Tipsheet: H.Depot Fires Ad Agency | NYC Bag Ban On | Dickey’s BBQ Breach

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U.S. Retail Spending Picked Up Strongly in September at Wall Street Journal. “A measure of purchases at stores, restaurants and online, retail sales increased a seasonally adjusted 1.9% in September from the prior month, the Commerce Department reported Friday, outstripping economists’ expectations for a 0.7% rise.” WSJ subs.

 

TikTok is driving massive toy sales as play dates become less frequent during pandemic at CNBC. “A combination of fan-generated and TikTok influencer videos ignited the craze,” Renee Lee, vice president of global marketing at Zuru, said. The company has seen an average of 20 million to 25 million weekly views of videos that feature its product. At its height, Zuru was selling more than 250,000 capsules per week across North America.” Read more

 

Amazon scoops up third warehouse site on Staten Island at NY Post. “…has leased nearly one million square feet at Matrix Global Logistics Park near the Goethals Bridge, where it already has two other warehouses, according to Crain’s New York Business, which confirmed the deal with Matrix Development Group.” Read more

 

Amazon has already started early holiday deals, less than 2 days after Prime Day at CNBC. “Amazon on Friday launched its Holiday Dash sales event, which it has pegged as a way for shoppers to “beat the holiday hustle” this year. The event features a range of early holiday shopping deals every day across a number of categories, including toys, fashion, electronics and home goods.” Read more

 

Breach at Dickey’s BBQ Smokes 3M Cards at Krebs on Security. “On Monday, the carding bazaar Joker’s Stash debuted “BlazingSun,” a new batch of more than three million stolen card records, advertising “valid rates” of between 90-100 percent. This is typically an indicator that the breached merchant is either unaware of the compromise or has only just begun responding to it.” Read more

 

Whole Foods’ customers, employees unhappy with strict new dress code at Fox Business. Read more

 

**A message from Comfy Sacks bean bag chairs – Consumers want stay at home comfort. Comfy Sacks are filled with superior quality furniture grade foam and resist permanent compression. Booklet | Video | Website | Request sample bag: info@eyeonretail.net

 

NYC’s Oct. 19 plastic-bag ban still on, judge says at NY Post. “Albany state Judge Gerald Connolly declined to provide the injunctive relief requested by a group of grocers, bodegas and bag manufacturer Poly-Pak Industries…Connolly instead set a calendar for the litigation against the Department of Environmental Conservation, which is overseeing the ban. DEC has until Oct. 23 to respond to the complaint.” Read more

 

Wine supply – and prices – could be affected by wildfire smoke at USA Today. Read more

 

Walmart CEO says TikTok deal would help make social media more shoppable at CNBC. “If you’re watching a TikTok video and somebody’s got a piece of apparel or an item on it that you really like, what if you could just quickly purchase that item?” (McMillon) said. “That’s what we’re seeing happen in countries around the world. And it’s intriguing to us, and we would like to be part of it.” Read more

 

US Foods names Bill Hancock EVP and Chief Supply Chain Officer Press release

 

Indie booksellers feeling ‘Boxed Out’ by Amazon respond with campaign targeting tech giant at GeekWire. “Playing off the ubiquitous nature of Amazon’s cardboard packaging, brown coverings were created to “overtake” participating storefronts with slogans such as “Bookstores vs. Billionaires” and “Books curated by real people not a creepy algorithm.” Read more

 

REI Co-op expands used gear business with member gear trade-in program and pilot of standalone used gear pop-up stores Press release

 

Amazon says third-party merchants sold $3.5B of goods during Prime Day at GeekWire. “…a 60% increase over last year…The announcement comes as Amazon faces antitrust scrutiny for its treatment of third-party retailers in the marketplace that the company operates.” Read more

 

US senators ask Amazon if it tracks employees, curbs bids to form unions at Fox Business. Read more

 

Home Depot Fire Dallas Ad Agency Over Founder’s Racially Insensitive Remarks at NBC. “The racially insensitive comments made by founder Stan Richards happened during an internal pitch meeting last week involving a proposed advertising campaign for Motel 6. The 88-year-old founder admitted to using the words “It’s too Black” when reacting to the proposal.” Read more

 

Tipsheet Extra

Two grocery employees share what it’s like to be tasked with enforcing mask mandates

Bowling alleys on the brink

Ikea’s new line of candles wants to evoke memories of your childhood home

Acme Markets wins bid for Kings Food, Balducci markets

Target highlights Good & Gather in national direct mail piece

Former Walmart exec switches to PTO work

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

 

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Tipsheet: McMillon @ CNBC | #1 Service: Costco/Publix/Wawa | Macy’s New CFO

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THIS MORNING – Walmart CEO @ CNBC – urges Congress to get a stimulus deal done “If I could change one thing about our business right now, it would be to have an even higher in-stock level,” (McMillon) said. “We’re trying to make sure we’re ready to go all the way to Christmas and beyond, but we’ve still got some recovery to do.” Read more

 

Walgreens Boots Alliances Q4 sales +2.3% Press release

 

…Walgreens returns to profitability as business rebounds at Fox Business. “Retail pharmacy sales in the U.S. grew 3.6% from last year to $27 billion amid improved retail sales and prescription trends. International pharmacy sales totaled $2.3 billion, down 15%, largely due to weakness in the U.K. Retail same-store sales in the U.K were off 29%…” Read more

 

America’s Best Customer Service Companies at Newsweek

Brick & Mortar:

  • #1 C-Store – Wawa 
  • #1 Perfume/Cosmetics – Bath & Body Works
  • #1 Pharmacy/Drugstore – Giant Eagle
  • #1 Supermarket – Publix
  • #1 Superstore/Club – Costco

Full list

 

Tiffany touts recovering sales as legal battle with LVMH drags on at Reuters. “Tiffany & Co said on Thursday sales have been rising through October…sales in Mainland China were “extremely strong” and its business was recovering in the United States after being hit earlier in the year.” Read more

 

U.S. gun sales soar amid pandemic, social unrest, election fears at Reuters. “Eight of the top 10 all-time weeks for background checks have happened this year, according to NICS data that goes back to 1998…Online auction sites for guns and ammunition have seen prices skyrocket. Bootstrapping entrepreneurs are hitting estate sales looking for gun collections to resell.” Read more

 

Kroger’s Simple Truth brand to feature more than 75 plant-based foods and beverages by the end of 2020 Press release

 

**A message from SPS Commerce. More than 90% of companies are missing the necessary information they need for a seamless replenishment order process. Without knowing the status of your order, you’re forced to reactively manage your orders, typically resulting in unused open to buy budget. Hear from a customer on how SPS helped them proactively manage their orders, or contact us at 866-245-8100.

 

Macy’s Names New CFO at Wall Street Journal. “…named Adrian Mitchell as CFO, effective Nov. 2, replacing interim finance chief Felicia Williams, who had been in the role since June 1. Mr. Mitchell joins Macy’s from Boston Consulting Group, where he currently serves as a managing director and partner in its digital and consumer practices.” WSJ subs.

 

Plenty has raised over $500 million to grow fruits and veggies indoor at TechCrunch. “Plenty’s more direct competitor, Bowery Farming, is expanding its retail footprint to 650 stores, even as Plenty touts its deal with Albertsons to provide greens to 431 stores in California.” Read more

 

Amazon reaches deal to broadcast one of two new NFL wildcard games added to the schedule this season at GeekWire. Read more

 

BAD TIMING – Barnes & Noble has had days of disruption to its Nook e-reader service at Fast Company. “The outage came at perhaps a particularly awkward time for the bookstore chain, as archrival Amazon offered discounts on Kindle e-readers and other products during its annual Prime Day sale.” Read more

 

Walmart Media Group’s pitch deck reveals how the retail giant is presenting its digital marketing power to brands Ad Age Subs.

 

Bed, Bath & Beyond to sell Christmas Tree Shops, other brands at Fox Business. “Handil plans to continue operating Christmas Tree Shops (80 stores) as a stand-alone retail brand…Linen Holdings business will be sold to The Linen Group, LLC.” Read more

 

Alibaba-affiliated marketplace to leave Taiwan, again at TechCrunch. “Separated by a strait, the internet in Taiwan and mainland China are two different worlds. Even mainland tech giants Alibaba and Tencent have had little success entering the island, often running into regulatory hurdles.” Read more

 

Chinese retailer Miniso to raises $608 million in IPO at AP. “The company has over 3,000 stores globally, more than 60% of them in mainland China…stores typically sell a range of goods, from cosmetics to small household appliances, mostly crafted by an in-house team of designers. The company positions itself as a retailer that sells high-quality products at an affordable price.” Read more

 

Dr. Fauci suggests canceling Thanksgiving gatherings at NY Post. “The 79-year-old top infectious diseases doctor told “CBS Evening News” on Wednesday that his three children will not be coming home for the holiday because his age puts him at increased risk.” Read more

 

Tipsheet Extra

High-end air filtration systems are more popular than ‘toilet paper in April’

Turning a dead mall into a warehouse will slash its value as much as 90%: Barclays

Amazon bans ‘What Killed Michael Brown?’ documentary, director says

BP raises $500 million from sale of UK petrol station leases

Heineken forced pubs to sell ‘unreasonable’ amounts of beer

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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: Furner @ Today Show | WM B.Friday 11/4 | Target Bridezilla

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Walmart divides Black Friday deals into 3 separate events that kick off online at CNBC. “Walmart’s first Black Friday event will start online Nov. 4 and in stores Nov. 7 and feature toys, electronics and home products. The second event, focused on electronics such as TVs, smartphones, computers and tablets along with some items from other merchandise categories, will begin online Nov. 11 and in stores Nov. 14. And the third event will kick off online Nov. 25 and in stores Nov. 27 — the same day as the usual post-Thanksgiving shopping event. It will have a range of items from electronics and toys to apparel and seasonal decor.” Read more

 

…TODAY ON TODAY – Walmart CEO outlines plans to keep customers safe during holiday shopping at Today Show. “In an exclusive interview with NBC business and tech correspondent Jo Ling Kent, John Furner, president and CEO of Walmart U.S., explains how they’re reimagining holiday shopping to reduce crowd size and chaos during the pandemic – including a plan for three Black Fridays.” 3:43 video

 

LVMH to win EU antitrust approval for Tiffany deal: sources at Reuters. “The U.S. Committee on Foreign Investment and antitrust enforcers in Australia, Canada, China and South Korea have already given the green light to the deal.” Read more

 

Thousands of Amazon workers demand time off to vote at NBC News. “More than 1,500 Amazon tech workers added their support to the petition one hour after it was launched internally Tuesday morning. By noon PT, the petition had reached 3,243 supporters.” Read more

 

Urban Outfitters Promotes CFO to COO as Part of Executive Shuffle at Wall Street Journal. “Chief Financial Officer Frank Conforti has been named COO and co-president. Mr. Conforti has served as Urban Outfitters’s CFO since 2012…” WSJ subs.

 

Panera Bread becomes first national chain to label entrees as climate friendly at CNBC. “Whenever the ingredients of the chain’s salads, sandwiches and soups collectively have a footprint of less than 5.38 kilograms of carbon dioxide equivalent, the menu item will carry a badge proclaiming the entree a “Cool Food Meal,” the designation from the World Resources Institute.” Read more

 

**A message from the Kitchenology 4-In-1 Scrub Bar™ – Don’t settle for a lightweight sponge that can’t scrub the dirtiest dishes! Introducing the Scrub Bar – the kitchen sponge that tackles every dirty dish in the sink. A different abrasive strength on each side!: regular sponge, medium-duty, heavy-duty & super-duty. See it | Samples: info@eyeonretail.net

 

Apple’s new iPhone 12 won’t come with free headphones or power adapters at TechCrunch. “Customers already have over 700 million Lightning headphones, and many customers have moved to a wireless experience,” said (Apple’s) Jackson. “There are also over 2 billion Apple power adapters out in the world, and that’s not counting the billions of third-party adapters.” Read more

 

Lowe’s donates over $9 million to help keep homes safe and affordable in Charlotte at Charlotte Observer. “…include(s): $1.67 million to Habitat for Humanity…$200,000 in gift cards to Charlotte Center City Partners for artists to maintain the Uptown Black Lives Matter and Beatties Ford Strong murals.” Read more

 

Starbucks pledges to have 30% of corporate workforce identify as a minority by 2025 at CNBC. Read more

 

Pilgrim’s Pride to pay more than $110 million to settle chicken price-fixing charges at CNN. “Earlier this year, senior executives from Colorado-based Pilgrim’s and Georgia-based Claxton Poultry Farms — major US chicken producers — were indicted for conspiring to fix prices and rig bids on broiler chickens, which are sold to grocery stores and restaurants.” Read more | WSJ subs.

 

Fed-up bride ambushes fiancé for surprise wedding at Target at NY Post. “In a now-viral video taken by shocked shopper Ashley Domingues, 37, and posted to TikTok last Friday, the impatient bride, dressed in white — and with a bridesmaid and pastor in tow — ambushed her beau as he stocked Halloween costumes onto the shelves of the superstore. “You put this ring on my finger two years ago,” said the bull’s-eye bridezilla…“It’s time to do it or get out.” Read more/Video

 

Tipsheet Extra 

Nearly nine of 10 workers want to keep work-from-home option

Sheetz hiring over 3,000 employees across 6 states

The flood of Amazon Prime Day packages won’t delay your mail-in ballot

Bob’s Discount Furniture appoints retail veteran as its new CEO

Homes in CA could be without power until Friday

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Tipsheet: 52% to Stockpile | IKEA Buyback 50% | Nike Kicks Independents

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Amazon’s German workers launch Prime Day strike over pandemic pay at Fortune. “This time the big issue is that of how workers are treated during the COVID-19 pandemic. As with strikes at Amazon facilities elsewhere earlier this year, there are allegations that Amazon isn’t doing enough to protect its staff, and also isn’t paying them enough considering the circumstances.” Read more

 

EBay takes a bite at StockX and GOAT with sneaker authentication for sales $100+ in the US at TechCrunch. “The authentication will be done by Sneaker Con…The quick story here is that eBay’s  rep for authentic merch is, uh, not great — especially the sneaker universe, where fakes can be virtually indistinguishable from authentic items.” Read more

 

52% plan to stockpile this fall at MSN. “Already, there’s some evidence that grocery sales are rising…The typical bill for a trip to the grocery store rose to $72 for the week ended October 6, or 11% higher from the week before, according to data company Envestnet Yodlee.” Read more

 

Nike digital strategy kicks independent sellers at Fox Business. “Moe Stein, the owner of Frank’s Sport Shop, called the move a “complete surprise” after making “in excess of $10,000,000 in business with them” throughout 40-plus years of being a Nike dealer…In August, it was revealed Nike would no longer have its products available at major retailers such as Belk, Dillard’s, Zappos, Boscov’s, Bob’s Stores, Fred Meyer and EBLens.” Read more

 

Walgreens Boots Alliance Co-COO Ornella Barra highly commended for responsible business leadership Press release

 

Bed Bath & Beyond CFO Looks to Declutter Shelves, Reduce Working Capital at Wall Street Journal. “A new store model, which Bed Bath & Beyond plans to unveil on Oct. 28, will require less inventory to fill shelves, according to analysts…The company also is rationalizing the number of vendors it works with to reduce costs…” WSJ subs.

 

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Southeastern Grocers to unveil four new Florida Winn-Dixie stores Press release

 

After an early pandemic shortage computers are shipping again, Canalys reports at The Verge. “Computer manufacturers shipped 79 million personal computers in the third quarter of 2020, an uptick of 13 percent year-over-year with Lenovo leading the pack, technology analyst firm Canalys reported.” Read more

 

America’s Richest Self-Made Women at Forbes. List/Read more

 

Bored with your flat pack furniture? – IKEA will buy it back at Reuters. “…runs in 27 countries from Nov. 24 to Dec. 3, customers will get vouchers to spend at IKEA stores…Customers with “as new” items, with no scratches, will get 50% of the original price, “very good” items, with minor scratches, will get 40% and “well used”, with several scratches, will get 30%.” Read more

 

Tipsheet Extra

Despite tax receipts, court orders destruction of ‘historic’ moonshine

The Southern town that Hollywood insiders are building from scratch

Grocery prices rise as retail promotions shrink (31.4% to 25.9%)

Georgia Publix pharmacies now fill pet med scripts

Apple’s new HomePod mini speaker revealed in leaked images

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Tipsheet: Secret Amazon Trackers | NY Plastic Bag Fight | Prime Day is Black Friday

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Countering Prime Day transforms into new Black Friday at CNBC. “Amazon Prime Day starts at 3 a.m. ET Tuesday and lasts through Wednesday. Target will have “Deal Days” and Best Buy will jumpstart Black Friday sales on those days. Walmart holds its “Big Save Event” from 7 p.m. ET Sunday through Thursday.” Read more

 

Hidden cameras and secret trackers reveal where Amazon returns end up at CBC. “Marketplace purchased a dozen products off Amazon’s website…and sent each back to Amazon just as they were received but with a GPS tracker hidden inside…Marketplace returned toy blocks that travelled over 950 kilometres before reaching a new customer in Quebec…Of the 12 items returned, it appears only four were resold by Amazon to new customers at the time this story was published.” Read more

 

A holiday hiring slump takes shape at Reuters. “Hiring is shaping up differently from previous years,” said AnnElizabeth Konkel, an economist with the Indeed Hiring Lab, a research group at the job posting site Indeed. Seasonal postings are about 11% below last year…” Read more

 

Apple is starting to ship devices directly from its stores at The Verge. “The change, Bloomberg reports, will use Apple’s nearly 300 stores in the US and Canada to speed up local delivery for customers within 100 miles of a store. The company has already apparently started using the new system with several stores earlier this year…” Read more

 

Dillard’s jumps 15% after one of Buffett’s investing lieutenants discloses personal stake at CNBC. “According to filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Ted Weschler, who is an investment manager at Berkshire Hathaway, bought roughly 1.08 million shares of Dillard’s, or about 5.89% of shares outstanding.” Read more

 

Target opening store at the Cross County Center in Yonkers, where it has signed a lease for 130K square feet, taking the bulk of the 200K square feet left behind by Sears at NY Post. “The 40-year Target lease brings the occupancy rate of the 1.15 million-square-foot open-air shopping complex to 97 percent. The 15-building Cross County is also home to H&M, which just signed a 10-year renewal, as well as to Zara, Ulta and Blink Fitness.” Read more

 

**A message from SPS Commerce. More than 90% of companies are missing the necessary information they need for a seamless replenishment order process. Without knowing the status of your order, you’re forced to reactively manage your orders, typically resulting in unused open to buy budget. Hear from a customer on how SPS helped them proactively manage their orders, or contact us at 866-245-8100.

 

Amazon’s turnover rate amid pandemic is at least double the average for retail and warehousing industries at Seattle Times. “Steve Banker, vice president of supply chain management at consulting firm ARC Advisory Group, said a turnover rate of 100% is “very, very high” in the industry. In 2017, his firm surveyed more than 100 supply chain executives. Only 4% reported turnover rates greater than 50% in the course of a year.” Read more

 

Metro’s Eric La Flèche named Canada’s Outstanding CEO of the Year at Financial Post. “Since Eric La Flèche became chief executive 12 years ago, the Montreal-based grocer has grown both organically and by acquisition to now include 950 food stores, under several banners including Metro, Metro Plus, Super C and Food Basics, plus around 650 drugstores…” Read more/Q&A

 

The case against Amazon: Key takeaways from the U.S. House antitrust report on digital markets at GeekWire. Read more

 

CVS Now Labels All Photoshopped Images In Its Beauty Aisle at Forbes. “Revlon, which was one of the first companies to commit to the Beauty Mark guidelines in CVS stores, has now applied those guidelines to imagery displayed at all of its retail partners, including Target, Walmart and Walgreens. Coty, which owns brands like CoverGirl, Rimmel and Sally Hansen, no longer photoshops the images it sends to CVS or any other retailer.” Read more

 

New Apple ‘iPhone 12’ to offer 5G speeds U.S. networks can’t deliver at Reuters. “The other big letdown is that applications using higher speeds to deliver something new have yet to be created. It is a chicken and egg problem at this part of the tech cycle, executives said…” Read more

 

New York retailers file another lawsuit against Oct. 19 plastic bag ban at NY Post. “The Morton Williams chain of 16 stores ordered 200,000 reusable T-shirt bags at 20 cents a piece — and has another one million on order that it can no longer use, Kaner told The Post. “Not only are they flip-flopping on what we can and can’t use, it feels completely irrational for the state to say we can only use bags with sewn on handles,” he said.” Read more

 

Tipsheet Extra

Off-duty officer saves man from heart attack at Home Depot

Police searching for bear that went to Wawa

Pixar’s ‘Soul’ is skipping theaters for Disney+

Mom explains why her toddler goes everywhere with a plastic skeleton

Mexico industrial recovery slows further in August

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Tipsheet: Target HQ Return Date | WM Drive In Sells Out | W.Foods -21% Visits

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Target HQ employees won’t return to downtown offices until at least June 2021 at Star Tribune. “Target is looking at a “hybrid model” in the future, which the company believes will offer more flexibility while also working face-to-face meetings back into the mix. “Our intent is to blend the best of both work environments,” (CHRO Kremer) said.” Tiered subs.

 

Safeway, Walgreens relationship with Theranos disputed in ex-CEO Elizabeth Holmes fraud case at Fox Business. “Safeway and Walgreens, (Holmes attorney) Saharia argued, are business partners, but are unfairly being identified as investors. The “investor” classification, in turn, caused Holmes to be charged with a different crime that included a longer statute of limitations, which would have otherwise expired, according to court records and Law360.com.” Read more

 

Shoppers’ visits to Whole Foods are rebounding far slower than at other grocers at Business Insider. “Whole Foods had 21% fewer visitors across its stores on October 4 compared to the same day last year, according to data by placer.ai…Part of this is because Whole Foods normally gets a lot of lunchtime trade from office workers, who are now working from home, a spokesperson said.” Read more

 

A new Amazon feature should make it easier to get a grocery delivery slot this winter at Recode. “If there’s no delivery availability when a shopper tries to place a grocery order, that customer can now sign up to be notified when a spot opens up.” Read more/Video

 

GameStop and Microsoft team up to sell Xbox All Access at more than 5K GameStop retail locations at GeekWire. Read more

 

Amazon reveals first custom electric delivery vehicle built with Rivian at GeekWire. “Amazon said today it will have 10,000 custom electric delivery vehicles on the road as early as 2022, and all 100,000 by 2030.” Read more

 

Gap Inc. Confirms Nancy Green as President and CEO of Old Navy “Green has served as interim head of Old Navy since March and was previously President and Chief Creative Officer of the brand.” Press release

 

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Jeff Bezos: Amazon turned into ‘the everything store’ thanks to an email to 1,000 random people at CNBC. “The self-made billionaire recalled one person writing back, “windshield wiper blades, because I really need windshield wiper blades.” “That’s when I thought to myself, We can sell anything this way.” Bezos said at the talk. “So then we launched electronics and toys and many other categories over time.” Read more

 

Target and FAO Schwarz are partnering on an exclusive 70-piece toy collection Press release

 

Walgreens spends $35 million to reopen looted Chicago stores at Chicago Sun Times. “The pharmacy chain said 70 of its 118 city locations sustained damage in recent weeks…All but six of the stores have reopened and the rest will be completed “as quickly as possible,” a Walgreens spokeswoman said…another store at 4000 W. 59th St. must be completely rebuilt. It was gutted by a suspected arson fire following a looting incident.” Read more

 

Walmart drive-in movie tickets snatched up for Selena movie at KRIS 6 News. Video/Read more

 

Target, Lowe’s female execs speak at diversity conference at HFN. “Laysha Ward, executive vice president and chief external engagement officer at Target, provided the welcoming remarks…Breakout sessions included a discussion of chief diversity officers featuring Kiera Fernandez, Target’s vice president, human resources and chief diversity and inclusion officer…Speaking on a panel about c-suite women leaders was Janice Dupre Little, executive vice president-human resources for Lowe’s.” Read more

 

This Is The Largest Private Bourbon And American Whiskey Collection That’s Ever Gone To Auction at Forbes. “On a pilgrimage to Japan years ago to find out more about the country’s whisky, Pat followed a recommendation to stop at an obscure whisky shop under a train station and discovered bourbon for the first time: …“I asked the lady there what it was, and I found out it was a 19 year old bourbon, which is quite rare. I bought the bottle and I tasted it, a 19 year old Olde St. Nick, and I fell in love. It is still one of the best bourbons I’ve ever tasted.” Read more

 

Tipsheet Extra

Adidas’s wild new shoe is string art for your feet

College opens retrofitted checkout-free store

Walmart urges sellers to optimize listings to boost sales

Amazon sought to hire intelligence analysts in EU spying row

4 ways shopping for the holidays is going to be different this year

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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

 

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Tipsheet: Petco Rebrands | Costco +16.9% | H.Depot Skeleton | Sam’s Small

/in

 

Petco rebrands, bans shock collars in health and wellness push at Fortune. “We’re transitioning from being a company that asks, ‘Can I help you put that big bag of dog food into your cart?’ into a full health and wellness company,” Petco CEO Ron Coughlin tells Fortune.” Read more

 

Costco September comp sales (ex. gas & f/x) +16.9%: US +16.7% / Canada +18.0% / Other Int’l +17.5% / Ecom +90.1% Press release

 

Dollar General to open stores aimed at wealthier shoppers at Fox Business. “The company plans to open a new brand of stores called Popshelf that mostly sells things shoppers don’t need but might want, such as party supplies, home decor or beauty products. Stores will be in the suburbs of larger cities, with two planned for the Nashville, Tenn., area in the next few weeks and 30 by the end of next year.” Read more

 

Home Depot’s sold-out giant halloween skeletons creep into brands’ social feeds at Ad Age. “There’s little doubt what this year’s most popular Halloween decoration is: The Home Depot’s 12-foot-tall skeleton with “LifeEyes” being sold for a whopping $300…People are now selling them on Amazon and eBay for up to $1,600.” Tiered subs.

 

J.Jill names Claire Spofford as CEO “Spofford a veteran retail executive with more than 20 years of experience, most recently served as President of Cornerstone Brands.” Press release

 

Sam’s Club adds petite packs as Americans plan smaller holiday gatherings at CNBC. “Customers will find holiday hams in three sizes: 4 pounds, 7 pounds and 10 pounds. They can buy green beans with garlic herb butter, sweet potato mash with cinnamon butter and mac and cheese — all packaged as side dishes for a family of four.” Read more

 

Amazon says internal investigation into WSJ report on third-party sales data finds no policy violations at GeekWire. Read more

 

**A message from SPS Commerce. Changing consumer shopping preferences have disrupted your business. We’ve implemented 500,000 replenishment order solutions for more than 3,000 buying organizations. Now is the time to update your supply chain practices so you can stay one step ahead of the competition. Visit our website for details or contact us at 866-245-8100.

 

Tesco names a former Mondelez exec as CFO – Imran Nawaz is set to join Britain’s biggest grocery chain by market share next April at Wall Street Journal. WSJ subs.

 

Rite Aid to Acquire Bartell Drugs “Bartell Drugs generates over $550 million in revenue and fills approximately 5.5 million prescriptions annually across its 67 stores…Bartell Drugs’ stores join Rite Aid’s existing 69 Seattle area stores and will continue to operate under the Bartell Drugs name. The purchase price is $95 million.” Press release

 

Instacart’s valuation has more than doubled in 2020 to $17.7 billion following new funding round at CNBC. Read more

 

Democrats from the House Committee on Energy and Commerce wrote a letter to Bezos on Wednesday, which specifically addressed popular electronics products sold by AmazonBasics that have allegedly created “hazardous situations at rates well above comparable products.” at Fox Business. Read more

 

How AR Is Redefining Retail in the Pandemic at Harvard Business Review. “The next phase of augmented retail will likely be a gamified social experience. Burberry recently partnered with Snapchat on an in-store AR game, and I can see the concept being extended to digital store fronts and virtual closets where you can play, explore, and shop with friends. This coincides with a current trend popular among fashion and beauty brands such as Estée Lauder, Gucci, and Miu Miu: mobile arcade games.” Tiered subs.

 

Tipsheet Extra

Profile offers rare look at MacKenzie Scott’s distribution of Amazon wealth

Southeastern Grocers Investing in Fresco y Más Banner

Kroger is launching two on-premise ghost kitchens via partnership with ClusterTruck

H&M will turn your ratty old T-shirt into a brand new sweater

Lowe’s to have early curbside trick-or-treating

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: WM Tests Tech Services | Prime Day +43%? | Dallas H.Depot Reopens |

/in

 

Amazon’s Prime Day estimated to do $10 billion in worldwide sales at TechCrunch. “This is ahead of what Prime Day achieved in years past. In 2019, the sales event delivered $6.93 billion in sales, eMarketer says, with $4.32 billion from the U.S. Total Prime Day sales in 2016, 2017 and 2018 were at $1.5 billion, $2.47 billion and $4.13 billion, respectively.” Read more

 

Walmart tests electronic tech services similar to Best Buy’s Geek Squad by Kim Souza at Talk Business. “Walmart is testing electronic tech services through a partnership with True Network Solutions. The Walmart Supercenter at Elm Springs Road in Springdale is the first Arkansas tech desk. Walmart is also testing the service in four stores in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.” Read more/Pics

 

Ikea opens first-ever used furniture store at Fast Company. “The company will open its first secondhand store later this year in Sweden’s ReTuna mall, a retail complex completely made up of resale stores. The move was first reported by The Local. The new store will sell previously owned furniture and home goods that have been refurbished for purchase.” Read more

 

House antitrust probe says Amazon has ‘monopoly power’ over sellers, company slams ‘fringe’ findings at GeekWire. “As a measure of total U.S. retail sales, Amazon says its market share is in the single digits. The antitrust report says Amazon’s U.S. online retail market share is often understated as 40%, Instead, it says, “estimates of about 50% or higher are more credible.” Read more

 

Lowe’s hires BCW, Edelman alum Ben Boyd to lead communications PR Week subs.

 

Home Depot store destroyed by Dallas tornado reopening soon at Fox 4 KDFW. “It has been closed since Oct. 20, 2019 when an EF-3 ripped through North Dallas. Part of the store collapsed but incredibly, no one was hurt.” Pics/Read more

 

16 Shoppers Review Their Walmart+ Memberships at Field Agent. “Overall, our agents reported a very positive experience with Walmart+. It’s telling that, when we asked our 16 testers if they would be renewing their subscriptions, 15 of them said “yes!” Video/Read more

 

**A message from SPS Commerce: Successful order fulfillment is impossible without vendor collaboration. SPS partners with you to automate information exchange with your supplier community, resulting in a multi-million dollar business impact for many buying organizations. Video | Contact | 866-245-8100

 

Big Lots holds agency review PR Week subs.

 

Walmart is now licensed to sell Medicare insurance plans in all 50 states at Talk Business. “Walmart Insurance Services will begin selling Medicare insurance plans during this year’s Annual Enrollment Period (AEP), Oct. 15 through Dec. 7.” Read more

 

81% of Texans have a favorable view of H-E-B at My San Antonio. Survey list

 

Papa John’s names Target vet CFO at MarketWatch. “Papa John’s has named Ann Gugino chief financial officer. Gugino joins from Target, where she was senior vice president of financial planning and analysis.” Read more

 

Lowe’s Provides Additional Bonus To Support Associates “…will provide an additional $100 million in discretionary bonuses to recognize front-line hourly associates for their continued service and support of Lowe’s communities, bringing the company’s total commitment to associates and communities during the pandemic to more than $775 million.” Press release

 

Ex-Amazon employee arrested after issuing fake refunds totaling more than $96K at GeekWire. “Nguyen used his employee access and manipulated Amazon’s product return procedures by manually authorizing refunds for items ordered from third-party sellers, according to the complaint.” Read more

 

Tipsheet Extra

Walmart approves 175 new products in virtual Open Call

America’s teens spending 9% less than a year ago

Community rallies around Publix employee whose E-bike was stolen

Police: Man pooped in box at Meijer store, put it back on shelf

Google faces new antitrust case in India over abuse in smart TVs market

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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