Tipsheet: Target CMO Owns It | Lowe’s Eyes H.Dep Playbook | Pilot J Prez in Jail

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Target CMO Says NYC Opening That Went Viral for the Wrong Reasons Made It Rethink Its Strategy by Diana Pearl at Adweek. “Our intention was to celebrate the community,” (Rick) Gomez said. But in trying to do so, the team realized it had “made a big mistake” because it had “tried to be the community rather than being Target.” After coming to that realization, Target came out with an apology.” Tiered subs.

 

J.C.Penney CFO Jeffrey Davis Departs by Paul O’Donnell at Dallas Morning News. “…the Penney announcement didn’t specify where Davis is going…the third C-suite executive to leave the 114-year-old retailer this year.” Tiered subs.

 

Former Pilot Flying J president sentenced to more than 12​​​​​​​ years in prison, fined $750K by Jamie Satterfield at Knoxville News Sentinel via USA Today. “The motive was hubris – his competitiveness … his desire to capture more market share for Pilot,” (Judge) Collier said. …”This degree of commandeering … the court is not aware of any reported case where such a situation has happened.” Read more

 

Lowe’s new CEO plans to ‘replicate Home Depot playbook’ by Lisa Fickenscher at NY Post. “Lowe’s has suffered from “self-inflicted mistakes,” (Marvin) Ellison told analysts at a closed-door meeting this week. Customers are too often told that merchandise is out of stock or reps are unable to locate whether a store has an item…Lowe’s also lacks local merchandise, Ellison said.” Read more

 

Ricker’s c-stores set to be purchased by Giant Eagle by Justin Mack at Indy Star. “The GetGo and Ricker’s brands are poised to join forces by year’s end…(not) immediately clear if Ricker’s will be rebranded as GetGo stores…Ricker’s operates 56 stores in Indiana, and is slated to open its 57th store soon.” Read more

 

N.J. PLASTIC (& PAPER) POLICE – Bag and straw ban would be the strictest in the nation by Michael Sol Warren at NJ Advance Media. “The proposal would ban stores from handing out single-use plastic shopping bags, plastic drinking straws and polystyrene food containers (like foam takeout clamshells) from being used in New Jersey. The bill would also create a 10-cent fee on single-use paper bags, which would finance a new “Plastic Pollution Prevention Fund.” Read more

 

Inside Amazon’s New 4-Star Store at CNBC. Pics/Read more

 

Publix to expand HQ in Lakeland, FL adding 700 new jobs by Andrea Lyon at WFTS ABC News. “Florida state incentives require Publix to add a certain number of jobs each year until the year 2027…They are looking to add on about 190,000 additional square feet to the present structure in Lakeland.” Pics/Read more

 

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Raley’s Elevates Keith Knopf to President & CEO Press release

 

Rare blue Amazon locker inside Chase Bank signals tech giant’s latest physical expansion by Taylor Soper at GeekWire. “…this one has Chase branding — “Even more 24/7 convenience from Chase,” reads the wording on the kiosk, with the Chase logo just beneath. The branch is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays, but the locker is accessible 24/7 for those who have a Chase card.” Pic/Read more

 

Nordstrom Local Opens Two More Locations in LA by Jefferson Graham at USA Today. Read more

 

Michaels expands kids’ crafting section in bid to win sales left behind by Toys R Us by Sarah Whitten at CNBC. “We call it creative play,” CEO Chuck Rubin told CNBC. “It’s kind of a variation of the toy market.” Read more

 

Top Amazon recruiting executive: Don’t be afraid to say ‘I don’t know’ in a job interview by Nat Levy at GeekWire. “Amazon likes to empower people to make tough calls…This, Williams said, comes into play with a concept called one-way doors and two-way doors…Two-way doors are smaller decisions where the company can always walk back through the door and reverse them. With one-way doors, there’s no turning back…” Read more

 

Tipsheet Extra Stories

NYC Airport Workers to Receive Top Minimum Wage: $19 an Hour

Boy Scouts issue recall of 110,000 neckerchief slides due to high lead levels

Tim Hortons seeks to shut down ‘Tim Hottens’ knock-off restaurant

Secret Service Warns of Surge in ATM ‘Wiretapping’ Attacks

Amazon Sued Over Use of Artist’s Work in ‘Suspiria’

DJ Khaled buys $26 million Miami Beach home from inventor of ‘Baby on Board’ sign

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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

 

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Tipsheet: Rite Aid +1% | Amazon’s ‘Anti-Union’ Video |

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FDA wants to start naming retailers during food recalls to help consumers by Zlati Meyer at USA Today. “The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is issuing a draft of rules about when retail information should be part of a food recall announcement, according to a notice published in the Federal Register on Wednesday.” Read more

 

Rite Aid Q2 comp sales +1% : +1.6% in pharmacy sales and -0.1% in front-end sales at CNBC. Read more

 

Amazon was back in Chicago last month, as its search for HQ2 narrows by Ally Marotti & Ryan Ori at Chicago Tribune. “In mid-August, members of Amazon’s HQ2 site selection team made the return visit to Related Midwest’s 62-acre planned development, called The 78, according to sources familiar with the visit.” Tiered subs.

 

Home Depot Expands Same-Day Delivery to Keep Up With Shoppers by Matthew Townsend at Bloomberg. “…aided by startups Roadie Inc. and Deliv Inc. in its top 35 metro markets, online orders made before noon of about 20,000 products — everything from Halloween decorations to power tools — can arrive by van or car the same day, starting at a cost of $8.99.” Tiered subs. | Press release

 

Amazon unveils new brick and mortar concept — Amazon 4-star — featuring highly rated items by Nat Levy at GeekWire. “The first location…will be in New York City’s SoHo neighborhood…Throughout the store there are features like “Most-Wished-For,” a collection of products that are most added to Amazon.com Wish Lists; “Trending Around NYC,” hot products that NYC-area customers are buying on Amazon.com; “Frequently Bought Together”; and “Amazon Exclusives.” Read more

 

Bed Bath & Beyond Q2 comp sales -0.6% (vs. expected +0.3%) Press release

 

…Bed Bath & Beyond falls 15% after earnings miss at CNBC. “Sales were flat at $2.94 billion, less than expected $2.96 billion. For the sixth straight quarter, same-store sales declined.” Read more

 

LYING, CHEATING RATS – Amazon Sends ‘Anti-Union’ Training Video to Whole Foods Team Leaders by Erin Corbett at Fortune. “The narrator goes on to say, “We are not anti-union, but we are not neutral either,” according to the report…In a tweet on Wednesday, (Gizmodo reporter) Menegus wrote, “‘Unions are lying, cheating rats’ is a wild sentence for Amazon to have included in their manager training video.” Read more

 

Amazon General Counsel Testifies Before Senate by Monica Nickelsburg. “In rare public remarks on how Amazon treats consumer data, the company’s general counsel, Andrew DeVore, cautioned senators to ensure that the regulations actually accomplish the goal of consumer protection.” Read more

 

Instacart to transform Toronto office into tech hub and hire 200 employees via Toronto Star. Read more

 

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Bay Area Apple stores blitzed and robbed 9 times in 1 month. by Michelle Robertson at SF Gate. “Since mid-May there have been at least 21 run-and-grab thefts at Apple stores in California…many offenders seem to be aware of the “hands-off” policy for store security.” Tiered subs.

 

Amazon made two preliminary approaches for British online food delivery company Deliveroo at Reuters. Read more

 

Fancy South Korean grocer PK Market to open first U.S. store in downtown L.A. by Roger Vincent at LA Times. “PK Market, which also sells prepared foods to go, is expected to be a competitor for Whole Foods Market and other high-end grocers in the region. The South Korean grocer has leased the first three floors of the former Ville de Paris store at 7th and Olive streets.” Tiered subs.

 

Meijer receives a top score of 100 percent on the Disability Equality Index Press release

 

Amazon could be doubling down in jewelry at Business Insider. “Amazon has applied for a trademark for “For Keeps by Amazon,” according to a filing with the US patent office. The patent was filed September 19, according to the office. It includes a wordmark logo.” Read more

 

Gap pulls the plug on subscription clothing boxes by April Berthene at Internet Retailer. Read more

 

Walmart CEO Doug McMillon called AT&T CEO for clarification on his ‘Netflix is akin to Walmart while HBO is akin to Tiffany’ comments at CNN Money. Read more

 

REI Co-op announces two new roles: chief customer officer and chief digital officer Press release

 

Bass Pro Shops sues 2 retail startups run by former Cabela’s managers by Steve Jordon at Omaha World Herald. “Matthew Highby’s father, Dennis Highby, was president of Cabela’s from 2003 through 2009 and served on its Board of Directors until…2017…The Highbys said that they told Cabela’s managers well in advance of their planned retail venture.” Read more

 

H-E-B stores experience system delays Wednesday, holding up checkout by S.M.Chavey at San Antonio Express News. Read more

 

Tipsheet Extra Stories

Whole Foods issues restraining order on animal rights group DxE

Band of thieves stole $2M from Walmart, feds say

LeBron James Can’t License His Own Tattoos, Lawsuit Claims

Pinterest Opens First Canada Office

Tencent & Alibaba chase remittances in battle for Southeast Asia

Chile government approves construction of Walmart distribution center

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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: #1 C-store Coffee | Captain Walmart | Amazon Sues over ads

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Amazon sues over malicious ads, alleging a ‘sophisticated and widespread’ scheme to deceive consumers by Todd Bishop at GeekWire. “It’s an unusual lawsuit from Amazon, and possibly the first of its kind to be filed by the company against what’s known as “malvertising” — reflecting its increasingly aggressive stance against fraudsters who take advantage of its websites and brands.” Read more

 

Kohl’s adding lifestyle brand from ‘Property Brothers’ stars Press release

 

Online grocery shoppers want more deals and personalized offers by James Melton at Internet Retailer. “48% of all respondents—including 70% of millennial parents—say they would be more likely to shop for groceries online if they could use more coupons.” Read more

 

United Natural Foods taps Sean Griffin as CEO for Supervalu by John Ewoldt at Star Tribune. “Griffin, who had been chief operating officer at UNFI for the past eight years, announced his retirement in May. But in July, when UNFI’s purchase of Supervalu was announced, CEO Steven Spinner asked Griffin to stay on and lead the integration of the two firms.” Tiered subs.

 

Petco Names Tariq Hassan as Chief Marketing Officer Press release

 

Buc-ee’s has the best C-store coffee in America “QuikTrip captured the top spot in seven states…Wawa and Cumberland Farms tied for second, both with six states. The top five states with the highest-rated gas station coffee are Texas, Pennsylvania, Oregon, Wisconsin, and Florida.” #1 by state

 

2018 Working Mother 100 Best Companies to Work For List

 

Amazon invests in prefab startup focused on smart home tech by Patrick Sisson at Curbed. “Amazon invest(s) in Plant Prefab, a startup based in Rialto, California…Amazon already has a deal with Lennar, the nation’s largest homebuilder, to pre-install Alexa in all the company’s new homes.” Read more

 

NRF to Recognize Levi Strauss CEO Chip Bergh as The Visionary 2019 Press release

 

**A message from X1 Ebike – Get up to 37 miles on a single 4-hour charge and a top speed of 23 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

 

Amazon donates $1M to Wikipedia’s nonprofit parent organization by Nat Levy at GeekWire. “Alexa, uses Wikipedia as one of many sources to answer questions.” Read more

 

What’s yogurt? Industry wants greater liberty to use term by Candace Choi at AP via NY Daily News. “What’s the rule? I mean, make a rule,” said Bailey Wood, spokesman for the International Dairy Foods Association…Adding to the confusion, the association says yogurt makers can opt to follow the 1981, 1982 or 2009 provisions in the absence of a final rule.” Read more

 

The 20 best PR campaigns in the past 20 years at PR Week. Tiered subs.

 

Cimpress, the owner of Vistaprint.com, to acquire web-only office supplies retailer BuildASign.com for $280 million at Internet Retailer. Read more

 

Amazon just rolled out its Whole Foods grocery delivery service in these cities – service is now available in 48 cities at CNBC. Read more

 

J. Crew plans to unveil a new brand aimed at younger women at Bloomberg via Internet Retailer. “CEO Jim Brett said: “It is aimed at women, and it’s younger than any of our existing brands.” Read more

 

Shipping’s New Arctic Routes Won’t Thaw Cold Economic Reality by Costas Paris at Wall Street Journal. WSJ subs.

 

Shopify CEO Says Amazon Is Encroaching on Its Turf by Natalie Wong & Spencer Soper at Bloomberg. “They are creating products now that help small businesses market their products better which is frankly the space we are in,” Tobias Lutke, chief executive officer of Ottawa-based Shopify, said in an interview with BNN Bloomberg TV at a tech conference in Toronto.” Read more

 

Inside Walmart’s Dot-com Transformation – Walmart.com has added approximately 1,100 brands since last April by David Moin at WWD. WWD subs.

 

Billboards — yes, billboards — are having a heyday in a digital world by Rani Molla at Recode. “That’s the fastest-growing non-internet ad media besides cinema, which is drastically smaller — making percentage gains easier — and where the growth is mostly in China.” Read more

 

Captain Walmart isn’t make-believe, he’s a real superhero at Herald Net. “Tara Aston, Walmart corporate spokeswoman in Arkansas, said she doesn’t know of any other worker who kept wearing the cape after the 2017 gig. “He’s the only one rocking it on the regular,” Aston said. Owens has only one cape. It is fraying and thinning. He doesn’t know what he’ll do when he wears it out.” Pic/Read more

 

Tipsheet Extra Stories

DoorDash customers say their accounts have been hacked

PetSmart fires back after news report links grooming to 47 dog deaths

West Virginia First to Offer Mobile Voting

The World’s Most Valuable Sports Agencies 2018

Mom fears kidnappers targeted her baby at Costco

Walmart store evacuated amid report of man wearing bomb vest

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

 

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Tipsheet: Snapchat/Amazon Team | McKenna Close-Up

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Snapchat is partnering with Amazon to let users shop through their smartphone cameras by Sam Dean at LA Times. “This partnership marks Snap’s first venture into point-and-shoot shopping…The new feature is rolling out to only a small percentage of U.S. users as an initial trial run.” Tiered subs.

 

SAN DIEGO – Whole Foods backs out of downtown hotel-office project by Lori Weisberg at San Diego Union-Tribune. “Although approved two years ago, the $400 million 7th & Market development has been on hold since last year when labor union interests filed suit alleging that city approvals relied on an outdated 2006 environmental analysis for all of downtown instead of a specific impact report analyzing just the development.” Tiered subs.

 

Meet the Woman Running Walmart’s Biggest Deal Ever by Beth Kowitt at Fortune. “Judith McKenna and her team bear a Walmart-size responsibility with Walmart-size consequences. In reprioritizing the company’s global footprint, they are effectively placing bets on the future of retail. “We’ve made no secret that in certain markets we’ll do no more bricks and mortar,” McKenna says—a striking admission from a company that built its U.S. fortunes on the back of big-box retailing.” Read more

 

Sam’s Club CEO: The 63 Stores We Closed Are Fueling E-Commerce Growth by Phil Wahba at Fortune. “For years, Sam’s Club mistakenly believed that roughly half its sales came from small businesses and the other half from everyday consumers. But in reality, it turned out that personal purchases accounted to closer to 85% of sales—since some of its business shoppers were actually buying items for home use.” Read more

 

Why you won’t see ClickList at Kroger anymore by Alexander Coolidge at Cincinnati Enquirer. “Kroger will now simply call the operation “Kroger Grocery Pickup.”…”Moving forward, we are being more descriptive of the service to help our customers better understand our offerings: You will now see Pickup, Delivery and Ship as the methods to receive your grocery orders,” Kroger says.” Read more

 

Walmart, Sam’s Club to put food products on blockchain by next September at Reuters. Read more

 

**A message from BK Resources – The Best Kept secret for commercial and food service kitchen equipment. Leading supplier of stainless steel: commercial faucets, sinks, work tables, bar equipment, ice bins and more. Catalog | Website | Contact

 

Publix set to open fifth GreenWise Market in Atlanta at AJC. Read more

 

Shoppers Love Rewards Credit Cards. Retailers Hate Them. by AnnaMaria Andriottis at Wall Street Journal. “Large merchants including Amazon, Target,  and Home Depot Inc. are pushing for the right to reject some rewards credit cards…They are likely to opt out of a roughly $6.2 billion settlement Visa, Mastercard and several large banks recently reached with merchants and continue to make their case in court, according to people familiar with the matter.” WSJ subs.

 

Merger of Marathon Petroleum Corp. and Andeavor approved at MarketWatch. Read more

 

‘We will not screw this up’: Sobeys parent to buy beloved Farm Boy in $800M deal by Armina Ligaya at Canadian Press via Toronto Star. “…in a bid to expand its reach in Ontario, particularly in the greater Toronto area….aims to “turbocharge” the Ottawa-based chain — which it values at $800-million — and double its business and footprint from its current base of 26 stores across the province over the next five years.” Read more

 

Millennials are nesting, so Madewell has started selling home goods by Elizabeth Segran at Fast Company. Read more

 

H&M tests new store to get back in vogue by Anna Ringstrom at Reuters. “The H&M store in the upmarket Karlaplan neighborhood of the Swedish capital offers a smaller range of selected clothes, displayed on airy shelves and tables in color-coordinated sections – as well as espressos and invitation-only events. H&M planned the layout and ranges with affluent local customers in mind…” Read more

 

Walmart, Dick’s and others want to increase voter turnout by Samantha McDonald at Footwear News. Read more

 

Starbucks to cut corporate staff as it shakes up its organization at CNBC. “The company also plans to reduce the number of new licensed stores in 2019 by about 100 stores.” Read more

 

OBVIOUS – Time is running out for Sears, CEO warns at CNN Money. Read more

 

Does ‘Made in America’ Still Matter? Footwear Brand Allen Edmonds is About to Find Out by Jacob Gallagher at Wall Street Journal. “The poll revealed that while 70% of Americans find it “very important” or “somewhat important” to buy American-made goods, only 21% said they would pay 10% more for an American-made product and only 7% said they would pay 50% more.” WSJ subs.

 

Kirkland’s names Crate and Barrel President new CEO Press release

 

FIRST OF ITS KIND – Firm plans robotic indoor farm to supply Whole Foods by Barrett J. Brunsman at Cincinnati Business Courier via CNBC. “Cincinnati-based 80 Acres Farms revealed Friday that it plans to build a large, fully automated indoor farm in Hamilton, which will produce specialty greens to supply Fairfield-based Jungle Jim’s International Market, Dayton-based Dorothy Lane Markets and national heavyweights such as Whole Foods and U.S. Foods.” Read more

 

Tipsheet Extra Stories

Study: Women rank better than men at these leadership traits

Krebs: Beware of these Hurricane Florence relief scams

Pana residents plan rally to protest Walmart closure

Deal gone bad – Suspects arrested for shooting at Target Cafe

H-E-B employee goes viral for ‘taking his job to another level’

Nordstrom’s $530 distressed sneaker called out as trashion

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

 

Website: www.eyeonretail.net

Tipsheet: Powerful Women | McMillon Hosts Ivanka | EEOC Hits WM

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Doug McMillon gives Ivanka Trump tour of Mesquite Walmart store by Brooke Rogers at CBS DFW. “Ivanka Trump visited…to learn about the company’s workforce training program…met with members of Walmart Academy, a training curriculum for supervisors and managers…tried out the training herself via virtual reality.” Video/Read more

 

Carrefour denies takeover talks with rival Casino at MarketWatch. “Casino Group, said late Sunday its board had rejected entreaties from Carrefour SA about a possible combination. But Carrefour, the French grocery giant, denied having solicited Casino, accusing the rival of “untimely, misleading and groundless communications.” Read more | WSJ article (subs.)

 

Fortune’s 2018 Most Powerful Women (McKenna #14, Campbell #16, Hanlon #41, Foulkes #46) List of 51

 

An Arizona city wants a Costco so bad that it threw the company a birthday party by Jen Fifield at Arizona Republic via USA Today. “By sending Costco fun notes, Surprise hopes to stand out in a crowd and build a relationship with the company, Jerkovic said. “Whatever business you’re in,” she said. “You’re in the people business. Having them get a sense that we want to welcome them — that’s so important.” Read more

 

SiriusXM to buy Pandora in all-stock deal valued at $3.5 billion at CNBC. Read more

 

EEOC accuses Walmart of pregnancy discrimination in lawsuit at Reuters. “The EEOC…said Walmart’s distribution center in Menomonie, Wisconsin, has discriminated against pregnant employees since 2014. Federal law requires employers to accommodate workers’ pregnancies in the same way as physical disabilities.” Read more

 

eBay to install fencing at San Jose HQ to protect employees by Emily Deruy at Mercury News. “While (nearby resident) Cooley said she understands the need for employee security, she has mixed feelings about the proposed fencing, and thinks eBay treats the neighborhood as its “personal fiefdom.” Tiered subs.

 

AT&T opens its first ‘Lounge’ concept – a high-tech retail, coffee and hangout space in Seattle by Kurt Schlosser at GeekWire. Pics/Read more

 

**A message from the Megaphone sound enhancing case: Don’t tolerate average smart phone sound – get Loud + Clear Megaphone sound! No wires or batteries, boosts sound 2X and filters the sound for a smoother “stereo” listening experience. Website/Video | Sample

 

Debt investor says Neiman Marcus may be in default and insolvent at CNBC. “Marble Ridge Capital condemned Neiman Marcus for transferring its crown jewel e-commerce business, MyTheresa, away from the grasp of its bondholders and into its parent company.” Read more

 

Shoppers Drug Mart gets medical pot license from Health Canada via Vancouver Sun. “Shoppers’ parent company, Loblaw Companies, is also looking to sell recreational pot in Newfoundland and Labrador once it is legal nationally on Oct. 17.” Read more

 

Michael Kors will reportedly take control of Italian fashion house Versace at CNBC. “The deal values the fashion house, known for its Medusa head logo, at no less than $2 billion, two of the sources added.” Read more

 

Toys ‘R’ Us store was ‘complete chaos’ during closing by Lisa Fickenscher at NY Post. “Just after Memorial Day this year, the manager of a Toys ‘R’ Us store in Oregon decided to use up his vacation days…leaving uniformed shift managers in over their heads to run the show…it was a disaster, according to recent interviews with ex-workers.” Read more

 

Lowe’s reaffirms it does not plan to return to Nascar by Dustin Long at NBC. Read more

 

Apple wants to make scripted shows without violence, politics and risqué story lines by Tripp Mickle & Joe Flint at Wall Street Journal. “Apple has twice postponed the launch of its first slate of shows, moving it to March from late this year, agents and producers said. One leading producer with projects at Apple expects the date to be pushed back yet further.” WSJ subs.

 

The night JD.com’s founder was accused of rape in Minnesota at Reuters. “I was not willing,” she wrote in Chinese on the messaging application around 2 a.m. on August 31. “Tomorrow I will think of a way to escape,” she wrote, as she begged the friend not to call police.” Read more

 

Costco takes rotisserie chicken supply chain under its wing by Benjamin Romano at Seattle Times. Tiered subs.

 

Mosquitoes force high-speed chase suspect to surrender at ABC 13. “…man (stole) three bottles of Jagermeister…at a Piggly Wiggly grocery store…drove off and sparked a three-mile chase…ran into a cornfield…An hour later, Wilson put up his hands and surrendered, saying he couldn’t stand the swarming mosquitoes. “When we handcuffed him he asked us to wipe his forehead because he had 15-20 mosquitoes on his forehead at that time” Dornbrook said.” Read more

 

Tipsheet Extra Stories

It’s now free in every U.S. state to freeze and unfreeze your credit file

The secret life of teen scooter outlaws

Asian population growth spurs suburban Chinatown in Katy, TX

Even without Shop ‘n Save, St.Louis grocery business should remain competitive

Here’s how much more money married men in America are making than everyone else

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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 Polls Workers Re: Perks | Target’s Hidden Promo | Pier 1 -11.4%

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Woman who killed 3 people at Rite Aid DC was a disgruntled worker at CNN. Read more

 

Pier 1 prelim Q2 comp sales -11.4% “Alasdair James, President and CEO. “We are in the very early stages of the multi-year ‘New Day’ strategic plan we announced in April, and while we remain confident that our plan is the right course for Pier 1, it is now clear that our initiatives are taking longer than expected to gain traction.” Press release

 

Target has a first-of-its-kind special — 10% off nearly everything in the store — running this week. But you have to look hard to know it. by John Ewoldt at Star Tribune. “It’s not on any banners or placards at the front of the store…This week’s promotion is designed to sign up new Redcard credit or debit cardholders. Target’s Redcard penetration is showing signs of weakness.” Tiered subs.

 

Walmart Considers Offering Perks to Attract New Hires by Matthew Boyle at Bloomberg. “(Walmart) asked hourly workers to rate potential incentives, including a sign-on bonus, child-care services, tutoring and gym memberships, according to a copy of the survey obtained by Bloomberg News.” Tiered subs.

 

CVS CEO Merlo gets personal with new data-driven health-care model in Aetna merger at CNBC. “He was speaking to business and community leaders at Town Hall, a civic forum in Los Angeles. “Online and mail-order pharmacy has existed for many years, and CVS Health dispenses millions of prescriptions this way for patients each week,” he said in prepared remarks obtained by CNBC. “But our delivery model goes well beyond that foundation.” Read more | Bloomberg video

 

Walmart is putting 17,000 VR headsets in its US stores for training by Adi Robertson at The Verge. Read more

 

Amazon’s blockbuster Alexa event made zero mention of privacy concerns — and that may say more about us than about them by Jason Del Rey at Recode. Read more

 

…The long list of new Alexa devices Amazon announced at its hardware event at TechCrunch. Read more

 

NRF: Halloween Spending to Reach $9 Billion “…the second highest in the survey’s 14-year history. The figure is relatively the same as last year’s previous record of $9.1 billion…“One of the biggest trends this year is the growth of spending on pet costumes”. Press release

 

United Natural Foods Q4 net sales +10.7% Press release

 

Walmart tweaking terms of Savings Catcher app by Kim Souza at Talk Business. “Consumers canvassed by Talk Business & Politics in stores and online have said they use Savings Catcher app less than in the beginning because of the restrictions…Other consumers said they choose to use the shopping app Ibotta because it does provide cash back which can be spent anywhere.” Read more

 

The Hollywood Reporter 100: The Most Powerful People in Entertainment 2018 Top 100 list

 

**A message from BK Resources – The Best Kept secret for commercial and food service kitchen equipment. Leading supplier of stainless steel: commercial faucets, sinks, work tables, bar equipment, ice bins and more. Catalog | Website | Contact

 

Amazon plants fake packages in delivery trucks as part of an undercover ploy to ‘trap’ drivers who are stealing by Hayley Peterson at Business Insider. “If you bring the package back, you are innocent. If you don’t, you’re a thug,” said Sid Shah, a former manager for DeliverOL, a courier company that delivers packages for Amazon.” Read more

 

Walmart has issued a warning to U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer that the company may have to raise prices after Trump tariffs by Aris Folley at The Hill. Read more

 

Walgreens and Alibaba announce the launch of a Boots flagship store on Tmall Global “…gives Chinese consumers access to some of the most popular Boots beauty brands in the UK and the U.S.” Press release

 

Lowe’s Sponsorship of NASCAR’s Hendrick Motorsports May Not Be Over Just Yet by Amanda Vincent at The Drive. “The possible new deal between Lowe’s and Hendrick Motorsports would be for a partial schedule on the No. 48 car…Credit for the conversation between team and sponsor reigniting is being given to executive changes at Lowe’s.” Read more

 

UBS analyst skeptical the toy trend will endure at CNBC. Read more

 

Gap is launching Hill City athleisure wear for men at CNBC.”Hill City products will initially sell online next month, although some items will also be displayed in about 50 Athleta stores.” Read more

 

Google Workers Discussed Tweaking Search Function to Counter Travel Ban by John D. McKinnon & Douglas MacMillan at Wall Street Journal. “…employees proposed ways to “leverage” search functions and take steps to counter what they considered to be “islamophobic, algorithmically biased results from search terms ‘Islam’, ‘Muslim’, ‘Iran’, etc.” and “prejudiced, algorithmically biased search results from search terms ‘Mexico’, ‘Hispanic’, ‘Latino’, etc.” WSJ subs.

 

Amazon aims to patent fulfillment centers that can ride the rails and dispatch drones by Alan Boyle at GeekWire. Drawings/Read more

 

This 94-year-old buys chocolate bars at Dollar General and hands them out to strangers. And people love it. at CBS WTVR 6. “The World War II vet, retired teacher and high school football coach, 94, has been melting hearts this way around Long Grove, Iowa, for more than 10 years — during which time he’s given out nearly 6,000 chocolate bars.” Read more

 

Amazon Go is an “existential threat” to millions of jobs, supermarket union warns at Fast Company. Read more

 

‘Too much, too fast’: Disney to scale back production of Star Wars movies by Andrew Pulver at The Guardian. Read more

 

McDonald’s gives students $25K after their fake wall poster went unnoticed in epic prank at USA Today. “(Ellen) surprised the pair with $25,000, courtesy of the fast-food chain, for their appearance in an upcoming marketing campaign as part of McDonald’s commitment to diversity. DeGeneres also gave them a painting of herself to “sneak” into McDonald’s in the future.” Read more

 

FREEZER BURN – Woman lost $35K stored in freezer exchanged by Costco by Ryan Luby at ABC Denver 7. “I thought my daughter had grabbed it, she thought I had grabbed it, then when I went to look for it to put it back, it wasn’t there,” Reese said. She filed a report with Thornton police after tearing apart her house in search of the money. She also opened a claim with Costco.” Read more

 

Tipsheet Extra Stories

Ex-Google CEO predicts the internet will split in two by 2028 — and one part will be led by China

Did Amazon Just Target All Dollar-Store Shoppers?

Dozens bleed from ears, noses after Jet Airways crew forgets to pressurize plane

Puerto Rico recovery: roofless homes, closed schools, an island left to fend for itself

Retailers that offer the best online search experience

Instant Pot is launching a Walmart-exclusive cooking blender

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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: PetSmart Dog Death Investigation | Newegg Breach

/in

 

Dogs are dying after groomings at PetSmart and families are left wondering why by Sophie Nieto-Munoz & Alex Napoliello at NJ Advance Media. “An NJ Advance Media investigation documented 47 cases across 14 states since 2008 in which families claim they took their dog to (PetSmart)…only to have it die during or shortly after the visit. Most cases — 32 in total — occurred after the start of 2015, the same year the company was bought out by a private equity firm.” Read more

 

…English bulldogs and similar breeds…accounted for 20 of the 47 documented deaths. Those dogs can have trouble breathing, especially in stressful environments or areas that get hot. 

 

Young boy arrested for putting needles in strawberries – police seek other suspects by Davi Merchan at ABC News. Read more

 

Hackers stole customer credit cards in Newegg data breach by Zack Whittaker at TechCrunch. “Hackers injected 15 lines of card skimming code on the online retailer’s payments page which remained for more than a month between August 14 and September 18, Yonathan Klijnsma, a threat researcher at RiskIQ, told TechCrunch.” Read more

 

Amazon Investment Could Lead to Large Stake in India Retail Chain by Corrine Adams at Wall Street Journal. “(Amazon is) joining forces with a local private-equity firm that is acquiring one of the largest retail chains in the South Asian nation for more than $500 million, a person familiar with the matter said. The deal could give Amazon a stake to the more than 500 stores of Aditya Birla Retail, which runs the More chain supermarkets and hypermarkets.” WSJ subs.

 

Scott Galloway’s provocative predictions on Amazon, Walmart and the future of retail at Recode. 

  • Amazon’s new headquarters will be in Washington, D.C.
  • Walmart will beat Amazon at groceries
  • Education and healthcare are the next best candidates for disruption Read more

 

Amazon is considering opening as many as 3,000 cashierless stores by 2021 at CNBC. “The first Amazon Go location in downtown Seattle required more than $1 million in hardware, a person familiar with those expenses told Bloomberg.” Read more | Bloomberg report (Tiered subs.)

 

J.D. Power 2018 Airport Satisfaction Study Ranked list

 

Amazon has attracted the scrutiny of the European Union’s antitrust regulators yet again by David Meyer at Fortune. “EU Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager’s picture must surely be pinned onto dartboards across Silicon Valley by this point…This is certainly not Amazon’s first rodeo with the Danish liberal. Last year, she forced the company to change its e-book contracts with publishers.” Read more

 

Apple takes on Kanye West in retailing battle on Friday by Tim Bradshaw at Financial Times via CNBC. “Friday’s simultaneous debut of the iPhone XS Max and the Yeezy Boost 350 V2 poses a dilemma for Silicon Valley’s many “sneakerheads”.” Read more

 

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Amazon launches Scout, a machine learning-powered visual shopping tool by Sarah Perez at TechCrunch. “Currently, the site lets you search for furniture, kitchen, dining products, home décor, patio items, lighting, and bedding, as well as women’s shoes. In time, Amazon will add more products like clothing and handbags, it said.” Read more

 

Virtual reality increases furniture average order value by 60% at Macy’s by April Berthene at Internet Retailer. “By early November, Macy’s will have in-store virtual reality spaces at 69 U.S. stores.” Read more

 

Amazon employees donate the most money to these political candidates and issues (Hillary #1, Obama #2) by Monica Nickelsburg at GeekWire. Top 7 / Read more

 

How Golf Digest helped free an innocent man from prison at NY Post. “Dixon became a prolific artist and his work drawing golf courses caught the attention of Golf Digest magazine…“It took about a hundred drawings before Golf Digest noticed, but when we did, we also noticed his conviction seemed flimsy…” the magazine’s Max Adler penned of Dixon – who has never played the game.” Read more

 

P&G stops using badger hair in Art of Shaving brushes after PETA sounds alarm over industry abuses in China at CNBC. Read more

 

Transcript: ‘Chief slowdown officer’ Jeff Bezos shares Amazon management tips by Alan Boyle at GeekWire. Transcript

 

Bloomingdale’s Gets Into Clean Beauty With WellChemist by Ellen Thomas at WWD. WWD subs.

 

Jeff Bezos says he will invest $1 billion next year in Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket program by Samantha Masunaga at LA Times. “Speaking during a keynote address at the Air Force Assn.’s Air, Space and Cyber Conference in National Harbor, Md., Bezos said a “big team of people” is working on the rocket’s development…the rocket will be available in two- and three-stage versions, and has already netted several commercial satellite launch orders.” Tiered subs.

 

Under Armour cuts 400 more jobs in turnaround push at Reuters. Read more

 

Carlsberg six-packs will now be held together with an innovative new glue – the switch is estimated to reduce plastic waste by more than 1,200 metric tons a year by Adele Peters at Fast Company. Read more

 

Tipsheet Extra Stories

Shopping-mall scion sisters have a beef with VP Pence & millions for Democratic candidates

New Jersey shop owner admits to $888,000 food stamps fraud scheme

Entrepreneur Determines First Estimate Of U.S. Sports Memorabilia Market: $5.4 Billion

Denny’s to drive 53-foot mobile kitchen to Carolinas to aid Florence victims

Norfolk doesn’t have a downtown grocery store. Two women are trying to start a movement.

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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: F.Dollar HQ Shuttered | Amazon #3 Ad Platform | Google SoHo Store?

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Holidays Gifts May Escape Tariffs, but Retailers Won’t by Sarah Nassauer & Josh Zumbran at Wall Street Journal. “Most large retailers already have landed most of their holiday goods by the first of October,” said Chris Sultemeier, former executive vice president of logistics for Walmart…Retailers probably will try to accelerate spring products through customs before the potential 25% tariff takes effect, he said.” Subscription

 

Family Dollar to close Matthews headquarters; 900 jobs affected by Katherine Peralta at Charlotte Observer. “The new (Dollar Tree) corporate offices include a 12-story, 510,000 square-foot office tower. When “fully operational,” Dollar Tree’s Chesapeake headquarters will have 1,900 employees, according to the Virginian-Pilot.” Tiered subs.

 

Amazon Is Now the No. 3 Digital Ad Platform in the US at eMarketer. “US advertisers will spend $4.61 billion on Amazon’s platform this year, accounting for 4.1% of all digital ad spending in the country…57.7% of US digital ad spending will go to Facebook and Google.” Read more

 

CHICAGO – Starbucks opens first Princi store outside Seattle by Jessica Wohl at Ad Age via Crain’s Chicago. “Princi’s upscale shops sell food, such as sweet and savory breakfast cornetti (Italy’s buttery, curved answer to France’s croissant), pizzas, salads and sweets, as well as coffee, cocktails, wine and beer.” Pics/Read more (tiered subs.)

 

DELOITTE – Retailers could ring up more than $1.1 trillion in holiday sales, up 5 to 5.6 percent from a year ago at CNBC. Read more

 

Instacart CEO: Instacart needs to treat its delivery workers ‘much, much better’ by Kurt Wagner at Recode. “The reality is that we have 50,000 shoppers on our platform and this number is growing really, really fast. So we need to do much, much better here, and we recognize that.” Read more

 

Ocado says partner Kroger making progress on picking U.S. sites at Reuters. “There’s a lot of work going on because even though the final deal (service agreement) isn’t agreed we are actually being paid. So nothing is holding us up,” (Ocado’s CFO) said.” 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

 

Neiman Marcus Q4 comp revenue +2.3% Press release

 

…Neiman Marcus Group Updates Leadership Team “Carrie Tharp…has been promoted to Executive Vice President, Chief Digital Officer… Melissa Lowenkron joins Neiman Marcus from Bergdorf Goodman as General Merchandise Manager of Accessories.” Press release

 

Postmates raises massive $300M round as CEO hints at 2019 IPO by Nat Levy at GeekWire. “Postmates is mostly known for restaurant deliveries, but it also covers groceries, making it competitive with Amazon and Whole Foods as well as Instacart. Earlier this year Postmates inked a major deal with Walmart to power the retailer’s growing grocery delivery ambitions.” Read more

 

Google may be planning a store in New York’s SoHo neighborhood by Daniel Geiger at Crain’s New York. “Google leased the location at 131 Greene St. in 2014 but never opened a store there…Earlier this year it passed on an opportunity to exercise a termination right. With that decision, Google is now on the hook for the still-vacant location until 2024.” Tiered subs.

 

Elizabeth Hurley wins battle against Amazon courier after driver ran over her pet dog at The Sun. Read more

 

Why Crate and Barrel is partnering with rising digital competitor Zola by Shirin Ghaffary at Recode. “Zola co-founder and CEO Shan-Lyn Ma, whose company recently raised $100 million in funding, said that traditional brick-and-mortar retailers are wise to get ahead of the new wave of buyers. Around 47 percent of Crate and Barrel’s sales are online.” Read more

 

Tiffany Unveils First New Engagement Line in Nearly a Decade by Phil Wahba at Fortune. Read more

 

BEER SHORTAGE IN TULSA – Upcoming changeover to strong beer has 3.2 percent products in short supply by Mike Averill at Tulsa World. “Many stores, like Walmart, sold their beer at a discount to ensure all 3.2 product was sold. They were successful, and now they won’t be selling beer until Oct. 1.” Read more

 

Amazon launches in Turkey at Fast Company. Read more

 

U.K. regulator warns on Sainsbury-Asda deal via Seeking Alpha

 

Dallas Husband and Wife’s BBQ Pop-Ups Have a Cult Following by Taylor Adams at Dallas Observer. “I don’t know how far I want to take it, even if it’s really successful,” Brandon Mohon says. “It’s extremely demanding, the lifestyle. You stay up all night, you get no sleep, you smell like a barbecue pit every day of your life.” Read more

 

Tipsheet Extra Stories

Walmart to halt sales of shirts featuring Soviet imagery

Video shows man on destructive rampage in downtown Seattle Target store

Churches offering gluten-free bread during communion

Michigan resident infected with deadly mosquito-borne illness

How luxury brand Forzieri skirts China’s firewall to reach online shoppers

Man Discovers Strange Glowing Rocks In The Upper Peninsula

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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