Tipsheet: Kroger Subsid Bars Visa | eBay Pulls Trump Rubble | L.Liquid. +4.7%

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Kroger’s California subsidiary to bar Visa credit cards amid fee dispute at CNBC. “”Visa’s rates and fees are among the highest of any credit card brand,” Foods Co. said…The ban on Visa credit cards will take effect starting Aug. 14 and affect 21 Foods Co. stores and fuel centers in central and north California.” Read more

 

Lumber Liquidators Q2 Comp Sales +4.7% Press release

 

How a warehouse fire sparked company-wide innovation at Gap by Elizabeth Segran at Fast Company. Read more

 

Phoenix will be the first city for Kroger’s driverless grocery delivery by Steve Watkins at Cincinnati Business Courier. Read more

 

Big Pharma’s trick for making generic drugs more expensive at MarketWatch via NY Post. ““What was striking for us was how visible those price spikes were in the months right before the generic comes out,” Thomas Goetz, chief of research at GoodRx, told MarketWatch. “In essence, the system is not getting the benefit of a discounted price, as seen a few months before.” Read more

 

Fired Wawa worker claims illegal lunch break policy led to ‘seven-month nightmare’ at Philly Inquirer. Tiered subs.

 

Man faces 40 years in prison after being found guilty of making bombs and trying to pay $10,000 to have them placed on Target store shelves at Daily Mail. “Barnett’s goal was said to be to detonate the bombs in the Target stores, forcing stock prices to fall, at which point he would buy the stocks at the lower price and then sell it on for a profit.” Read more

 

Rent-A-Center Q2 Comp Sales +3.7% Press release

 

**A message from X1 Bike – The amazing Electric Bike that’s amazingly affordable! Up to 35 miles on a single 4-hour charge & a top speed of 20 mph. Folds into the size of a golf bag in 1 second. No license or tag required to use it. GPS tracking, VIN # & alarm for security. Video | Website | Contact

 

Standard Cognition is first Amazon Go rival to unveil deal with stores by Sean Captain at Fast Company. “The deal is with Paltac Corporation, the biggest supplier to drugstore-style shops in Japan. It begins modestly, with a single pilot store in the city of Sendai, about four hours north of Tokyo, set to open in early 2019. Then it ramps up fast: The plan is to outfit over 3,000 stores in time for the Tokyo Olympics in July 2020.” Read more/Video

 

Jeff Bezos’ kids made their own DJ Roomba with an Echo by Dami Lee at The Verge. “…Amazon is reportedly working on its first home robot, something akin to a “mobile Alexa”, Bloomberg reported in April.” Pic/Read more

 

Links in 7-Eleven’s Chain Threaten to Snap as Store Owners Balk at Contract by Rachel Abrams at NY Times. Tiered subs.

 

Jamie Dimon once talked to Jeff Bezos about taking a job at Amazon at CNBC. “”He was looking for a president and I flew to Amazon after I left Citi — was fired from Citi — and we had a great lunch,” Dimon told CNBC’s Wilfred Frost Monday. “I had this vision I’d never wear a suit again, I’d live in a house boat like Tom Hanks.” (In the movie “Sleepless in Seattle.”).” Read more

 

Why shoppers may pay more for tissues, toilet paper at Reuters. “P&G, the purveyor of Charmin toilet paper, Bounty towels and Puffs tissues, said on Tuesday that it had recently begun notifying retailers of a 5-percent average price increase on all three brands. The company said it had also started rolling out an average 4-percent price increase on Pampers diapers in North America.” Read more

 

Amazon SVP: It’s not our job to worry about fears we’re killing retailers and destroying jobs at Business Insider. Read more

 

Dippin’ Dots deliveryman left dry ice in the back seat of his car. It may have asphyxiated his mother. by Antonia Farzan at Washington Post. “For people in the ice cream business, dealing with dry ice can be an occupational hazard. Justin Woolverton, the founder of Halo Top Creamery, told Inc. magazine that he nearly died of asphyxiation a few months after starting the company. Driving through Los Angeles with 40 pints of ice cream on the back seat, he started having trouble breathing, then began to hyperventilate.” Tiered subs.

 

eBay pulls Trump rubble auction at TMZ. “The poor sap who tried selling a piece of Donald Trump’s Hollywood Walk of Fame star on eBay just had his get-rich-quick dreams shattered…A rep for eBay tells TMZ the user’s post violated the company’s “Other Illegal Activity” provision.” Pics/Read more

 

Tipsheet Extra Stories

How this 32-year-old ‘Shark Tank’ reject got her lipsticks on the shelves at Target

See Jimmy John’s founder’s mega yacht

A Midwestern chain told Hawaiians to stop using ‘Aloha’ with ‘Poke’

We found the original 8 Austin H-E-B stores

Scoreboard ‘pin’ falls on Cub fans head – rally bucket may have saved his life

Massachusetts Becomes Sixth State to Raise Legal Smoking Age to 21

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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: WM’s Last Mile Hiccup | 50% Drunk Shop | Amazon Injuries

/in

 

Walmart’s vision of using store employees to deliver online orders to shoppers’ not going as planned by Nandita Bose at Reuters. “Walmart is now testing a more modest service with just four Walmart employees who deliver goods from a single store in Woodstock, Georgia, Reuters has learned…Walmart is also overhauling the guidelines for employees and limiting deliveries to groceries and related items such as paper plates. Walmart spokeswoman Molly Blakeman confirmed that the retailer ended its first experiment early this year.” Read more

 

Ten weeks into J.C. Penney CEO search, chairman Ron Tysoe said ‘high-caliber candidates’ are interested by Maria Halkias at Dallas Morning News. ““People in retailing want to stay in retailing. It’s like a drug; they’re addicted to it. The airline industry is similar,” said Ron Zera, managing director of the Dallas office of Korn Ferry.” Tiered subs.

 

Accidents at Amazon: workers left to suffer after warehouse injuries by Michael Sainato at The Guardian. “Allen said she rejected the buyout offer to speak out against Amazon’s treatment of her. She currently lives out of her car in the parking lot of the Amazon fulfillment center. “They cost me my home, they screwed me over and over and I go days without eating.” Read more

 

According to Wall Street Journal, Walmart has enlisted the services of Mark Greenberg to help build a subscription video streaming service by Brian Heater at TechCrunch. “…Greenberg — who left the role of CEO at Epix in September — is well-positioned to help.” Read more | WSJ article (subs.)

 

Syrians find plenty of bargains at markets for looted goods — sometimes their own by Nabih Bulos at LA Times. “Abu Ahmad, a villager…left home this month to escape the government’s latest offensive on Dara. A week later, he came back to a house pillaged to its foundation. “The fighters took the doors, fridge, freezer, ovens, generators, even the wiring.… Nothing was left, and the army was watching them do it,” he said in a recent Facebook chat.” Tiered subs.

 

The CEOs of Macy’s, Zola and Crate and Barrel will speak at Code Commerce in September at Recode. Read more

 

**A message from Real Coconut Water – Our Brazilian Coconut Water is Sweeter than the Rest! Organic & Natural, PL & Branded. Sell sheet | Website | Request samples: info@eyeonretail.net

 

Product scanning is one of the most popular features in retail apps by April Berthene at Internet Retailer. “Retail apps on average have a double-digit conversion rate, but only 7% of consumers that download a retail app go on to purchase, and the cost for a retailer to acquire an app customer is more than $58, a new study finds.” Read more

 

US Foods to buy SGA’s Food Group for $1.8 billion at Reuters. Read more

 

New York, in Unprecedented Move, Votes to Kick Spectrum Cable Out of the State by David Z. Morris at Fortune. Read more

 

Idaho inmates hacked prison-issued tablets for $225,000 in credits at AP “The hand-held computer tablets are popular in prisons across the country, and they are made available to Idaho inmates through a contract with CenturyLink and JPay. The tablets allow inmates to email their families and friends, purchase and listen to music or play simple electronic games.” Read more

 

Home Depot’s Stacey Tank to chair judging for 2019 PRWeek Awards PR Week Subs.

 

Almost half of Americans shop online while drunk at CNBC. “A new survey finds that Americans who shop online under the influence spend over $40 each time. Gin drinkers actually spend the most, about $82 on average…Americans spend $30.4 billion on spontaneous drunk purchases, the most common being food, followed by shoes and clothes. That’s about $447.57 per person.” Read more

 

Tipsheet Extra Stories

LinkedIn adds voicemail feature to messaging

Why YouTube Red became YouTube Premium

Amazon Taps ‘Star Trek 4’ Duo to Develop ‘Lord of the Rings’ TV Series

This entrepreneur wants plastic toothbrushes to disappear

Netflix says that season 3 of Stranger Things ‘will be worth the wait’

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Eye on Retail Tipsheet is must-read material for 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: JCP Eyes Mom | Target Adds WM Exec | PillPack Dad | Vanilla Violence

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Second-quarter GDP jumps 4.1% for best pace in nearly four years at CNBC. Read more

 

Done Chasing Millennials, J.C. Penney Tries to Win Back Moms by Suzanne Kapner at The Wall Street Journal. “Penney Chairman Ronald Tysoe said the board’s priority is to recruit a CEO with apparel experience…“The challenge is to reinvent, but you don’t want to throw the baby out with the bathwater,” Mr. Tysoe said. “To some extent, we did that.” Subscription

 

Target adds former Walmart exec to supply-chain team by David Clarey at Minneapolis/St.Paul Business Journal. “Gemma Kubat will be Target’s senior vice president of supply chain engineering and activation, starting on Aug. 6. Kubat most recently worked at Walmart Stores Inc. as its vice president of global business services.” Read more | Press release

 

Amazon Second Quarter Sales up 39% to $52.9 Billion Press release

 

Walmart and Capital One Sign Credit Card Program Agreement “Capital One will become the exclusive issuer of Walmart’s private label and co-branded credit card program in the U.S. beginning August 1, 2019.” Press release

 

United Natural Foods will work toward exiting Supervalu’s retail business by Brian Feldt at St.Louis Post Dispatch. “We’re not going to be in the retail business, it’s just not what we do,” (UNF’s CEO) said.” Read more

 

…Supervalu Q1 retail comp sales +0.4% Press release

 

Walgreens Launches Digital Marketplace Listing Providers And Prices by Bruce Japsen at Forbes. Read more

 

**A message from X1 Bike – The amazing Electric Bike that’s amazingly affordable! Up to 35 miles on a single 4-hour charge & a top speed of 20 mph. Folds into the size of a golf bag in 1 second. No license or tag required to use it. GPS tracking, VIN # & alarm for security. Video | Website | Contact

 

Sam’s Club sets up technology hub in downtown Dallas at Talk Business. “Sam’s Club recently hired about 100 employees to work in its new downtown Dallas technology center. The tech employees are now working in South Lake in co-working spaces until the new offices are open at 603 Munger Ave., in the West End section of downtown.” Read more

 

Boot Barn Adds Ex-Petco CEO & Floor & Decor Chief Merchandising Officer to Board Press release

 

RadioShack to Open over 100 New Express Locations “It announced a partnership with HobbyTown last week to bring RadioShack branded electronics to over 60 HobbyTown franchise store locations nationwide. Over time this new RadioShack Express “store-within-a-store” concept will be rolled out to HobbyTown in over 100 of their locally owned stores.” Press release

 

Walmart plans to create 30,000 jobs in India at Economic Times. “Walmart India had signed a memorandum of understanding with the state government to open 15 wholesale Cash and Carry stores. Each store is likely to create 2,000 direct and indirect jobs.” Read more

 

Foods That Target Depression and Anxiety by Kathleen Squires at The Wall Street Journal. “Next month, the World Journal of Psychiatry will publish “Antidepressant Foods: An Evidence-based Nutrient Profiling System for Depression”…The foods richest in (key ingredients) include bivalves such as clams, mussels and oysters; leafy greens such as kale and spinach; wild salmon; organ meats; nuts; beans and seeds.” Subscription

 

US Senate quietly votes to cut tariffs on hundreds of Chinese goods via CNBC. Read more

 

At PillPack, a lot of credit goes to dad by Scott Kirsner at Boston Globe. “…not all of the investors were initially convinced about PillPack’s potential. Frankel says that part of what eventually persuaded them was “the edge that TJ articulated to us. He said, ‘We won’t need to invest in robots; we’re going to use the robots that my dad uses for his eldercare business, use that same [individual dose] packaging, and try this thing out.’” Read more

 

Soaring vanilla prices bring crime, violence, and death to Madagascan farmers, where 80 percent of the world’s vanilla is grown at Reuters. 2:06 video

 

Apple needs to publicize its store device security measures to deter robberies by Ben Lovejoy at 9To5 Mac. “iPhones, iPads and Macs alike are all protected in this way. Once the device goes out of range of the store Wi-Fi, it is automatically bricked.” Read more

 

Tipsheet Extra Stories

Lawsuit filed against Cabela’s by family of woman killed with straw purchase gun

533 Macau greyhounds await their forever homes

Ontario Premier Doug Ford set to privatize legal cannabis sales

This athletic bag removes the stink from workouts

Fired Dollar General Manager shares his side of the “coupon” story

Wegmans VP of produce Dave Corsi to serve as Center for Produce Safety chairman

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Website: www.eyeonretail.net

Tipsheet: Supervalu Sold | Target Apologizes | Wegmans Cares #11 | T.Supply +5.6%

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United Natural Foods to buy grocery retailer Supervalu in $2.9 billion deal at CNBC. “United Natural Foods…offered Supervalu shareholders $32.50 per share in cash, a 67 percent premium to Supervalu’s Wednesday closing price…United Natural Foods is the the primary supplier for Amazon’s Whole Foods Market, and said it plans to sell some Supervalu retail assets after the deal.” Read more

 

Walmart makes a bigger bet on its baby business following Babies R Us’ demise at CNBC. “Walmart said that over the past year it’s added 30,000 additional items to its baby assortment online. Searches for baby-related items on Walmart.com have jumped roughly 40 percent over the same time frame, Walmart spokeswoman Danit Marquardt told CNBC.” Read more

 

Target apologizes for recreating CBGB storefront for new East Village store grand opening by Rachel Desantis at NY Daily News. “We sincerely apologize if some eventgoers felt it was not the best way to capture the spirit of the neighborhood,” a spokesperson said in a statement.” Read more

 

Executive Shari Ballard is leaving Best Buy by Kavita Kumar at Star Tribune. “Ballard, 52, is currently president of multi­channel retail overseeing stores, e-commerce, Best Buy Mexico and real estate…”My reason for leaving, as simple as it sounds, is that it’s time,” she wrote in the e-mail, which was obtained by the Star Tribune.” Tiered subs.

 

People’s 2018 Companies that Care list (Wegmans #11, Patagonia #21, Ikea #31, Nordstrom #34, REI #37, QuikTrip #49) List

 

Retailers set sights on Facebook, Google ad revenue at Reuters. “Target homed in on shoppers who likely had allergies and showed them ads for Dyson’s cordless V6 vacuum on social media and Target’s website. The result: sales for the vacuums doubled among shoppers who regularly purchase anti-allergy treatments and products such as Claritin or humidifiers on Target.com and in stores.” Read more

 

Tractor Supply Q2 Comp Sales +5.6% Press release

 

**A message from BK Resources – We’re your source for industrial kitchen equipment. Leading supplier of stainless steel: commercial faucets, sinks, work tables, bar equipment, ice bins and more. Catalog | Website | Contact

 

Neighborhood Market still evolving as it celebrates 20 years by Kim Souza at Talk Business. Read more

 

Kroger is launching a new house brand line of razors and grooming products by Alexander Coolidge at Cincinnati Enquirer. “Kroger announced the new line, Bromley’s For Men, on Wednesday. It features premium razors and replaceable blades, shaving accessories and skincare.” Read more

 

San Jose liquor store sells winning $543M lottery ticket, gets own windfall by Stephen Ellison at NBC. “It is the largest jackpot in California Lottery history, the third largest in Mega Millions history and the ninth largest lottery jackpot in U.S. history…The owner of Ernie’s Liquors will receive a $1 million bonus for selling the jackpot ticket, lottery officials said.” Read more

 

Godiva Names Former Burberry Executive as New CFO by Nina Trentman at The Wall Street Journal. Subscription

 

Amazon expected to report huge jump in second-quarter profits as it nears $1 trillion milestone at CNBC. “Wall Street estimates Amazon to post second-quarter profit of $2.50 per share, or roughly $1.2 billion, up from the 40 cents per share reported a year ago, according to a Thomson Reuters consensus estimate. That would be nearly a six-fold increase from the year-ago period.” Read more

 

Loblaw quarterly comp sales: Food retail division +0.8% excluding gas / Shoppers Drug Mart +1.7% at Toronto Star. Read more

 

Burberry Receives Backlash for Burning $38 Million of Unsold Products by Lindsay Weinberg at Hollywood Reporter. “Burberry says the energy that was released from burning the clothing was captured, making it environmentally friendly.” Read more

 

Band Of Female Lululemon Thieves Hit A Dozen Stores Across The Bay Area at CBS KPIX 5. Video/Read more

 

Tipsheet Extra Stories

Wheelchair-bound man who sues inaccessible shops can walk

Walmart to spend $175 million on high-tech Surrey, BC warehouse

Amazon pays $1.5M to fund more public bus service around its Seattle HQ

U.S. Embassies Around the World Are Auctioning Off Seriously Bizarre Items

Steak ‘n Shake tries — and fails — to throw shade at Wendy’s

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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: WM/Waymo Team | Millennials Love Plants | E-cig Battle

/in

 

Waymo strikes deals with Walmart, others to boost access to self-driving cars at CNBC. “Waymo autonomous vehicles will pick up customers and drive them to various locations in the Phoenix area. In some cases, customers will be offered savings or deals in order to be shuttled around in Waymo vehicles.” Read more

 

Congressional committee hears opinions on the online tax issue by Allison Enright at Internet Retailer. “Eight citizens provided testimony before the committee, including online sellers, a representative of state legislatures and tax reform proponents.” Read more

 

Lululemon names former Sears Canada exec Calvin McDonald as new CEO via Financial Post. “McDonald joins from cosmetics retailer Sephora, where he was head of the Americas region, and will start in his new role on Aug. 20.” Read more

 

Mass. Attorney General fires up e-cig battle by Brian Dowling at Boston Herald. “(Maura) Healey announced her office is investigating Juul, which has nearly two-thirds of the U.S.’ $2 billion vaping market, for its marketing strategies and has issued cease-and-desist orders to three websites that sell the products in Massachusetts without age verification systems.” Read more

 

7-Eleven at odds with franchisees over new agreements by Kyle Arnold at Orlando Sentinel. “Franchisees are just discovering the details of the new deal, which starts in 2019 and requires for the first time a renewal fee of $50,000, a bigger share of profits to the corporate parent and for stores to stay open on Christmas.” Read more

 

Three internet bosses lead list of top-paid retail CEOs by Patrick Thomas at The Wall Street Journal via Toronto Star. “The highest-paid chief executive in the retail industry…was Stephen Kaufer, CEO of the online travel company TripAdvisor…Third place was Reed Hastings, of Netflix. Then came Doug McMillon, CEO of Walmart.” Read more

 

Walmart adding a tasting station to liquor store in Missouri by Kim Souza at Talk Business. “The tasting area is located in the center of the store and will be run by third parties like other demo stations seen routinely in supercenters, according to Anne Hatfield, corporate spokeswoman at Walmart.” Read more

 

**A message from Real Coconut Water – Our Brazilian Coconut Water is Sweeter than the Rest! Organic & Natural, PL & Branded. Sell sheet | Website | Request samples: info@eyeonretail.net

 

Why millennials are plant addicts by Lisa Boone at LA Times. “Gutierrez stocks about 100 tillandsia per week and says the majority are purchased by young people. She even had to change the store’s credit card policy because millennial customers seem to rarely have cash.” Tiered subs.

 

Google’s Cloud CEO takes a jab at Amazon’s Prime day failure at CNBC. “We’re proud of how we got you through Black Friday and Cyber Monday last fall,” she told Target’s chief digital officer.” Read more

 

Sears prevails in patent dispute with wrench inventor by Brigid Sweeney at Crain’s Chicago Business. “The decision…reverses a decision last year that awarded LoggerHead nearly $6 million in damages. At the time, LoggerHead’s victory—combined with owner Dan Brown’s impassioned explanation of the harm to small inventors inflicted by big businesses’ patent infringement—made news.” Tiered subs.

 

Jason Ropell Out as Amazon Film Chief by Brent Lang at Variety. “His ouster comes as newly minted Amazon Studios head Jennifer Salke is shaking things up…Salke is moving the company in a different direction and is believed to be looking to back projects on both the film and television front that are more mainstream and less esoteric.” Read more

 

Minneapolis Marshalls still closed after suspected arson causes over $500,000 in damage by David Clarey at Minneapolis/St.Paul Business Journal. “On July 15, a customer allegedly set fire to a display rack and caused over $500,000 in damage to store clothing…There have been no arrests.” Read more

 

The psychology behind Instant Pot’s monster success by Mark Wilson at Fast Company. “Instant Pot’s name deserves no small amount of credit for its success. After all, it’s an electric pressure cooker. Pressure cookers have existed for decades…But the term “pressure cooker” has a psychological weight. It conjures up images of a dangerous, hissing tool that can be turned into a makeshift bomb.” Read more

 

Tipsheet Extra Stories

Cute little goldfish turn into huge monsters if you dump them into a lake

Investors bet on Vegas sports gambling network being the next CNBC

Seattle’s new streetcars may not fit on tracks

Hackers Breached Virginia Bank Twice in Eight Months, Stole $2.4M

Big Alcohol Prepares For The Green Wave

Sean Spicer book tour stop at BJ’s store nixed over ‘political climate’

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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/Google Team | Tesco Discount Chain | Amazon/Avis Team

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Google CEO confirms Target as big cloud customer by Nat Levy a GeekWire. “The announcement follows reports last year that Target was shopping for a new cloud provider, reportedly deciding it wanted to scale back business with a company it is also competing with in Amazon.” Read more

 

Shares of online pet pharmacy PetMeds drop the most in 6 years after earnings miss at CNBC. “President and CEO Menderes Akdag said the profit miss resulted from decreasing prices on products and increased advertising to attract new customers.” Read more

 

Overstock is making a push into real estate at CNN Money. “Overstock announced Monday that it is relaunching Houserie, a real estate property management site it bought in February. The site will be geared toward landlords with services like background checks for potential tenants and rent payment management.” Read more

 

New Tesco discount chain could launch as early as September by Sarah Butler at The Guardian. “Retail insiders say Tesco may name the chain Jack’s after a division of the grocery group recently attempted to register the name as a retail trademark. It was reported on Sunday that up to 60 stores could be launched by the UK’s biggest retailer.” Read more

 

The Container Store Launches New Brand Campaign Press release/4 video spots

 

Former Tesla exec gets top role at luxury retailer Mode Operandi by Anthony Noto at New York Business Journal. “Deborah Nicodemus is stepping down…Her successor will be former Tesla executive Ganesh Srivats, effective Aug. 1.” Read more

 

Amazon and Techstars unveil 9 voice tech startups in the second Alexa accelerator cohort by Taylor Soper at GeekWire. “The startups hail from Seattle to Tel Aviv and are all working on voice-related technologies.” List/Read more

 

Chick-fil-A tests meal kits as first US fast food chain to take on Blue Apron at CNBC. “Chick-fil-A will sell its “Mealtime Kits” at 150 restaurants in and around its headquarters in Atlanta starting Aug. 27. These kits contain pre-measured ingredients and can be picked up from the drive-thru, front counter or ordered through the Chick-fil-A One app.” Read more

 

25 finalists for HEB’s 2018 Quest for Texas Best competition at Houston Business Journal. List/Read more

 

**A message from Kidibul – The festive, bubbly beverage made for kids’ parties! 100% natural & sparkling juice in a champagne type bottle with natural cork & wire to pop. Kids love the bubbles! Website | PowerPoint | Samples: info@eyeonretail.net

 

Harris Teeter introduces a new way to reward loyal customers by Katherine Peralta at Charlotte Observer. “..offers shoppers perks for purchases they make at Harris Teeter stores, as well as at anywhere else Mastercard is accepted…for every 1,000 points customers earn using their Harris Teeter Rewards World Mastercard, they will receive a a $10 Harris Teeter Rewards Check.” Tiered subs.

 

With 3D printing, ‘the downloadable gun’ becomes available August 1 by Josh Hafner at USA Today. Read more

 

The Vitamin Shoppe Announces New CEO “Prior to joining The Vitamin Shoppe, Sharon Leite was the President of Godiva Chocolatier in North America…Prior to that, Ms. Leite was the President of Sally Beauty, US and Canada.” Press release

 

Amazon Expands Delivery From Whole Foods to Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Palm Beach, Long Island & New York City Press release

 

Avis now offering rental car discounts to Amazon customers via CNBC. “Now, when Amazon customers book an Avis vehicle, they will receive an Amazon.com gift card valued at 10 percent of the rental price.” Read more

 

How tech’s richest plan to save themselves after the apocalypse by Douglas Rushkoff at The Guardian. “They knew armed guards would be required to protect their compounds from the angry mobs. But how would they pay the guards once money was worthless?…The billionaires considered using special combination locks on the food supply that only they knew. Or making guards wear disciplinary collars of some kind in return for their survival. Or maybe building robots to serve as guards and workers.” Read more

 

Tipsheet Extra Stories

Uber drivers reportedly still faking vomit spills to rip off passengers

Mayo Clinic doctor researches the science behind the ‘yips’

Why your child’s next painkiller may be a VR headset

Rare David Bowie demo tape found in bread basket

First drive-through pot shop opens

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

 

Website: www.eyeonretail.net

Tipsheet: Target’s CBGB ‘Slap’ | Menear @ White House | Amazon’s ‘DIY Dream’

/in

 

IKEA’s Strategy in India: If We Build It, They Will Come at Wall Street Journal. “The (first store in) India…set to open next month in the southern city of Hyderabad, will feature IKEA’s first in-house furniture-assembly team, with 150 full-time employees. IKEA created the optional service after research indicated many Indians would be unlikely to buy bookshelves and tables they had to screw together.” Subscription

 

Why Amazon Is Warning the U.K. Government About ‘Civil Unrest’ by Grace Dobush at Fortune. “Brexit without a trade deal would lead to civil unrest within two weeks, Amazon’s top U.K. manager said. The Times reported Doug Gurr, head of U.K. and Ireland business for Amazon, privately met with Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab and other business leaders on Friday.” Read more

 

Singer Demi Lovato plays to Amazon’s Prime crowd in Seattle by Kurt Schlosser at GeekWire. Read more/Pics

 

How OfficeMax’s/Supervalu’s former CEO lost more than $4 million, thanks to Wells Fargo’s investment advice by James Rufus Koren at LA Times. “Wells Fargo’s wealth management unit has been ordered to pay $8.6 million in damages and fees to a client — the former chief executive of retailer OfficeMax — who lost millions of dollars in risky Puerto Rico bonds recommended by his financial advisor.” Tiered subs.

 

Trader Joe’s gunman shot his grandmother six times after she told him to turn off the TV at Daily Mail. Read more

 

Amazon’s new feature is a DIYer’s dream by Mark Wilson at Fast Company. “Part Finder’s superpower is the sheer specificity with which it can do the job. It can tell a SplitRivet from a WingNut and a flat head from a pan head. It can identify over 100 types of fasteners in all, “which represents thousands, if not millions of parts,” according to Amazon.” Read more

 

Lowe’s Poaches Another J.C. Penney Exec at Bloomberg. “(Lowe’s) named Joe McFarland executive vice president of stores, the company said. He starts on Aug. 15.” Tiered subs.

 

**A message from X1 Bike – The amazing Electric Bike that’s amazingly affordable! Up to 35 miles on a single 4-hour charge & a top speed of 20 mph. Folds into the size of a golf bag in 1 second. No license or tag required to use it. Stow in a trunk, camper, RV, boat, semi-truck cabin, etc. GPS tracking, VIN # & alarm for security. Video | Website | Contact

 

Bass Pro Shops, Cabelas could be getting Wahlburgers restaurants by Alissa Zhu at Springfield News Leader. “(Johnny) Morris spoke with actor Mark Wahlberg over video during the episode…”Hey Mark, it’s Johnny. I’ve got this big contract before me. We’re very proud, very excited about this,” Morris said.” Read more

 

Home Depot CEO & Walmart VP of People attend White House to sign workforce training pledge at Politico. Read more

 

The museum pop-up craze continues, with patrons willing to pay between $20 and $40 for an experience that looks good on social media at CNBC. “In an experienced-based economy, having a photo on social media is sometimes more valuable than buying an actual item, said Gerald Storch, CEO of Storch Advisors, a retail advisory firm. “It’s just as real if it’s virtual,” said Storch, who also served as vice chairman of Target.” Read more

 

Retail stocks are proving that Amazon is not the industry-killer everyone feared at CNBC. Read more

 

Mortgage, Groupon and card debt: how the bottom half bolsters U.S. economy by Jonathan Spicer at Reuters. “A Reuters analysis of U.S. household data shows that the bottom 60 percent of income-earners have accounted for most of the rise in spending over the past two years even as the their finances worsened – a break with a decades-old trend where the top 40 percent had primarily fueled consumption growth.” Read more

 

Target’s CBGB Recreation Is Another Slap in the Face for Punk Fans by Rob Arcand at Spin. “No throwback to the neighborhood’s heyday could be complete without mention of its infamous punk club CBGB, and Target has thankfully memorialized the venue with its own mock storefront dedicated to the space. Beneath an awning spelling out “TRGT” in the venue’s classic font.” Read more/Pics

 

Tipsheet Extra Stories

Moms slam Target, Walmart for ‘hooker style’ shorts for tweens

Fired Walmart employee films his boss trying to snatch his camera during intense confrontation

Alibaba Looking at Expansion in Advertising, Media Sectors

‘Aquaman’ Is Shaping Up to Be ‘Game of Thrones’ Underwater

Goat saved from Walmart lot after ‘rescuers’ asked if they could eat him

Forbes suggested Amazon should replace libraries, and people aren’t having it

Read Tipsheet Extra Stories

 

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Eye on Retail Tipsheet is must-read material for 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: WM Cuts 150 Optical Jobs | Costco Ontario Deliv | Jewel-Osco New Prez

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Costco launches online grocery shopping delivery in Canada, but only Ontario by Emily Jackson at Vancouver Sun. “Costco eventually plans to expand deliveries to the rest of Ontario and into Quebec. No timelines have been set for other regions in Canada…Costco Wholesale operates 99 warehouses in Canada.” Read more

 

Best Buy Should Be Dead, But It’s Thriving in the Age of Amazon by Susan Berfield & Matthew Boyle at Bloomberg. Tiered subs.

 

Walmart cuts optical center jobs in Arkansas and Indiana by Kim Souza at Talk Business. “Just three years ago Walmart was ramping up its manufacturing operation in Fayetteville that makes optical lens sold by the retail giant. This week roughly 150 workers in Fayetteville were told their jobs are being eliminated along with similar jobs in Crawfordsville, Ind.” Read more

 

eBay Q2 Revenue +9.0% Press release

 

Jewel-Osco names new president after Doug Cygan’s death by Greg Trotter at Chicago Tribune. “Paul Gossett is moving with his wife and son from the Boston area, where he led the Shaw’s and Star Market chains…Between the two chains, Gossett oversaw 153 stores throughout five states in New England, as compared with Jewel’s 187 stores concentrated in the Chicago area.” Tiered subs.

 

Hackers account for 90% of login attempts at online retailers at Quartz. Read more

 

On Amazon, Fake Products Plague Smaller Brands by Laura Stevens at Wall Street Journal. “When it comes to closely held small brands, typically their owners are the only authentic manufacturers. So, in some cases, counterfeiters are listing their versions of hot-selling items on the same page and at lower prices.” Read more (Subs.)

 

Full transcript: Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg on Recode Decode by Kara Swisher at Recode. Transcript

 

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The Inside Story Of Papa John’s Toxic Culture by Noah Kirsch at Forbes. “Based on interviews with 37 current and former Papa John’s employees—including numerous executives and board members—Schnatter’s alleged behavior ranges from spying on his workers to sexually inappropriate conduct, which has resulted in at least two confidential settlements.” Read more

 

Target Launches Same-Day Delivery in Greater New York City Metro Press release

 

I tried to fall asleep in the Dreamery, Casper’s new nap bar by Katharine Schwab at Fast Company. “…the curtains and the felt backing of the pod don’t drown out much noise–instead, there’s white noise and subtle sleepy sounds playing in the background for everyone. As I tried to sleep, I could hear people walking quietly outside. Once I sneezed, and was instantly petrified that everyone else could hear me.” Read more

 

CVS, Walgreens, Walmart object to proposed 8.75% tax on Mass. retail clinics by Jessica Bartlett at Boston Business Journal. Read more

 

Walmart CIO: We Picked Microsoft For Huge Cloud Deal To Accelerate Digital Transformation by Bob Evans at Forbes. “Asked how Walmart seeks to find the best ways to innovate rapidly in spite of its extraordinary size, Johnson chuckled and said, “It’s not easy. For example, take a look at our 5,000 Sam’s Clubs. What happens where you’re able to collect data from all those locations and crunch it to make predictions?” Read more

 

Bossa Nova Robotics acquires Carnegie Mellon spinoff to improve inventory object detection by Khari Johnson at Venture Beat. “The acquisition will help refine object detection carried out by Bossa Nova’s robots, which currently scan Walmart shelves at 50 stores across the United States.” Read more

 

UPS tests NYC in‑building delivery with smart locks‑maker Latch by James Risley at Internet Retailer. “The program is initially rolling out in Manhattan and Brooklyn, letting drivers place packages inside multi-family buildings that are usually locked.” Read more

 

AutoZone, O’Reilly fend off Amazon and Walmart in battle over auto parts market … for now at CNBC. “About 80 percent of AutoZone’s business comes from (DIY)…About 60 percent of O’Reilly’s sales comes from (DIY)…Advance Auto Parts with 40 percent (DIY)…”Amazon is obviously more of a risk to an AutoZone which does a majority of their business in DIY,” Jordan said.” Read more

 

Second Philly marijuana retailer opens, transforming a former Wawa into a spa-like setting by Sam Wood at Philly Inquirer. Tiered subs.

 

Amazon catches flak from Little People over ‘dwarf-tossing’ robot patent by Alan Boyle at GeekWire. “Anytime that ‘tossing’ and ‘dwarf,’ that those words are put together, is a real concern for us,” Michelle Kraus, advocacy director for the organization, told the Mercury News when she heard about the patent.” Read more

 

Tipsheet Extra Stories

Plan to legalize spray paint sales in Chicago resurfaces

Papa John’s, Wendy’s reportedly talked merger before N-word scandal

Shopping Centers Are Spying on Customers for an ICE Contractor

Target has a secret app for superfans, and it looks like Instagram

Pirch Names Steve Smith President and Chief Executive Officer

An early look at Nike’s next-generation store in LA (Pics)

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Eye on Retail Tipsheet is must-read material for 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