Tipsheet: McKenna #15 Powerful | Barneys 10/3 Deadline | Stack’s Book 10/8

 

Fortune’s Most Powerful Women 2019 (McKenna #15, Barry #18, Campbell #20) Top 50 list

 

Forever 21 fashion chain files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy at AP. “…it will close up to 178 stores in the U.S. As of the bankruptcy filing, the company operated about 800 stores globally, including more than 500 stores in the U.S.  The company said it would focus on maximizing the value of its U.S. stores and shutter certain international locations. Forever 21 plans to close most of its locations in Asia and Europe but will continue operating in Mexico and Latin America.” Read more

 

Lenders give Barneys Oct. 3 deadline to find buyer, avoid liquidation by Lisa Fickenscher at NY Post. “There are at least two interested buyers who want to acquire the upscale retailer in its entirety, while others would be interested in its parts, according to Bloomberg. Licensing firm Authentic Brands Group, which owns Juicy Couture, is reportedly first in line to acquire Barneys’ intellectual property should the company be liquidated.” Read more

 

Chicagoland mall ‘terrorist’ did obsessive research before attack: prosecutors by Lee Brown at NY Post. “In the day before his attack, Garcia conducted 124 internet searches on Woodfield Mall in suburban Schaumburg, including the stores inside and street and aerial views, prosecutors said in Leighton Criminal Court on Sunday.” Read more

 

Have Online Reviews Lost All Value? by Rebecca Dolan at Wall Street Journal. “Chris McCabe, who evaluated seller performance while employed at Amazon and who now runs a consulting firm for its retailers, estimates the number of inauthentic reviews on the site to be around 30%.” WSJ subs.

 

Macy’s is closing its landmark downtown Seattle store in February by Nicole Brodeur at Seattle Times. “Said Laura Heydrich: “My first thought is, is it closing for the same reason Bartell’s is closing?” she asked. “The crime?”…“The homeless people outside deter you from coming in. I feel safer at home (shopping online).” Tiered subs.

 

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Eyeing That Sweater? It’s Yours in Four Easy Payments by AnnaMaria Andriotis & Peter Rudegeair at Wall Street Journal. “For Christmas, Ms. Padilla used Afterpay to buy $75 of videogame T-shirts for her 13-year-old son at Forever 21 and $60 of rock-themed tops for her toddlers. Without Afterpay, she said, “we would have definitely bought less.” WSJ subs.

 

Rent the Runway hits the pause button at CNBC. “Rent the Runway isn’t accepting any new subscribers or new event rentals at least until Oct. 15, as the clothing platform runs into a slew of inventory and supply chain issues and struggles to keep up with customers’ demands.” Read more

 

Dick’s Sporting Goods CEO Ed Stack’s new book is set to hit shelves on Oct. 8. at CNBC. “(Ed Stack) listed three primary reasons for wanting to share his thoughts with the world. One is, he wanted to help entrepreneurs…Second…he wanted to use the book to highlight what’s going on in youth sports nationwide…Lastly, and perhaps what really pushed Stack to finish his book, is the recent stance the CEO has taken on gun control…” Read more

 

Tony Rogers, Chief Member Officer of Sam’s Club is guest on CMO Moves podcast Listen

 

Asics apologizes for porn playing for hours above New Zealand store at BBC. “The content played on the store’s promotional outdoor screens above the entrance until staff arrived at 10am on Sunday to open the shop. The Japanese sports company said hackers had gained access to the system to show the explicit content.” Read more

 

CVS suspends sales of Zantac brand and generic heartburn drug during safety review at CNBC. Read more

 

Georgia Kroger’s newest security efforts include enclosed aisles of merchandise with one way in, and one way out at WGXA Fox 24 ABC. “Have you heard of theft being a problem here? Yes I have, I have, yeah, quite a bit,” says (one) shopper. Others say many people take things from shelves and use them in the bathroom without paying, but feel a less intimidating approach should be taken.” Video/Read more

 

Tipsheet Extra Stories

The Home Depot Foundation goes back to school

Harris Teeter hires autistic man laid off by Sam’s Club

Gatorade signs Zion Williamson to its endorsement roster

Mets fan knocked unconscious, nearly blinded by T-shirt cannon

LendingTree saw 184% more wedding loans in 2018 than 2017

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Contact us: Put your product or service in front of the most powerful retail execs in the world, send advertising inquiries to info@eyeonretail.net

 

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Tipsheet: Costco Golf Ball Fail | Lowe’s DIY Software | Sam’s Health Pilot

 

Sam’s Club launches health care pilot to members at AP. “Starting next month, Sam’s Club members in Michigan, Pennsylvania and North Carolina will be able to buy bundles of health care services that include discounted dental care, free prescriptions for certain generic medications, and telehealth consultations. Fees range from $50 for individuals to $240 for up to six family members.” Read more

 

Rite Aid beats on Q2 profit / Retail pharmacy revenue -1.6% / Comp prescription volume +2.7% at MarketWatch. Read more

 

US economy grew at modest 2% rate in Q2 at AP “In the current quarter, analysts believe GDP is likely growing at the same modest 2% rate, and they are forecasting a similar outcome in the final quarter.” Read more

 

Costco’s latest version of its budgeted golf ball flops at Golfworld. “According to initial reports on Golf News Net and Reddit, Costco is offering a refund of the purchase price of the ball, which was selling for $29.99 for a two-dozen pack. The Kirkland Signature ball was touted as a four-piece urethane construction, a dual-core construction similar to that found on many name brand models that sell for more than three times that price.” Read more

 

…Numerous golfers shared pictures online of the balls’ covers being cut easily after a small number of swings at Golf News Net. Read more

 

French Supermarkets Are Now Opening on Sundays—Sans Employees by Robert Williams at Bloomberg. “For decades, French unions have fought extended opening times for stores…Grocery group Casino Guichard Perrachon is leaving 200 outlets open after employees go home, with self-checkout machines in their stead. Rival Carrefour SA in May began testing a similar idea in Paris’s posh 7th arrondissement with a market that’s open 24/7.” Tiered subs.

 

Lowe’s Goes DIY on Software Development by Agam Shah at Wall Street Journal. “I don’t think technology has had as much seat at the table as it has now, which is really front and center,” said Ms. Godbole, who joined Lowe’s from Target Corp. in November…“If 100% of e-commerce is going to be brought in house, I would say we are absolutely 40% of the way,” Ms. Godbole said. She expects the in-house version of key features such as online checkout to be deployed by the middle of next year.” WSJ subs.

 

Pier 1 Imports Q2 comp sales -12.6% Press release

 

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

 

Kroger opens 52,000-square-foot urban format store in downtown Cincinnati, offering the grocer’s first-ever food hall, named On The Rhine Eatery Press release

 

…Here’s why people lined up overnight for a new Kroger in Downtown Cincinnati by Alexander Coolidge at Cincinnati Enquirer. “I got here at 4:30 in the morning – I wanted to get all the joyness and excitement I could get,” declared 65-year-old Loretta Moore, who lives a few blocks away in Over-The-Rhine. “Since this is happening in my community, I thought I should be a part of it.” Pics/Tiered subs.

 

Hibbett announces appointment of interim CFO Scott Humphrey “Mr. Humphrey most recently served as Chief Financial Officer for Ciner Resources, LP, a publicly traded mining company located in Atlanta, Georgia.” Press release

 

Foot Locker takes minority stake in youth culture platform at Footwear News. “Founded in October 2018, Ntwrk…describes itself as a Home Shopping Network or QVC for young, mobile-savvy shoppers…Ntwrk regularly offers one exclusive product each day, netting profits from retail sales and through content-creating services for brands.” Read more

 

Everything Amazon announced at its Alexa event by Sarah Perez at TechCrunch. Read more

 

Best Buy sees growth in health care technology for elderly by Anne D’Innocenzio at AP. “Best Buy Co. said Wednesday that in five years it hopes to provide 5 million seniors with health monitoring services, which can range from sensors placed throughout a home to a pendant worn around the neck. It currently provides the service to 1 million.” Read more

 

Lululemon set to wind down Ivivva kids business, to close 7 remaining stores at CNBC. Read more

 

Bezos: Facial recognition ‘a perfect example’ of the need for regulation, and Amazon is working on it by Todd Bishop & Monica Nickelsburg at GeekWire. “Jeff Bezos made a surprise appearance at an Amazon press reception Wednesday evening to introduce singer-songwriter Charlie Puth to the crowd — but before he made his way to the stage, the Amazon CEO made some unexpected news on the issue of regulating facial recognition. “Good regulation in this arena would be very welcome I think by all the players,” Bezos said.” Read more

 

Target & Disney team up at a Bullseye View. “The collaboration encompasses experiential retail and merchandising—including the launch of 25 Disney stores within select Target stores nationwide on Oct. 4, with 40 additional locations opening by October 2020.” Press release

 

Tipsheet Extra Stories

Walmart Canada betting on pricing for competitive edge in grocery wars

No charges filed against LAPD officer in deadly Costco shooting

This billion-dollar startup is turning sneakers into a ‘stock market’

Marijuana vaping product sales sink amid lung disease scare

The most innovative office design of the year is in Cartersville, GA

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Subscribe to Eye on Retail Tipsheet here

 

Contact us: Put your product or service in front of the most powerful retail execs in the world, send advertising inquiries to info@eyeonretail.net

 

Website: eyeonretail.net

Tipsheet: eBay CEO Out | Sheetz Tech Hub | B.Buy Double Down

 

eBay CEO steps down as it continues to weigh selling off businesses at CNN. “Devin Wenig has stepped down as president and CEO…Scott Schenkel, a longtime eBay executive, will take over as interim CEO while the board conducts a search for a permanent replacement.” Read more

 

Best Buy CEO Corie Barry wants to ‘double down’ on its strategy at CNBC. “We’re the last consumer electronics retailer, and we offer unique advantages to both our vendors and our customers,” Barry said in an interview with CNBC. “If you’re going to hinge on a strategy that’s built around these unique customer relationships, I think you actually double down on it in times of … disruption.” Video/Read more

 

Target’s systems briefly go down for third glitch to hit shoppers in 3 months by Evan Ramstad at Star Tribune. “Target’s checkout registers, website and mobile app went offline for a short period Tuesday afternoon…As word of the outage spread around 3 p.m. Minnesota time, Target shoppers went on social media to report their experiences. Some said Target employees were handing out candy and coupons to the Starbucks outlets in their stores as customers waited.” Tiered subs.

 

Amazon launches on-demand healthcare clinic for Seattle-area employees by James Thorne at GeekWire. “Sick employees can sign into a mobile app to meet with a nurse practitioner in real-time through text or video. If the condition can’t be diagnosed or treated remotely, the employees can request that a clinician visit them at home or in the office…” Read more

 

At Home cancels CEO’s stock options — at his request by Maria Halkias at Dallas Morning News. “The 1,988,255 shares had an exercise price of $38.35 a share, which was the price of the stock when the options were granted, but the options were underwater…At Home’s share price has been on a decline over the last 18 months and closed on Tuesday at $9.49, down 23 cents.” Tiered subs.

 

Sheetz picks Pittsburgh for technology and innovation hub at KDKA 2 CBS Pittsburgh. “The hub will aim to turn Sheetz into a “one-stop-shop.” “Our mission at Sheetz is to create a business that puts the Sheetz as we know it today, out of business,” (said) Emily Sheetz, Sheetz’s AVP of Strategy” Read more

 

Working Mother Reveals the 100 Best Companies of 2019 – Johnson & Johnson #1 Unranked list

 

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Gap Inc. appoints Mary Beth Laughton as president and CEO of Athleta “Most recently, she was EVP of Omni retail for Sephora U.S. leading both the e-commerce and stores channels…Prior to that, Laughton spent nine years at Nike…” Press release

 

Nike Q1 revenue +7.0% Press release

 

Arby’s owner buys Jimmy John’s at CNBC. “Inspire Brands, backed by private equity firm Roark Capital Group, announced Wednesday it will acquire Jimmy John’s for an undisclosed amount. The chain has more than 2,800 locations.” Read more

 

Amazon unveils voice interoperability initiative with more than 30 companies – ‘a shot across Google’s bow’ by Taylor Soper at GeekWire. Read more

 

Anheuser Busch will sever its relationship with ‘Game Day’ attendee over racist tweets after fulfilling a public agreement to donate to a charity on his behalf at The Hill. Read more

 

Walmart plants pollination plots by Serenah McKay at Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette. “The test gardens are at Walmart stores in Oregon, Washington state and North Carolina, with an additional one at the retailer’s Bentonville headquarters. They were planted in April and May…” Pic/Read more

 

Tipsheet Extra Stories

Amazon acquires INLT to help sellers import goods to the U.S.

Mattel just launched a line of gender-neutral dolls

Food Network Partners With Amazon for Interactive OTT Cooking Platform ‘Kitchen’

Bonobos’ CEO: Here’s how Walmart has helped us.

Marshalls finally launches first online store

Shooting threat at ‘Joker’ premiere spurs warning from Army Criminal Investigation Command

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Subscribe to Eye on Retail Tipsheet here

 

Contact us: Put your product or service in front of the most powerful retail execs in the world, send advertising inquiries to info@eyeonretail.net

 

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Tipsheet: Wegmans Women #3 | AutoZone +3% | Costco SVP Retires

 

Walmart to offer workers college degrees in health and wellness at CNBC. “…employees pay just $1 a day for an education…(Walmart’s) 1.5 million U.S. workers will now be able to pursue career diplomas for pharmacy technicians and opticians, through the Penn Foster online college. Also, seven bachelor’s degrees in health science, health and wellness and health-care management/administration will be offered through Purdue University Global, Southern New Hampshire University, Bellevue University and Wilmington University.” Read more

 

AutoZone Q4 comp sales +3.0% “For the fiscal year ended August 31, 2019, sales were $11.9 billion, an increase of 5.7% from the prior year.” Press release

 

How Starbucks Got Its Buzz Back by Beth Kowitt at Fortune. “Roz Brewer, chief operating officer of Starbucks, is not by nature a coffee person. In fact, when she joined the company two years ago, her caffeination vehicle of choice was tea (green and iced, thank you). Some might think that her apathy toward java could pose a problem…But since taking the job, Brewer has methodically worked toward earning her barista bona fides…” Read more

 

Old Navy Is About to Sail Away From Gap Inc.—and Into Some Choppy Waters by Phil Wahba at Fortune. “Old Navy employees heading into their San Francisco headquarters on a recent Monday were greeted almost the second they walked in with some bluntly candid customer feedback. “The lines are way too long & your customer service reps are not helpful at all,” griped one shopper. “If I get served one more Old Navy ad on YouTube …” lamented another. The complaints, taken from Old Navy’s social media feeds, whizzed high above staffers’ heads in vivid red type…” Read more

 

Best Buy expands lease-to-own program, joining growing number of retailers by Kavita Kumar at Star Tribune. “(Corie) Barry, who became CEO of Best Buy in June, plans to discuss the lease-to-own program, as well as Best Buy’s overall strategy going forward, at an investors meeting in New York on Wednesday. Best Buy’s partner in the program is Progressive Leasing, which handles similar programs for other retailers…” Tiered subs.

 

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Microsoft helps retailers battle Amazon with new AI and IoT tools for Dynamics 365 by Matt Levy at GeekWire. Read more

 

Costco senior VP Steve Pappas retires after 50-year career in retail by Lyndsey Cambridge at The Grocer. “…he will continue to work on European projects for Costco until January 2020 when he plans to return to the US to live after a 13-year stint residing in the UK. The Grocer understands Louie Silveira has taken on Pappas’ role. Silveira previously held the role of vice president and country manager of Taiwan.” Read more

 

Express, Inc. announces promotion of Matthew Moellering to President “Mr. Moellering joined Express in 2006…(He) served as Interim President and Interim Chief Executive Officer of Express from January 2019 to June 2019.” Press release

 

75 Best Large Workplaces for Women (Wegmans #3, Publix #11, Burlington #39, Sheetz #58, Cumberland Farms #73) List

 

Publix SVP of Real Estate and Facilities Jeff Chamberlain to retire Press release

 

‘Duty-free’ airport shopping: The pricing puzzle by Ed Perkins at Chicago Tribune. “Airports with highest duty-free prices, overall, are Santorini, Sydney, and Zurich; prices at Santorini, Accra, and Athens are high for liquor; at Bangkok, Zurich, and Madrid for cosmetics; at Bangkok, Vienna, and Accra for fragrances, and at Sydney, London/Heathrow, and Paris for tobacco.” Tiered subs.

 

Fresh blow for Marks and Spencer as finance chief quits at Financial Times. Read more

 

‘Maniac’ drives SUV through Schaumburg, IL mall at ABC 7. “Almost hit a bunch of kids on a little train,” said witness Anthony Uchick, who was inside the mall at the time. “Crashed into Forever 21 and his front bumper ended up being in front of where Forever 21 is.”…”All of a sudden I see the car coming through. I was about 10 feet away from the door. I was pretty scared at the same time,” said Frank Alegria.” Video/Read more

 

Tipsheet Extra Stories

Postmates’ delivery robots have a phantom babysitter

Walmart and Simon Property Group among secret funders behind campaign to blast Amazon

Walmart’s McMillon to chair D.C. -based Business Roundtable

Deadly mosquito virus grows to 13 NJ counties

‘The Simpsons’ Producer dies at 54

Emmys TV ratings tumble 33% to all-time low

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Subscribe to Eye on Retail Tipsheet here

 

Contact us: Put your product or service in front of the most powerful retail execs in the world, send advertising inquiries to info@eyeonretail.net

 

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Tipsheet: Trader Joe’s #1 for Newbies | Texas Flood | WM Zipper Snafu

 

Water rescues begin as Imelda soaks east Texas at AP News. “Forecasters warned that Imelda could bring up to 35 inches (90 centimeters) of rain this week in some areas of Texas through Friday…“It’s bad. Homes that did not flood in Harvey are flooding now,” Jefferson County Judge Jeff Branick said.” Read more

 

Drop in online shopping knocks UK retail sales in August at Reuters. “Monthly retail sales volumes dipped by 0.2%, the Office for National Statistics said, compared with an average forecast for a flat reading in a Reuters poll of economists and the first fall in three months.” Read more

 

Impossible Foods will make its grocery store debut in California at CNBC. “The deal with Gelson’s marks Impossible’s first step into grocery. By mid-2020, the company plans to make its burger available in grocery stores in every region nationwide. The Impossible Burger will be available in East Coast grocery stores later this month.” Read more

 

@BradStone tweet: “at @PressClubDC to hear @JeffBezos talk about Amazon’s carbon footprint and sustainability efforts. Press conference starts at 10 a.m. EST.”

 

Tiffany Plans More China Stores as Tourist Spending Falls at Bloomberg. “…as the weak yuan deters Chinese consumers from spending overseas and they shift their luxury buying back home. Currency fluctuations have had “an influence on the intention of Chinese to buy abroad,” CEO Alessandro Bogliogo said in an interview with Bloomberg Television in Shanghai on Thursday.” Tiered subs.

 

Trader Joe’s named America’s #1 employer for new graduates in 2019 (Wegmans #19, H-E-B #23, Costco #43) at Forbes. Top 100 list

 

Casper launched its own version of CBD-infused gummies this week at CNBC. “Getting into the CBD market may seem like a gimmick timed to the first frenzy in the cannabis capitalism market, but Casper has been looking at the CBD market for years under the direction of its co-founder and chief strategy officer, Neil Parikh, who comes from a medical background and is a CBD user himself.” Read more

 

Field Agent: Inside Walmart’s new enhanced supercenter in Dallas, GA “Shopper reviews of the newly-upgraded supercenter were overwhelmingly positive. In fact, all four of our agents rated the store as “much better” than the traditional Walmart Supercenter format.” Pics/Read more

 

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As Benetton’s ‘Design Shift’ Boosts Sales, It Considers Opening U.S. Stores Again at Fortune. “United Colors of Benetton made a splash with its new collection showcasing experimental textiles and ecological materials inspired by the sea, presented Tuesday—on the eve of Milan Fashion Week—inside a 1930s-era swimming hall.” Read more

 

Berstein downgrades Costco, says memberships will be the first to go in an economic downturn at CNBC. “Fletcher also said investors are putting too much emphasis on Costco’s growth internationally. “Internationally, we think COST’s growth in China will go more slowly than most investors might expect,” he said.” Read more

 

The World’s Most Reputable Companies For Corporate Responsibility 2019 (IKEA #10, eBay #92) at Forbes. Top 100 list

 

Toys R Us partners with Candytopia to woo shoppers back with new experiences at CNBC. “The Toys R Us Adventure play areas will open in late October in Atlanta at Lenox Marketplace in Buckhead and in Chicago on North Michigan Ave….The experience will likely move to four spots next year, said Candytopia CEO Goodman. Like Candytopia, it will charge admission: $28 for adults, $20 for kids 4 through 12 and free for children under 12.” Read more

 

Mom’s jeans zipper gets stuck to the chain on the “lane closed” sign at Walmart at ABC KSAT 12. “I was standing there with 2 cashiers, 2 CSMs, and a stock boy, all trying to UNLODGE. MY. ZIPPER,” Guinn said. When nothing worked, they gave her the option of taking the chain and sign home with her, where her husband finally used a bolt cutter tool to solve the problem.” Pics/Read more

 

Tipsheet Extra Stories

Taylor Swift will only play in these two U.S. cities in 2020

Scientific breakthrough may eventually allow many blind people to see

The 10 highest paying companies in America

Tim Hortons pulling Beyond Meat products from all Canadian provinces but two

7-Eleven has the most vaping citations (by far) in Denver

Downtown Nashville’s first supermarket opening next month

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Subscribe to Eye on Retail Tipsheet here

 

Contact us: Put your product or service in front of the most powerful retail execs in the world, send advertising inquiries to info@eyeonretail.net

 

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Tipsheet: WM CIO Departs | REI’s Magazine | RH Movie | Chewy +43%

 

Capital One launches two new co-branded Walmart credit cards:

  • 5% off purchases at Walmart’s website
  • In-store: 5% off first 12 months then 2% off when checking out with Walmart Pay

 

US home building climbs 12.3% in August to 12-year high at AP. “Construction of single-family homes rose 4.4% to 919,000. Building of apartments and condominiums surged 30.9% —biggest monthly gain since December 2016 — to 424,000. Residential construction rose 30.5% in the Northeast, 15.4% in the Midwest and 14.9% in the South but was unchanged in the West.” Read more

 

Chewy shares slide despite narrower-than-expected second quarter loss at CNBC. “The pet food and product retailer posted net sales of $1.15 billion, topping estimates of $1.13 billion, according to a survey of analysts by Refinitiv. Sales also grew 43% from last year.” Read more

 

Walmart CIO to Join Yum Brands by Sara Castellanos at Wall Street Journal. “Clay Johnson will be Yum’s chief digital and technology officer, a newly created position…His departure comes a few months after Walmart merged its consumer-facing and internal technology teams under a new role held by Suresh Kumar, a former executive at Amazon.com Inc. and Alphabet Inc. ’s Google.” WSJ subs.

 

RH releases “RH New York, The Movie,” a short film documenting the creation of RH New York, The Gallery in the Historic Meatpacking District 4:26 video/Press release

 

‘Rental’ apparel brings new wrinkles for retail stores at Reuters. “Lisa Batitto, 54, says she has virtually stopped buying clothes ever since she started renting them. The New Jersey-based museum publicist spends $277 a month on three subscriptions…This is less than what she previously spent, she said. “I still have clothes in my closet from when I was buying, but I can’t tell you the last time I bought anything,” she said.” Read more

 

Meijer expands shop & scan technology to all stores Press release

 

**A message from Real Coconut Water: Really sweet, 100% pure coconut water. PL or branded organic in Tetra Pak. Sell sheet | Website | Samples: info@eyeonretail.net

 

REI launches a magazine, Uncommon Path at Ad Age. “Uncommon Path also includes full-page ads from the likes of Merrell, Fjallraven, Subaru and Altra. The first issue runs 84 pages…” Read more

 

Amazon PayCode, already available in 19 countries around the world, launches today in the U.S. and allows customers to choose Amazon PayCode at checkout and then pay for their purchase in cash at one of 15,000 Western Union locations. Press release

 

Stein Mart Launches ‘Buy Online, Pick Up in Store’ at all locations – first U.S. off-price retailer to offer BOPIS service  Press release

 

Amazon begins its airlift of Hurricane Dorian relief supplies to the Bahamas by Alan Boyle at GeekWire. “The first Amazon Air cargo plane arrived in Nassau on Monday with about 19,300 items on board, Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos reported in a tweet. The cargo weight amounted to 72,728 pounds.” Read more

 

Stage Stores announces total company conversion to off-price Press release

 

Fanatics hires Nike exec as CFO at CNBC. “Michener Chandlee’s hiring comes as Fanatics is targeting sales of more than $2.5 billion this year…Fanatics has been expanding its reach by creating exclusive merchandise for Walmart and Kohl’s. The company serves as the official online store for hundreds of sports teams and leagues globally.” Read more

 

Starbucks Japan is selling pens with built-in NFC wallets by Sam Byford at The Verge. Read more

 

GameStop co-founder’s son raises $17 million to launch 24/7 video game news network VENN by Dom DiFurio at Dallas Morning News. “The founders have secured $17 million in backing for the network from a long list of heavyweights in the esports and video game publishing industry, as well as YuChiang Cheng, president of Dallas-based TopGolf Media.” Tiered subs.

 

Tipsheet Extra Stories

Inside Lady Gaga’s “Haus Party” to Unveil Cosmetics Line

Deadly ‘super mosquitoes that are even tougher’ accidentally created by scientists

Nextdoor’s new Kindness Reminder wants to stop neighbors from being so mean

Amazon’s ‘Lord of the Rings’ Series to Shoot in New Zealand

18% of 7-Eleven stores in the U.S. are currently available for franchising

The strategy behind TikTok’s global rise

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Subscribe to Eye on Retail Tipsheet here

 

Contact us: Put your product or service in front of the most powerful retail execs in the world, send advertising inquiries to info@eyeonretail.net

 

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Tipsheet: EEOC Slaps WM | Holiday +5%? | Lemonis Generous

 

Amazon Changed Search Algorithm in Ways That Boost Its Own Products by Dana Mattioli at Wall Street Journal. “The Amazon search team’s view was that the profitability push violated the company’s principle of doing what is best for the customer, the people familiar with the project said. “This was definitely not a popular project,” said one. “The search engine should look for relevant items, not for more profitable items.” WSJ subs.

 

Holiday retail sales could climb 5% despite ‘unprecedented uncertainty’ at CNBC. “Holiday retail sales for 2019 are forecast to increase 4.5% to 5%, exceeding $1.1 trillion, according to an annual survey by Deloitte. That would be better than the Census Bureau data of sales growth of 3.1% on sales of $1.09 trillion from last November to January.” Read more

 

Walmart Likely Discriminated Against Female Store Workers, EEOC Finds by Sarah Nassauer at Wall Street Journal. “Walmart Inc. likely discriminated against 178 female workers by paying less or denying promotions because of their gender, the (EEOC) said in memos viewed by The Wall Street Journal. The EEOC documents ask Walmart and the women who filed complaints to come to “a just resolution of this matter,” which could include a settlement and changes to Walmart’s practices, say labor lawyers. If Walmart and the women don’t reach an agreement, the EEOC could file a lawsuit against the retailer.” WSJ subs.

 

US factory production rose at healthy pace in August – climbing 0.5% last month, after a 0.4% drop in July at AP. Read more

 

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BJ’s Wholesale Club Names Lee Delaney President “Delaney, currently Executive Vice President, Chief Commercial Officer, will lead BJ’s retail, e-commerce and membership operations in addition to his current responsibilities for merchandising, supply chain and marketing. He will continue to report to Christopher J. Baldwin, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.” Press release

 

Walmart is bringing back trendy fashion brand Scoop in bid to juice its fashion business at CNBC. “Scoop shuttered all 16 of its stores in New York City three years ago…Walmart has attained the rights to the Scoop name and is relaunching the brand — but at more affordable price points…Everything will be available online starting Monday and in select Walmart stores early next year.” Read more

 

Marcus Lemonis, CEO of Camping World & Gander Outdoors, has donated six figures’ worth of financial contributions to flood-ravaged Grafton, IL despite having no prior connection to the community by Bryce Gray at St.Louis Post Dispatch. “He’s helped us out quite a bit,” said (Mayor) Eberlin…“We needed a tremendous amount of dumpsters and he footed the bill,” said Eberlin, listing one example of Lemonis’ assistance.” Read more

 

Crate & Barrel to Expand its In-Store Restaurant to Up to 15 Locations by Danielle Abril at Fortune. “…its first location near Chicago proved to be a hit this summer. “It was a win right out of the gate,” said Neela Montgomery, CEO of Crate & Barrel. “It was profitable in the second month.”…Almost all of the items in the restaurant are available for purchase on the storefront side of business.” Read more

 

Penney’s First Female CEO Says Her Turnaround Will Be the One to Work by Jordyn Holman at Bloomberg. “(Jill) Soltau joined the company last October with the stock in a free fall that has yet to reverse. During her second day on the job as the company’s first female chief executive officer, she commissioned a survey that came back with some telling findings: Customers are tied to their digital devices, they care about fashion and want to forge an emotional connection with the places they shop…” Tiered subs.

 

Macy’s Announces Transition of Bluemercury Founders Marla and Barry Beck “Barry Beck, Bluemercury’s chief operating officer, will step down effective September 20, 2019…Marla Beck, Bluemercury’s chief executive officer, will stay with Bluemercury and continue to lead the business during a transition period.” Press release

 

Amazon #7 in Hired’s ‘Brand Health Report’ on where tech talent wants to work by Kurt Schlosser at Geekwire. Top 15 Public & Private list

 

Former PepsiCo CEO Aims to Create a ‘Sisterhood’ of Women Leaders by Danielle Abril at Fortune. “Nooyi said her journey was “brutal,”…Many days, she said she had to fake a smile during her walk into work, or shut the door to her office to take 15 minutes to cry or scream. “When you’re a female, colored woman, immigrant serving as a CEO of a large company and undertaking a transformation, there are tons of critics,” she said.” Read more

 

Tipsheet Extra Stories

America’s 50 most promising artificial intelligence companies

7-Eleven named C-store 2019 Technology Leader of the Year

A Pioneering Peanut Allergy Treatment on the Horizon

How Michael Jordan & four other NBA owners launched a super-premium tequila

Walton Family Foundation announces UNICEF USA chief as new executive director

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.

 

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Contact us: Put your product or service in front of the most powerful retail execs in the world, send advertising inquiries to info@eyeonretail.net

 

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Tipsheet: Amazon One-Tap Review | Academy 1st Next Gen Store

 

Summer ranges lift H&M’s sales but at a price at Reuters. “H&M said sales before currency moves were up 8% in June-August, its third quarter, from a year ago. It was the fifth straight quarterly rise and the fastest pace recorded since the third quarter of 2016.” Read more

 

Amazon announces an expansion of its Chicago Tech Hub and plans to create 400 new tech jobs Press release

 

Vapes spiked with illegal drugs show dark side of CBD craze at AP. “The results of AP’s lab testing echo what authorities have found, according to a survey of law enforcement agencies in all 50 states. At least 128 samples out of more than 350 tested by government labs in nine states, nearly all in the South, had synthetic marijuana in products marketed as CBD.” Read more

 

…You can buy vapes illegally on eBay — and these senators want the practice to end by Makena Kelly at The Verge. “A group of senators is expected to demand that eBay, Alibaba, and Craiglist explain how they plan to counter the illegal sale of vaping products on their platforms in letters they will send to the companies on Monday.” Read more

 

Amazon tests a one-tap review system for product feedback by Sarah Perez at TechCrunch. “If you have access to the new experiment, you’ll be able to just tap once to leave your star rating on any item, without having to fill out additional fields like a review title and written review, as previously required.” Read more

 

Goldman Sachs says an extended Saudi outage could push Brent crude oil prices above $75 at CNBC. Read more

 

New York to ban sale of flavored e-cigarettes by emergency order at CNBC. “The ban would not include menthol and tobacco flavored products, which the governor said can help people to stop using regular cigarettes.” Read more

 

Academy Sports opens first next generation store in Richmond, TX today by Paul Takahashi at Houston Chronicle. Tiered subs.

 

San Diego city attorney sues Instacart alleging the tech giant has misclassified its employees as independent contractors by Brittany Meiling at San Diego Union-Tribune. Read more

 

Amazon’s Battle for Corner Pharmacy Is Fought Over Phone and Fax by Robert Langreth at Bloomberg. “Since being acquired by (Amazon), PillPack has run into stiff opposition, from chains like CVS with thousands of stores to family-owned operations with a single shop. Having seen their business of selling shampoo and razor blades chipped away by online sellers, the drugstores are trying to keep Amazon from wresting away their piece of the $333 billion U.S. prescription-drug industry.” Tiered subs.

 

Canadian home sales rise for sixth straight month in August at Reuters. Read more

 

How Sustainable Startup Rothy’s Found Success Turning Recycled Water Bottles into Fashionable Footwear by Shannon Fitzgerald at Fortune. “Rothy’s hasn’t just made use of innovative materials, it has designed a whole supply chain that has taken the industry’s traditional chain bogged down with scrapped material, overproduction of product and energy costs on transporting excess down to “virtually zero,” according to its founders.” Read more

 

Tipsheet Extra Stories

FDA warns heartburn drug Zantac may cause cancer

The awkward days of the Apple Watch are over

The 100 best private cloud companies in the world

Hollywood Reporter critics’ 20 favorite films from the fall festivals

These are the best retail environments of 2019

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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: Put your product or service in front of the most powerful retail execs in the world, send advertising inquiries to info@eyeonretail.net

 

Website: eyeonretail.net