Tipsheet: WM HQ Cuts | Costco #7 Reputation | Canada Supplier Fears

 

Walmart U.S. eliminating corporate jobs in Northwest Arkansas, West Coast at Talk Business. “Talk Business & Politics has learned dozens of employees in the areas of fresh produce and meat supply chain, real estate, logistics and transportation, global people, human resources and customer experience teams were also impacted from the ongoing layoffs which began Monday (July 27). Walmart has not provided a job cut total but sources tell Talk Business & Politics it is several hundred jobs in Northwest Arkansas and in West Coast offices.” Read more

 

Amazon net sales increased 40% to $88.9 billion in the second quarter Press release

 

CANADA: Supplier fears intensify as major grocer group demands match of any discount given to Walmart at Financial Post. “United Grocers Inc., a national buying group that negotiates supply deals on behalf of Metro Inc., Save-on-Foods, Longo’s, Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc., and other retailers, told suppliers in a letter on Wednesday that it will “expect to receive any cost reduction you may decide to offer any competitors.” Read more

 

The Harris Poll: 2020 Corporate Reputation Rankings: Amazon #3 / Publix #4 / Wegmans #6 / Costco #7 / Kroger #9 List of 100

 

…Fastest Rising and Falling Reputations

Biggest Improvement: Target #4

Biggest Declines: Home Depot #3 / eBay #6 / Nordstrom #7 List

 

Floor & Decor Q2 comp sales down 20.8% “…third quarter-to-date fiscal 2020 comparable store sales increased 16%…” Press release

 

**A message from Comfy Sacks bean bag chairs – Filled with superior grade high-density foam for maximum comfort. Long-lasting and resists permanent compression. 5-year unconditional warranty. Booklet | Video | Website  Request sample bag: info@eyeonretail.net

 

Nike hit with a proposed class action alleging its policy that employees wear opaque Nike-branded masks discriminates against deaf and hard of hearing people who rely on lipreading Law 360

 

Instacart and Costco launch same-day delivery across Canada Press release

 

Documents unearthed by Congress offer new window into Amazon’s war against one-time rival at GeekWire. “Members of the House subcommittee on antitrust grilled Bezos on a heated price war Amazon fought with Diapers.com…’These guys are our #1 short term competitor … [W]e need to match pricing on these guys no matter what the cost,’ said Amazon executive Doug Herrington in an email released by the committee.” Read more

 

Amazon tops 1 million employees and seasonal workers for first time at GeekWire. Read more

 

US consumer spending up 5.6% in June at AP. “Friday’s Commerce Department report showed that the increase in consumer spending in June coincided with a 1.1% drop in personal incomes which followed an even bigger 4.4% decline in incomes in May.” Read more

 

PayPal and Venmo QR code checkout is coming to 8,200 CVS stores in Q4 at TechCrunch. Read more

 

Krebs: Is Your Chip Card Secure? Much Depends on Where You Bank “Earlier this month (Visa) released a security alert regarding a recent merchant compromise…Visa did not name the merchant in question, but something similar seems to have happened at Key Food Stores Co-Operative Inc., a supermarket chain in the northeastern United States.” Read more

 

Rakuten has pulled the plug on its U.S. online retail store, originally known as Buy.com at TechCrunch. Read more

 

Big Lots announces nationwide same-day delivery partnership with PICKUP  Press release

 

***Eye on Retail Tipsheet will not be published next week but will return on August 10th. Thanks for reading!

 

 

Tipsheet Extra

PR exec who destroyed Target mask display says she had a ‘mental breakdown’

Amazon’s online grocery sales triple in Q2

Apple loyalists prove physical stores not needed to drive iPhone sales: J.P. Morgan

Under Armour warns sales will decline as much as 25% in second half of 2020

Amazon vows to invest $10B in Kuiper satellites after getting FCC’s go-ahead

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Tipsheet: Women: REI #1 | Drizly Breach | T.Joe’s Push Back

 

Read: Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos testimony before House panel at The Hill. “My mom, Jackie, had me when she was a 17-year-old high school student in Albuquerque, NewMexico. Being pregnant in high school was not popular in Albuquerque in 1964. It was difficult for her. When they tried to kick her out of school, my grandfather went to bat for her. After some negotiation, the principal said, “OK, she can stay and finish high school, but she can’t do any extracurricular activities, and she can’t have a locker.” Read more

 

Alcohol delivery startup Drizly hit by a data breach at TechCrunch. “The hacker took customer email addresses, date-of-birth, passwords hashed using the stronger bcrypt algorithm, and in some cases delivery address, the email read.  As many as 2.5 million Drizly accounts are believed to have been stolen.” Read more

 

Shopify beats quarterly revenue estimates on higher merchant signups at CNBC. “Revenue, for the second quarter ended June 30, rose about 97% to $714.3 million from a year earlier, beating the average analyst expectation of $513.83 million, according to Refinitiv IBES data.” Read more

 

Blue Apron turns profit at Fox Business. “…earned $1.1 million, or 8 cents per share, as revenue rose 10 percent from a year ago to $131 million. Wall Street analysts surveyed by Refinitiv were anticipating a 45-cent per-share loss on revenue of $102.9 million.” Read more

 

The Container Store Group Q1 net sales down 27.6% Press release

 

Victoria’s Secret owner L Brands is preparing to cut 15% of its corporate workforce, or about 850 jobs at CNBC. Read more

 

**A message from Comfy Sacks bean bag chairs – Comfy Sacks premium bean bag sales have spiked as consumers look for comfort at home. Filled with superior quality furniture grade foam. Offer your consumer something truly unique & comfortable. Booklet | Video | Website | Request sample bag: info@eyeonretail.net

 

PUSH BACK – Trader Joe’s disagrees any of its ethnic food brands are racist amid calls to change packaging at USA Today. “While Trader Joe’s says it plans to change some of the names and packaging of several of its ethnic food brands…”We want to be clear: we disagree that any of these labels are racist,” the company said a new statement shared with USA TODAY on Tuesday. “We do not make decisions based on petitions. … If we feel there is need for change, we do not hesitate to take action.” Read more

 

Protective face shields made with help of Prime Air drone engineers now for sale at cost on Amazon at GeekWire. Read more

 

Fast Company: Best workplaces for Innovators 2020 (Amazon #18, Etsy #48) Read more

 

Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. Appoints Lynda Markoe As Chief People & Culture Officer “Since 2003, Ms. Markoe has held various leadership roles at J.Crew Group, Inc., including Chief Administrative Officer and Global Head of Human Resources.” Press release

 

eBay Q2 revenue was $2.9 billion, up 18% on an as-reported basis – annual active buyers grew by 5% Press release

 

Meet America’s Best Employers For Women 2020 at (REI #1, Ulta #3, B.Buy #8) Forbes. List

 

J.Jill Q1 net sales -48% Press release

 

Walgreens Now Offers Nationwide Same-day Curbside Pick-up Press release

 

Tipsheet Extra

AMC Theatres, Universal collapsing theatrical window to 17 days

Struggling merchants, insurers battle over pandemic coverage

Dolly Parton/American Greetings roll out joyful series of cards at Walmart

Walmart’s Flipkart to offer 90-minute deliveries in India

3 food suppliers ordered to close after coronavirus outbreaks go unreported

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Tipsheet: JCP/Belk Merge? | Publix ‘Mask Traps’ | Rite Aid Facial Reco

 

RUMOR HAS IT – Sycamore Partners has offered $1.75 billion to buy the 118-year-old department store chain with plans to merge it with Belk at NY Post. “Also in the running for JCPenney is Saks Fifth Avenue owner Hudson’s Bay Company, which offered $1.7 billion, and mall operators Simon Property and Brookfield Property, which have teamed up with a $1.650 billion offer, sources said.” Read more

 

Rite Aid deployed facial recognition systems in hundreds of U.S. stores at Reuters. “In telephone and email exchanges with Reuters since February, Rite Aid confirmed the existence and breadth of its facial recognition program. The retailer defended the technology’s use, saying it had nothing to do with race and was intended to deter theft and protect staff and customers from violence. Reuters found no evidence that Rite Aid’s data was sent to China.” Read more

 

Home prices rose at a slower rate in May, according to S&P Case-Shiller at CNBC. “Home prices in the 10-city composite increased 3.1% annually, down from 3.3% in the previous month. The 20-city composite rose 3.7% year-over-year, down from 3.9% in April.” Read more

 

Amazon takes on the UK’s biggest supermarkets with free food delivery at CNN. “Amazon has started offering free grocery deliveries to Prime members in London and the surrounding area…Amazon Fresh, the company’s grocery delivery service, will offer same-day delivery in most areas on orders over £40 ($51.51) placed before 9 p.m. The minimum order value has also been lowered to £15 ($19.32).” Read more

 

Walmart Marketplace seller additions surge following Shopify deal, up 3X from January at TechCrunch. “With July’s estimates included, the marketplace will have topped 15,000 new sellers in 2020 by this month’s end. To date, the marketplace has surpassed 50,000 sellers — which is double in size from June 2019.” Read more

 

**A message from Readywise, the leader in emergency food supplies – Consumers are looking for emergency food supplies – are you offering the selection they want? Readywise meals are easy to prepare – just add water. Up to 25-year shelf life. High quality and great taste. Website | Catalog | Request a sample: info@eyeonretail.net

 

Walmart, Kroger Bottle Their Own Milk and Shake Up American Dairy Industry at Wall Street Journal. “When U.S. milk prices broadly declined in early 2015, Walmart expected Dean to lower its own prices so that Walmart could make more profit on dairy…Dean declined…Walmart dairy managers were skeptical of Dean’s (national label) strategy…” WSJ subs.

 

India’s Flipkart gives hyperlocal delivery service another try at TechCrunch. “Flipkart on Tuesday launched a hyperlocal service in suburbs of Bangalore, four years after the e-commerce group abruptly concluded its previous foray into this category.” Read more

 

Lowe’s and HomeAdvisor Launch Partnership to Get Pros Leads Press release

 

Walgreens CEO Stefano Pessina to step down at Reuters. “Pessina, 79, appointed as the CEO in 2015 following the merger between Walgreens and Alliance Boots, would assume the role of executive chairman once a new CEO is appointed, the company said.” Read more

 

Walgreens discloses customer breach after physical store break-ins at Fox Business. “The pharmacy giant told affected customers in a letter that some private information was not affected, like credit and debit card numbers, banking information, and social security numbers. However, a trove of personal information was accessed, such as names, addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, birth dates, medications, and health insurance information.” Read more

 

Food for Thought for Online Grocery Bulls at Wall Street Journal. “A more practical option for many grocers could be to redesign their stores and build automated mini e-commerce centers out back to prepare online orders. These facilities, which suit suburban areas with lower demand, are a good use of existing real estate and can be profitable if shoppers collect their order. This setup generates a 2% operating margin, Bain analysis shows.” WSJ subs.

 

Americans are driving older cars as workers stay home, economy slows at Reuters. “Americans are hanging on to their cars and trucks longer, pushing the average age of vehicles on the road to the highest level in nearly 20 years even before the coronavirus hit, according to new data from IHS Markit Ltd.” Read more

 

Big Tech antitrust hearing could be colossal — or mere theater at Roll Call. “Stucke predicted the executives would strike conciliatory tones when accused of misconduct and offer tacit support for broad, nonspecific policy proposals. “We know the typical responses,” he said. “They’ll say the devils are in the details.” Read more

 

Tipsheet Extra

Publix shoppers fined $100 in ‘mask traps’

3M posts 12% fall in revenue as coronavirus crisis hammers demand

Krebs: Business ID Theft Soars Amid COVID Closures

WHO says COVID-19 pandemic is ‘one big wave’, not seasonal

‘I was too fat’: Boris Johnson brings Britain along on his health kick

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Tipsheet: Albertsons +26.5% | WM ‘Diabolical’ Fees | Bezos @ Congress Wed.

 

Albertsons’ same-store sales surge 26.5% at Reuters. “Net income rose to $586.2 million, or $1 per share, in the reported quarter, from $49 million, or 8 cents per share, a year earlier, when it recorded impairment losses.” Read more

 

WEDNESDAY: Jeff Bezos to testify before Congress (remotely) at a hearing by the House Judiciary subcommittee on antitrust at Reuters. “Four Big Tech CEOs — Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg, Amazon’s Jeff Bezos, Google’s Sundar Pichai and Apple’s Tim Cook — will answer for their companies’ practices before Congress at a hearing Wednesday…” Read more

 

Google extends its coronavirus work-from-home order to summer 2021 at CNBC. “The change will affect “nearly all” of Google’s 200,000 employees, including contractors and full-time workers, according to The Wall Street Journal, which first reported the news.” Read more

 

‘Diabolical’: Suppliers ‘absolutely furious’ at Walmart Canada plan to recoup investment through new fees at Financial Post. “In a letter to its more than 3,000 suppliers on Friday afternoon, Walmart characterized the new fees — up to 6.25 per cent of the cost of goods — as a reasonable trade-off, since the multi-billion-dollar upgrades to stores and e-commerce will lead to sales growth for suppliers.” Read more

 

Target announces sneak peek at holiday plans at A Bullseye View. “Starting in October and continuing throughout the season, you’ll find Target’s lowest prices of the year on items in stores and online…Closing our stores on Thanksgiving Day…” Read more

 

**A message from Gusto kitchenware. Created for young enthusiasts looking for quality, color, and affordability. From the #1 cookware brand in Mexico. Program details | Retailers request samples: info@eyeonretail.net

 

Hurricane Douglas came within “razor thin” distance of the Hawaiian Islands but spared the state the worst of the strong winds…at Fox Business. Read more

 

Walmart and others will still serve customers who refuse to wear masks, despite new rules at CNN. “Walmart, Home Depot, Lowe’s, Walgreens, CVS, and others say they still won’t prohibit customers who refuse to wear a mask from shopping in stores…In talking points for Walmart ambassadors and management, a member of management is instructed to ask if the customer would like a complimentary mask. If the customer refuses, “let them continue to shop,” the talking points say.” Read more

 

Joann Fabric CEO says he’s willing to lose customers over new mask policy at CNN. “Miquelon declined to say whether JOANN employees are trained to refuse customers who don’t wear face masks. “We’ll cross the bridge when we come to it,” he said.” Read more

 

How the coronavirus is changing the way we shop — and what we’re buying at CNBC. “People are going to go back to their old habits to a large extent, but one structural change I see over the next few years is fewer occasions for new clothes, so we are going to have fewer big concerts and sporting events and big celebrations, weddings and holidays,” Bernstein’s Sherman told CNBC.” Read more

 

Proozy.com, an apparel clearance site, found itself in the right place at the right time since the pandemic at Star Tribune. “The company just had its three biggest months since it was founded five years ago. Sales are up 400 to 500%, which means Proozy will likely end next year with $140 million in sales, (founder) Segal said.” Read more

 

What Safe Shopping Looks Like During the Pandemic at Harvard Business Review. “Little’s Law says that throughput will rise only if customers spend less time in the store. Therefore, these retailers should at this time focus on the efficiency of the shopping experience…Rather than displaying text signs (“Please wear a mask”), stores should display posters of mask-wearing local customers and employees giving their thumbs-up. This provides “in-group” models to emphasize shared identity, establish connections, and promote norms among customers.” Read more

 

Hasbro profit misses as production delays weigh on board game sales at Reuters. “In the second quarter, factory closures in the United States, Ireland and India due to lockdowns stifled supply, with Hasbro blaming the shortages for a 30% fall in net revenue in the United States and Canada.” Read more

 

At Ikea, a tale of two plant-based ‘meatballs’ at Fortune. “Ikea says the climate footprint of its new plant ball is only 4% of its classic meatball. If it converts about 20% of its meatball sales to plant balls, the company calculates that it would reduce its climate footprint in the food business by 8%.” Read more

 

Tipsheet Extra

Man accused of detonating bomb at Lowe’s indicted by federal grand jury

PETA names Aldi top grocer

Americans can determine if they are middle class with new income calculator

Walmart Marketplace Warns Sellers to Expect More Returns

Protest at Whole Foods store enters the fourth week

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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

 

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Tipsheet: WSJ Hits Amazon | T.Supply +30.5% | Loblaw +10%

 

Amazon met with startups about investing, then launched competing products at Fox Business. “Ms. Braga is one of more than two dozen entrepreneurs, investors and deal advisers interviewed by The Wall Street Journal who said Amazon appeared to use the investment and deal-making process to help develop competing products. In some cases, Amazon’s decision to launch a competing product devastated the business in which it invested. In other cases, it met with startups about potential takeovers, sought to understand how their technology works, then declined to invest and later introduced similar Amazon-branded products, according to some of the entrepreneurs and investors.” Read more | WSJ subs.

 

Mall owner Simon and Authentic Brands make $305 million bid for bankrupt Brooks Brothers, aiming to keep over 125 stores open at CNBC. “A court hearing to approve the bid has been set for Aug. 3, while other competing offers are due by Aug. 5, according to the filing. A hearing to approve the final sale of Brooks Brothers’ assets is set to take place Aug. 11.” Read more

 

Tractor Supply Q2 comp sales +30.5% “Net sales for the second quarter 2020 increased 35.0% to $3.18 billion…comparable transaction count and comparable average ticket of 14.6% and 15.8%, respectively.” Press release

 

Walmart to open at least six more health clinics in greater Atlanta area by end of 2020 at CNBC. “…(Walmart) will enter the Florida market next year, starting with the Jacksonville area…That would bring its total clinics that offer primary care, dental exams and other medical services to at least 13 by year end.” Read more

 

Amazon now sells auto insurance in India at TechCrunch. “…has begun offering auto insurance to cover two and four-wheelers in the country, marking the American giant’s first foray into this financial services category globally.” Read more

 

**A message from Readywise, the leader in emergency food supplies – Consumers are looking for emergency food supplies – are you stocked and ready? Readywise meals are easy to prepare – just add water. Up to 25-year shelf life. High quality and great taste. Website | Catalog | Request a sample: info@eyeonretail.net

 

Loblaw Q2 comp sales: Food retail (Loblaw) +10.0% / Drug retail (Shoppers Drug Mart) -1.1% Press release

 

‘Are you intending to shoot me over a mask?’ Workers feel burden of enforcing rules at USA Today. “I’m gonna be honest,” (owner) White said, taking a deep breath. “I’m in a (expletive) bead shop. … Do you think I feel like I should have to carry a gun to come to work? It’s art. It’s craft. It’s design. It’s teaching people. … I’m not coming to a shooting range. This should be the happiest place.” Read more

 

Publix Pharmacy Receives Patient Choice Award Press release

 

Schnucks Realigns C-Suite Teams at Progressive Grocer. “Schnucks has promoted Ryan Cuba to lead its merchandising department as chief merchant…hired Bill Bradley, a former longtime executive at Anheuser-Busch, to head the grocer’s newly merged marketing, communications and customer insights team as its chief marketing and communications officer.” Read more

 

BJ’s Announces Monica Schwartz as SVP, Chief Digital Officer “Most recently, Schwartz was Vice President, Online Merchandising at Home Depot where she was responsible for leading the company’s online merchandising and category experience across desktop, mobile web and the app.” Press release

 

Flipkart to acquire Walmart India’s wholesale business at The Economic Times. Read more

 

Dollar General to hold virtual supplier and diversity innovation summit “…will be held on September 16. This virtual event will provide companies holding a wide variety of diversity certifications that have not sold products to the Company within the past 18 months with an opportunity to meet with Dollar General merchandise buyers and category managers.” Press release

 

J.Jill forbearance period has been extended until July 30, 2020 Press release

 

Tipsheet Extra

Shelf Engine raises $12M to help Target & Kroger manage orders and reduce waste

A homemade face mask likely needs two or three layers of cloth to be effective

3 in 4 Americans back requiring wearing masks

UNFI condemns unions decision to initiate an illegal strike

Amazon suggests uses for all of those extra shipping boxes in your house

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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: Best Buy +15% | Lowe’s Won’t Enforce | Hannaford: Tobacco Out

 

Verizon, Walmart partner for exclusive Yahoo Mail grocery shopping venture at Fox Business. “The partnership, which has been named “Groceries from Walmart,” is the first of its kind. Yahoo users will be able to add items to their virtual shopping cart straight from their email inbox as well as keep track of promotions, coupons and news, Verizon said in a press release Monday.” Read more

 

Best Buy’s online sales jumped more than three-fold in the current quarter through July 18, while overall sales rose about 15% since it started reopening stores on June 15 at CNBC. Read more

 

Lowe’s won’t enforce its new COVID-19 customer mask mandate, citing worker safety at Charlotte Observer/MSN. “We will not ask our associates to put their safety at risk by confronting customers about wearing masks, so we are consistently requesting that customers wear masks for the safety of everyone in our stores,” according to the company statement.” Read more

 

Winn-Dixie reverses stance on masks at CNN. “Beginning Monday, July 27, we will be requiring masks to be worn by customers to help reduce the spread of [Covid-19],” Joe Caldwell, the director of corporate communications and government affairs for Southeastern Grocers.” Read more

 

Home Depot accelerating its investments in resets of its outdoor power categories – discontinues the Ego line of outdoor power equipment Press release

 

**A message from Comfy Sacks bean bag chairs – Comfy Sacks premium bean bag sales have spiked as consumers look for comfort at home. Filled with superior quality furniture grade foam. Offer your consumer something truly unique & comfortable. Booklet | Video | Website | Request sample bag: info@eyeonretail.net

 

Sunscreen Chemicals Accumulate in Body at High Levels at Wall Street Journal. “According to the FDA, if active ingredients are found in the blood at a level of 0.5 nanograms per milliliter or higher, they should be analyzed to determine whether they increase the risk of cancer, birth defects or other adverse effects. The maximum concentration of the six chemicals examined most recently by the FDA ranged from 3.3 nanograms per milliliter to 258.1…” WSJ subs.

 

Pilot announces that CEO Jimmy Haslam will become chairman of the board on January 1, 2021, and has named Shameek Konar, the company’s chief strategy officer, as CEO at that time Press release

 

Hannaford Supermarkets plans to phase out tobacco products at all of its 180-plus stores at Progressive Grocer. Read more

 

Neiman Marcus has launched Your Neiman’s – a digital hub where customers can learn about and access a variety of offerings, including expanded luxury services and experiences Press release

 

Kroger announces a new variable annuity pension plan that improves security for future retirement benefits Press release

 

Tipsheet Extra

Woman caught trying to steal massive TV from Walmart

Popsicle vendor accused of cultural appropriation by Chicago community

Sony’s wearable air conditioner is pretty cool

Nielsen is revamping the way it measures digital audiences

7-Eleven adds order pickup, expands delivery footprint

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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

Tipsheet: WM Closed Tgiving | Aldi +70 | Lowe’s + Ford Motor Vet

 

Walmart to pay $428 Million more in associate bonuses – will close Walmart U.S. stores on Thanksgiving Day this year “The bonus will be $300 for full-time hourly associates and $150 for part-time hourly and temporary associates. Drivers, Managers and Assistant Managers in stores, clubs, DCs, FCs and Health & Wellness will also receive a bonus.” Press release

 

Amazon officially delays Prime Day in the U.S. until sometime later this year at TechCrunch. “It will also host a Prime Day in India next month, from August 6 through August 7.” Read more

 

Men’s Warehouse owner Tailored Brands plans to shut 500 stores, cut 20% of corporate workforce at CNBC. “It also announced that its current CFO, Jack Calandra, will depart the company on July 31. In the near term, it said Calandra’s responsibilities will be divided between its CEO and Holly Etlin, a managing director at AlixPartners who has been appointed to a new chief restructuring role for Tailored Brands.” Read more

 

Coach parent Tapestry names Joanne Crevoiserat interim CEO as Jide Zeitlin resigns at MarketWatch. Read more

 

Amazon expands its robot delivery trials to more states at The Verge. “Scout is now undergoing trials in Atlanta, Georgia and Franklin, Tennessee, Amazon announced today. It’s unclear how many robots are on the road and how many customers Scout is serving.” Read more

 

Big Lots Appoints Jack Pestello as Chief Merchandising Officer “At Walmart, he most recently served as SVP and General Merchandise Manager for Walmart’s Grocery business, after having spent five years as SVP, Private Brands…(Big Lots) now expects comparable sales in the second quarter of fiscal 2020 to be at the high end of its previously communicated guidance of a mid-to-high twenties percentage increase.” Press release

 

Aldi to open 70 new stores by year’s end at Fox Business. Read more

 

**A message from Readywise, the leader in emergency food supplies – Consumers are looking for emergency food supplies – are you offering them? Readywise meals are easy to prepare – just add water. Up to 25-year shelf life. High quality and great taste. Website | Catalog | Request a sample: info@eyeonretail.net

 

Malls are dying, but Nordstrom has no intention of being dragged down with them at Fortune. “It’s really an acceleration of pre-COVID trends,” Erik Nordstrom, chief executive and the great-grandson of the retailer’s founder, tells Fortune. “We really don’t think of ourselves as a mall-based department store.” Read more

 

Dollar Tree, Family Dollar reverse decision to require masks at all stores at USA Today. Read more

 

Walmart, Target, and CVS team up to reinvent single-use plastic bags at Fast Company. “The three companies are leading the new initiative with Closed Loop; Kroger and Walgreens have signed up as well. With $15 million in promised investments, the partners are inviting entrepreneurs and inventors to pitch new ideas to replace the 100 billion plastic bags still used in the United States every year.” Read more

 

Hibbett Provides Q2 Sales Update – Q2 Comp Sales Are Forecasted to Increase in Excess of 70% Press release

 

Dollar Tree Announces Planned Leadership Succession “Michael Witynski…has been promoted to President and Chief Executive Officer. Gary Philbin…who joined Dollar Tree in 2001 and became CEO in 2017, is retiring…” Press release

 

Target’s fresh grocery pickup service expands to 1,000-plus stores in 47 states at USA Today. Read more

 

Lowe’s taps Ford Motor vet for a new role at Chain Store Age. “Lisa Schoder will join the home improvement retailer in a new role as VP, integrated media and partnerships, effective August 10. She will report Marisa Thalberg, executive VP, chief brand and marketing officer…” Read more

 

Tipsheet Extra

Forbes: America’s Best Sports Cities 2020

Nearly 4 in 10 Consumers Are Currently Boycotting a Company

Sony to limit PlayStation 5 sales to one per customer

Wegmans Pivots Again on Store Openings

Woman urinates in-store after refusing to wear face mask

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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

 

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Tipsheet: Amazon Go store looted | WM Canada spends | BTS College -37%?

 

Adevinta wins auction to buy eBay’s classified ads unit for nearly $9 billion at Reuters. “Activist investors Elliott Management Corp and Starboard Value had been pushing eBay to sell the unit and also its ticket sales business, since last January, as part of a plan that could double the company’s value.” Read more

 

Back-to-School Shopping Is Off to a Rough Start at Wall Street Journal. “The National Retail Federation projects parents with children in elementary school through college will spend a combined $101.6 billion this year, up from $80.7 billion last year…Other forecasts are more dire. Neil Saunders, managing director of research firm GlobalData Plc.’s retail division, expects (spending) down 6.4% from 2019 and the lowest level since 2015. Mr. Saunders projects back-to-college spending to be hit even harder, down 37.8% from last year.” WSJ subs.

 

Walmart Canada to spend C$3.5 billion on e-commerce push, store renovations at Reuters. “The Canadian arm of the world’s largest retailer also said it would renovate over 150 stores, more than a third of its network, to add more equipment such as shelf scanners, robots and more convenient self check-out options.” Read more

 

REI Faces Staff Backlash Over Response to Covid-19 Cases at NY Times. “About 40 current and former employees of the outdoor equipment store REI in Grand Rapids, Mich., regularly communicate using the messaging app GroupMe. On July 6, they received a jarring note from a colleague. “Hey guys just so everybody knows I tested positive for Covid-19,” the employee wrote. “I was told not to tell anybody and that the store would let everybody know what was going on…” Read more

 

Trader Joe’s to remove ‘racist’ packaging of ethnic food at NY Post. “…it’s working to phase out foreign names it has attached to ethnic foods, such as “Trader José’s” for Mexican cuisine, “Trader Ming’s” for Chinese products and “Arabian Joe’s” for Middle Eastern dishes.” Read more

 

Walmart Has Revived Asda Sale Process at Wall Street Journal. “Walmart Inc. has relaunched the planned sale of a majority stake in its U.K. grocery-store chain Asda Group Ltd. after putting the process on hold in April to focus attention on managing its operations through the pandemic, according to people familiar with the matter.” WSJ subs.

 

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Kanye West threatens to break with Adidas, Gap if not named to their boards at Fox Business. “Risk or no risk of losing whatever deal possible, I am not on the board at Adidas,” West said Sunday while speaking in favor of more power for Black people. “I am not on the board at Gap. And that has to change today or I walk away.” Read more

 

Subpoena issued to the Illinois House speaker’s office demands documents pertaining to Walgreens at Crain’s Chicago Business. “Crain’s has confirmed the subpoena demands documents and communications regarding AT&T, Walgreens and Rush University Medical Center, as well as lobbying firm the Roosevelt Group, which former City Hall official Victor Reyes now runs. All have had issues of financial importance to them surface in the House during Madigan’s tenure.” Read more

 

1st Circ. Says Amazon Delivery Drivers Don’t Have To Arbitrate Law 360 subs.

 

Protesters ransack Seattle again – loot an Amazon Go store at Daily Mail. “A police precinct which was ‘occupied’ by protesters in Seattle for several weeks was briefly set ablaze on Sunday afternoon and 12 officers taken to hospital after protests descended into chaos…’ Individuals in the group appeared to target Starbucks and Amazon,’ Sgt. Lauren Truscott said in a news conference.” Read more

 

Tipsheet Extra

Dollar General employees lock murder suspect inside store

Amazon vets behind smart shopping cart face a familiar foe — their former employer

Small compost supplier growing sales with Walmart

Apple opens another megastore in China

Walmart execs named to NW Arkansas Business Journal’s Forty Under 40 class

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