Target Likes Canada | Lulu & Pickleball | McMillon @ Graduation

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Amazon launches a Prime-free marketplace in South Africa, its first on the continent at TechCrunch. “Amazon is launching in South Africa without its famous Prime membership program…initially it plans to sell international brands and local products spanning some 20 product categories…” Read more

 

Target treks off the beaten path – by selling its own-brand products at other retailers at Fortune/Yahoo. “…plans to expand its Cat & Jack children’s clothing line across 85 Hudson’s Bay Co. Canadian department stores, adding outerwear and shoes to the brand’s 1,400 items…Since the partnership launched in March, the brand has been incredibly popular in Canada, Target reported, resulting in a 15% increase in basket size at Hudson’s Bay. Target has no plans to replicate its own-brand expansion in the U.S…” Read more

 

Life Time fitness leans into pickleball with Lululemon partnership at CNBC. “…relationship includes selling Lululemon apparel online at Life Time clubs, in addition to collaborating on key pickleball events…Saturday, Life Time unveiled Manhattan’s largest indoor pickleball destination, just blocks from Penn Station. The 54,000-square-foot club has seven street-level pickleball courts…” Read more

 

Gen Z Sinks Deeper Into Debt at WSJ. “The average credit-card balance for 22- to 24-year-olds was $2,834 in the last quarter of 2023, compared with an average inflation-adjusted balance of $2,248 in the same period in 2013, according to new data from credit-reporting agency TransUnion.” WSJ subs.

 

Walmart CEO Doug McMillon to Speak at University of Arkansas’ Spring Commencement “McMillon will speak at the university commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 11, at 8:30 a.m. in Bud Walton Arena.” Read more

 

Lowe’s upgrades to digital security camera network at Chain Store Age. “Lowe’s…has shifted more than 80,000 analog in-store analog security cameras to a streamlined digital system…more than 35,000 associates across a wide variety of functions have access…the merchandising department may also use the camera system to gauge foot traffic around seasonal displays…” Read more

 

Uber Eats to Power Restaurant Delivery on Instacart Press release

 

Cash-Stretched New Homebuyers Are Drawing a Line at Fixer-Uppers at Bloomberg/Yahoo. “When agents identified the repairs and updates needed to make listed homes ready to live in, we were shocked by the scope,” according to a report from Jody Kahn and Dillan Krieg at John Burns. “Buyers want homes that are move-in ready.” Read more

 

Walgreens is now a candy destination, thanks to TikTok at CBS News. “…ramping up production of Walgreen’s Nice! Gummy Mango peelable candy, and limiting online sales to one bag per customer due to high demand for the squishy treats, fed by social media.” Read more

 

CANADA – Competition Bureau launches inquiry into Lululemon over ’greenwashing’ allegations at Financial Post. “Stand.earth…issued a statement early this year saying Lululemon has been using the slogan “Be Planet” as part of its “impact agenda” released in 2020, but the company’s own reports reveal a doubling of greenhouse-gas emissions since then.” Read more

 

In China, Costco, Sam’s Club make play for thrifty shoppers at Nikkei Asia. “Alibaba Group Holding’s Freshippo, widely known as Hema in Chinese…has nine warehouse stores in China…Also growing fast is Fudi, operated by a Chinese agricultural products seller, with four stores in Beijing. Its membership information emphasizes that its stores are “member stores for the people themselves,” appealing to patriotic sentiment.” Read more

 

Bloomingdale’s Men’s Fashion Director Justin Berkowitz Joins NN.07 as Strategic Partner WWD Subs.

 

Amazon to Close Grocery Fulfillment Center in San Francisco at Progressive Grocer. “As it closes one facility, the e-commerce giant is looking to build a 650,000-square-foot logistics center in San Francisco’s Showplace Square neighborhood, which is being vetted by city planners.” Read more

Sam’s AI Exit @120 | Springoween | #1 Billionaire by State | Cat Returns

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Wayfair shares surge 17% after furniture retailer cuts losses by more than $100 million at CNBC. “Sales fell to $2.73 billion, down more than 1% from $2.77 billion a year earlier. The steepest drop-off came from Wayfair’s international segment, where sales declined nearly 6%…” Read more | Press release

 

Sprouts Q1 comp sales +4.0% / +7 new stores = 414 stores total Press release

 

Publix Q1 comp sales +2.8% Press release

 

Loblaw Q1 revenue +4.5%, as Reddit group’s boycott kicks off at CBC

 

DoorDash Q1 total orders increased 21% year-over-year Press release

 

NLRB judge found Amazon CEO Andy Jassy broke labor law by suggesting employees would be “less empowered” if they voted in a union at CNBC

 

India widens spices probe amid contamination concerns at Reuters. “India’s food safety regulator said on Thursday it had ordered testing and inspections at all companies making spice mixes, widening an investigation into the sector as global regulators look into suspected contamination in two popular local brands.” Read more

 

The Coolest Costco? The One in Mérida, Mexico That Has a Cenote at Thrillist. “It’s a natural cenote, so the clear water on the bottom is a guarantee—and Costco made sure its surroundings were pleasant to look at as well by adding a curated garden of plants.” Read more / Pics

 

***A message from Su Salsa: Put the lime in the dip – not the chip! Su Salsa Mild salsa has a hint of lime and cilantro flavor with a kick of jalapeno at the end. Presentation/Lime Green Label | Request sample: jlong@eyeonretail.net

 

CVS Health chops 2024 forecast as cost struggles with Medicare Advantage persist at Reuters. “In the first quarter, CVS Health’s net income plunged 48% to $1.11 billion. It booked adjusted earnings of $1.31 per share on total revenue of $88.4 billion. Analysts expected earnings of $1.69 per share…” Read more

 

Home Depot’s viral Halloween skeleton quickly sells out before summer at Fox Business. “It isn’t even summer yet! Slow your roll!” one social media user commented. “If we can have Christmas in July, a little Springoween won’t hurt,” another person wrote in response.” Read more

 

The Richest Billionaire In Every State 2024 (Walton, Bezos, Menard, Morris…) List

 

Sam’s Club’s AI-powered exit tech reaches 20% of stores at TechCrunch. “…can now walk out of the store without having their purchases double-checked. The technology…has now been deployed at over 120 clubs across the U.S…members leave the store 23% faster. The retailer plans to expand the tech to all its stores by year-end.” Read more

 

eBay Q1 revenue up 2% Press release

 

Giant Eagle confirms ‘Scan Pay Go’ being dropped at five locations at WTAE ABC

 

Cat accidentally shipped with Amazon return from Utah to CA facility at ABC 13. “The animal’s owners said they had packed a box to return some shoes…They didn’t realize their cat, Galena, was hiding inside. Galena was trapped in the box with the Amazon returns for six days without food or water. An Amazon employee named Brandy rescued the cat from the box…” Read more