Tipsheet: H.Dep #24 Trust | Instacart Holds 5% | RH CEO New Pad

/in

 

Instacart holds firm on its tipping policy as contract workers call for national boycott at CNBC. “Nilam Ganenthiran, Instacart’s president, said the current 5% rate is appropriate as the default, though customers have the option of giving more. “I truly think it’s right for our shoppers, right for our customers and right for the ecosystem,” Ganenthiran told CNBC.” Read more

 

Walmart Expands Its Robotic Workforce to 650 Additional Stores by Matthew Boyle at Bloomberg. “…bringing its fleet to 1,000. The six-foot-tall Bossa Nova devices, equipped with 15 cameras each, roam aisles and send alerts to store employees’  handheld devices when items are out of stock, helping to solve a vexing problem that costs retailers nearly a trillion dollars annually, according to researcher IHL Group.” Tiered subs.

 

Morning Consult: The 25 Most Trusted Brands in America – Amazon #2 / Home Depot #24 / Walmart #25 Ranked lists

 

CVS CEO Larry Merlo says 600 remodeled HealthHUBs will be opened by the end of 2020 at CNBC. “Boston, Dallas-Fort Worth, North Carolina and Ohio are among the next markets that CVS is targeting for its HealthHUB expansion this year. With its HealthHUBs, CVS wants to offer more health services and products to customers, which is tailored around the company’s $70 billion acquisition of Aetna.” Video/Read more

 

Target and Lowe’s Tech Execs Credit Talent, Culture for Insourcing Success by Jared Council at Wall Street Journal. “Not everything needs to be done in-house, but companies should opt to build technologies that are core to their businesses, said Seemantini Godbole, chief information officer at Lowe’s. “Wherever you have secret sauce that you want to put your fingerprints on, for your customer experience or for your own associates,” she said, “I’ve always believed that you should build your own technology.” WSJ subs.

 

Iain Nairn Named President of Hudson’s Bay “Most recently, Mr. Nairn was CEO of kikki.K, a global Swedish design and stationery business…Previously, Mr. Nairn was CEO of David Jones, Australia’s leading premium omnichannel department store chain.” Press release

 

Kohl’s CEO Michelle Gass: ‘Amazon is working’ at CNBC. “Some say it is benefiting Amazon more than it is Kohl’s. “We’re getting a younger customer,” Gass said Sunday. “And to what we expected, some of them were buying. … You’re never going to get 100%. But some of them are buying.” Read more

 

**A message from Sweets & Snacks Expo. Save the date: May 19-21, 2020 at McCormick Place in Chicago. Your year starts here. Website/Register

 

The Container Store Group prelim Q3 comp sales +3.0% Press release

 

Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos to Face Protests From ‘Enraged’ Local Merchants During India Visit by Saritha Rai at Bloomberg via Fortune. “More than half-a-million traders representing thousands of trading bodies grouped under the Confederation of All India Traders plan to organize sit-ins and public rallies in 300 cities to protest Bezos’s visit, the group said.” Read more

 

J.Jill increases Q4 2019 guidance  “…now expects total comp sales to decrease 6% to 8%… (vs.) previous guidance for total comp sales to decrease 8% to 10%.” Press release

 

GameStop holiday sales down 27.5% at Hollywood Reporter. Read more

 

Tilly’s comp sales decreased by 2.0% for the holiday period Press release

 

The former Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) is now officially the Consumer Brands Association (CBA) at The Hill. “CBA’s main goals will involve championing smart regulations for the industry, building frictionless supply chains, enhancing packaging sustainability, and building consumer trust.” Read more

 

Stage Stores reports 1.4% comp sales increase for holiday period Press release

 

Amazon Publishes Books by Top Authors, and Rivals Fret by Jeffrey A. Trachtenberg at Wall Street Journal. “When Dean Koontz’s book contract expired last year, his stature as one of the country’s top-selling authors made him a hot target for several major publishing houses. He  chose Amazon.com Inc. It was a surprising move because it means his new books likely won’t appear in retail stores, which generally boycott Amazon-published titles.” WSJ subs.

 

At Home Group updates Q4 and fiscal 2020 outlook “…expects fiscal 2020 net sales and comparable store sales toward the high end of its previously provided outlook of $1,352.0 million to $1,360.0 million and (2.6)% to (2.0)%.” Press release

 

Lowe’s expands Google Cloud ties “Lowe’s is in the early stages of a large-scale, multiyear technology transformation, investing more than $500 million annually through 2021 and hiring up to 2,000 engineers to continue to build out future retail experiences.” Press release

 

Walmart sacks 56 executives in India as part of restructuring at Reuters. “It’s happening because focus is shifting to e-commerce rather than physical (stores),” according to one of three people, who spoke to Reuters ahead of the company announcement.” Read more

 

Barneys accused of leaving staff in the dark during liquidation by Lisa Fickenscher at NY Post. “Among the grievances is that Barneys has not informed them of their last day of work or assured them that they will receive severance or their pensions, the filing said.” Read more

 

RH CEO Gary Friedman Buys $37 Million Beverly Hills Estate by James McClain at Variety. “Friedman’s new $37 million palace lies just two doors away from an even larger compound that was sold back in 2018 for a whopping $41.5 million to Walmart heiress Paige Laurie.” Pics/Read more

 

Tipsheet Extra

Ad Age Best Places to Work 2020

Casey’s won’t avoid small metro markets

The New Beer Barons

Oscars: Full List of Nominations

NRF names new chairman, board members

U.S. bike firms face uphill slog to replace Chinese supply chains

Read Tipsheet Extra Stories

 

**

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: H.Dep #24 Trust | Instacart Holds 5% | RH CEO New Pad

/in

 

Instacart holds firm on its tipping policy as contract workers call for national boycott at CNBC. “Nilam Ganenthiran, Instacart’s president, said the current 5% rate is appropriate as the default, though customers have the option of giving more. “I truly think it’s right for our shoppers, right for our customers and right for the ecosystem,” Ganenthiran told CNBC.” Read more

 

Walmart Expands Its Robotic Workforce to 650 Additional Stores by Matthew Boyle at Bloomberg. “…bringing its fleet to 1,000. The six-foot-tall Bossa Nova devices, equipped with 15 cameras each, roam aisles and send alerts to store employees’  handheld devices when items are out of stock, helping to solve a vexing problem that costs retailers nearly a trillion dollars annually, according to researcher IHL Group.” Tiered subs.

 

Morning Consult: The 25 Most Trusted Brands in America – Amazon #2 / Home Depot #24 / Walmart #25 Ranked lists

 

CVS CEO Larry Merlo says 600 remodeled HealthHUBs will be opened by the end of 2020 at CNBC. “Boston, Dallas-Fort Worth, North Carolina and Ohio are among the next markets that CVS is targeting for its HealthHUB expansion this year. With its HealthHUBs, CVS wants to offer more health services and products to customers, which is tailored around the company’s $70 billion acquisition of Aetna.” Video/Read more

 

Target and Lowe’s Tech Execs Credit Talent, Culture for Insourcing Success by Jared Council at Wall Street Journal. “Not everything needs to be done in-house, but companies should opt to build technologies that are core to their businesses, said Seemantini Godbole, chief information officer at Lowe’s. “Wherever you have secret sauce that you want to put your fingerprints on, for your customer experience or for your own associates,” she said, “I’ve always believed that you should build your own technology.” WSJ subs.

 

Iain Nairn Named President of Hudson’s Bay “Most recently, Mr. Nairn was CEO of kikki.K, a global Swedish design and stationery business…Previously, Mr. Nairn was CEO of David Jones, Australia’s leading premium omnichannel department store chain.” Press release

 

Kohl’s CEO Michelle Gass: ‘Amazon is working’ at CNBC. “Some say it is benefiting Amazon more than it is Kohl’s. “We’re getting a younger customer,” Gass said Sunday. “And to what we expected, some of them were buying. … You’re never going to get 100%. But some of them are buying.” Read more

 

**A message from Sweets & Snacks Expo. Save the date: May 19-21, 2020 at McCormick Place in Chicago. Your year starts here. Website/Register

 

The Container Store Group prelim Q3 comp sales +3.0% Press release

 

Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos to Face Protests From ‘Enraged’ Local Merchants During India Visit by Saritha Rai at Bloomberg via Fortune. “More than half-a-million traders representing thousands of trading bodies grouped under the Confederation of All India Traders plan to organize sit-ins and public rallies in 300 cities to protest Bezos’s visit, the group said.” Read more

 

J.Jill increases Q4 2019 guidance  “…now expects total comp sales to decrease 6% to 8%… (vs.) previous guidance for total comp sales to decrease 8% to 10%.” Press release

 

GameStop holiday sales down 27.5% at Hollywood Reporter. Read more

 

Tilly’s comp sales decreased by 2.0% for the holiday period Press release

 

The former Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) is now officially the Consumer Brands Association (CBA) at The Hill. “CBA’s main goals will involve championing smart regulations for the industry, building frictionless supply chains, enhancing packaging sustainability, and building consumer trust.” Read more

 

Stage Stores reports 1.4% comp sales increase for holiday period Press release

 

Amazon Publishes Books by Top Authors, and Rivals Fret by Jeffrey A. Trachtenberg at Wall Street Journal. “When Dean Koontz’s book contract expired last year, his stature as one of the country’s top-selling authors made him a hot target for several major publishing houses. He  chose Amazon.com Inc. It was a surprising move because it means his new books likely won’t appear in retail stores, which generally boycott Amazon-published titles.” WSJ subs.

 

At Home Group updates Q4 and fiscal 2020 outlook “…expects fiscal 2020 net sales and comparable store sales toward the high end of its previously provided outlook of $1,352.0 million to $1,360.0 million and (2.6)% to (2.0)%.” Press release

 

Lowe’s expands Google Cloud ties “Lowe’s is in the early stages of a large-scale, multiyear technology transformation, investing more than $500 million annually through 2021 and hiring up to 2,000 engineers to continue to build out future retail experiences.” Press release

 

Walmart sacks 56 executives in India as part of restructuring at Reuters. “It’s happening because focus is shifting to e-commerce rather than physical (stores),” according to one of three people, who spoke to Reuters ahead of the company announcement.” Read more

 

Barneys accused of leaving staff in the dark during liquidation by Lisa Fickenscher at NY Post. “Among the grievances is that Barneys has not informed them of their last day of work or assured them that they will receive severance or their pensions, the filing said.” Read more

 

RH CEO Gary Friedman Buys $37 Million Beverly Hills Estate by James McClain at Variety. “Friedman’s new $37 million palace lies just two doors away from an even larger compound that was sold back in 2018 for a whopping $41.5 million to Walmart heiress Paige Laurie.” Pics/Read more

 

Tipsheet Extra

Ad Age Best Places to Work 2020

Casey’s won’t avoid small metro markets

The New Beer Barons

Oscars: Full List of Nominations

NRF names new chairman, board members

U.S. bike firms face uphill slog to replace Chinese supply chains

Read Tipsheet Extra Stories

 

**

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: Analyst Warns on WM | Target/Kohl’s Best @ Returns | Bezos @ India

/in

 

Grubhub insists it’s not exploring a sale by John Pletz at Crain’s Chicago Business. “Grubhub: ‘In fact, we believe that given the current pressure on profits across our public and private competition, there will likely be strategic opportunities to acquire share this year— given that our profitability is secure.'” Read more

 

…Walmart, other grocers are considering acquiring Grubhub by Lisa Fickenscher at NY Post. “Insiders at Walmart, Kroger, Albertsons and Ahold-Delhaize, the owner of Hannaford and Stop & Shop, have been reviewing how buying the Chicago company could help them with food delivery and groceries, according to ex-Amazon executive and supply-chain consultant Brittain Ladd.” Read more

 

Target, Kohl’s receive top product return scores in Field Agent survey by Kim Souza at Talk Business. “The average return at Target took 2.7 minutes from start to finish. At Walmart, the average return took 6.1 minutes. Kohl’s had the longest time at 9.4 minutes on average. Field Agent said the average time at Kohl’s was hampered by a single return that took 34 minutes to complete.” Read more

 

Cato December comp sales flat Press release

 

Jim Cramer says ‘hold your nose and buy’ Bed Bath & Beyond on 19% plunge at CNBC. “With a new mass promotions strategy, the retailer managed to grow same-store sales more than 7% from the year prior during the five-day shopping frenzy surrounding Thanksgiving. “It is unbelievable to me that so many people are overlooking that spectacular number,” Cramer said.” Read more

 

**A message from Sweets & Snacks Expo. Save the date: May 19-21, 2020 at McCormick Place in Chicago. Your year starts here. Website/Register

 

Target is taking the market share in women’s clothing that Kohl’s is losing at MarketWatch. Read more

 

…‘Kohl’s is just roadkill,’ says Cramer. ‘I’m speechless’ after ‘a terrible holiday season’ at CNBC. Read more

 

Tiffany & Co. and Costco’s 7-Year Long Fight Over “Counterfeit” Rings Is One to Watch in 2020 at The Fashion Law. Read more

 

First cashier-less Walmart Neighborhood Market in FL opens by Rob Wile at Miami Herald. “The West Miami-Dade store will have the same number of workers, about 100, as a traditional neighborhood market. But instead of swipers and baggers, the checkout lane will feature roving employees assisting shoppers when they need it.” Read more

 

In just 3 years, Amazon has amassed nearly 3M square feet of real estate in Bellevue, Wash. by Nat Levy at GeekWire. Read more

 

Target looks to gain market share with new activewear brand by Kavita Kumar at Star Tribune. “All in Motion, an activewear brand developed by Target’s in-house designers, will replace C9 by Champion, a licensed brand from Hanesbrands that Target has carried exclusively for more than 15 years.” Tiered subs.

 

Cleveland Research warns on Walmart Q4 at Seeking Alpha. “Overall holiday sales seemed to come in softer than we were previously expecting,” says the team at Cleveland Research, “with sales performance during December not appearing as strong compared to peers.” Read more

 

Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson Makes Stop In Bentonville To Visit Walmart HQ at 5 News Online. “…he is traveling across the country with his Teremana Tequila team to meet and sit with customers and buyers…Teremana Tequila is The Rock’s new tequila brand launching in March…” Read more

 

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos to visit India next week, likely to meet PM Modi at Business Standard. Read more

 

‘I Felt Very Powerful’: 10-Year-Old Boy Returns $900 To Woman Who Lost Envelope In Target at KCAL 9 CBS. “Target made the event a special occasion as Foster met Ball for the first time and gave her the envelope with the $900. The two shared a hug and a smile. Parisa shared several images of the celebration on her Facebook page.” Video/Pics/Read more

 

‘Not on my watch’: Best Buy employee who stopped a crook gets Women’s Football League offer at WILX 10 NBC. “The clip has been viewed millions of times online, sparking positive and negative reactions as well as some job offers…Tapasa has experience playing several sports, including football and rugby.” Video/Read more

 

Tipsheet Extra

Lime is laying off about 100 people

The 3 biggest design trends at CES 2020

How the dairy industry plans to save milk

More brands are leaving Amazon, but the strategy could backfire

After Super Bowl, sports books preparing for XFL bets

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 +9% | HEB #1 Grocer | WM +134 Mex | JCP -7.5%

/in

 

Costco December comp sales +9.0% / E-com +43.1% “For the 18 weeks ended January 5, 2020, the Company reported net sales of $56.99 billion, an increase of 7.5 percent from $52.99 billion during the similar period last year.” Press release

 

Bed Bath & Beyond Q3 comp sales -8.3% Press release

 

…Bed Bath & Beyond still plans to close 60 stores but officials say 20 closures will be delayed by Charisse Jones at USA Today. “It’s clear we have some heavy lifting to do,” (Mark) Tritton said. “We’re experiencing short-term pain, some of which has been self-inflicted.” Read more

 

JC Penney says holiday same-store sales fell 7.5% at CNBC. “The retailer said that its adjusted same-store sales — which exclude the impact of its exit from major appliance and furniture categories — were down 5.3%.” Read more

 

H-E-B Dethrones Trader Joe’s as Top U.S. Grocery Retailer by dunnhumby. “2) Trader Joe’s, 3) Amazon, 4) Market Basket, 5) Wegmans, 6) Costco, 7) Aldi, 8) Sam’s Club, 9) Walmart, 10) Publix, 11) WinCo Foods…” Press release

 

Kohl’s shares tank on dismal holiday sales results, lowered outlook at CNBC. “Kohl’s said same-store sales during November and December fell 0.2% due to weakness in its core women’s apparel business, leading it to lower the bar for its full-year outlook.” Read more

 

Walmart opened 134 stores in Mexico in 2019, biggest expansion in six years at AP. “Walmart now runs 3,407 stores in Mexico, where it has more locations than in any other country outside the United States…Nearly all the new units belong to the Bodega Aurrera family of stores, including the small, no-frills Bodega Express that is cheaper and quicker to build than Walmart’s bigger formats.” Read more

 

**A message from EasyLock keyless locking deadbolt – An unlocked deadbolt is useless! EasyLock = no key required/twist to lock. Video | Sell sheet | Sample @ info@eyeonretail.net

 

PriceSmart December comp sales -0.1% Press release

 

Inside Amazon’s CES media event by Taylor Soper at GeekWire. “To add a little starpower to the experience, it brought out celebrity chef Guy Fieri, who talked about the Food Network Kitchen integration with Alexa…Fieri needed some help, so he called out “a buddy of mine.”…(then) Shaquille O’Neal stepped out.” Read more/Pics

 

Target to sell fake beef from meatless turkey maker Tofurky at Fox Business. Read more

 

Welcome to Walmart. The Robot Will Grab Your Groceries. by Sarah Nassauer at Wall Street Journal. “A store worker can collect around 80 products from store shelves an hour, estimated John Lert, founder and chief executive of Alert Innovation, the startup that has worked with Walmart to design the system dubbed Alphabot. It is designed to collect 800 products an hour per workstation, operated by a single individual, Mr. Lert said.” WSJ subs.

 

Diapers and feminine hygiene products are now tax-free in California at The Hill. Read more

 

eBay exec David Doctorow will become chief executive of Move Inc., operator of realtor.com at NY Post. Read more

 

lululemon Appoints Nikki Neuburger Chief Brand Officer “Ms. Neuburger joins lululemon from Uber…Previously, Ms. Neuburger spent 14 years at Nike, most recently serving as the company’s Global Vice President of Nike Running.” Press release

 

Lowe’s Names Marisa Thalberg Chief Brand and Marketing Officer “Thalberg joins the company most recently from Taco Bell where she served as global chief brand officer. Thalberg brings to Lowe’s more than 25 years of marketing and branding experience….She also founded Executive Moms, an organization for working mothers.” Press release

 

Home improvement marketplace Porch raises $21M by Nat Levy at GeekWire. Read more

 

Tipsheet Extra

Jeff Bezos throws Lauren Sanchez two 50th birthday parties

New Mexico to host world’s largest meeting on chili peppers

Amazon and Discovery cook up ‘Food Network Kitchen’ streaming service

Vicks New No. 1 Radio Advertiser

Woman’s bulldog crushed beneath grooming table at PetSmart

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: Barney’s Hack | Macy’s Beats | Wgreen Earnings Miss

/in

 

Macy’s holiday same-store sales fall 0.6%. Smaller-than-expected decline sends shares higher at CNBC. Read more

 

…Macy’s is closing at least 19 stores in the next couple months at USA Today. Read more

 

Walgreens’ shares fall after company misses earnings expectations at CNBC. “Earnings per share: $1.37 adjusted, vs. $1.41 expected. Revenue: $34.34 billion, vs. $34.6 billion expected…Same store sales increased by 1.6% from the same period a year earlier.” Read more | Press release

 

Alibaba undercuts Amazon in Europe to woo wary brands at Reuters. “A flood of small businesses have joined its European platform, AliExpress, in recent months but some larger brands are holding back…AliExpress has approached well-known brands including Mango, Benetton and Spanish fashion group Tendam…Some of the brands did not feel the site, whose fashion offerings include an imitation leather miniskirt for about $18 and an acrylic batwing sweater for $14, was the right showcase for their products, sources said.” Read more

 

Kroger launches private-label vegan beef as demand for meat substitutes soars at CNBC. “The new meat-free ground beef and burger patties made with pea protein will be a part of Simple Truth Emerge, a plant-based meat extension of its organic Simple Truth line, which grossed more than $2.3 billion in sales in 2019.” Read more

 

Walmart veteran JP Suarez recounts how the retailer embarked on fixing its stores by Maria Halkias at Dallas Morning News. “Greg Foran was the first one to tell me that the stores weren’t good enough and they had to get better,” said Suarez, who in during the past five years oversaw the building of 1,100 new stores and the addition of curbside grocery pickup to 3,200 Walmart stores. “We were a $400 billion company, but he pushed us to be great,” he said. “Good retailers were going away fast, and great ones would stay around.” Read more

 

Jewel-Osco president Paul Gossett quietly steps down just over a year into the job; former exec steps in by Alexia Elejalde-Ruiz at Chicago Tribune. Tiered subs.

 

**A message from Home & Outdoor cookware – High quality cookware made for the cabin, camping, and the great outdoors. 3X stain and scratch resistance. Retail ready packaging. Sales deck | Samples: info@eyeonretail.net

 

Target, Dick’s, Walmart, Amazon and others recognized for ads by Tanya Gazdik at MediaPost. Read more

 

Barneys staffers going without pay after cyberattack by Carlos Greer at NY Post. “No one got paid last week,” an insider told us. “We were told a group of cyber hackers took over one of our subsequent systems, the system we use to get paid…The source claimed the payments are “being held at ransom and the current owners don’t want to pay the ransom, so we’re not getting paid. No one knows when we’ll get paid.” Read more

 

Loblaw’s Provigo to shut Laval warehouse in 2021, axing 545 jobs by Frederic Tomesco at Financial Post. Read more

 

U.K. Gas-Station Billionaires Weigh Biggest-Ever Deal in Caltex at Bloomberg. “EG Group, the U.K. company led by Mohsin and Zuber Issa, is working with a financial adviser as it evaluates making a bid for Caltex Australia Ltd., people with knowledge of the matter said. Any offer for the $6 billion company could start a takeover battle with Canadian convenience-store giant Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc., whose initial bid for Caltex was rejected.” Tiered subs.

 

Facebook, eBay crack down on fake reviews at UK request at AP. Read more

 

Sprouts Farmers Market names new CFO at MarketWatch. “Sprouts Farmers Market named Denise Paulonis its new chief financial officer, effective Feb. 21. Paulonis most recently served as executive vice president and chief financial officer of The Michaels Cos.” Read more

 

Tipsheet Extra

How Ikea plans to be climate positive by 2030

This specialty pencil shop is one of a kind

Private payroll growth surges in December to end 2019 strong

Amazon apologizes after man allegedly received ‘new’ waffle maker with crusty waffle

MN company fires worker who criticized holiday gift via Twitter

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: Thailand/Mex. City Bag Ban | Jan 18 Gift Card Day | C-Store Hell @ Japan

/in

 

How 7-Eleven Struck Back Against an Owner Who Took a Day Off by Hisako Ueno at NY Times. “The company that controls the 7-Eleven chain, Seven & I Holdings, terminated Mr. Matsumoto’s franchise last week after he decided to close his store on New Year’s Day, and it has stopped supplying him.” Tiered subs.

 

Pier 1 Imports to close up to 450 stores, nearly half of its locations by Kelly Tyko at USA Today. Read more

 

Placer.ai lists the retail chains it sees winning the war for foot traffic in 2020: Target, Bed Bath & Beyond, CVS, Ulta… “Target isn’t just crushing, it is defining a segment with potential for ongoing success. Moves to include higher-priced offerings, like Disney or Toys-R-Us locations on-site, speak to a move upmarket.” Read more

 

Ikea to pay $46 million to family of toddler crushed by dresser at CNN. Read more

 

Walmart store is facing a bedbug infestation after someone released the parasitic insects in a men’s changing room at KDKA 2 CBS. “A Walmart in Pennsylvania is facing a bedbug infestation after someone released the parasitic insects in a men’s changing room, state police said…The bottle was found inside a boy’s jacket which was for sale.” Read more

 

Topgolf could IPO as soon as this year with a $4 billion valuation at Markets Insider. Read more

 

**A message from Sweets & Snacks Expo. Save the date: May 19-21, 2020 at McCormick Place in Chicago. Your year starts here. Website/Register

 

Jan. 18 has been dubbed National Use your Gift Card Day by Kim Souza to Talk Business. “…retailers from Kohl’s to Saks Fifth Avenue are giving extra perks to consumers who cash in gift cards on that day. Thus far, 16 retailers have signed on to the program offering discounts and other bonuses in connection with spending on Jan. 18.” Read more

 

Amazon is considering opening offline retail stores in Germany, newspaper Die Welt reported, citing an interview with Ralf Kleber, head of the company’s operations in the country at Bloomberg. Tiered subs.

 

Hallmark Cards will cut 400 jobs – of the jobs lost, 325 will be in the Kansas City headquarters at CNN. Read more

 

Shoppers in Thailand are getting creative after a new plastic bag ban by Justine Kalma at The Verge. “Creative shoppers brought in wheelbarrows, fishing nets, and even what looks like an impressive piece of pottery to haul their groceries home…Mexico City also rang in the New Year with a new ban on plastic bags. There, the law is expected to bring back traditional ways of packaging and carrying goods, like using straw baskets and paper rolled up in cones.” Read more

 

Illinois marijuana dispensaries sold more than $10.8 million worth of recreational weed in the first five days of sales. Now, some have halted recreational sales amid product shortages. by Ally Marotti at Chicago Tribune. “Customers made more than 271,000 purchases during that time.” Tiered subs.

 

Tipsheet Extra

Thousands of camels in Australia to be killed as they drink too much water amid wildfires

How Cameo makes tens of millions from selfie videos and D-list celebrities

Professional sports leagues finally cash in on sports betting by selling data

White House proposes guidelines for regulating the use of AI

Elizabeth Warren unveils plan to overhaul bankruptcy laws

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: Bed Bath/PE Deal | Amazon/BMW Screens | WM Leverages Data

/in

 

Amazon to showcase its transportation drive at CES at Reuters. “Until now, Amazon has shown its transportation strategy to investors – and rivals – one piece at a time…The Seattle company will share the CES stage with partners such as virtual reality firm ZeroLight, electric vehicle startup Rivian, Canada’s BlackBerry Ltd and video game software development company Unity Technologies.” Read more

 

…Amazon Fire TV seatback screens are coming to BMW and FCA vehicles at The Verge. Read more

 

Hudson’s Bay Co minority shareholders win victory as Richard Baker sweetens bid at Bloomberg via Financial Post. “Hudson’s Bay…agreed to a new bid by Baker and a group of allies, who together control the company. The offer was increased for a second time to $11 a share from $10.30. Baker’s first offer was for $9.45 apiece in June. The new take-private bid values the owner of Saks Fifth Avenue at about $2 billion.” Read more

 

Ikea’s CEO says the company is testing ‘everything you can dream of’ by Stephanie Mehta at Fast Company.  “FC: As you’ve tried to get closer to the customer and tested new things, what hasn’t worked? What are the lessons you’ve learned? JB: We have rediscovered some core things. One of them is that we actually provide everything [for a home] under one roof, so when we’ve been fragmenting our offer, then people are also getting frustrated. “Here you have kitchens, but not bedrooms, why is that?” Q&A

 

Bed Bath & Beyond Strikes Real-Estate Deal by Suzanne Kapner at Wall Street Journal. “Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. has signed a deal to sell roughly half its real estate to a private-equity firm and lease back the space in a transaction that will generate more than $250 million in proceeds for the troubled home-goods retailer, according to people familiar with the situation.  The 2.1 million square feet of space sold to Oak Street Real Estate Capital LLC includes the company’s Union, N.J., headquarters, a distribution facility and an undisclosed number of its roughly 1,500 stores, the people said.” WSJ subs.

 

…Bed Bath & Beyond shares jump on real estate deal at CNBC. Read more

 

**A message from Sweets & Snacks Expo. Save the date: May 19-21, 2020 at McCormick Place in Chicago. Your year starts here. Website/Register

 

Amazon partners with India’s second largest retailer to sell its good online by Manish Singh at TechCrunch. “Future Retail operates more than 1,500 stores across India, but until now, it has not aggressively explored sales online. As part of the agreement, Amazon India will become the authorized online sales channel for Future Retail stores including department and grocery stores chain Big Bazaar and lifestyle food superstore Foodhall.” Read more

 

Marks & Spencer names former Tesco exec David Surdeau as interim CFO at Reuters. Read more

 

New York offered Amazon $800 million more in incentives than was previously known to win its second-headquarters contest and were even prepared to pay part of some employees’ salaries by Jimmy Vielkind at Wall Street Journal. WSJ subs.

 

Golden Globes: The Complete Winners List at Hollywood Reporter. List

 

…Ricky Gervais blasts Apple’s Tim Cook over China ‘sweatshops’ at CNBC. Read more

 

Walmart leverages offline data in its latest bid to take on Amazon by George P. Slefo at Ad Age. “The company’s ad tech arm, Walmart Media Group, introduced Advertising Partners, a new unit that includes third-party vendors Flywheel Digital, Kenshoo, Pacvue and Teikametrics. The move will potentially allow advertisers to tap into Walmart’s trove of consumer data to offer advertisers better targeting and measurement tools.” Tiered subs.

 

Save A Lot gets capital infusion “Save A Lot will receive $138 million in new capital…In addition, the agreement provides for a reduction of indebtedness of over $400 million.” Press release

 

Tipsheet Extra

‘Fortnite’ Revenue Dropped 25% in 2019

Mark Zuckerberg goes shopping at Costco

Oil price keeps rising as industry eyes Iran-US conflict

McDonald’s CEO promises an end to partying culture

Black News Channel delays launch again

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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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Tipsheet: Buffett Passed on Tiffany | WaPo Hits Amazon | Returns Day +26%

/in

 

Amazon threatens to fire critics who are outspoken on its environmental policies by Jay Greene at Washington Post. “An email sent to Maren Costa, a principal user-experience designer at the company, and reviewed by The Post warned that future infractions could “result in formal corrective action, up to and including termination of your employment with Amazon.” Tiered subs.

 

Hudson Bay, owner of Saks, up 17 percent on deal reports by Lisa Fickenscher at NY Post. “A deal that would allow the company to go private is expected to be reached this week, according to WWD, a fashion trade publication that first reported the talks.” Read more

 

Warren Buffett reportedly passed on buying Tiffany at CNBC. “The jeweler approached Buffett after receiving a takeover bid from LVMH, but the Oracle of Omaha — who previously bought $250 million worth of the company’s bonds in 2009 — declined, according to people with knowledge of the matter. Buffett confirmed to the Financial Times that the conversation took place.” Read more

 

Amazon is opening a homeless shelter – inside its HQ by Aria Bendix at Business Insider. “When the shelter opens, it will have the capacity to serve 275 people each night. That’s a small portion of the local homeless population — about 12,500 people in King County, where Seattle is located — but it’s expected to be the largest family shelter in Washington state.” Read more

 

India’s richest man is ready to take on Amazon and Flipkart by Manish Singh at TechCrunch. “If there is anyone in India who is positioned to compete with heavily backed Amazon and Walmart,  it’s Ambani. Reliance Retail, which was founded in 2006, is the largest retailer in the country by revenue. It serves more than 3.5 million customers each week through its nearly 10,000 physical stores in more than 6,500 Indian cities and towns.” Read more

 

ILLINOIS: The first day of recreational marijuana sales featured long lines, some glitches — and mostly happy customers at Chicago Tribune. “The Collinsville location, which is drawing customers from the St. Louis area, had served nearly 600 people by 11 a.m., Stone said. “We’re the only dispensary for adult-use within 80 miles,” he said. The shops gave out doughnuts and coffee, and is planning to give pizza to people waiting in line for lunch.” Tiered subs.

 

ONTARIO: ‘There’s just no money coming in’: Cannabis sector bracing for wave of insolvencies in 2020 at Financial Post. “There are currently more than 200 cannabis companies either in the cultivation, processing or extraction businesses…Although cannabis sales have been increasing on a monthly basis since legalization in October 2018, inventory has been growing much more quickly, resulting in oversupply and declining prices.” Read more

 

Today is ‘National Returns Day’ and UPS anticipates nearly 2 million unwanted gifts to ship at CNBC. “United Parcel Service on Thursday expects to ship 1.9 million gifts and other items back to U.S. retailers as e-commerce fuels an anticipated 26% year-over-year volume surge on “National Returns Day.” Read more

 

CHARLOTTE: Should malls have curfews? Debate arises after girl shot, killed at Concord Mills at Charlotte Observer. “Following the shooting death of a 13-year-old girl at Concord Mills mall Saturday, Charlotte area residents are debating whether malls should require teens to have adult supervision…In March, a man was shot and suffered non-life threatening injuries 15 minutes into the “Us” movie …In September 2017, the mall was evacuated after a melee erupted among what police said was a large group of juveniles and young adults.” Tiered subs.

 

Walmart eCommerce exec named CEO of Michaels at Talk Business. “In an email from Marc Lore, President and CEO of Walmart eCommerce U.S., to employees obtained by Talk Business & Politics, Lore said he “appreciated” Buchanan’s skills and contributions. “It is with mixed emotions that I’m letting you know Ashley Buchanan, will be leaving the company effective Jan. 3, to become President and CEO of Michaels…” Read more

 

Trump suggests some flavored vapes may be pulled from market at AP. “The Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday that the Food and Drug Administration would ban the sale of most flavored e-cigarettes…Trump suggested a ban of flavored e-cigarettes might be temporary. “Hopefully, if everything’s safe, they’re going to be going very quickly back onto the market.” Read more

 

No one is ready for California’s new consumer privacy law by Kim Lyons at The Verge. “The crux of the CCPA is this: if your company buys or sells data on at least 50,000 California residents each year, you have to disclose to those residents what you’re doing with the data, and, they can request you not sell it.” Read more

 

…Walmart, Target Rush to Comply With New Privacy Law at Progressive Grocer. “A Walmart source told Reuters that the Bentonville, Ark.-based company is “working through a lot of ambiguities in the law, for example, the language around loyalty programs and if retail companies can offer them going forward.”…Target spokeswoman Jessica Carlson told Reuters that a “Do Not Sell” button on its website will be visible to all U.S. shoppers, and that California residents will have access to information outlined under the new law.” Read more

 

Tipsheet Extra

The 7 big Supreme Court cases to watch in 2020

Robots at CES 2020: Robo-cats, sex tech, pizza makers and more

Bird flu kills 25,000 turkeys in eastern Poland

Denmark sources record 47% of power from wind in 2019

Google veterans: The company has become ‘unrecognizable’

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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