Analyst predicts Costco will soon build stores in China for the first time by Tae Kim at CNBC. "It appears COST is on the verge of a bigger push into China … last week's launch of an official flagship store on the 'Tmall' platform (with an expanded assortment of furniture, consumer electronics, and wine) suggests COST has broader ambitions for the market," analyst Peter Benedict wrote in a note to clients Thursday titled "Flying Below the Radar - China Expansion on Tap?" Read more   Sam's Club is eliminating about 700 back-office positions by Robbie Neiswanger at Arkansas Online. [...]

  Finish Line Q2 comp sales -4.5% "Our second quarter results were shaped by a very promotional marketplace for athletic footwear,” said Sam Sato, Chief Executive Officer of Finish Line." Press release   WISH is worth more than Sears, Macy's and JC Penney… combined by Gene Marks at Washington Post via San Diego Tribune. "How about a $1 wristwatch or an $8 sweater? Or better yet, how about paying just the shipping costs-and almost nothing more-for a necklace, a plastic toy or lipstick? All of this is yours if you don't mind waiting two-to-four weeks. The low prices are due to where [...]

  Amazon is taking on the drug supply chain by Christina Farr at CNBC. "Citing an anonymous analyst, the report states that Amazon may "indeed be in conversations with some middle-market PBMs now, in an effort to get into various contract arrangements." That suggests that Amazon is a "bigger threat" than many expect, but that it won't be right away. Leerink estimates that it will take about 18 to 24 months for Amazon to get pharmacy licenses in all 50 states." Read more   Fortune’s 2017 Most Powerful Women in Business List Full list   Target rolls out Bluetooth beacon [...]

  Bed Bath & Beyond Q2 comp sales -2.6% "Comparable sales from customer-facing digital channels continued to have strong growth in excess of 20% for the 13th consecutive quarter, while comparable sales from stores declined in the mid-single-digit percentage range." Press release   Early forecast calls for stronger holiday season for retailers at CNBC. "Deloitte said it expects retailers to see holiday sales growth of as much as 4.5 percent. Last year, total sales for the season climbed 3.6 percent, matching results in 2015." Read more   Walgreens gets regulatory nod for slimmed-down Rite Aid deal at Reuters. "Walgreens will acquire [...]

  Wal-Mart to allow shoppers on food stamps to order groceries online at some locations at CNBC. "Currently, Wal-Mart offers the EBT option for online grocery pickup at one store in the Houston area and four stores near Boise, Idaho. The company said it plans to bring the service to more markets "through the holiday season and beyond." Read more   AutoZone Q4 comp sales +1.0% "AutoZone today reported net sales of $3.5 billion for its fourth quarter ended August 26, 2017, an increase of 3.3% from the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016." Press release   Kohl’s Announces Amazon Returns at Select Kohl’s [...]

  Walgreens Said to Tweak Rite Aid Deal to Gain U.S. Approval by David McLaughlin & Robert Langreth at Bloomberg. "The companies and the FTC are close to an agreement that would allow the deal to proceed, said the people, who declined to discuss details of the revised transaction. The number of stores involved in the latest iteration won’t change dramatically, one of the people said." Read more   Dollar Tree names Gary Philbin as new CEO at Reuters. "Philbin, 60, joined Dollar Tree as senior vice president of stores in 2001 and was named chief operating officer six years [...]

  EBay partners with fashion marketplace Spring in growing rivalry with Amazon, Wal-Mart at CNBC. "Shoppers will now be able to browse the looks of David Yurman, Rag & Bone, Mango and Chloe on eBay's website, the same site that lets customers bid on toys, power tools and motorcycles." Read more   Target has jumped from Apple to Android for sales-floor devices by Marc Reilly at Minneapolis/St.Paul Business Journal. "Apple's iOS has drawn criticism from store employees for various technical issues — you can see some of the gripes on the unofficial Target Reddit page— and for the lack of changeable batteries. [...]

  Wal-Mart Is Simplifying Its Sprawling U.S. Store Operations by Matthew Boyle at Bloomberg. "According to a person familiar with the overhaul, the retailer will consolidate its U.S. business to four divisions, down from six...The number of U.S. regions will be reduced from 44 to 36, according to the person...Wal-Mart was already operating with only five divisional chiefs." Read more   Nordstrom family nears deal with Leonard Green in bid to take department store private at CNBC. "Nordstrom family members are close to choosing private equity firm Leonard Green & Partners to help fund a buyout of the eponymous department [...]