US retail sales rise more than expected in August at Fox Business. "Retail sales climbed by 0.4 percent in August, well above analyst expectations of 0.2 percent, on the heels of blowout data in July." Read more   Walmart Is Testing a Fulfillment Service for Vendors to Match Amazon by Matthew Boyle at Bloomberg. "(Walmart) is testing a fee-based service called “Fulfilled by Walmart,” U.S. e-commerce chief Marc Lore said at an industry conference this week. Lore didn’t provide details, but said the service would be an area where the e-commerce arm could generate revenue." Tiered subs.   Whole [...]

  Amazon Probed by U.S. Antitrust Officials Over Marketplace by Spencer Soper & Ben Brody at Bloomberg. "Several attorneys and at least one economist have been conducting interviews that typically last about 90 minutes and cover a range of topics, according to three merchants. All were asked what percentage of revenue their businesses derive from Amazon versus other online marketplaces like Walmart Inc. and EBay Inc., suggesting regulators are skeptical about Amazon’s claims that shoppers and suppliers have real alternatives to the Seattle-based company. One merchant, Jaivin Karnani, said he was surprised the FTC returned his call the very next [...]

  Amazon Probed by U.S. Antitrust Officials Over Marketplace by Spencer Soper & Ben Brody at Bloomberg. "Several attorneys and at least one economist have been conducting interviews that typically last about 90 minutes and cover a range of topics, according to three merchants. All were asked what percentage of revenue their businesses derive from Amazon versus other online marketplaces like Walmart Inc. and EBay Inc., suggesting regulators are skeptical about Amazon’s claims that shoppers and suppliers have real alternatives to the Seattle-based company. One merchant, Jaivin Karnani, said he was surprised the FTC returned his call the very next [...]

  California grocery strike probably averted; contract includes pay raises, pension bump at LA Times. "The looming threat of a grocery store strike throughout Southern California appeared to be dissolving Monday as workers began voting on a new employment contract that seemed to appease all parties. Ralphs, Vons, Pavilions and Albertsons workers are voting through Wednesday on the deal brokered over the weekend..." Tiered subs.   HD Supply Q2 net sales +1.5% Press release   J.C. Penney looks to outdoor sports enthusiasts to reel in more consumer spending by Maria Halkias at Dallas Morning News. "Penney is expanding into the [...]

  CVS, Walgreens and Wegmans announce changes to firearms policies by Kelly Tyko at USA Today. Read more   Nordstrom finally brings its mini ‘Local’ stores to New York at CNBC. "This builds on Nordstrom’s existing portfolio of three Local shops in California — on Melrose Avenue in Los Angeles, in Downtown Los Angeles and in the Brentwood neighborhood of LA — that offer personal styling services and alterations, and serve as a hub for buying online and picking up in person." Read more   Moosylvania: Millennials favorite brands: Amazon Apple Nike  Walmart Target Business Insider article   The human [...]

  Fed Lines Up Another Quarter-Point Rate Cut by Nick Timiraos at Wall Street Journal. "Federal Reserve officials are gearing up to reduce interest rates at their next policy meeting in two weeks, most likely by a quarter-percentage point...The idea of an aggressive half-point cut to battle the slowdown hasn’t gained much support inside the central bank..." WSJ subs.   Private sector hiring rebounds in August with 195,000 added at Fox Business. "...surging past analyst expectations of 149,000 even as recession fears continue to mount." Read more   U.S. judge approves CVS purchase of insurer Aetna at Reuters. "But (the [...]

  Coach owner Tapestry appoints Jide Zeitlin as CEO at CNBC. "Zeitlin, chairman of the board since November 2014, will replace Victor Luis, who oversaw the company’s acquisition of Stuart Weitzman in 2015 and Kate Spade in 2017. The company also said it is maintaining its fiscal 2020 outlook." Read more   LeBron James to Open Experiential Retail Flagship in Miami by Nadia Neophytou at Hollywood Reporter. "The new 10,000-square-foot flagship store at 261 NW 26th St. is outfitted with an in-house photo studio complete with a prop house, art installations and a courtyard for “sporting and lifestyle events for [...]