Tipsheet: WM New Supplier Program | Kohl’s New Loyalty Program | Bass Pro Shooter

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With Some Schools Moving Outdoors, Retailers Follow at NY Times. “With a number of schools in the United States opting for outdoor education over the potentially germier confines of their traditional indoor spaces, demand for Oaki’s rainsuits and related gear “has been overwhelming,” said Sam Taylor, the chief executive of the company, which is based in the Salt Lake City area. It’s a sentiment echoed by other outdoor-oriented companies, some of which are launching new product lines or repurposing existing ones to capitalize on how the pandemic has changed the education experience.” Tiered subs.

 

Forbes: 2020 Wealthiest Americans List (Bezos #1) List

 

Amazon deletes 20,000 suspicious reviews in UK following Financial Times investigation at The Verge. “Amazon’s top reviewers in the UK appear to have engaged in fraud, leaving thousands of five-star ratings in exchange for money or free products…Justin Fryer, the number one Amazon reviewer in the UK, left a five-star rating once every four hours on average in August, according to the FT’s analysis.” Read more

 

Ikea’s e-commerce was already pretty bad. During COVID-19, it absolutely fell apart at Fast Company. “Reddit’s Ikea group has a whole thread dedicated to hell stories, with new ones piling up every day…”My sister and [brother-in-law] are really upset right now,” Reddit user Cyberburn wrote on August 23. “They made the 500+ miles round trip to Ikea to pick up their Click and Collect order on Friday, and it was cancelled 30 minutes before they arrived.” Read more

 

From Target to Twitter, U.S. companies urge workers to vote at Reuters. “Some companies, including Kraft Heinz and Target, have also set up websites to guide employees on registering to vote and learning about candidates in partnership with the League of Women Voters and the National Association of Manufacturers.” 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? Up to 25-year shelf life. High quality and great taste. Website | Catalog | Request a sample: info@eyeonretail.net

 

Amazon bars foreign sales of plants to the US following deliveries of mystery seeds at The Verge. “According to the WSJ, Amazon notified foreign sellers on its platform that it would no longer allow seeds or plants to be imported as of September 3rd.” Read more

 

Walmart to roll out a new supplier excellence program in early 2021 at Talk Business. “A memo from Scott McCall, chief merchandising officer for Walmart U.S., and Greg Smith, executive vice president of supply chain logistics and transportation at Walmart, outlined how the new program will work. Through SQEP, suppliers will be required to meet Walmart supply chain standards. Suppliers will be charged when product shipped through the supply chain does not meet the standards to offset any costs generated because of non-compliance, according to the memo.” Read more

 

10 more guns, over 1,000 rounds of ammo recovered in search of Bass Pro suspect’s home at NBC 15. “Smith is accused of shooting several dozen rounds into the Spanish Fort Bass Pro Shops Saturday. No one was injured in the shooting, but one officer sustained minor injuries while apprehending Smith at the scene.” Read more

 

Kohl’s introduces new loyalty program nationwide with more Kohl’s Cash at USA Today. “Now, with the free program, members earn 5% Kohl’s Cash daily on every purchase and will get personalized deals and perks like a birthday gift. “We’ve eliminated points as part of Kohl’s Rewards and changed our currency into Kohl’s Cash,” Greg Revelle, Kohl’s chief marketing officer, said in an interview with USA TODAY.” Read more

 

Some gardeners in a pickle over scarce canning supplies at AP. “From Maine and Vermont to Louisiana and West Virginia, gardeners have reported being in a pickle when it comes to finding certain sized glass jars, the special lids to safely seal them, or the bands with which to screw them on. They’ve gone from store to store and some have given in to paying higher prices online for certain precious so-called canning supplies.” Read more

 

Tipsheet Extra

Search On For Killer Who Stabbed Walgreens Staffer To Death

Amazon tears into Trump after Pentagon reaffirms Microsoft as winner of cloud contract

IKEA sister company to open first US mall in San Francisco

The $1 trillion quest to bring hospital care to your home

The Fresh Market Has a New CFO

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: 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: Costco +13.2% | Publix Cares Most | Michaels +12%

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Costco August comp sales +13.2%

…US +12.5% / Canada +14.6% / Other Int’l +16.1% / Ecom +101.9% Press release

 

Michaels Q2 comp sales +12% “Operating income was $53.3 million compared to operating income of $71.3 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2019.” Press release

 

Walmart gets creative, goes virtual as it plans for holiday toy shopping at CNBC. “Before each holiday season, Walmart gathers hundreds of kids at a convention center near its Arkansas headquarters. The young testers try out lots of toys and pick those they would like to get from Santa. That shapes the retailer’s list of top toys and determines which ones it orders in abundance. This year, the company mailed toys to several dozen kids to test at home instead.” Read more

 

Target Names Maurice Cooper Senior VP of Marketing “Cooper joins the company Sept. 14 and will report to Rick Gomez…previously served as Executive Vice President and Chief Growth & Experience Officer at Wingstop Restaurants…In addition, Cooper has had executive brand marketing roles at Intercontinental Hotels Group and The Coca-Cola Company.” Read more

 

Struggling Retailers Brace for a Muted Holiday Season at NY Times. “…more expensive items, like jewelry or higher-end electronics, could see a boost in sales…“Because some people are not spending on eating out and going to the theater and traveling, they actually have extra money to buy an aspirational product, which helps luxury and higher-end products,” said Marie Driscoll, managing director of luxury and fashion at the research firm Coresight Research.” 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? Up to 25-year shelf life. High quality and great taste. Website | Catalog | Request a sample: info@eyeonretail.net

 

Hot Back-to-School Items During Coronavirus Are Tents, Webcams at Wall Street Journal. “The average U.S. school district will spend nearly $400,000 on products related to the pandemic response…Sergio Gonzalez, owner of keyboard-cover maker Viziflex Seels Inc., said he expects sales to schools and offices to double this year, as people look for ways to make spaces easier to clean. “You are putting a keyboard mask on your keyboard,” he said.” WSJ subs.

 

Saks sues its Bal Harbor Shops landlord for defamation at NY Post. “The gloves are off between Saks Fifth Avenue and its landlord at the tony Bal Harbor Shops in Miami. The luxury department store sued the shopping center and its owner, Matthew Whitman Lazenby, for trying to “publicly shame Saks” tied to an August dispute over rent.” Read more

 

Ex-Walgreens comms exec joins City of Hope at PR Week. “Independent cancer and diabetes research and treatment center City of Hope has hired Gulden Mesara as SVP and chief communications and marketing officer.” Read more

 

Amazon, Verizon may invest over $4 billion in India’s Vodafone Idea at Reuters. Read more

 

This new company is buying brands like Modell’s and giving them new life online at NY Post. “Tai Lopez…has launched a new company, Retail Ecommerce Ventures, that’s shelling out tens of millions of dollars for a growing assortment of down-and-out retail brands…“Yesterday I wired $31 million to buy the company Pier 1 Imports. That’s fun,” Lopez said in a rambling, 23-minute Facebook video he posted July 31, leaning against the side of his pickup truck. “It’s good to be underestimated, my friend.” Read more

 

Bed Bath & Beyond Hires Wade Haddad To Lead Store Optimization & Real Estate Strategy Press release

 

Boxed Could Go Public or Sell Itself, Sources Say at Yahoo. “Reuters said its unnamed sources indicated Boxed is examining the possibility of a merger with a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC), which could lead to a public stock offering as one of several potential outcomes. It has also engaged the services of Citigroup to provide guidance as it moves forward on the possible deal.” Read more

 

Publix Ranked No. 1 on PEOPLE’s 50 Companies that Care List (Wegmans #5, Sheetz #11, Target #12, Burlington #23) Top 50 list

 

Tipsheet Extra

As pandemic drags on, Publix removes one-way shopping aisles

Why this Costco golf product has been in such high demand

Man opens fire outside a Family Dollar store after being told to leave for not wearing a mask

PETA bashes Wegmans for selling coconut milk that they say uses forced monkey labor

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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: Amazon Drivers Hang Phones In Trees | At Home +42.3%

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Macy’s Q2 comp sales down 34.7% Press release

 

…Macy’s posts smaller-than-expected loss, shares rise at Reuters. “…online sales surge 53% for the second quarter ended Aug. 1…Gross margin of 23.6% also improved about 650 basis points from the immediately preceding quarter.” Read more

 

…Macy’s plans rollout of smaller stores away from malls at CNBC. “…planning to test several, smaller Macy’s stores outside of shopping malls, as well as a Bloomingdale’s store off-mall, the CEO said. It is also still looking to grow its off-price business through Macy’s Backstage.” Read more

 

At Home Group Q2 comp sales +42.3% “Gross profit increased 95.3% to $196.1 million from $100.4 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2020.” Press release

 

Target revs up its grocery game with hundreds of new products, including gourmet pastas and coffees at CNBC. “They are all part of Good & Gather, its private label that debuted a year ago and recently reached $1 billion in sales. With the expansion, the brand will have about 2,000 items. That will make it Target’s largest in-house brand by assortment.” Read more

 

Shoe Carnival Q2 comp sales +12.6% Press release

 

**A message from Comfy Sacks bean bag chairs – Consumers are looking for stay at home comfort. Comfy Sacks are filled with superior quality furniture grade foam. Offer your consumer something unique & comfortable. Booklet | Video | Website | Request sample bag: info@eyeonretail.net

 

Caleres Q2 net sales down 33.4% Press release

 

Dollarama Q2 comp sales including temporarily closed stores +2.5% Press release

 

Amazon/Whole Foods drivers are hanging smartphones in trees in the Chicago suburbs at Crain’s Chicago Business. “The reason for the odd placement…is to take advantage of the handsets’ proximity to the station…to get a split-second jump on competing drivers…fewer people are using ride-hailing services like Uber and Lyft, so more drivers have to deliver online shopping orders to make money…some Whole Foods locations have come to resemble parking lots at Home Depot Inc., where day laborers have long congregated to pick up home repair gigs.” Read more

 

Fortune’s 40 Under 40 Lists

 

Amazon is covertly monitoring private social media groups used by Amazon Flex workers to discuss their working conditions at The Verge. “Flex drivers are not official employees but freelance workers who make deliveries from their own vehicles. They’re paid in hourly blocks and Amazon says they make between $18 and $25 a hour, depending on tips and the number of deliveries they make.” Read more

 

Casey’s launches curbside across all 2,200 locations Press release

 

IKEA stores owner Ingka accelerates investments to cut emissions at Reuters. “…aims to be climate positive throughout its value chain by 2030. The plan is to spend a third on renewable energy, a third on stakes in innovative start-ups, and a third on making its stores and warehouses more sustainable, Chief Financial Officer Juvencio Maeztu told Reuters.” Read more

 

Tipsheet Extra

Amazon deletes job listings detailing effort to monitor ‘labor organizing threats’

Target/Starbucks employee fired after making ‘Blue Lives Matter’ drink on TikTok (w/bleach)

Arthur Blank memoir tells of life in business, sports, philanthropy

Supermodel makes surprise appearance at Bellevue Walmart Drive In

Appliance shortages are playing havoc with Labor Day weekend sales

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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: W.Foods 1st Online Only Store | Online C-Store Raises $1B | “Pay in 4”

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Walmart to launch its membership program, Walmart+, on September 15th at CNBC. “Walmart+ members…still have to meet a $35 minimum for each online order to avoid fees, whether it’s shipped to the home or dropped off at their door. It will cost $98 a year, or $12.95 a month.” Read more

 

…Members of Walmart+ will receive a savings of up to five cents per gallon on fuel transactions at Walmart, Murphy USA and Murphy Express locations Press release

 

Whole Foods Market opens first permanent online-only store for delivery orders at USA Today. “The Amazon-owned grocery store chain is officially opening its first permanent online-only store in Brooklyn, New York, to fulfill orders for grocery delivery, Whole Foods officials shared exclusively with USA TODAY Tuesday. Like other retailers’ online-only stores, also known as dark stores, the store will not be open to the public.” Read more

 

J.C. Penney sale talks stall, pushing retailer to brink at Reuters. “(JCP lawyer) Sussberg said lenders were still prepared to rescue the 118-year-old company and more than 70,000 jobs depending on negotiations over the next 10 days.” Read more

 

Old Navy will pay employees to work at voting polls on Election Day at Fortune. “According to Power the Polls, most poll workers in the U.S. are over the age of 60…Old Navy says it wanted to engage its field employees, and approximately 64% of the clothing seller’s field employees are between the ages of 18 and 29.” Read more

 

Walgreens Taps Former Rite Aid CEO Standley To Lead U.S. Operations at Forbes. “(John) Standley, who is 56 years old, replaces Alex Gourlay, 60, who will return to his co-chief operating officer role at Walgreens Boots Alliance, the parent company. Standley will report to Gourlay.” Read more

 

GameStop shares soar on Chewy.com founder’s stake at NY Post. “Ryan Cohen, whose Chewy.com was scooped up in 2017 for $3.35 billion by PetSmart, has taken a 9-percent stake in struggling GameStop via his RC Ventures fund, according to a government filing.” Read more

 

**A message from Readywise, the leader in emergency food supplies – September is National Preparedness Month – are you stocked up? Up to 25-year shelf life. High quality and great taste. Website | Catalog | Request a sample: info@eyeonretail.net

 

Retail Eviction Proceedings Pick Up as Economy Restarts at The Wall Street Journal. “In Miami, a luxury-shopping-center landlord began legal proceedings to evict Saks Fifth Avenue two weeks ago for nonpayment of rent amounting to $1.9 million as of early July.” WSJ subs.

 

Some customers miss out as Marks & Spencer launches food delivery with Ocado at Reuters. “The 1.5 billion pound ($2 billion) Ocado Retail venture is a cornerstone of M&S’s latest attempt to turn itself around and offset problems at its pandemic-hit clothing business.” Read more

 

Amazon’s drone delivery ambitions hit key milestone with new FAA approval at GeekWire. “The designation allows Amazon to begin commercial drone deliveries in the U.S. under a trial program that lets small delivery drones fly beyond visual line of sight. It’s not clear where and when they will begin…Bloomberg reported that “routine deliveries are most likely still years off” for Amazon due to additional regulatory hurdles.” Read more

 

PayPal introduces a new installment credit option called “Pay in 4″ at TechCrunch. “With Pay in 4, customers can choose to pay for purchases between $30 and $600 over a six-week period. Because it’s included with the merchant’s existing PayPal pricing, they won’t have to pay more fees to offer the option to their customers…” Read more

 

Why Venture Capitalists Gave Two 27-Year-Olds $1 Billion To Build The Ultimate Online C-Store at Forbes. “With its flat $2 fee for 30-minute deliveries of junk food and booze, GoPuff is having a very good pandemic. Orders are up four-fold at the SoftBank-backed startup but hypergrowth comes with problems: high costs, low margins and unreliable drivers.” Read more

 

Tipsheet Extra

Costco samples have been spotted in stores but they look … different

Mother and daughter receive a surprise at a Wegmans, in memory of a life gone too soon

Pandemic tests shopper loyalty for clothing brands

Costco will put $25M into a fund to support social justice programs

McKinsey research: Winning over consumers for the long term

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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