Dale Buss at Forbes. “Working with Shipt, the delivery outfit in its Detroit test, and an app and web site, Meijer will make 55,000 grocery and other items available for a monthly fee or $99 for a yearly subscription, which includes free delivery for each purchase over $35. “We think we’re taking the lead in the Midwest,” Meijer President Rick Keyes told me.” Read more

 

Hibbett Sports Q4 Comp Sales -2.2% “…we were pleased with continued strength in our footwear business. The decline in comparable store sales was driven mainly by softer sales in apparel and equipment. Licensed products accounted for much of the weakness in apparel.” Press release

 

J.C. Penney piloting six new home installation services by Courtney Reagan at CNBC. “Starting later this month, shoppers will see signs in the J.C. Penney home departments and on its digital storefront for services in bathroom remodeling, home heating and cooling systems, quick-ship and installed blinds, whole home water solutions, awnings and smart home technology. “It’s a $300 billion market that we believe we have the opportunity to pick up some significant market share,” Ellison said during an exclusive interview on CNBC’s “Power Lunch.” Video/Read more | Q&A Transcript

 

Millennials buy more clothes on Amazon than any other website by Jason Del Rey at Recode. “Amazon accounted for nearly 17 percent of all online clothing sales to this demographic last year, more than doubling the market share of the No. 2 seller, Nordstrom. Old Navy, J. Crew and Victoria’s Secret rounded out the Top 5.” Read more

 

**A message from Fabe – Italian 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 | Retailers request samples at info@shiftmarketinggroup.net. Italy to America product connection

 

Home Depot to Pay Banks $25 Million in Data Breach Settlement by Jeff John Roberts at Fortune. “The settlement, filed this week in federal court in Atlanta, also requires Home Depot to tighten its cyber-security practices and to subject its vendors to more scrutiny—a measure tied to the fact that a security flaw by a third-party payment processor made the hacked self-checkout terminals vulnerable.” Read more

 

Weis Markets Q4 Comp Sales +3.4% Press release

 

Amazon names video-game veteran to head studio by Matt Day at Seattle Times. “Amazon.com has added another video-game industry veteran to its ranks, naming Louis Castle head of the company’s Seattle game-production studio. Castle co-founded Westwood Studios, best known as the maker of the “Command & Conquer” series.” Read more

 

Meet the Self-Made Women Billionaires of the World by Guadalupe Gonzalez at Inc. Top 55 list

 

Staples to close 70 more stores this year by Jon Chesto at Boston Globe. “Staples closed 48 shops last year, leaving it with nearly 1,600 locations in the US and Canada. Another 70 will go dark this year. There are about 250 leases expiring within three years, and stores without positive cash flow likely will be shuttered.” Read more

 

Amazon Seeks Fresh Investment in India With New Grocery Service by Rajesh Roy & Newley Purnell at Wall Street Journal. “Amazon has sought approval from India’s Trade Ministry to invest about $500 million in the new venture. The new Amazon grocery service would take advantage of recently eased restrictions on foreign retailers and deliver mostly local food products such as fruits, vegetables and other staples, according to one of the officials.” Read more (subscription)

 

Randalls to shutter Houston DC by Jack Witthaus at Houston Business Journal. Read more

 

Macy’s Is Testing Self-Service at More of Its Shoe Sections by Phil Wahba at Fortune. “…turning more of its shoe departments into “open sell” environments, industry speak for self-service…The open-sell shoe test, begun about a year ago at some of Macy’s smaller stores, is being expanded to medium sized locations.” Read more

 

Target Romances Top Jewelry Site BaubleBar To Launch Sugarfix by Kristina Moore at Forbes. BaubleBar owners Q&A

 

Wind knocks down little pig’s house so pig walks a mile to Home Depot at WWMT. “Amanda James, a Home Depot employee, said, “We looked out the side door and there was a pig on the hill. He’s super friendly, he’s very sweet, doesn’t make too much noise, believe it or not.” After he “pigged out” on dog biscuits James fed him, she brought him to her house where she knew he’d be safe.” Video/Read more

 

Tipsheet Extra Stories

Costco Cleared on Discrimination Claims of Worker With Tourette’s

Anheuser-Busch might boycott St. Patrick’s parade if gay vets group is excluded

Fake Walmart checks being mailed to St. Louis area residents

Publix’s CEO got a big raise last year — and, by some measures, he’s still a steal

Leonardo DiCaprio invests in Boulder frozen fish company

ChannelAdvisor CEO: Amazon could drive 80% of U.S. e-commerce growth next year

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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

 

 

 

Tipsheet: Wmart CFO Speaks | Petco/D.Gen Execs Lobby | Lowe’s Tops H.Depot | Bread Aisle Beatdown

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Wal-Mart CFO Brett Biggs tells Wall Street to not underestimate the retail giant by Kim Souza at Talk Business. “He spoke Wednesday (Mar. 8) at the Raymond James Investor Conference held in Orlando, Fla. Biggs reminded the group that the retailer serves 260 million customers each week around the world and is on track to hit $500 billion this year in sales revenue…Biggs told investors he came to Wal-Mart 17 years ago when it was a $160 billion company and at that time there also were naysayers about future Wal-Mart growth.” Read more

 

Amazon just confirmed its 10th book store, signaling this is way more than an experiment by Jason Del Rey at Recode. “People were surprised when Amazon announced its first brick-and-mortar bookstore in November 2015. Then came No. 2, 3 and 4. Sixteen months later, Amazon just confirmed to Recode that it is now working on store No. 10 — a location at the Bellevue Square shopping center across Lake Washington from Seattle.” Read more

 

Amazon actually isn’t the biggest problem, Macy’s CFO says by Krystina Gustafson at CNBC. “As chains like Macy’s and J.C. Penney remove 100 or more stores from their fleets, TJX, Burlington and Ross are on the expansion track…To fight back, Macy’s is taking a page out of those chains’ books. “I think you’re going to see more of that enter into the Macy’s logic” (CFO Karen Hoguet) said.” Read more

 

Ikea/Dollar General/Petco/Michaels Leaders Lobby Republicans in Tax Showdown by Lindsey Rupp at Bloomberg. “Four industry executives are scheduled to meet with Republicans in the House and Senate on Wednesday, including Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn of Texas and Senator Cory Gardner of Colorado. Business leaders from Ikea Group, Dollar General Corp., Petco Animal Supplies Inc. and Michaels Cos. will discuss the tax proposal, which they argue will raise prices for consumers.” Read more

 

At the Made in America Store, it’s a challenge to keep the aisles full by Barbara Demick at LA Times via Chicago Tribune. “Shoppers in search of a specific item would be advised to head to Wal-Mart. But the novelty of shopping American is enough of an adventure that the Made in America flagship attracts more than 600 tour buses annually.” Read more

 

Inside Cumberland Farms’ new 600-employee Westborough headquarters by David L. Harris at Boston Business Journal. 7 pics/Read more

 

Hiring Refugees Is Hurting Starbucks’ Brand, Analysts Say by Ryan Kilpatrick at Fortune. “According to YouGov BrandIndex, consumer perception levels for the company have fallen by two-thirds since late January.” Read more

 

Camping World Q4 Total Revenue +3.5% Press release

 

How much is your junk worth? eBay’s new Google Home ‘shopbot’ knows by Nat Levy at GeekWire. “In a demonstration of the new tool during a keynote address, RJ Pittman, eBay’s chief product officer, asked Google Home to talk to eBay. Pittman then told the eBay chatbot that he had a Canon camera, and after a brief conversation of specifics, the chatbot came up with a value for the camera.” Read more

 

Analyst: These 39 J.C. Penney stores are likely to close by Korri Kezar at Dallas Business Journal. Highest risk list

 

Lowe’s tops Home Depot in weekly radio spots at Inside Radio. “Lowe’s delivered 30,974 spots from Feb. 27-Mar. 3, topping rival Home Depot, which has been charting within radio’s top 10 for most of 2017. The latter home center is No. 5, down from last week’s No. 2, delivering 28,663 ads over the airwaves.” Read more

 

**A message from Lock-it Block-it – Over 5,000 children fall from open windows every year. The Lock-it Block-it is an adjustable childproof AND burglar proof security device for home windows and patio doors. The device allows windows to be LOCKED OPEN at various safe heights. Simply adjust the Lock-it Block-it to a safe opening that allows fresh air to flow in AND blocks children from falling out. Easy to install. Easy to use. High-impact resistant. See the video | Sell sheet | Request a sample: info@eyeonretail.net

 

Sears Q4 comp revenues down 10.3%, driven by an 8% drop at Kmart and a 12.3% decline at Sears at CNBC Read more

 

J.Jill Announces Pricing of IPO @ $13/share Press release

 

Top Department Stores Fashion Directors Talk Predictions for 2017 by Erin E. Clack at Footwear News. “Here, Nordstrom’s Olivia Kim, Barneys’ Marina Larroudé, Bergdorf Goodman’s Bruce Pask and Bloomingdale’s Justin Berkowitz share a glimpse into their busy working days, the big projects they’re tackling and the people who inspire them…” Q&A

 

Lands’ End names MLB exec Robert Bowman to board by Melanie Lawder at Milwaukee Business Journal. “The appointment comes as Lands’ End’s new president and CEO Jerome Griffith officially started his role at the helm of the company on Monday.” Read more

 

Staples Q4 Comp Sales -1.0% Press release

 

Lionel Richie and Amazon to Kick Off Shoptalk 2017 “Shoptalk’s impressive lineup of more than 330 speakers features top industry executives including Mindy Grossman, CEO & Director of HSN, Inc.; Devin Wenig, President & CEO of eBay; Michael Evans, President of Alibaba Group; Calvin McDonald, President & CEO of Sephora Americas; Brian Cornell, Chairman & CEO of Target; and Kevin Mansell, CEO & President of Kohl’s.” Press release/List of speakers

 

Big Tobacco Has Caught Startup Fever at Bloomberg. “Over the past two years, to nurture its community of IQOS users, Philip Morris has opened a series of retail stores throughout Europe and Asia. The IQOS store in London sits on a hip commercial stretch in Soho…” Read more

 

How Aldi Australia managing director Bronwyn Post motivates her team of more than 1000 employees by Eloise Keating at Smart Company. Q&A

 

From car parts to kettles and even ballet slippers: Slurpee fans get creative for 7-Eleven’s BYO Cup Day by Nic White at Daily Mail. “The annual ‘Bring You Own Cup’ bonanza sees thousands of frozen beverage fans give themselves almighty brain freezes with all manner of creative containers. They included kettles, kitchen measuring jugs, entire water coolers, huge jars, pots and pans, milk bottles, water bottles, and even a large watering can.” Pics/Read more

 

Elderly woman describes bread aisle beatdown at Walmart at WCNC Charlotte. “She kept socking me in my glasses, and then hitting me in my mouth. I started hollering, ‘Help, help.’ Despite her screams, the grandmother said that no one came to her rescue.” Video/Pics/Read more

 

Tipsheet Extra Stories

Store closures prove retail’s bubble has ‘burst,’ says Urban Outfitters CEO

Uber’s search for a #2 exec — where does that leave ex-Target CMO Jeff Jones?

Jury convicts man in hammer attack on Ferguson Home Depot hot dog vendor

Dead shark ends up outside a St. Augustine Walmart

At least 50 frogs dumped in Aldi parking lot

Weis Markets opens new format store with a pub and ice cream parlor

Home Depot’s IT Chief a Google Fan

Walton College promotes new program with access to Senior Walmart execs

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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