Tipsheet: Petco Cuts 180 | Target Closes 138 Studios | JCP “Too Many” Stores | Wmart Exec Mentors

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Petco cutting 180 jobs by Phillip Molnar at San Diego Tribune. “…with about 50 at its San Diego headquarters, the pet supply retailer confirmed Wednesday. The company made the cuts across its workforce and include both existing and open positions. Petco has about 650 workers at its headquarters in Rancho Bernardo.” Read more

 

JCPenney CEO Marvin Ellison thinks he has “too many” stores by Korri Kezar at Dallas Business Journal. “And roughly 92 percent of all of our e-commerce returns take place in a physical store,” (Ellison) added. “Roughly 40 percent of the time someone comes in to return something, they buy something. Typically what they buy is 2 times (the cost of) what they’re returning.” Read more

 

Target Will Close Its Remaining Portrait Studios by Mahita Gajanan at Fortune. “Target will close its remaining Portrait Studios, a spokesman for Lifetouch, the Minnesota-based company that operates the studios confirmed to Fortune. The retailer closed 145 of its Portrait Studios last July, citing re-model plans to allocate the spaces differently. The 138 remaining studios will close by Jan. 28, Lifetouch spokesman Kelvin Miller said.” Read more

 

Amazon Canada fined $1 million plus $100,000 costs for misleading price claims on website by Hollie Shaw at Financial Post. Read more

 

Whole Foods is moving its North Atlantic regional headquarters from Cambridge to Marlborough this spring by Catherine Carlock at Boston Business Journal. Read more

 

Amazon removes Indian flag doormat from site after official threatens to rescind employee visas by Kurt Schlosser at GeekWire. Read more

 

Z Gallerie opening East Coast distribution center in metro Atlanta by Jacques Couret at Atlanta Business Chronicle. “The center in the Skyview Business Center will have 225,000 square feet of office and warehouse space. It will be up and running at full capacity by 2019.” Read more

 

**Don’t Miss Retail’s BIG Show in NYC starting January 15th! The National Retail Federation’s flagship event offers unparalleled education and one-of-a-kind collegial networking. You’ll connect with more than 33,000 of the industry’s most innovative power players, explore a 250,000 sq. ft. EXPO, hear from 300+ speakers and choose from 100+ sessions. 3,326 retail companies represented | 2016 retail attendees | 2016 Recap | Retail’s BIG Show is all things retail and the EXPO is always free to retailers. Register here

 

Wal-Mart exec Rita Carney talks importance of mentoring girls in STEM education by Kim Souza at The City Wire. “Carney is taking part in the national movement known as Million Women Mentors along with Karenann Terrell, chief information officer for Wal-Mart Stores. They are leaders in the movement since Wal-Mart has sponsored the entire state as part of this national mentoring initiative active now for two years.” Read more

 

United Airlines flies into Saks for elevated takeover at Luxury Daily. “Saks Fifth Avenue is soaring on street level with a United Airlines-themed window takeover that recreates the feeling of flying for passersby.” Pics/Read more

 

P&G launches retail shop in Cincinnati to showcase local entrepreneurs by Andy Brownfield at Cincinnati Business Courier. “The shop is the brainchild of P&G’s Tide brand, growing out of the MyTide product, which allows customers to go online and customize their own detergent from label to scent…Preneur is starting with 12 business owners…Those include things like skincare and wellness products, leather goods, plants and even a local startup’s product.” Read more

 

Target Nears Exit In Snowboarder Shaun White License Row by Bonnie Eslinger at Law 360. “A California judge Wednesday tentatively granted Target Corp.’s request to escape a sports-supply company’s claims the retailer undercut the terms of a multimillion-dollar licensing deal the supplier made with Shaun White and Creative Artists Agency, saying the complaint didn’t show Target had an obligation to the plaintiff.” Read more (subscription)

 

Two retail standouts are shaking up a tired piece of the industry by Krystina Gustafson at CNBC. “Wayfair operates only online, whereas At Home sells its merchandise only in stores — they’re both grabbing share in a category that’s both fragmented and behind on innovation. “With the death of furniture in many of the department store retail environments, you really don’t have a good high-middle-end of home decorating” Greg Portell told CNBC.” Read more

 

Bon-Ton holiday comp sales decline 3.1% by Melanie Lawder at Milwaukee Business Journal. Read more

 

Amazon to Create More Than 100,000 New, Full-Time, Full-Benefit Jobs across the U.S. over the Next 18 Months Press release

 

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CVS puts out generic competitor to EpiPen at a 6th the price

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Tipsheet: Wmart to Cut 1K/CIO Out | Retailer Buys S.Bowl Spot | Svalu-5.7% | Target’s Gen Z Line

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Walmart Cutting Hundreds of Jobs In Latest Round of Layoffs by Phil Wahba at Fortune. “Walmart is about to eliminate hundreds more jobs at headquarters and in regional offices…will cut most of those of jobs before January 31.” Read more

 

…Wall Street Journal: Wal-Mart is preparing to cut nearly 1,000 corporate jobs before the end of the month, according to an executive familiar with the situation by Sarah Nassauer. “The cuts will fall broadly but are expected to focus on Wal-Mart’s U.S. operations, including the human resources department, as well as the technology and e-commerce divisions.” Read more (subscription)

 

…City Wire: Job placement firm Cameron Smith & Associates has been getting phone calls from within Wal-Mart for a few weeks regarding upcoming layoffs by Kim Souza. “Another sign that a layoff is coming is when our Linkedin requests jump substantially from professionals inside Wal-Mart corporate ranks and that is also been happening again,” Smith told Talk Business & Politics.” Read more

 

…Karenann Terrell To Leave as CIO of Wal-Mart by Kim S. Nash at Wall Street Journal. “The company did not say where Ms. Terrell is headed but she plans to stay with Wal-Mart until Feb. 24, said Doug McMillon, president and chief executive, in an internal memo. The company expects to announce new leadership in technology “shortly,” a spokesman said.” Read more (subscription)

 

Supervalu Q3 retail identical store sales -5.7% Press release

 

Walgreens-Rite Aid merger expected any day now by Josh Kosman at NY Post. “Federal regulators are scrambling to complete their review of the $9.4 billion Walgreens-Rite Aid mergerbefore President-elect Donald Trump is sworn in on Jan. 20, The Post has learned…“It’s very clear to everyone that [soon-to-be interim FTC Commissioner] Maureen Ohlhausen is not going to block a deal” the source noted.” Read more

 

Target turns to Gen Z kids to create new fashion line by Charisse Jones at USA Today. “Target worked with kids between the ages of 7 and 14 to help shape the first Art Class collection, getting their input on details ranging from fabrics to buttons. The young design partners include a 12-year-old chef who owns his own cookie business, an 8-year old surfing prodigy, and an 11-year-old dance star whose videos have gone viral.” Read more

 

Walgreens To Offer FedEx Dropoff And Pickup At Walgreens Locations Nationwide by Ciara Linnane at Fox Business. “The companies will begin with a small-scale rollout this spring, and aim to have the service available at nearly 8,000 Walgreens outlets by the fall of 2018.” Read more

 

Greenpeace USA slams Amazon for their renewable-energy use by Dan Richman at GeekWire. “Amazon continues to talk a good game on renewables but is keeping its customers in the dark on its energy decisions,” said Greenpeace USA senior IT analyst Gary Cook in a release.” Read more

 

**A message from NY NOW – Shop Bold New Trends from 2,400+ Top Home, Handmade + Lifestyle Gift brands this February and elevate your merchandise mix! NY NOW, the industry leader bringing innovation and design across Home, Lifestyle Gift + Handmade collections, will take place at the Javits Convention Center in NYC this February 4 – 8, 2017. 2016 show recap video. NY NOW is your source for volume buying & private label programs. Register now and view comprehensive market details throughout the extensive NY NOW website.

 

84 Lumber Is Buying a Pricey 90-Second Spot for Its Super Bowl Debut by Patrick Coffee at Adweek. “…the building materials company will almost certainly pay more than $10 million for the national placement even after any discounts it may receive from Fox. This news marks a major pivot for 84 Lumber, which spent only $736,000 on domestic marketing in all of 2015 according to Kantar Media.” Read more

 

Amazon to Launch Credit Card for Prime Members Press release

 

Wal-Mart owes pharmacist $16.08 million for gender bias, sum may drop by Jonathan Stempel at Reuters. “She said Wal-Mart actually fired her in retaliation for her raising concerns about whether prescriptions were being filled properly. McPadden also said her gender played a role, saying a male pharmacist who later lost his key was not fired.” Read more

 

Retail CEO’s from Walmart, Macy’s and more to speak at NRF’s Big Show Press release 

 

Wayfair shares rise after CEO affirms strong holiday season by Kelly J. O’Brien at Boston Business Journal. “The overall holiday season was quite strong,” (CEO) Shah said at an annual conference put on by strategic communications firm ICR.” Read more

 

Alibaba is buying Chinese mall operator Intime for $2.6B to modernize offline retail by Jon Russell at TechCrunch. “Intime operates 29 department stores and 17 shopping malls across urban China which could give Alibaba a strong foothold.” Read more

 

Facebook targets Google’s key strength: shopper intent by Zak Stambor at Internet Retailer. “Facebook today expanded the scope of its dynamic ads to shift them from a remarketing tool to one that retailers can use to find new customers.” Read more

 

Residents put up a fight, but Fremont OKs incentives for Costco plant by Barbara Soderlin at Omaha World-Herald. “Opponents of a $275 million chicken processing plant in Fremont made another unsuccessful effort to derail the project Tuesday night…The 7-0 vote followed another contentious public discussion of the plant, with more than an hour of comments from people mostly opposed to the project and the incentives.” Read more

 

7th Circ. Skeptical Of Home Depot Over Employee’s Murder by Jessica Corso at Law 360. “An attorney for Home Depot was hit Tuesday with a flurry of disbelief by Seventh Circuit judges skeptical of the retailer’s position that it shouldn’t be dragged back into a lawsuit accusing it of failing to prevent the murder of a pregnant employee at the hands of her supervisor.” Read more (subscription)

 

Smucker hikes prices of Folgers, Dunkin’ Donuts packaged coffee via CNBC. Read more

 

Costco Dodges Pay-Stub Class Action At 9th Circ. by Melissa Daniels at Law 360. “Plaintiff Loretta Apodaca alleged Costco failed to provide statements that listed her total hours worked and hourly pay rates. After a lower court tossed the claims, Apodaca appealed, but a Ninth Circuit panel said Monday that the lower court had made the right call.” Read more (subscription)

 

Bringing Online-Style Shopper Tracking to Stores? It May Be Closer Than You Think by Jack Neff at Ad Age. “So far two major mass retailers the company declined to name have been testing the technology, and Zebra hopes to enlist more interest as it unveils its system at the National Retail Federation “Big” show next week in New York.” Read more

 

Tipsheet Extra Stories

J.C. Penney employees win $4.5 mil settlement for 401K losses in the Ron Johnson era

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George Lucas Selects Los Angeles for $1 Billion Museum

After 14 years, Sonos CEO steps down from the company he helped found

Wilmington: Massive Harris Teeter Expected To Open In 2019

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Tipsheet: Target Invests in Start-Up | hhgregg -22% | N.Mar Losing Vendor Faith

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Target invests in Mpls. start-up that helps retailers monitor supply chains by Kavita Kumar at Star Tribune. “While Inspectorio is the only start-up from the inaugural Techstars program that Target invested in, the retailer is still actively in touch with others and is in the middle of tests with some of them. Branch Messenger, which has an app that enables hourly workers to swap and keep track of shifts, has relocated to Minneapolis from Los Angeles.” Read more

 

…Target + Techstars Open Applications for Second Wave of Startups after Year-One Success at A Bullseye View. “Target and Techstars will announce the selected startups this July and host a final demo day at the 14-week program’s close in October.” Read more/Video

 

Vendors are losing confidence in struggling Neiman Marcus by Lisa Fickenscher at NY Post. “Some vendors have become irked and have lost confidence in the chain since the stores’ new computer merchandising system failed last summer. The snafu with the system has left Neiman — and its Bergdorf Goodman operation — unable to verify inventory, it has said. Operating blind, Neiman has been putting pressure on its suppliers to determine when it should restock its stores and discount its merchandise, vendors complained in interviews with The Post.” Read more

 

Nordstrom names longtime exec to lead new innovation team by Kurt Schlosser at GeekWire. “Nordstrom announced that it had created a new executive team role — chief innovation officer — and named Geevy Thomas to the position. Thomas brings 34 years of Nordstrom experience to the job. He most recently served as president of Nordstrom Rack.” Read more

 

Gildan wins bankruptcy auction for American Apparel after raising its offer to around $88 million at Fortune. “Gildan will not take any of American Apparel’s 110 stores, but will own its brand and assume some of its manufacturing operations, the source said. The deal is subject to a bankruptcy judge approving it on Thursday.” Read more

 

Barnes & Noble founder gives Spelman College $1 million gift by Jessica Saunders at Atlanta Business Chronicle. Read more

 

Instacart is cutting worker pay again in at least four cities by Jason Del Rey at Recode. “Screenshots from workers’ Instacart app viewed by Recode showed pay decreases ranging from 11 percent to 19 percent for workers who both shop for grocery orders and deliver them.” Read more

 

Report: Amazon may be planning grocery store for Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood by Nat Levy at GeekWire. 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

 

Hudson’s Bay cuts revenue forecast at Reuters.”…its consolidated comparable sales decreased by 0.7 percent on a constant currency basis in the nine-week holiday selling period ended Dec. 31.” Read more

 

Whole Foods Market cancels Alberta openings as Canadian expansion plan slows via Financial Post. Read more

 

hhgregg prelim Q3 comp sales -22% Press release

 

Kantar: Tesco emerges as Christmas winner as UK grocery inflation returns at Fox Business. “Tesco sales grew 1.3 percent during the 12 weeks to Jan. 1, outperforming no.2 chain Sainsbury’s, whose sales fell 0.1 percent, Asda, down 2.4 percent, and Morrisons , up 1.2 percent.” Read more

 

H-E-B adding another convenience store in San Antonio by Katie Burke at San Antonio Business Journal. “H-E-B is expanding its convenience-store concept across the city and its starting with plans for its second site near the intersection of Bulverde and Loop 1604.” Read more

 

Former Sprouts CEO sells off majority of stock by Steven Totten at Phoenix Business Journal. “According to SEC Filings, (Doug) Sanders sold 45,000 shares of Sprouts Farmers Market stock at an average price of $19.47 for a grand total of $876,150.” Read more

 

For New Hires at Alibaba, a Crash Course in Chinese Business by Rachel Feintzeig at Wall Street Journal. “Alibaba has committed to running the program for at least 10 years, and expects enrollment to grow to 100 annually. Participants, all new hires, typically join after business school or a few years working in fields such as marketing and technology. More than 3,000 applied to the inaugural class, according to Alibaba.” Read more (subscription)

 

Trunk Club CEO Brian Spaly is stepping down via New York Business Journal. “Nordstrom said Monday that Brian Spaly has “chosen to depart” Trunk Club, the men’s fashion subscription service he founded in 2009 and sold to the Seattle retailer for $350 million in 2014. Terry Boyle, president of NordstromRack.com/HauteLook, will lead Trunk Club in addition to his current responsibilities.” Read more

 

Rent-A-Center CEO resigns – founder takes over by Korri Kezar at Dallas Business Journal. Read more

 

Amazon gives out 5,000 bananas a day in Seattle by Monica Nickelsburg at GeekWire. “Potassium-filled treats are free and up for grabs to anyone passing by between 8 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., Amazon employee or not. The stand has become a fixture at Amazon’s South Lake Union headquarters.” Read more/Video

 

FBI accused of paying a Best Buy ‘Geek Squad’ worker $500 to snoop through the files of a prominent surgeon at Daily Mail. “…who was revealed to have child pornography images on his computer.” Read more

 

Tipsheet Extra Stories

L.L. Bean pleads: Don’t boycott us over Trump donation

Storm prep: Winco lines wrapped to back of store

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Retail chain shines light on sustainable clothing practices

Costco seeks Fremont’s approval of government incentives for poultry plant

How a sports apparel retailer hit World Series sales out of the park

Fender Goes Custom And Digital To Please The World’s Players

Port of Seattle may block sale of bankrupt Hanjin’s waterfront operation

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Tipsheet: Bezos Gets Fallon Joke @ G.Globes | Wgreens Tests Eye Exams | Eddie = ‘Oz’ | Brewer Around Til ’19

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Bezos attends Golden Globes – Fallon gives nod with joke by Alan Boyle at GeekWire. “He actually arrived yesterday, but there was no one around to sign for him,” said Fallon…Bezos, who was sitting at one of the head tables in the Beverly Hilton ballroom, laughed as loud as anyone.” Read more

 

Brewer to retire as Sam’s Club CEO, John Furner picked to lead the club division at The City Wire. “The retirement agreement shows that Brewer will remain a Wal-Mart employee through January 2019…She is also prevented from participating in a business that competes with the Company that exceeds certain revenue thresholds…Given that Brewer is not circulating back through Wal-Mart’s executive ranks likely indicates the retirement was not solely her idea, (Ellstrand) added.” Read more

 

Neiman Marcus withdraws IPO amid declining sales by Lisa Fickenscher at NY Post. Read more

 

Is There Time for QVC in the Age of Amazon? by Paul Ziobro at Wall Street Journal. “Anything and everything is already available online and there are all kinds of niche sites out there to help people discover new items,” said Sucharita Mulpuru, chief retail strategist for conference producer Shoptalk. “That’s something available in spades anywhere you turn online.” Read more (subscription)

 

Nordstrom brings visibility to South Korean products in temporary KPop-In shops at Luxury Daily. “KPop-In@Nordstrom will be found online at www.Nordstrom.com/POP and at Nordstrom’s Seattle, Bellevue, WA, Dallas, Los Angeles, Chicago, Vancouver and Toronto.” Read more

 

Walgreens quietly tests in-store eye exams in Chicago by Lisa Schencker at Chicago Tribune. “Walgreens is testing the idea with a clinic on the second floor of a flagship store in the Wrigley Building on Michigan Avenue. The clinic, which opened last month, offers eye exams by licensed optometrists and opticians as well as contact lenses and glasses for purchase.” Read more

 

Under Armour CEO Kevin Plank stresses innovation during CES keynote by Jeff Berman at Baltimore Business Journal. “Under Armour celebrated its 20th year in 2016 and “there’s no better place to turn 21 than Las Vegas,” he joked, drawing laughs from the audience.” Read more

 

Amazon to open second brick-and-mortar bookstore in Mass. by Janelle Nanos at Boston Globe. “We are excited for Amazon Books to come to MarketStreet Lynnfield in 2017. Stay tuned for additional details down the road,” said Nanci Horn, the shopping center’s general manager.” Read more

 

Tourneau store near Trump Tower loses $2 million in sales by Josh Kosman at NY Post. Read more

 

The USDA picks 7 retailers to test food stamp use online by James Melton at Internet Retailer. “Companies selected, and the states where they will accept SNAP payment are: Amazon.com in Maryland, New Jersey and New York. FreshDirect in New York. Safeway in Maryland, Oregon and Washington. ShopRite in  Maryland, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Hy-Vee in Iowa. Hart’s Local Grocers in New York. Dash’s Market in New York.” Read more

 

‘OZ’ – THE ONLY WAY YOU SEE EDDIE IS THROUGH A SCREEN – Inside Sears’ death spiral by Hayley Peterson at Business Insider. “One morning in late 2015, on Sears’ vast Illinois campus, more than a dozen employees huddled in a videoconference room on a floor dubbed “B6.” There two mid-level employees were preparing a presentation for the CEO, Eddie Lampert, when their boss rushed in with some last-minute advice. On a chart pad he wrote three words. “He looks at the presenters and says, ‘Do not say these words to that guy,'” according to a former Sears executive who described the meeting to Business Insider…One of the words on it was “consumer.” Read more

 

The Limited Is Closing All 250 of Its Stores by Phil Wahba at Fortune. “A message on The Limited’s web site said the retailer would continue to sell items online. But it’s not clear how much longer that will last.” Read more

 

As Sephora Adds Products, Rivalry Heats Up at Its Stores by Khadeeja Safdar & Sharon Terlep at Wall Street Journal. “To sell at Sephora, which has more than 2,300 stores around the world, brands can pay more than 60% from each sale, a higher rate than at most department stores and specialty retailers, according to people familiar with the matter.” Read more (subscription)

 

Walmart-Visa truce could mean higher fees: CFIB via Toronto Star. “Dan Kelly, president and CEO of the CFIB, says he suspects Walmart was able to negotiate a reduction in merchant fees — a move that could impact smaller merchants. “Typically whenever there is a special deal created for one large merchant, it happens at the expense of smaller merchants,” he said.” Read more

 

Davidoff Hutcher Sued For $1M By Sports Authority Creditor by Kali Hayes at Law 360. “…claims the firm improperly advised it as a creditor in the bankruptcy of Sports Authority, leading it to lose ownership of certain consigned inventory.” Read more (subscription)

 

Amazon’s store of the future has no cashiers, but humans are watching from behind the scenes by Jason Del Rey at Recode. “Recode has learned that Amazon has staff on call behind the scenes to assist the computer vision system that is supposed to detect which items a shopper pulls off a shelf and carries out of the store.” Read more

 

Tipsheet Extra Stories

Former Target executive grows his own digital-analytics firm

Apple is opening its first retail store in South Korea

The Inside Story of how Panda Express launched its General Tso’s chicken dish

Mars to buy pet health care provider VCA for $7.7 billion

Amazon exec warns that state laws could bog down drone deliveries

Personal luxury goods spending slows

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Tipsheet: Wmart Mexico Looted | Visa/Wmart Feud Ends | Mac Naughton New F.Dol Pres | JCP -0.8%

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Walmart and Visa put an end to their public Canadian feud by Barbara Shecter at Financial Post. “Carla Hindman, a spokesperson for Visa, confirmed that Visa cards will be accepted “as a form of payment in all Walmart stores across Canada” as of Friday.” Read more

 

Looters Storm Mexico Wal-Mart, Chedraui Stores on Gas Hike by Doug Alexander at Bloomberg. “Looters sacked at least 250 stores across seven Mexican states, reflecting growing unrest over a 20 percent hike in gasoline prices.” Read more | Looting pics via Daily Mail

 

Amazon’s funky Treasure Truck makes trek from Seattle to bring deals to Vegas by John Cook at GeekWire. “…appeared at CES today in the Central Plaza right in front of the Las Vegas Convention Center. It was prime placement for the mobile retail unit, and attendees seemed to be gobbling up the merchandise from the oddly-designed vehicle.” Read more

 

JCPenney Holiday Comp Sales -0.8% “The first three weeks of November proved to be challenging in stores…However, the business improved and overall comp sales for the six-week period from Thanksgiving week through the end of December were positive. During the holiday season we saw strength in appliances, outerwear, boots, toys, Sephora and fine jewelry. However, weakness in women’s apparel continued to impact our performance.” Press release

 

Ex-Walmart Exec Named President at Family Dollar by Katherine Peralta at Charlotte Observer. “Family Dollar, announced Thursday that Gary Philbin has been promoted to enterprise president of Dollar Tree, and that veteran retail executive Duncan Mac Naughton will take his place as president and chief operating officer of Family Dollar.” Read more | Press release

 

BEST BUY EARNINGS WIPED OUT? – Retailers Risk Multibillion-Dollar Earnings Hit Under GOP Tax Plan by Susan Pulliam, Sarah Nassauer & Richard Rubin at Wall Street Journal. “Among the companies whose earnings are calculated to take a hit under the so-called border-adjusted tax proposal are Wal-Mart, Costco Wholesale, Genuine Parts and Dick’s Sporting Goods. The earnings hit to six big retailers could total nearly $13 billion, according to RBC Capital Markets analyst Scot Ciccarelli, with Best Buy Co.’s annual earnings wiped out.” Read more (subscription)

 

Gap Stock Jumps 10% On Surprisingly Good December Results by Phil Wahba at Fortune. “…companywide comparable sales rose 4% in December…The big improvement was led by the performance of Old Navy where comparable sales rose 12%.” Read more | Press release

 

**A message from the Craft & Hobby Association. Join thousands of industry professionals for the latest products, innovations, and trends in paper crafts, art materials, jewelry supplies, sewing and textile, home décor, seasonal, and every kind of craft supply. Learn what’s trending, connect with new suppliers, designers, makers, and entrepreneurs from more than 60 countries, and discover new craft products and innovations that will change your retail business in 2017. Register now to attend the ultimate creative industries event, January 19-23, 2017 in Phoenix, AZ. Learn more at creativationshow.org.

 

Barnes & Noble holiday sales sink as coloring-book fad fades at Bloomberg via Denver Post. “Same-store sales sank 9.1 percent for the nine-week holiday period.” Read more

 

Walgreens Boots CEO: No Plan B for Rite Aid Merger by Sharon Terlep & Anne Steele at Wall Street Journal. “We don’t want even to think the deal could not be approved after so many months, after we have given so much information and have had a good relationship with the people of the FTC,” Walgreens CEO Stefano Pessina said during a call with analysts.” Read more (subscription) | Walgreens Q1 ’17 earnings call transcript

 

Postal Service to end shipping services in 500 Staples stores by Donna Goodison at Boston Herald. “The USPS decision follows a three-year protest and boycott campaign by the American Postal Workers Union, which views the “Approved Shipper Program” deal as a privatization of the USPS.” Read more

 

Fred’s Pharmacy December Comp Sales -3.4% Press release

 

Walmart has acquired a Zappos competitor to boost Jet.com’s shoe business by Jason Del Rey at Recode. “Walmart has purchased the online footwear retailer ShoeBuy for approximately $70 million.” Read more

 

The Buckle December Comp Sales -15.5% Press release

 

Amazon Alexa VP throws subtle shade at Google Home exec over Echo’s lead by Monical Nickelsburg at GeekWire. “Before Chandra finished, George jumped in with, “In your hotel room in Vegas.” It was such a subtle dig, imperceptible unless you knew the Wynn hotel here in Las Vegas recently announced it would equip each of its 4,748 hotel rooms with Amazon Echo devices. Chandra took the comment in stride. “Exactly,” he said, chuckling.” Read more

 

Heavy Metals, Lead Found in Popular Protein Bars at Fox Business. “PowerBar 20g, Vega Sport, Simply Protein, and Pure all exceeded California Prop 65’s limit of 0.5 mg of daily lead intake in one serving.” Read more

 

Tipsheet Extra Stories

Transgender Target voyeur sentenced

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Retro trend sweeping tech industry as CES turns 50

Walmart shopper injured while chasing ‘unsafe’ shopping cart sues for $500K

‘Star Wars’ Braintrust Sets Meeting to Plot Leia’s Life After Carrie Fisher’s Death

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Tipsheet: Amazon Buy Amer. Apparel? | Nstrom CTO Departs | Costco Dec +3% | Wgreen Surprise Drop

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Walgreens Reports Surprise Drop in 1Q Sales at Fox Business. “Sales fell to $28.50 billion from $29.03 billion.” Read more | Press release

 

Macy’s to shutter 68 stores and cut 10,000 jobs in massive restructuring by Alexander Coolidge at Cincinnati Enquirer. “The store closures will impact about 3,900 retail associates. But the company also plans to slash 6,200 mostly back office employees.” Read more | Press release

 

Costco December Comp Sales +3.0% (US +3.0% / Canada +7.0%) “Costco reported net sales of $13.07 billion for the month of December…an increase of five percent from $12.46 billion during the similar period last year.” Press release

 

Amazon is opening a bookstore in the middle of Manhattan by Jason Del Rey at Recode. “Amazon is opening a brick-and-mortar bookstore inside Manhattan’s Time Warner Center at some point in 2017, a spokesperson said. The store will join retailers such as J. Crew, Diesel and Microsoft inside the Shops at Columbus Circle, an indoor mall that also features high-end restaurants. Defunct bookstore chain Borders once operated a location in the same mall.” Read more

 

Nordstrom CTO leaving retailer in latest departure for digital team by Kurt Schlosser at GeekWire. “Kumar Srinivasan, who has been with the company for less than a year, is leaving the company as CTO, effective Friday, to return to India later this month.” Read more

 

Online sales rake in a record $91.7 billion over the holidays, rising 11% by Krystina Gustafson at CNBC. “…the season’s sales came in $115 million ahead of expectations, 0.13 percent better than expected. Mobile devices raked in $28.4 billion, an increase of 23 percent over the prior year. The majority of that value came from smartphones, which generated $19.3 billion in revenue.” Read more

 

**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. Check out this year’s exhibitors. Website | Networking Events

 

Amazon’s holiday dominance solidified by last-minute shoppers by Krystina Gustafson at CNBC. “Amazon accounted for 38 percent of online sales from Nov. 1 to Dec. 29. That’s in line with the same period in 2015, when 37.9 percent of online revenue went to Amazon, according to Slice.” Read more

 

Kohl’s reports awful holiday season sales by Phil Wahba at Fortune. “For Kohl’s, a 2.1% drop in comparable sales, which includes e-commerce and stores open for at least a year, was a large disappointment, coming off of several initiatives that had been aimed at getting the retailer’s turnaround back on track.” Read more | Press release

 

NRF Foundation Announces The List of People Shaping Retail’s Future 2017 “Power Player: Kevin Hofmann – President, Online and Chief Marketing Officer, The Home Depot…Toni M. Miller – Boscov’s Department Store, LLC.” Press release

 

Target teams up with Nate Berkus again for new baby collection by Dan DeBaun at Minneapolis/St.Paul Business Journal. “The nearly 40-piece nursery and layette collection includes romper sets and crib sheets, wall decor and night lights.” Read more | A Bullseye View

 

Amazon may be among those looking to acquire bankrupt American Apparel by Kurt Schlosser at GeekWire. “Reuters reported Wednesday that sources familiar with talks put Amazon and teen chain Forever 21 in the mix when it comes to those who may make offers for the Los Angeles-based company at a bankruptcy auction.” Read more

 

…American Apparel employees fear massive layoffs loom by Lisa Fickenscher at NY Post. “It feels like there will be a massive layoff,” said one longtime employee who did not want to be identified. “Every time there is a layoff, they increase security here.” Read more

 

Coach Appoints Ex-Saks CFO as CFO Press release

 

Amazon appears ready to produce its own line of workout clothes by Nat Levy at GeekWire. “Amazon posted a trio of job listings in late December for brand managers and senior brand managers working on “Amazon Active Apparel.” The listings, first spotted by Recode, indicate that Amazon is just getting started in this business as most of the duties relate to creating strategies for a stable of private label activewear brands to succeed.” Read more

 

Macy’s CEO Terry Lundgren talks to The Street “I have said this before, but America is still over-stored,” Macy’s long-time Chairman and CEO Terry Lundgren told TheStreet in an interview Wednesday evening. “My guess is that some rationalization of retail space needs to occur, and I think we were at the forefront of acknowledging that” Read more

 

Teen apparel chain rue21 promotes its chief digital officer to chief marketing officer by Matt Linder at Internet Retailer. Read more

 

Sears CEO lends retailer another $500M amid ongoing losses by Lisa Fickenscher at NY Post. “…on top of a $200 million credit line ESL extended to Sears Holding last week.” Read more

 

Amazon is granted a patent for using a subterranean network to deliver packages by Alan Boyle at GeekWire. “The 33-page application lays out the specifications for a network that could transport packages via conveyor belts or rails, or even through pneumatic tubes. (Hyperloop fans, take note.)” Patent pics/Read more

 

Stanley Black & Decker to Buy Craftsman Brand From Sears For $900M at Fox Business. Read more

 

Gap employee refunds a customer for a 17-year-old shirt by Alice Johnston at Daily Mail. “Naturally the store manager was not impressed when the error was discovered and hung the shirt with a note, saying: ‘Who on earth accepted this as a return?!?!?! This item is from the summer of 2000! That was almost 17 years ago!'” Pic/Read more

 

Tipsheet Extra Stories

Customer mistakenly returns Christmas presents to Target, woman attempts to track down owners

Ford’s going to put Alexa in cars starting later this year

Two hero cops dive for cover and kill gunman as they are wounded in terrifying ambush in Walmart

LG reveals ‘wallpaper’ TV just 2.6mm thin and so light it can be hung on the wall with magnets

Why daycare fees in Toronto could jump $360/yr this July

Move Over, Acai. Here Comes the Maqui Berry

NY Times: Start-Ups Hope Couples Say “I Do” to Online Wedding Planning

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Tipsheet: Wmart Hires Ex-Target Agency | Kroger Stock Plummet? | Facebook Pop-Up | China’s Excess Malls

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Retailers weren’t panicking at the end of the holiday season — here’s how you can tell by Krystina Gustafson at CNBC. “…while retail discounts remained rampant over the holidays, they also held steady in the days after Christmas — serving as the latest indication that the 2016 season may have topped original expectations.” Read more

 

Walmart Shifts Massive Media Account to Target’s Former Agency Haworth by Jack Neff at Ad Age. “Haworth has a longtime relationship with Michael Francis, the former Target chief marketing officer who worked with the agency for years there. Then Mr. Francis brought Haworth on board at Dreamworks Animation during his three-year stint as CMO there, which ended in August 2015, less than five months before he began work as a consultant with Walmart.” Read more

 

It’s alive: Amazon’s drive-up grocery store in Seattle lights up — but still no word on opening by Nat Levy at GeekWire. “A series of what look like cords coming out of the paneling indicate crews may soon put up a sign, which would be Amazon’s first public acknowledgment of the store.” Pics/Read more

 

Why Kroger is one of analyst’s six picks to plummet (Walmart too…) by Steve Watkins at Cincinnati Business Courier. Read more

 

Amazon launches individual marketplace pilot in India, will pick up and ship items for sellers by Nat Levy at GeekWire. “Not only is it providing the marketplace, Amazon is also taking care of the logistics. According to the website for the new Sell as an Individual pilot program, first spotted by Mashable, after a transaction is completed, Amazon will pick up the items, pack them up and ship them to the buyer.” Read more

 

Here come ‘smart stores’ with robots, interactive shelves by Anne d’Innocenzio at AP via Yahoo. Read more

 

Amazon Air-Cargo Operator Buys Repair Shop by Doug Cameron at Wall Street Journal. “One of the two providers to the fledgling Amazon.com Inc. air-cargo operation has acquired an aircraft-maintenance business that ultimately could compete with Boeing Co. in converting passenger planes for cargo use.” Read more (subscription)

 

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Wal-Mart names Dann Moore new regional general manager to oversee 110 Cincinnati stores by Kaitlin Schroeder at Dayton Business Journal. Read more

 

China Has Too Many Shopping Malls by Dominique Fong at Wall Street Journal. “Chongqing’s glut of shopping malls is a vivid sign of a big miscalculation now imperiling China’s retail economy. For the past five years, developers have been churning out new supply at a record pace on the assumption that the growth of the country’s middle class would greatly boost shopping and create enormous demand among retailers for store space.” Read more (subscription)

 

Amazon doubles deliveries in 2016 for third-party sellers by Jeffrey Dastin at Reuters. “Active sellers using the fulfillment service rose more than 70 percent in the year, Amazon said on Wednesday. It did not specify the total number of vendors.” Read more

 

FACEBOOK POP-UP: Facebook virtual-reality tour makes immersive stop at Denver airport by Tumara Chuang at Denver Post. “The curious can try on a pair of Samsung Gear VR goggles for free to get a better sense of what immersive 360-degree video feels like. Facebook has attendees on hand between 10 to 6 p.m. daily.” Pics/Read more

 

Why Amazon is so secretive: Longtime board member explains the company’s mindset by Dan Richman at GeekWire. “(Bezos) likes to say you get the investors you ask for, meaning that if you focus on 2 cents more profit per quarter, then you get investors who focus on that.” Read more

 

Wal-Mart, Liverpool Seen Hardest Hit by Gas Hikes in Mexico by Michelle Davis at Bloomberg. “Mexican consumer companies from Wal-Mart de Mexico SAB to El Puerto de Liverpool SAB may see sales flag when the country raises gasoline prices by as much as 20 percent in January.” Read more

 

Aldi accused of racial vilification over Christmas ad depicting Americans as ‘gaudy’ and ‘pushy’ by Bruce McDougall at The Daily Telegraph. “In it the Tinkletons, clad in Christmas attire, run amok through a house of “normal” Australians throwing decorations and singing. The Americans are convinced their Christmas is better than Australia’s but they are up against perfect Aussie weather, backyard barbies, days at the beach and seafood feasts.” Read more

 

AMAZON SPHERE UPDATE – Lush nature paradise to adorn $4 billion urban campus by Angel Gonzalez at Seattle Times. “A recent walk through the Spheres showed construction is well along. A towering concrete wall is in place that next year will be a canvas to luxuriant vegetation. So are the five stories through which more than 800 Amazonians at a time will be able to roam.” Read more

 

Nike signs No. 1 golfer Jason Day by Matthew Kish at Portland Business Journal. Read more

 

Mattel is building an Alexa for kids by Mark Wilson at Fast Company. “Aristotle will have various retail partners, but it’s also compatible—rather than competitive—with Amazon’s Alexa service. So in what Mattel calls “parent mode,” anything a parent would ask Alexa can be asked through Aristotle. They simply begin a question with “Alexa” rather than “Aristotle”.” Read more

 

George Lucas Can’t Give His $1.5 Billion Museum Away by Devin Leonard at Bloomberg. “The monumental project has brought him almost as much grief as Jar Jar Binks, the prequel creature from the planet Naboo with an oddly Jamaican accent that some found racially offensive. Lucas tried to build in San Francisco’s Presidio, which is a national park, and then on Chicago’s downtown waterfront, only to abandon both sites after being assailed by local forces.” Read more

 

Tipsheet Extra Stories

Struggling watch seller Tourneau having trouble finding a buyer

Woody Harrelson Eyed to Play Han Solo’s Mentor in ‘Star Wars’ Spinoff

Toby Keith’s “I Love This Bar” #1 with drunk drivers in Massachusetts

After 122 years, historic Minnesota general store goes out of business

Jack in the Box Tacos Have Been Described as ‘Cat Food’ But Americans Eat 554 Mil Each Year

Amazon Fire and Alexa-powered 4K UHD TVs coming later this year

Man murdered inside Tomball Walmart

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Tipsheet: Ross Buy Macy’s? | JCP HQ Sells @ $400M | HBR Omni Study | Cabela’s/Bass Snafu?

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Could Macy’s be acquired by Ross Stores in 2017? by Andy Brownfield at Cincinnati Business Courier. “The idea of off-price retailer Ross Stores buying Macy’s , which boasts numerous high-end locations in major U.S. cities under the Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s banners, would have once seemed unthinkable,” Sozzi writes.” Read more

 

…Sozzi prediction #2: Dunkin’ Brands buy David’s Tea? Read more via The Street 

 

New SEC filing lists potential roadblocks in proposed Cabela’s-Bass Pro deal by Steve Jordon at Omaha World-Herald. “…making some investors nervous about the deal’s future…And Capital One Bank “likely” will not get federal bank regulators’ approval to acquire Cabela’s World’s Foremost Bank before Oct. 3, 2017, when the bank-purchase agreement could be dropped, according to the filing.” Read more

 

A Study of 46,000 Shoppers Shows That Omnichannel Retailing Works at Harvard Business Review. “Within six months after an omnichannel shopping experience, these customers had logged 23% more repeat shopping trips to the retailer’s stores and were more likely to recommend the brand to family and friends than those who used a single channel.” Read more

 

Amazon’s 1-Click Multi-Billion Dollar Patent Expires In 2017 by Ian Morris at Forbes. Read more

 

J.C. Penney’s Plano campus sells for more than $400 million by Steve Brown at Dallas News. “J.C.Penney plans to consolidate its offices into about 600,000 square feet in the north end of the building. Penney’s downsizing will leave more than 1 million square feet of office space that can be renovated and rented to other businesses.” Read more

 

Here’s what happens to all those unwanted Christmas presents by Lisa Fickenscher at NY Post. “Just 5 percent of returned presents go directly back onto the same store’s shelves, Moriarty estimates. For the rest of the goods, the trip back to the store is just the beginning of a long and strange journey that can take that party dress or dollhouse either halfway around the world — or just around to the other side of town.” Read more

 

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Meijer fires photo lab workers who texted couple’s pregnancy announcement photos to their friends by Anneta Konstantinides at Daily Mail. “The Allegan County Sheriff’s department is also investigating to determine if the photo leak was a crime. Areaux filed a complaint with the department after she became unsatisfied with how Meijer handled the scandal.” Read more

 

MediaRadar: Media spending at eight large retailers by Don Davis at Internet Retailer. Print/TV/Online breakdown

 

Harvard Business Review: How 4 Retailers Became “Best Places to Work” by Zeynep Ton & Sarah Kolloch. “HEB, Costco, Trader Joe’s, and QuikTrip all made Glassdoor’s 2017 “Best Places to Work: Employees’ Choice” list…Over the past year, we hosted current or former leaders from each of these retailers at MIT’s Sloan School of Management, and all four talked about a corporate culture of setting high expectations and creating conditions that encourage employees to innovate.” Read more

 

Retail’s laggards will have a tough time passing the blame this Christmas by Krystina Gustafson at CNBC. Read more

 

Costco chicken plant raises environmental concerns by Nicholas Bergin at Lincoln Journal Star. “Now is the time to really look at it and ask questions,” said Duane Hovorka, director of the Nebraska Wildlife Federation. “It’s much more difficult once you’re already in place and up and operating to change the operation.” Read more

 

Edmontonians line up at Costco gas pumps to beat carbon tax by Emma Graney at Edmonton Sun. “The effect of the $20-per-tonne carbon pricing, introduced by government as part of its climate leadership plan, was immediately obvious on gas prices. The tax hikes the cost of gasoline by 4.49 cents per litre.” Read more

 

Woman opens Christmas gift from Walmart to find box packed with sprouting potatoes by Andrew Lynch at Fox 4 KC. “My dad is very upset, it’s not what he purchased for $150. I’m hoping Walmart can work with me. Hopefully we can get it fixed.” Video/Read more

 

Cameron Diaz shops for organic veggies at Whole Foods during grocery run in LA at Daily Mail. Pics

 

Thieves steal $6M in jewels while ball drops on New Year’s Eve at NY Post. “The burglars were caught on video inside Gregg Ruth, a commercial jewelry store known for its rare yellow and pink diamonds. One of the robbers, a bearded white male in a hood without a mask, looks straight into the camera during the heist, surveillance footage shows.” Read more

 

Tipsheet Extra Stories

2 planes collide, 1 crashes in Home Depot parking lot

Toymakers are the early adopters pushing AR into the mainstream

How Inventors and Ad Agencies Are Starting to Shape the Internet of Things’ Next Phase

Army veteran steps in to help man shot at Texas Walmart

Why retail CFOs turn over at a rapid rate

Run-DMC Sues Walmart & Amazon for $50M

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