Archive for year: 2017

 

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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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.

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Amazon unveils plans for $1.5 billion air cargo hub that will create 2,000 jobs in Kentucky by Alan Boyle at GeekWire. “…creating more than 2,000 jobs in the process. Total investment in the hub is projected to amount to $1.49 billion, according to reports from Kentucky. The plan calls for extensive construction on a 920-acre site.” Read more

 

WPP Wins Walgreens Boots Alliance Account by Christine Birkner at Adweek. “WPP will create its own team of agencies, “Team WBA,” to service the account, with office locations for the team in Chicago, London and New York.” Read more | Press release

 

China’s e-commerce boom can be a tough road for couriers by Ryan McMorrow at NY Times via Seattle Times. “The Chinese e-commerce industry has been built on the backs of an estimated 1.2 million couriers. Their work is coming under scrutiny from labor activists and legal experts who say many couriers face punishing hours and harsh working conditions.” Read more

 

This child with Down syndrome won over an entire Sam’s Club store by Brittany Loggins at Today. “Carter walks around the register and wants to help her,” said Rouse. “I told him to scan a couple of items and come on, and she said, ‘No, he’s fine.’ We thanked her. She didn’t hesitate or rush.” Not only did Carter want to help, he did an amazing job! It was this sweet exchange that caught the eye of the store’s manager, Mike Russo…” Read more/Pics

 

Coach Finds Success in Selling More Expensive Handbags by Phil Wahba at Fortune. “The leather goods maker on Wednesday reported a 3% increase in comparable sales in North America in the quarter ended Dec. 31, the third straight quarter of growth.” Read more | Press release

 

World’s largest online-only supermarket tests robotic hand that can delicately pick-up and pack fruits and vegetables by Stacy Liberatore at Daily Mail. “Alex Harvey, the head of the robotic and autonomous systems at the company, told WIRED that ‘The overall goal is to automate picking of every single item we have’.” Video/Read more

 

The surprising way an online shopping surge crushed UPS earnings by Morgan Brennan at CNBC. “We actually had a good fourth quarter, but what we saw was a tremendous shift in the amount of volume that went to the consumer versus to the business. In fact we looked over the last 10 years and this is the fastest rate of change,” Richard Peretz, chief financial officer at UPS, told CNBC.” Read more

 

The Maker of Skoal and Copenhagen Is Recalling Smokeless Tobacco Over Sharp Metal Objects via Fortune. 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. See the sell sheet. Retailers request samples: info@shiftmarketinggroup.net

 

Alibaba-backed OpenSky has bought defunct furniture website Dot & Bo by Jason Del Rey at Recode. Read more

 

Men’s jeans could be the biggest retail casualty of a trade war with Mexico by Courtney Reagan at CNBC. “Mexico is the largest supplier of male jeans to the U.S., responsible for 40 percent of those sold in the U.S., Herman said.” Read more

 

Only 14% of adults are “very confident” that retailers will protect data collected about them by Jessica Young at Internet Retailer. Read more

 

Lowe’s Strikes $2.85M Deal To Settle Misclassification Suit by Suevon Lee at Law 360. “Lowe’s reached a $2.85 million settlement with a class of installation workers who alleged they were misclassified as independent contractors rather than employees eligible for benefits, according to court filings in New Jersey federal court.” Read more (subscription)

 

Ellen DeGeneres Bites Into Pet Industry by Matthew V. Libassi at Fox Business. “It’s a multi-year deal, so we will be in collaboration for multiple years; it’s a very comprehensive pet line. When we launch it will be in with more than 250 SKUS in a brand new fixture in our center drive aisle,” Mardi Larson, director of Public Relations at PetSmart, tells FOX Business.” Read more

 

Forrester: 2016 direct online sales totaled 11.6% of total U.S. retail sales but digital touchpoints actually impacted an estimated 49 percent of total U.S. retail sales Press release

 

Hormel stops operations at supplier farm after video shows animal abuse at CNBC. “The video, which is 2 minutes and 26 seconds long and is available on YouTube and on Mercy for Animals’ website, was part of the group’s undercover investigation at the Maschhoffs farm.” Read more

 

QuikTrip mobile ordering launch a sign of competitive marketplace by Samuel Hardiman at Tulsa World. “Spokesman Mike Thornbrugh is quick to say that QuikTrip’s mobile ordering is still in the soft-launch stage…“The lines are so blurred. It’s no longer convenience store vs. convenience store. It’s retailers in general against retailers” Thornbrugh said.” Read more

 

Couple allegedly steals 85 alcohol bottles from Safeway at KRON 4. “Deputies found 15 bottles of liquor in the backpack and 70 bottles of high-end liquor, some with electronic sensors still attached, in the trunk of the car, Sackett said.” Read more

 

Tipsheet Extra Stories

House GOP might call CEOs of retailers in for a dressing down

Ad Age: How a Millennial Mindset Is Helping This 116-Year-Old Retailer

SXSW Film Festival Announces 2017 Features Lineup

Amazon accused of racial discrimination by Mass. delivery drivers

Nation’s bacon reserves hit half-century low

Menswear Nerds Are Flocking to This EBay Alternative

Disney Agrees to Pay $100 Million to End No-Poaching Lawsuit

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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

 

Sam’s Club restructures its e-commerce team, moves unit under Sam’s Club management by Kim Souza at The City Wire. “Furner announced that Jamie Iannone, CEO of SamsClub.com, will also be the executive vice president of membership and technology for Sam’s Club and will begin reporting to him Feb. 1. Furner also created a new chief technology officer role for Sam’s Club which will be led by Hsiao Wang who will report to Iannone.” Read more

 

Why is Walgreens still selling cigarettes? Shareholders want to know by Lisa Schencker at Chicago Tribune. “Questions about why Deerfield-based Walgreens continues to sell tobacco products in its stores — more than two years after rival CVS Health stopped — dominated the question-and-answer portion of the meeting Thursday in New York…” Read more

 

Costco hopes to get Kirkland Signature golf balls back on shelves, shares stats on year by Janet I. Tu at Seattle Times. “The golf ball was a real coup for us,” Jelinek said Thursday at the company’s annual shareholders meeting. “We hope at some point we’ll get through the issues we have with the manufacturer and get it back in stock at some point.”…Among the interesting tidbits from the meeting, Jelinek said that 40 percent of new signups are of millennials. But “there’s only one problem with millennials and that’s that they don’t spend much money,” he said.” Read more

 

Wal-Mart revamps pay policy, speeds up training program at MarketWatch. “The retailer will abbreviate a training program that new employees must complete to earn $10 per hour. The six-month program introduced last year will now take three months to complete, said company executives.” Read more

 

Several retail chains on verge of bankruptcy after poor holiday sales by Lisa Fickenscher & Josh Kosman at NY Post.”…A fourth chain, outdoor retailer Gander Mountain — some of whose vendors stopped talking orders— just hired financial adviser Lazard, several sources told The Post.” Read more

 

…Wet Seal Will Close All 171 Stores in Latest Retail Bloodbath by Phil Wahba at Fortune. “The Wall Street Journal obtained a letter dated January 20, sent to staff at headquarters, saying Wet Seal had been unable to find a buyer or get a cash injection, forcing it to close down.” Read more

 

Former Lane Bryant exec has already landed another gig by Lisa Fickenscher at NY Post. “The women’s apparel retailing executive has been hired as the CEO of HoneyBaked Ham, a 60-year-old Atlanta-area retailer of precooked hams, turkey breasts and desserts.” Read more

 

‘Drop Shipping’ Looks Set to Go Mainstream as More Retailers Get on Board by Jennifer Smith at Wall Street Journal. “Home goods seller Pier 1 Imports Inc. and footwear chain Shoe Carnival Inc. are among the retailers that in recent months said they would begin using drop shipping to expand their online offerings. In a retail industry survey by supply-chain software vendor SPS Commerce Inc., 40% of respondents said they expect more drop-ship vendors in 2017.” Read more (subs.)

 

**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. Retailers request samples: info@shiftmarketinggroup.net

 

Tesco is buying UK’s largest wholesale food retailer in a £3.7 billion deal by Oscar Williams-Grut at Business Insider. “However, Monteyne and other analysts flag that the deal will likely face close scrutiny from the competition watchdog because of the overlap in the convenience store market. Booker owns the Budgens, Londis and Premier chains.” Read more

 

hhgregg Q3 Comp Sales -22.2% Press release

 

Smartphone orders clog Starbucks shops, forcing coffee giant to revamp store designs by Taylor Soper at GeekWire. “Starbucks can’t specifically quantify how many customers it lost due to the congestion, but Johnson said it was the “most significant contributing factor” to the company’s 3 percent “comp”.” Read more

 

…Starbucks shares tumble on lowest same-store sales growth since 2009 by Sarah Whitten at CNBC. Read more

 

Amazon to close Kindle ‘Write On’ author community, pulling the plug on story lab by Todd Bishop at GeekWire. “Write On was called “doomed from the start” by the e-book industry news site Good e-Reader when the service launched in beta in October 2014…” Read more

 

Metro reaffirms Air Miles tieup after comments from grocery chain’s CEO about loyalty program’s ‘rocky’ times by Hollie Shaw at Financial Post. “Metro has reaffirmed its commitment to the Air Miles program after a report implied the grocery chain might be looking to drop the loyalty program in Ontario.” Read more

 

Tipsheet Extra Stories

Study Finds This Music Makes Dogs Happiest

Super Bowl glare fixes attention on Texas ‘bathroom bill’

Sherwin-Williams to sell part of business to make way for Valspar acquisition

Couple turns a crisis into a gifting platform to help people in turmoil

Little Girls Doubt That Women Can Be Brilliant, Study Shows

Smart baby monitors could put infants at risk, doctors say

Read Tipsheet Extra Stories

 

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

 

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