Tipsheet: ‘South Park’ takes on Amazon | Menear bests Bezos | Dick’s eyes Sears stores

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Whole Foods removes packaging with a cancer-linked chemical from its stores at CNBC. “The announcement came after advocacy groups Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families and Toxic-Free Future released a study that named Whole Foods as the worst of five grocery chains for packaging takeout food and bakery items in containers with PFAS, or polyfluoroalkyl substances.” Read more

 

…Other grocers, including Albertsons, Kroger and Ahold had fewer items that tested positive for the substance…Trader Joe’s was the only company that had zero items. by Tiffany Kary & Deena Shanker at Bloomberg. Read more

 

Inside New York’s Online Grocery Wars by Matthew Boyle & Craig Giammona at Bloomberg. “They’re already chipping away at FreshDirect’s market share, which is still a respectable 63 percent, according to Earnest Research, but is 10 points lower than it was only a year ago.” Read more

 

Burlington, At Home Group and Dick’s Sporting Goods among those that have expressed interest in some Sears properties via The Gazette. Read more

 

Home Depot eyes new West Dallas distribution hub by Steve Brown at Dallas Morning News. Tiered subs.

 

Lord & Taylor Fifth Avenue flagship’s final days bring cheap dresses and sad shoppers by Lisa Fickenscher at NY Post. “Even the Victorian chandeliers on the ground floor — all 80 of them — are being sold for about $1,000 a pop, a source said. Twenty of them, which weigh 300 pounds each, have already sold to individuals, the source said.” Read more

 

72% of millennials consider homeownership their top priority by Jill Chodorov Kaminsky at Washington Post. Tiered subs.

 

Ex-Target pharmacist wins $570K  after blowing whistle on Target over alleged breaking of Medicaid refill rules by Paul Walsh at Star Tribune. Tiered subs.

 

**A message from the Megaphone sound enhancing case: Don’t Settle – 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

 

Home Depot’s Craig Menear bests Jeff Bezos in CEO ranking (Menear #2, Bezos #6) at Fox Business. List

 

The Loneliest Generation: Americans, More Than Ever, Are Aging Alone by Janet Adamy & Paul Overberg at Wall Street Journal. “About one in 11 Americans age 50 and older lacks a spouse, partner or living child, census figures and other research show. That amounts to about eight million people in the U.S. without close kin.” WSJ subs.

 

Online liquor store Drizly just landed $34.5 million in fresh funding by Connie Loizos at TechCrunch. Read more

 

Food delivery app Deliveroo opens its first brick-and-mortar restaurant in Hong Kong by Dani Deahl at The Verge. Read more

 

Amazon opens a 450 square foot version of its cashier-less Amazon Go food stores…located in one of the company’s Seattle offices…the eighth Amazon Go store. by Lindsey Wasson at Reuters. Read more

 

Photos and documents reveal Amazon’s future Queens home and how New York lured the company by Monica Nickelsburg at GeekWire. “Amazon has hired an elite lobbying firm to win over wary New Yorkers concerned about transparency and government subsidies the company will receive.” Read more

 

Canada Goose is getting hammered by China’s anger over Huawei CFO’s arrest at Bloomberg via Montreal Gazette. Read more

 

CVS employees fired for fighting off pharmacy robber by Alexandra Klausner at NY Post. “When you have a half-second to think about it, you don’t think about policy, you think about friend’s life, and who this guy might endanger if he had gotten drugs?” Phillips told WISH-TV.” Read more

 

An Amazon fulfillment center comes to ‘South Park’  by Kurt Schlosser at GeekWire. ““Unfulfilled” is centered around a new fulfillment center in town and one worker in particular, Stephen Stotch, who is a slave to the grind so that he can purchase more items on Amazon and watch more videos and listen to more music on Prime.” Read more

 

Tipsheet Extra Stories

These Are Netflix’s 10 Most Binge Watched TV Shows Of 2018

Chicago mayor says gas-tax hike of up to 30 cents a gallon needed

China readying plan to widen foreign access to its economy: WSJ

German animal shelters band together to stop Christmas shoppers from adopting pets

How Police Use Fake Amazon Boxes and GPS to Catch Thieves

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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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Website: eyeonretail.net

Tipsheet: WM Tests ‘Flippy’ | DSW +7.3%

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Walmart is testing a robot fry cook named ‘Flippy’ at its delis by Julia La Roche at Yahoo Finance. “Walmart saw what we were doing and said, ‘Could you bring Flippy from Dodgers Stadium to our Culinary Institute?’” Miso Robotics CEO David Zito told Yahoo Finance. Yahoo Finance visited Flippy to see it in action at Walmart’s Culinary Institute and Innovation Center.” Video/Read more

 

Stitch Fix shares plunge on weaker-than-expected user growth at CNBC. “The subscription-based styling service said its active clients grew 22 percent during the fiscal first quarter to 2.9 million, slightly below the 2.95 million active users analysts were predicting.” Read more

 

America’s Best Customer Service 2019 at Newsweek. “Academy beats Dick’s…QuikTrip over Wawa…Meijer bests Target.” Lists

 

BEST TO BLAKE – Blake Nordstrom discloses cancer diagnosis, plans to keep working through treatment by Benjamin Romano at Seattle Times. “Blake Nordstrom…disclosed Monday he has been diagnosed with lymphoma…Nordstrom told customers and shareholders that his cancer is treatable and that he and his doctors “are optimistic and encouraged by my prognosis.” Tiered subs.

 

DSW Q3 comp sales +7.3% Press release

 

Walmart India names Sameer Aggarwal as chief business officer; Devendra Chawla quits as COO at The Economic Times. Read more

 

U.S. Proposal Would Let Postal Service Sell Access to Your Mailbox by Heidi Vogt at Wall Street Journal. “The report notes that revenue could be raised by retaining the mailbox monopoly but allowing regulated access, for a fee, to certified private companies. These “franchisees” would be granted access to the mailbox for the delivery of mail and small parcels, according to the report.” WSJ subs.

 

REI Co-op expands gear rental program to 70 stores Press release

 

**A message from PaintPincher – Never Waste Paint Again! Ingenious paint can spatula that recovers paint, stain, adhesives and more from gallon and quart cans, leaving them 99.9% clean. Save up to a cup of paint per gallon! Video/Website | Request sample: info@shiftmarketinggroup.net

 

Walmart partners with Rakuten to open its first ecom store in Japan by Jon Russell at TechCrunch. “Walmart will fulfill orders in the U.S. and they will be sent by air to Japan where Rakuten will use its e-commerce smarts to deliver them. There’s no word on how long the process will take, but it will include shipping cost, duties and taxes in the final price.” Read more

 

‘We’re being mistreated’: Instacart shoppers complain of pay cuts as company shifts to new model by Alexia Elejalde-Ruiz at Chicago Tribune. “Since the new system rolled out in the Chicago market Nov. 5, some local shoppers have been boycotting low-paying orders, in hopes that if enough workers decline to take them the company will be forced to pay more.” Tiered subs.

 

Kroger buying Shopko’s pharmacy business by Joe Taschler at Journal Sentinel. Read more

 

Walmart’s new gaming PCs struggle with the basics at The Verge. “I called Overpowered’s support line, which turns out to be really just several automated menus that eventually lead to a general Walmart representative who could only offer to exchange a product if it turned out to be defective. They were unable to help me with any technical questions or problems.” Read more

 

Casey’s grocery/other merch Q2 comp sales +2.7% Press release

 

Reports and permit records indicate that Amazon has not followed through on plans to build bookstores in at least three locations in Georgia, Colorado and Idaho by Nat Levy at GeekWire. “After three years of operating Amazon Books, we remain excited about all of our stores,” the company said in a statement.” Read more

 

Cato Fashions agrees to multimillion-dollar settlement over discrimination claims by Deon Roberts at Charlotte Observer. “…has agreed to a $3.5 million settlement with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Com­mission…after a “nationwide, systemic investigation” uncovered discrimination against pregnant employees and workers with disabilities.” Tiered subs.

 

Lawyers slap Sears with $5M legal bill — for 17 days of work by Lisa Fickenscher at NY Post. Read more

 

Target pays $3 million for improperly billing automatic prescriptions refills by Abigail Feldman at Boston Globe. “Unauthorized automatic refills can result in inappropriate prescription drug use and wastes taxpayer dollars,” Attorney General Maura Healey said in a statement.” Tiered subs.

 

Terry Lundgren, former Macy’s CEO, joins ‘Squawk Box’ to discuss the health of the consumer and retail economy at CNBC. Video

 

Home Depot holds #1 spot in radio at Radio Ink. “The Home Depot aired 41,207 commercials on radio stations across the country last week, retaining its top spot on the list. GEICO was a very close second running 41,025 spots. eBay clocked in at third with 31,483, followed by two retailers, JCPenney (27,559) and Macy’s (26,329).” Read more

 

Kwik Trip takeover: Rise of the Midwest powerhouse by Trent Tetzlaff at Appleton Post-Crescent via Journal Sentinel. “The company now boasts more than 600 locations in Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa, and it continues to keep the pedal down on growth, said Hans Zietlow, director of real estate for Kwik Trip….”we’re probably monitoring 200 sites at any given time to build 50 stores a year.” Read more

 

Tipsheet Extra Stories

Billboard: 50 Best Albums of 2018 – Critics’ Picks

Pharrell Williams mocked for excessively thanking American Express

A Chinese ecom app that lures grocery shoppers with cash just raised $100M

How Walgreens’ Birchbox beauty shops hint at a huge opportunity

‘Avatar’ to ‘Mulan’: Hollywood Movies Are Keeping New Zealand Busier Than Ever

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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: eyeonretail.net

Tipsheet: Costco #1 to work for | Target #53 doing right | Amazon ‘Go’ U.K.

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Austrian retailers file antitrust complaint against Amazon at Reuters. “In a statement outlining its complaint, the Retail Association said the “main problem” was Amazon’s dual role as retailer and marketplace…93 percent of all Austrian online shoppers have made at least once purchase on Amazon.” Read more

 

Costco ranked as best large company to work for this year (Home Depot #13) via USA Today. Top 50 list

 

Amazon, Amid Crackdown on Seller Scams, Fires Employees Over Data Leak at Wall Street Journal. “Sellers also are buying Amazon wholesaler accounts on the black market to gain access to volumes of product listings, people familiar with the practice said…Some Chinese firms are selling wholesale vendor accounts for roughly $15,000, or renting them for up to $1,500 a month, the people familiar with the matter said.” WSJ subs.

 

60 Minutes: Screens Change Brain at CBS. “Dr. Dimitri Christakis: So what we do know about babies playing with iPads is that they don’t transfer what they learn from the iPad to the real world, which is to say that if you give a child an app where they play with virtual Legos, virtual blocks, and stack them, and then put real blocks in front of them, they start all over.” Read more/Video

 

Just 100: Companies Doing Right By America (Amazon #30, Target #53) at Forbes. List

 

Amazon targets airports for checkout-free store expansion by Jeffrey Dastin at Reuters. “The lead for Amazon Go requested a meeting,” read a June 27 email from a technology adviser who supports Los Angeles International, the second-busiest airport in the country, to a concessions official. “Interested?” Read more

 

Walmart’s Doug McMillon keeps a list of the top 10 retailers over the decades to remind him you have to innovate and adapt constantly at CNBC. Read more/Video

 

Shoppers Drug Mart granted licence to sell medical marijuana online via Vancouver Sun. “A spokeswoman for Shoppers’ parent company Loblaw Companies Ltd. says it’s too soon to say when people will be able to start making orders. She says the company is still working through a “technical issue” with Health Canada.” Tiered subs.

 

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Amazon reportedly plans to launch its first physical ‘Go’ store outside the US at CNBC. “Amazon is planning its first physical store in the U.K., likely to be in London’s West End shopping district, according to a report in The Telegraph.” Read more

 

‘Aggressive hiring’ and other changes ahead for Lowe’s, CEO says by Katherine Peralta at Charlotte Observer. “Ellison said Lowe’s will continue to invest in information technology, a sector now headed by former Target executive Seemantini Godbole…“We’re going to have some aggressive hiring plans that will impact us in our home location to create some jobs,” Ellison said.” Tiered subs.

 

Downtown L.A.’s burgeoning ‘Sneaker Row’ by Ronald D. White at LA Times. “Called Jumpman L.A., the venture is one in a fast-growing collection of athletic shoe and street wear stores on South Broadway…And Sneaker Row, as the stretch has been nicknamed, is only a portion of the expanding shoe scene downtown. “This part of downtown has really become the sneaker center,” said Brigham Yen, author of the DTLA Rising blog and a real estate broker.” Tiered subs.

 

JD.com teams up with Intel to develop ‘smart’ retail experiences by Jon Russell at TechCrunch. Read more

 

FreshDirect is losing customers over spate of service problems by Lisa Fickenscher at NY Post. “At issue is the high-tech equipment FreshDirect installed at its new, 400,000-square-foot facility this summer. Ever since, sources say, the new gear has suffered a myriad of daily hiccups, from missing or spilled items, trucks that arrive much later than the two-hour window — or not at all…” Read more

 

Here is what Amazon’s Nashville ‘Operations Center of Excellence’ will look like by Sandy Mazza at Tennessean. “The first 20-story tower will rise more than 300 feet above 10th Ave. N., at 1001 Church Street. The second tower will follow, completing the company’s so-called Operations Center of Excellence.” Pics/Read more

 

STARBUCKS BATHROOM WOES – “Letting everybody in has resulted in nobody getting in.” by Steve Cuozzo at NY Post. “Starbucks CEO Kevin Johnson declared the open-toilets policy after two black men were infamously arrested in a Philadelphia Starbucks…(some bathrooms) were closed for prolonged “cleaning” which an insider said was needed after extreme soiling caused by drug-using, incontinent vagrants.” Read more

 

Analyst doubles down on call that Amazon will buy Target at Business Insider. Read more

 

Tipsheet Extra Stories

New Hy-Vee stores rescue downtrodden retail sites

Charlotte Comes to a Standstill as Winter Storm Diego Grounds 1,400 Flights

Lululemon expands test loyalty program with $128 annual fee

The team behind Bezos-backed 10,000 Year Clock is looking forward to visitors

Beyonce Performs at Billionaire Indian Tycoon’s Daughter’s Wedding Party

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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: eyeonretail.net

 

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Tipsheet: Kroger +1.6% | Costco +8.5% | Publix #3 Diverse | Wgreen Next-Day Rx

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Kroger Q3 comp sales (without fuel) +1.6% / Total sales -0.3% Press release

 

…Kroger Earnings Beat But Comp Sales Fall Short at Investor’s Business Daily. “Wall Street expected Kroger earnings per share to fall 2% to 43 cents (actual = 48 cents)…Comp sales were expected to rise 1.7% excluding fuel (actual = 1.6%), according to Consensus Metrix.” Read more

 

Costco Nov. comp sales (excluding fuel) +8.5% Press release

 

Five Below Q3 comp sales +4.8% Press release

 

Walgreens launches next-day prescription delivery with FedEx at CNBC. “The delivery service is part of Walgreens Express, which also lets customers preview the cost of their prescriptions and prepay for those that are eligible. Patients can pay $4.99 to have their qualifying prescription drug delivered as early as the next day or choose to pick it up in stores, checking out in a special express line.” Read more

 

At Home Q3 comp sales +5.2% Press release

 

Michaels Q3 comp sales +3.8% Press release

 

Target illegally dumped hazardous waste in California. Now, it has to pay $7.4 million by Andrew Sheeler at Sacramento Bee. “…improperly disposing of items such as electronics, batteries, aerosol cans, compact fluorescent light bulbs and medical waste in landfills, according to a statement from Attorney General Xavier Becerra’s office.” Read more

 

**A message from the Megaphone sound enhancing case: Don’t Settle – 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

 

The 100 Best Workplaces for Diversity (Publix #3, Wegmans #4, Foot Locker #43, Burlington #44) at Fortune. List

 

Infant ibuprofen recall: Walmart, CVS Pharmacy and Family Dollar lots impacted by Joel Shannon at USA Today. “The products were labeled to contain 50 mg of Ibuprofen per 1.25 mL. The company said there is a “remote possibility” the increased amount of ibuprofen could lead to permanent kidney injury in infants.” Read more

 

Golden Globe Nominations: Complete List at Variety

 

Macy’s was almost the department store in ‘Elf.’ by Sarah Brookbank at Cincinnati Enquirer. “Macy’s Santa is supposed to be the real Santa, so the company wanted to cut the scene where Buddy finds out about the impostor. “We had to think long and hard about it,” Favreau said. “We ended up filming it in the cafeteria of a mental hospital in Vancouver instead of Macy’s because we had to build our own version of it because we were unwilling to change the content.” Tiered subs.

 

The Bloomberg 50 (Patagonia CEO, Nextdoor CEO) List

 

Amazon has apparently — and quietly — silenced its Amazon Tap smart speaker by Frank Catalano at GeekWire. Read more

 

The Hollywood Reporter’s 2018 Women in Entertainment Power 100 List

 

C&S Wholesale Grocers to Acquire Olean Wholesale Grocery Cooperative Press release

 

1 critical, 54 Amazon workers treated after bear repellent discharge in N.J. warehouse at NJ Advance Media. “…after being exposed to bear repellent that discharged when a can was punctured by an automated machine Wednesday morning inside the building, officials said.” Read more

 

Cheesecake Factory / Door Dash free slice promotion takes ugly turn at Daily Mail. “A fight broke out and one man was apprehended by cops and charged with disorderly conduct. Roads were blocked, cars were towed and tickets issued during the chaos.” Pics/Read more

 

Tipsheet Extra Stories

Gwyneth Paltrow says Jeff Bezos hasn’t answered her emails asking for advice

Dollar General is taking over rural America

How This 7-Year-Old Made $22 Million Playing With Toys

The World’s Highest-Paid Musicians Of 2018

Google is killing off Allo, its latest messaging app flop

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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: eyeonretail.net

 

Tipsheet: Saks Fifth +7.3% | Alibaba/Belgium Team | “Pause-vertising” | Ollie’s +4.6%

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Hudson’s Bay Q3 comp sales +2.9% / Saks Fifth Avenue comp +7.3% / DSG (Hudson’s Bay, Lord & Taylor & Home Outfitters) +0.9% / Saks Off 5th -2.3% Press release

 

Trump panel wants to give USPS right to hike prices for Amazon, others at Reuters. “None of our findings or recommendations relate to any one company,” a senior administration official said on Tuesday.” Read more

 

…Morgan Stanley estimates that Amazon relies on the Postal Service to deliver up to 45% of its packages by John. D. McKinnon & Paul Ziobro at Wall Street Journal. WSJ subs.

 

Ollie’s Bargain Outlet Q3 comp sales +4.6% Press release

 

How Dick’s Sporting Goods Decided to Change Its Gun Policy by Sarah Nassauer at Wall Street Journal. “Sixty-two employees quit in protest, said Mr. Stack, fewer than he anticipated…After the February announcement, one store worker who resigned (told) Fox News, “I respect the company, but based on this stance, I just can’t go any longer,” said Mr. Stack. “If this young man ever wants to come back to the company, you hire him back in a second,” Mr. Stack said he had told his human resources department.” WSJ subs.

 

Walmart employees can now complete online orders for in-store customers seeking sold out items by Nat Levy at GeekWire. “Customers could always whip out their own smartphones and basically complete this process themselves. But the new app creates an official pipeline for employees to take advantage of the company’s vast inventory to quickly backfill sold out items.” Read more

 

The World’s 100 Most Powerful Women (Roz Brewer #34) at Forbes. List

 

EBay will now authenticate luxury jewelry items by Sarah Perez at TechCrunch. “Initially, eBay was only focused on handbags from high-end brands…In September 2018, however, it expanded the program to authenticate luxury watches as well…The company says the decision to move into jewelry was the logical next step.” Read more

 

Nike Names Heidi O’Neill To An Expanded Role As President of Nike Direct Press release

 

Massive ground beef recall expands to more than 12 million pounds at USA Today. “The 12.1 million pounds of raw beef products including ground beef were produced between July 26 and Sept. 7 by JBS USA at its JBS Tolleson, Inc., processing plant in Tolleson, Arizona.” Read more

 

Alibaba to open first e-commerce trade hub in Europe at CNBC. “Alibaba struck a partnership with the Belgian government on Wednesday to create a trade hub that will help companies in the country to sell products abroad.” Read more

 

All the space department stores take up could build 350 malls at CNBC. Read more

 

Samsung just became the world’s spendiest advertiser, bypassing Procter & Gamble at TechCrunch. “Others in the tech world to dominate AdAge’s tally include Alphabet, Netflix and Amazon, which reportedly boosted their 2017 spending by 32 percent, 29 percent and 26 percent, respectively.” Read more

 

How the Longaberger basket empire slowly unraveled after 2000 peak by Kent Mallett at Newark Advocate via USA Today. “During the ensuing 18 months of surgeries, chemotherapy and experimental treatment, there was no course set for what to do if (founder Dave Longaberger) died, Stukey said. …”We all thought we had decades to deal with the notion of him being gone. There was no previous succession plan or even a transition phase for the business.” Read more

 

Pizza Hut has agreed to acquire QuikOrder, an online ordering software and service provider at CNBC. Read more

 

“PAUSE-VERTISING” – TV’s Next Commercial Break Might Be the Pause in Your Binge by Brian Steinberg at Variety. “…it’s natural they are going to want to pause,” says Jeremy Helfand, vice president and head of advertising platforms for Hulu, speaking of modern-day couch potatoes. Hulu intends to unveil what it calls “pause ads” in 2019…AT&T expects to launch technology next year that puts a full-motion video on a screen when a user decides to take a respite.” Read more

 

Tipsheet Extra Stories

Target Is Making Ugly Holiday Sweater Dresses Now

These common personal care products can speed up puberty among girls

NFL team owner pays off nearly $100,000 in Walmart layaway orders

Deadly dengue virus has returned to Cuba

‘Target Tammy’ recorded harassing black women

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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: eyeonretail.net

Tipsheet: Today Show Hits Target | “Kroger Express” in Wgreens | Kay Data Leak | D.Gen +2.8%

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Dollar General Q3 comp sales +2.8% Press release

 

AutoZone Q1 comp sales +2.7% Press release

 

Kroger will Sell Groceries at Walgreens by Heather Haddon at Wall Street Journal. “The first “Kroger Express” sections will open by early next year in 13 Walgreens stores near the grocer’s Cincinnati headquarters. The companies said they would add more of the 4,000-square-foot displays of produce, Home Chef meal kits and other products if customers take to them. They will account for roughly a third of an average Walgreens selling space.” WSJ subs. | Yahoo article

 

…Kroger won’t sell store-brand items that compete with Walgreens’s private-label products, but it will take over its supply for branded goods

 

NBC Today Show: Which curbside grocery pickup is the quickest (not Target!)? Video

 

RH Q3 comp brand revenue +4.0% Press release

 

Target will be joined by Germany’s Metro in next year’s Techstars program by Evan Ramstad at Star Tribune. “…will give the startups who participate in next year’s program a chance to spend time at both its Minneapolis headquarters and Metro’s in Berlin. “One of the themes will be how to scale globally,” Target spokesman Joe Poulos said. “The ability to work with both Target and Metro offers substantial opportunity to a startup.” Tiered subs.

 

HD Supply Q3 organic sales +9.4% Press release

 

A $500 Device Helps a Mom and Pop Toy Store Find Shoppers on Google by Spencer Soper at Bloomberg. “While Pointy’s hardware has been around for four years, it just got more appealing thanks to a new partnership with Google that lets merchants buy “local inventory ads” that appear in the search results of nearby shoppers. Think of it as a Google Maps for local products.” Tiered subs.

 

**A message from the amazing X1 Ebike – 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

 

J.C. Penney Got Its Search Groove Back For Black Friday by Laurie Steven at MediaPost. “Kantar Media analysts found the retailer took 18.4% click share on Black Friday. Macy’s followed with 7.6%, Sears with 7.2%, Kohl’s with 7%, and Verizon Wireless with 5.9%.” Read more

 

Jared, Kay Jewelers Parent Fixes Data Leak at Krebs. ““When a customer first brought this matter to our attention in early November, we fixed it for all new orders going forward,” Lancaster said. “But we didn’t notice at the time that this applied to all past orders as well as future orders.” Read more

 

Amazon briefly edges out Apple for most valuable company at Reuters. Read more

 

Apple launches online store for active military and veterans with discounted pricing at USA Today. “The discount covers hardware, software, speakers and accessories, including products from third parties. But there will be some minor exceptions, Apple says, and the price break won’t apply to iTunes/Apple Music content.” Read more

 

Judge says he may order halt to integration of CVS-Aetna via NY Post. “Judge Richard Leon of the US District Court for the District of Columbia complained at a hearing last week that the two sides had treated him as a “rubber stamp” for the deal.” Read more

 

Giant Eagle Completes Acquisition of Ricker Oil Company Press release

 

The Trouble With Tuna: ‘A Lot of Millennials Don’t Even Own Can Openers’ by Jesse Newman & Annie Gasparro at Wall Street Journal. “In a country focused on convenience, canned tuna isn’t cutting it with consumers. Many can’t be bothered to open and drain the cans, or fetch utensils and dishes to eat the tuna.” WSJ subs. | CNBC article

 

Post office will suspend most mail service Wednesday for Bush funeral at The Hill. Read more

 

CAN’T WIN – Amazon tweets about Flex driver who lost 100 lbs on job – internet mocks by Kurt Schlosser at GeekWire. “The story on the KSHB 41 Action News website said that Jackie Crow “jogs and smiles” while delivering packages for the tech giant. She slimmed down from 300 pounds to 198, and said she feels great and has more energy.” Read more

 

Mastercard, Visa Propose Cutting Fees for European Merchants by Allison Prang at Wall Street Journal. WSJ. subs.

 

Investor group wants Walmart & Vans Shoes execs to join Big 5 Sporting Goods Board Press release

 

Why America’s recycling crisis may get even worse very soon by Brian Sozzi at Yahoo Finance. “Sixteen materials, such as compressed automobile metals, will be banned from import starting on Dec. 31, 2018. The other 16 types, including wood pellets, titanium waste and scrap, are slated to be banned on Dec. 31, 2019.” Read more

 

True Value and Carter Lumber join forces Press release

 

Canadian branch of 1-800-FLOWERS reveals that malware on its website had siphoned off customers’ credit cards over a four-year period by Zach Whittaker at TechCrunch. Read more

 

Tipsheet Extra Stories

Shoppers say Walmart is better than Amazon at this one key persuasion tactic

Oregon May Vote in 2020 to Legalize Psychedelic Mushrooms

Why the world is becoming more allergic to food

King Soopers near high school removes Tide Pods from candy aisle

Boy gets Colorado town to overturn snowball fight ban

Apple Music Unveils Its Top 100 Songs and Albums for 2018

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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: eyeonretail.net

Tipsheet: Ellison’s “First Lady” | Retailer Investigates Hugging? | Big Problem with Cashier-Less

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Amazon is reportedly testing its cashier-less technology in larger stores at The Wall Street Journal / The Verge. “The WSJ says that Amazon has improved the software in those (smaller) stores since they’ve opened, but apparently the technology still has trouble in those “bigger spaces with higher ceilings and more products,” according to the WSJ’s sources.” Read more | WSJ article (subs.)

 

BATTERY BUMMER – Where are the drones? Amazon’s customers are still waiting at AP. “Frank Appel, the CEO of DHL’s parent company, Deutsche Post AG, said “over the next couple of years” drones will remain a niche vehicle and not widely used. He said a big obstacle is battery life. “If you have to recharge them every other hour, then you need so many drones and you have to orchestrate that. So good luck with that,” he told The Associated Press.” Read more

 

At Lowe’s, the Ellisons walk a fine line by Sarah Nassauer & Suzanne Kapner at Wall Street Journal. “Mr. Ellison, 53 years old, said he leans on his wife’s judgment, adding that his career “really is both our careers.” “There is no one that I count on more for candid, blunt advice and opinions,” he said…At Penney, Sharyn Ellison’s involvement rankled some employees, who spoke among themselves about how they felt Mr. Ellison placed her opinions ahead of their professional expertise.” WSJ subs.

 

Retailers Are Testing Facebook-Style Shopper Profiles to Battle Amazon by Olivia Carville at Bloomberg. “Chatbots are increasingly ubiquitous and getting better at holding a meaningful conversation with customers. And behind the scenes retailers are training customer-support people to act more like traditional salespeople with the expertise once available only at top brick-and-mortar establishments.” Tiered subs.

 

…Build.com…has built a 300-person team of project experts…Paid on commission and expected to hit monthly sales targets…Cameron Ellingsen, a project expert for four years, says he has considerable autonomy but avoids the hard sell.

 

**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 & more. Catalog | Website | Contact

 

UK retailer Ted Baker to investigate company culture of hugging at Reuters. “An online campaign claiming to represent over 200 employees has called on the company to end “forced hugging” and “a culture that leaves harassment unchallenged”. Read more

 

Walmart is rolling out 360 autonomous floor-scrubbing robots in some of its stores in the U.S. by the end of the January at MSN. “The robots, which look like a cross between a miniature Zamboni and a motorized wheel chair, already scrub floors at airports in Seattle, San Diego, Boston and Miami.” Read more

 

The company behind Walmart’s pickup towers has developed a self-driving car that delivers packages by Hayley Peterson at Business Insider. “The car, called Lotte, is a robotic courier. It autonomously transports packages to homes and businesses and uses a robotic arm to place the packages in a pickup locker. Eventually, it will be able to deliver packages to mailboxes and pickup towers as well.” Pics/Read more

 

They thought they’d die trapped in a parking lot. How 150 survivors of California’s deadliest fire made it out alive at LA Times. Tiered subs.

 

KEEP ‘EM GUESSING – Amazon Christmas tree order kept buyer guessing on delivery date by Joan Verdon at North Jersey Record via USA Today. “Two days before Thanksgiving I got an Amazontext on my phone telling me the tree would be delivered Nov.  27. One day before Thanksgiving Amazon sent a new alert with a new, later delivery date of Dec. 3. On Saturday, Nov. 24, out of the blue, I received a text on my phone telling me to expect the tree that day.” Read more

 

Cash-strapped states turn to legal marijuana for tax revenue, but some say they’re not charging enough at CNBC. Read more

 

ARBITRAGE – Man made $2500 in a day buying Monopoly for Millennials at Walmart and selling them online at Boing Boing. “It’s $55 at Amazon, but WalMart had it for just $20…The Bearded Picker went from store to store buying every box and selling them online. All he had to do was iterate the “available” count on his third-party seller listing at Amazon…” Read more

 

Ikea Will Open Its First U.S. City-Center Store in Manhattan at CNN. “…it will open up a 1,600 square-foot showroom on Manhattan’s Upper East Side next spring…The store will carry a limited assortment and won’t feature restaurants. Most of the items will only be available for delivery.” Read more

 

An exclusive look inside Google’s in-house incubator Area 120 by Harry McCracken at Fast Company. Read more

 

Nestlé Pays Only $200 to Take 130 Million Gallons of Michigan’s Water by Julia Zorthian at Fortune. “The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality will decide upon Nestlé’s application to increase the amount it takes, but opposition is rising in the meantime, the New York Times reports.” Read more

 

Tipsheet Extra Stories

Weed isn’t killing craft beer — iPhones are, says Brewers Association

The Key to Taco Bell’s Tone? ‘We Think of Ourselves As an Underdog’

‘The Office’ Cast Gathers for Offscreen Reunion

Facebook employees are calling former colleagues to look for jobs

Activist Investor Wants to Break Up Hudson’s Bay

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: eyeonretail.net

Tipsheet: Sam’s New Layout Center | Toy Shortage? | WM NYC Deliv Chief Out

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Early Amazon investor John Doerr is convinced Jeff Bezos will roll out Prime Health at CNBC. Read more

 

Sam’s Club planning to build corporate childcare facility by Paul Gatling at Talk Business. “Sam’s Club wants to build its development on land it owns at 2300 S.E. S St…expected to be about 17,500 square feet and will hold about 170 children including infants, toddlers, 2-year-olds, pre-K and kindergarten prep.” Read more

 

…Sam’s Club new layout center opened yesterday “The new building replaces the existing 134,000-square-foot layout center in Springdale, inside a former Sam’s Club store…Shelley Latham, a senior merchant in the toy category, said she spends about 30% of her time at the Springdale layout center. “Sixty-five hours a year is saved just by having the new building across the street,” she said…“This is a game changer for us.” Read more

 

Iceberg lettuce prices soar as much as 168% after E. coli outbreak takes romaine off shelves at CNBC. Read more

 

Holiday’s hot toys already in short supply at big-box retailers by Lisa Fickenscher at NY Post. “The big problem, according to industry insiders, is that Walmart, Target and Amazon lack both the aisle space and the appetite for risk that would be needed to fill US demand for toys this year…Adrienne Appell, a spokeswoman for the Toy Industry Association: “Many of them didn’t anticipate that items would go as quickly as they have already.” Read more

 

Jim Cramer sits down with Dollar Tree President and CEO Gary Philbin Video

 

Walmart’s NYC Delivery Push Suffers Loss of Divison Chief by Matthew Boyle at Bloomberg. “Jesse Kaplan, who sold his last-mile delivery startup to Walmart last year, “has decided this was a natural point for him to step down,” Alyssa Ciambriello, spokeswoman for Walmart unit Jet, said in an emailed statement. Chief Operating Officer Jackson Fratesi will now lead Parcel and its more than 200 employees, she said.” Tiered subs.

 

CVS Health president Larry Merlo discusses CVS’ acquisition of Aetna at CNBC. Video

…Interviewer calls Merlo out over 3 feet long receipts Video

 

Neiman Marcus Talks With Debt Holders End in Stalemate by Katherine Doherty at Bloomberg. “Initial talks between Neiman Marcus Group Inc. and its debt holders are at a standstill over the fate of one of its most promising assets, MyTheresa, according to people familiar with the matter. The retailer and some of its creditors failed to agree on the early reworking of Neiman’s $4.7 billion debt load.” Tiered subs. | WSJ article (subs.)

 

**A message from the 3-Foot Circle – The golf training aid that gets you down in two shots from the edge of the green. Video/Info

 

Mental health clinic opens inside a Walmart in Texas at NBC Today. Video/Read more

 

White House to Hold Roundtable With Tech Executives next Thursday at Wall Street Journal. “Executives expected to participate include Microsoft Corp. Chief Executive Satya Nadella, Google Chief Executive Sundar Pichai, OracleCorp. co-Chief Executive Safra Catz, Qualcomm Inc. Chief Executive Steve Mollenkopf and others…” WSJ subs.

 

Nashville reverses course, releases original Amazon incentives by Sandy Mazza at The Tennessean. “Earlier this month, Mayor David Briley’s office declined to release the original HQ2 offer, signed by Barry in September 2017. But after repeated requests from the community, Briley “decided in this instance to provide it,” according to a statement released to the media.” Incentive details

 

America’s Top 50 Women In Tech at Forbes. List

 

J. Crew scraps budget line; Amazon deal in doubt by Khadeeja Safdar at MarketWatch. “J.Crew Group Inc. will discontinue its budget clothing line called Mercantile and shut down the newly launched Nevereven brand…The elimination of Mercantile calls into question J.Crew’s deal with Amazon.com Inc., which currently sells only Mercantile products.” Read more

 

AT&T details plans for Netflix-style streaming service at NBC Today. Read more

 

NOT LEAVING – Hundreds of Family Dollar workers are opting not to move to Dollar Tree’s HQ in Virginia by Katherine Peralta at Charlotte Observer. “About 210 Family Dollar employees in Matthews have agreed to move to Dollar Tree’s headquarters in Chesapeake, Va., representing approximately 30 percent of the local workers who were offered to do so, Dollar Tree said.” Tiered subs.

 

Starbucks says it will start blocking porn in 2019 at NY Post. Read more

 

Netflix, Disney or Amazon: Who Wins the War for Streaming in India? at Hollywood Reporter. Read more

 

Why GameStop sold its AT&T wireless stores and lowered its full-year forecast by Maria Halkias at Dallas News. “GameStop cut its full-year profit forecast Thursday saying sales of pre-owned merchandise fell 13.4 percent and it took a charge to lower the value of the company.” Tiered subs. | Press release

 

Report: Jack in the Box courting potential buyers by Mike Freeman at San Diego Tribune. Read more

 

Target gives shoppers advance notice of its annual 10% off gift cards by John Ewoldt at Star Tribune. “…the sale starts and ends Sunday, Dec. 2 in stores and on Target.com…minimum gift card purchase is $10 and the maximum purchase is $300.” Tiered subs.

 

“Amazon Teen” is targeting kids on Snapchat by Jeff Beer at Fast Company. Read more

 

‘Wreck-It Ralph’ Gives eBay Starring Role – For Free by Adrianne Pasquarelli at Ad Age. “I would call this a Nirvana moment for marketers,” says Suzy Deering, chief marketing officer of San Jose-based eBay.” Tiered subs.

 

Tipsheet Extra Stories

SXSW releases list of 250 artists playing 2019 festival

CDC warns of new tick species capable of spreading diseases to humans

Targeted ads are ramping up on cable via your smart TV

Dems demand info on law enforcement’s use of Amazon facial recognition tool

Alexa can now connect to Big Mouth Billy Bass

Woman messaged online date only because he had Costco in his profile

Read Tipsheet Extra Stories

 

**

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: eyeonretail.net