B.Buy Beat | D. Gen Shares Crater | Claw Machines Seized | Kroger Hero

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Best Buy Q2 comp sales -2.3% (vs. expected -3.2%) Press release

 

…Best Buy lifts annual profit forecast as tighter cost controls pay off at Reuters. “We see a consumer who is seeking value and sales events, and one who is also willing to spend on high-price-point products when they need to, or when there is new compelling technology,” Chief Executive Officer Corie Barry said.” Read more

 

Dollar General Q2 comp sales +0.5% “While we believe the softer sales trends are partially attributable to a core customer who feels financially constrained, we know the importance of controlling what we can control…we are taking decisive action to further enhance our value and convenience offering…” Press release

 

…Dollar General shares crater 20% as retailer cuts outlook, blaming ‘financially constrained’ customers at CNBC. “The company now expects fiscal 2024 same-store sales to be up 1.0% to 1.6%, lower than prior outlook for a 2% to 2.7% increase. Earnings per share for the year is expected to be in the range of just $5.50 to $6.20, versus the prior forecast of $6.80 to $7.55 per share.” Read more

 

Dick’s Sporting Goods discloses unauthorized third-party access to information at Reuters. “Dick’s Sporting Goods said on Wednesday it discovered last week that an unauthorized third party had access to its information systems, including certain confidential data.” Read more

 

Kohl’s Q2 comp sales -5.1% Press release

 

Kroger says new Houston Hispanic concept is success. So what happens next? at Chron. “Kroger is expected to expand its Hispanic concept throughout Greater Houston…also plans to increase Hispanic products throughout local stores. These plans, representatives said, reflect a multi-million dollar investment into the Houston market.” Read more

 

Chewy Q2 net sales +2.6% Press release

 

***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. Selling deck | Request sample: info@eyeonretail.net

 

Fred Meyer employees walk off the job in Portland and onto the picket line at KATU 2

 

Kroger employee saves co-worker’s life on first day at Fox 4 “On Wednesday, the two men met officially for the first time. Kroger also presented Condon with a life-saving award…”It’s a humbling kind of feeling. I’m so grateful, and everyone has been so supportive around me. It’s also not something to brag about, either,” he said.” Video/Read more

 

Foot Locker will relocate its global headquarters from New York City to St. Petersburg at WFLA

 

…Foot Locker to open new tech hub in Dallas at WFAA

 

Schnucks Announces New Chief Merchant and New Chief Growth Officer “Kim Gray will lead the company’s Merchandising team as Chief Merchant, succeeding Ryan Cuba, who will become the company’s first Chief Growth Officer.” Press release

 

Amazon Wields New Influence in TV’s Upfront Sales Haggle Through Massive Media Account Review at Variety

 

Claw machine games are Rio de Janeiro’s new public enemy at AP

 

Abercrombie & Fitch shares plunge 17% as CEO warns of ‘increasingly uncertain environment’ ahead at NY Post. “Abercrombie’s revenue spiked 21% during the second quarter…” Read more

 

Walmart to Offer Logistics Outside Its Own Marketplace Sales at WSJ. “…third-party sellers will soon be able to use Walmart’s warehousing, delivery and returns services to fill orders placed on platforms beyond Walmart’s website, including Target, Etsy and even Amazon…(will) handle imports on behalf of merchants from ports of origin in Asia to Walmart’s U.S. distribution centers, and will offer sellers access to less-than-truckload and full-truckload shipments at discounted rates.” WSJ subs.

 

Tractor Supply Names 2024 Top Vendor Partners Press release

Costco 5-Hr Wait | McMillon @ UTulsa | C&S 8th Largest?

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Lowe’s latest US firm to end some diversity policies at Reuters. “Lowe’s will no longer participate in surveys for Human Rights Campaign, an advocacy group supporting transgender rights, and is also combining its various business resource groups that represent diverse employees into one umbrella organization…The company will not be sponsoring or participating in community events such as parades, festivals, or fairs and might also make additional changes to the policies over time…” Read more

 

Kroger and Albertsons defend merger plan in federal court against US regulators’ objections at AP. “Albertsons told a federal judge Monday that it might have to lay off workers, close stores and even exit some markets if its planned merger with Kroger isn’t allowed to proceed.” Read more

 

…Little-Known Company Key to $20 Billion Kroger-Albertsons Deal at WSJ. “The roughly $3 billion divestiture deal with Kroger and Albertsons would boost C&S’s store total to 744, on par with Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods. C&S would become the eighth-largest U.S. grocer by revenue, with more than $40 billion in estimated sales, according to investment firm Solomon Partners, which is working with Kroger and Albertsons.” WSJ subs.

 

The Line For Japan’s Newest Costco Is Stretching Out The Door at Daily Meal/Yahoo. “It became increasingly clear that this opening was one to remember as the line to enter continued to grow, eventually reaching a five-hour wait time…Costco already operates 34 locations across Japan, and the Nanjo City location fills the absence of Costco locations in Southern Japan.” Read more

 

Shares of Temu parent company PDD plunge almost 29% at CNBC. “Harburg said the Chinese e-commerce sector is currently saturated, and that PDD faces domestic competitors such as JD, Alibaba, and Shein. Globally, the firm is coming up against incumbents like Amazon. This, combined with weak consumer growth in China, has resulted in a slump in the Chinese e-commerce sector, Harburg said..” Read more

 

Amazon aggregators Branded and Heyday plan to merge as once-booming industry continues to shrink at CNBC. “The Amazon aggregator space has faltered since venture capital money dried up and companies struggled to profitably operate the brands they acquired.” Read more

 

Canada’s largest railways to resume service as work stoppage ends at National Post. “The work stoppage came to an end at 12:01 a.m. on Monday based on a decision issued on Saturday by the Canada Industrial Relations Board ordering both companies and their workers to resume operations ahead of binding arbitration.” Read more

 

Walmart recalls apple juice sold in 25 states due to elevated arsenic levels at AP. “… applies to 9,535 cases of Great Value brand apple juice…Florida-based manufacturer Refresco Beverages US Inc. voluntarily recalled the contaminated six-packs of 8-ounce juice bottles.” Read more

 

SpartanNash Welcomes Erin Storm as SVP, Chief Marketing Officer “…following an 18-year career with Kellogg’s and its spin-off Kellanova, where she was most recently the Vice President of Commercial Strategy.” Press release

 

Walmart CEO discusses making a difference, the future, and his time at UTulsa at The University of Tulsa. “We say at Walmart, ‘You can’t run it. It’s too big to run, but you can lead it,’” he told the students. “The No. 1 responsibility I have is focusing on working with great people. Who you spend your time with and who you surround yourself with will have a lot to do with your degree of success.” Read more

 

Stop & Shop will stop selling cigarettes at CNN. “The supermarket chain, which has about 360 stores primarily in the US northeast, said the changes are part of its “commitment to community wellness” and will end sales of all cigarettes and tobacco products on Saturday, August 31.” Read more

 

Whole Foods Market Announces Participants of 2024 Local and Emerging Accelerator Program’s Early Growth Cohort Press release

 

Harps Food Stores makes leadership changes after longtime exec retires at Talk Business. “Jim Bob Tackett, director of store technology, has been appointed as the new vice president of store systems, and John Taylor, vice president of information systems, was named to the company’s executive committee after Thurow’s retirement.” Read more

Sam’s Unveils “Clubhouse” | BJ’s +3.1% | Wegmans #7 Cares

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BJ’s Wholesale Q2 comp sales up 3.1% “…excluding gasoline sales, increased by 2.4% year-over-year…Digitally enabled comparable sales growth was 22.0% year-over-year…Membership fee income increased by 9.1% year-over-year to $113.1 million.” Press release

 

Williams-Sonoma, Inc. Q2 comp brand revenue down 3.3% Press release

 

2024 PEOPLE’s Companies that Care List (Wegmans #7, Sheetz #9, Publix #15, Target #42, Walmart #50…) Top 100 list

 

Sam’s Club unveils new design studio on its corporate campus at Talk Business. “…dubbed the “Clubhouse” on its corporate campus at 2100 Simple Savings Drive across the street from the Sam’s Club home office…37,000-square-foot design workshop…innovation hub where employees can pitch ideas, test products and develop solutions… five employees will be based in the new facility.” Read more

 

Canada’s two biggest railways, accounting for almost 80% of the national network, shut down early Thursday after talks with a union failed at Financial Post

 

…US Shippers Brace for Port Strain as Canada Railways Shut Down at Bloomberg/Yahoo. “Some logistics companies, including C.H. Robinson, are concerned that dockworker unions on the US west coast may refuse to unload cargo originally bound for Canada if the BC longshore foremen elect to go out on strike, too.” Read more

 

Walmart+ collaborates with Burger King “25% off any Burger King digital order every day…members can receive a free flame-grilled Whopper every three months with any purchase.” Press release

 

Advance Auto Parts Q2 comp sales up 0.4% Press release

 

As 7-Eleven’s Japan owner weighs a bid, U.S. fans crave ‘conbini’ food at Reuters. “The food quality is much higher, and more unique” at Japanese 7-Eleven stores than in the U.S., said New York-based food influencer Jeremy Jacobowitz…”It makes me nervous that they will mess with what I deem perfection,” he said about a possible buyout.” Read more

 

Ace Hardware Q2 revenue up 3.1% Press release

 

Urban Outfitters, Inc. Q2 comp retail segment sales up 2.0% “…increased 7.1% at Free People and 6.7% at Anthropologie and decreased 9.3% at Urban Outfitters.”  Press release

Target Birds Frenzy | Nstrom Shutters Offices | Lowe’s -5.1%

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Lowe’s Q2 comp sales down 5.1% “…driven by continued pressure in DIY bigger ticket discretionary spending and unfavorable weather adversely impacting sales in seasonal and other outdoor categories, partially offset by positive comparable sales in Pro and online.” Read more

 

…Lowe’s cuts full-year outlook as it expects home improvement sales to weaken at CNBC. “The company said it now projects total sales of between $82.7 billion and $83.2 billion for the full year, compared with the $84 billion to $85 billion that it previously expected. It said it expects comparable sales to fall by 3.5% to 4%, compared with its prior forecast of a decline of 2% to 3%.” Read more

 

‘The Stress Is Palpable.’ The Frenzy Over Target’s $5 Birds. at WSJ. “It was 6 a.m. and Theresa Hoffman had overslept by three hours. She meant to wake up before sunrise on July 14 to buy Target’s latest $5 decorative birds…Luck and fast fingers meant Hoffman, a 24-year-old assistant math professor in Cicero, N.Y., managed to buy seven of the eight birds. They went out of stock later that day—and have remained that way, until they arrive in stores later this month.” WSJ subs.

 

7-Eleven targeted by Circle K owner for huge convenience store tie-up at CNN. “Couche-Tard confirmed what it called a “friendly” proposal to acquire Seven & I, but said “there can be no certainty” that a deal will be struck. “The company is focused on reaching a mutually agreeable transaction,” it added in a statement.” Read more

 

Kroger sues US FTC over unconstitutional in-house tribunal at Yahoo Finance. “Kroger argues that the FTC’s attempt to adjudicate the company’s private contract rights through the executive branch instead of the independent judicial branch violates Article III. It also contends that the FTC’s strategy of splitting its challenge to the merger across two separate tribunals is an improper attempt to litigate the same issues multiple times.” Read more

 

The 50-Year-Old Technology That Brands and Retailers Are Trying to Quit at WSJ. “Scanning barcodes at checkout could be a thing of the past as early as 2027, brands and retailers say, as they work to replace the decades-old technology with newer, more capable QR codes…The transition won’t be easy…It also won’t be cheap…” WSJ subs.

 

Seattle startup Replenium accuses Albertsons of stealing trade secrets under guise of partnership at GeekWire. “Replenium alleges in the suit that the promise of expanding its technology to Kroger, after the completion of the merger, was one of the ways that Albertsons executives induced the startup to continue working together.” Read more

 

Amazon’s delivery drones become the scourge of Texas town: ‘It sounds like a giant hive of bees’ at NY Post. “The mayor of College Station…fired off a letter to the (FAA) last month to protest the drones…Amazon (is)  seeking permission to expand its pilot program to 469 delivery flights per day — up from its current level of 200 a day. Amazon wants to make drone deliveries from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. — beyond the current limit of daytime hours…wants to increase the delivery area to a radius of 174 square miles from its drone port — up from its current operating range of 44 miles.” Read more

 

Newsom signs laws expanding California’s crackdown on retail crime at Fox 2 KTVU. “… allowing officers to arrest someone for shoplifting with probable cause, even if the officer didn’t actually see the person steal. Prosecutors are also able to add up the value of property stolen from different victims and locations so that the total reaches the felony grand theft threshold of $950…One law ends a loophole where district attorneys had to prove the owner of a car locked it in order to convict someone for auto burglary.” Read more

 

Nordstrom closing corporate offices in Los Angeles and Chicago at GeekWire. “Most employees based in those cities will transition to full-time remote roles while others will be required to relocate to Seattle…Nordstrom will maintain its office in New York City.” Read more

 

Food Industry Pushes Back Against Kamala Harris’s ‘Price Gouging’ Plan at WSJ. “We understand why there is this sticker shock and why it’s upsetting,” said Andy Harig, a vice president at FMI, a trade group representing food retailers and suppliers. “But to automatically just say there’s got to be something nefarious, I think to us that is oversimplified.” WSJ subs.

 

Walmart continues efforts to boost U.S. manufacturing jobs at Talk Business. “A report from Reshoring Initiative indicates the effort to return manufacturing jobs to the U.S. created 819 reported cases of reshoring in 2023…” Read more

 

Amazon considers moving Amazon Pay into a standalone app in India at TechCrunch

 

Not just for kids anymore: Adults turn to lemonade stands as side hustles at The Washington Post. “The 23-year-old runs her business April through August and sets up at events across Kentucky and parts of Tennessee and Indiana. Last year she made $80,000 in sales, she said. She said she makes anywhere from $2,000 to $10,000 per event. She hires six to eight employees, mostly students, to help her at events. She’s been able to pay off a small student loan and uses the income she makes during the summer months to cover her living expenses during the school year, she said.” Read more

 

Alimentation Couche-Tard to acquire GetGo Café +Markets from Giant Eagle “…employs approximately 3,500 employees and operates approximately 270 convenience retail and fueling locations across Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Maryland and Indiana.” Press release

Kamala Watching Grocers | Sam’s +5.2% | WM US +4.2% | Buffett +Ulta

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Kamala Harris will propose the first-ever federal ban on “corporate price-gouging” in the food industry at CNBC. “…she will direct her administration to increase scrutiny of potential mergers between large supermarkets and food producers…On Friday, Harris will single out the meat industry, saying that “soaring meat prices have accounted for a large part of Americans’ higher grocery bills, even as meat processing companies registered record-breaking profits following the pandemic” Read more

 

Walmart U.S. comp +4.2% / Sam’s Club comp +5.2% Press release

 

…Walmart beats estimates, raises outlook at CNBC. “CFO John David Rainey said…Walmart has not noticed a shift in consumer behavior. He said every month of the quarter was “relatively consistent” and the back-to-school season “is off to a pretty good start.” …Sales of general merchandise, such as lawn and garden supplies, were positive for the first time in 11 quarters.” Read more

 

US retail sales rise more than expected in July at Reuters. “Retail sales increased 1.0% last month after a downwardly revised 0.2% drop in June…Economists polled by Reuters had forecast retail sales…advancing 0.3%…” Read more

 

Dillard’s Q2 comp sales down 3% Press release

 

Berkshire invests in Ulta Beauty at Reuters. “Berkshire owned about 690,000 Ulta Beauty shares worth $266.3 million…as of June 30. Ulta Beauty shares soared 14%…in after-hours trading…” Read more

 

Whole Foods Market’s CEO grocery shops at least 14 times a week, even on vacation at Fortune/Yahoo. “The 46-year-old gave Fortune an exclusive glimpse into his daily routine, consisting of a “minimum of 10 meetings per day,” six-mile runs, and twice-daily trips to Whole Foods Market. Between meetings, Buechel noshes on creations from Whole Foods Market’s salad bar and loves to experiment with new recipes from products he picks up around the store.” Read more

 

After years of secrecy, Bay Area mall announces massive Tokyo Central grocery store at SF Gate

 

Alibaba Revenue Misses Estimates in a Blow to Revival Effort at Yahoo Finance. “Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. posted a disappointing 4% rise in revenue, after aggressive promotions failed to drive spending in an anemic Chinese consumer environment.” Read more

 

Dollar General adds Best Buy exec to its Board Press release

 

Just a handful of Canadian cities will be subject to the Costco membership crackdown — for now at CBC. “The scanners…are set up at Costco warehouse entrances in Ottawa, Edmonton, Regina and B.C.’s Lower Mainland…The new system will be expanded to other stores.” Read more

 

Another H-E-B to anchor mixed-use development coming to Allen, TX at WFAA

 

Access plans health clinics in Walmarts at NWA Online. “A medical practice based in Arkansas has leased space for a clinic inside a Walmart Supercenter in Palestine, Texas…Besides the Palestine clinic, Access’ website shows four clinics “coming soon” in Arkansas and one in Oklahoma.” Read more

 

Home Depot Q2 2024 Earnings Call Transcript at Seeking Alpha

 

Wawa announces first store in West Virginia at Fox News. “Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Georgia and Tennessee are other new states where Wawa has said it is putting future convenience stores.” Read more

 

Walton family owns about 46% of Walmart’s shares at 4029 News

 

‘Stress on Shelves’—the Battle for Space in Store Aisles at WSJ. “Between 2009 and 2023, square footage in supercenters and supermarkets decreased 5% and 3.3%, respectively, NIQ data shows. Meanwhile, between 2020 and last year, retailers cut unique products by nearly 9%, NIQ said.” WSJ subs. 

 

Bob Moritz, Former PricewaterhouseCoopers Chairperson, Named to Walmart Board of Directors Press release

 

Federal Trade Commission voted unanimously to ban marketers from using fake reviews at CNBC. “Violations of the rule could result in fines being issued for each violation, according to the rule. This means that for an e-commerce site with hundreds of thousands of reviews, penalties for fake or manipulated reviews could quickly add up.” Read more

 

Dick’s Sporting Goods plans new DC in Fort Worth, Texas Press release

Pros Caution H.Depot | Saks Develops Hotel | WM ASL Program

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Home Depot Q2 comp sales down 3.3% Press release

 

…Home Depot expects sales to weaken as consumers grow more cautious at CNBC. “Pros tell us that, for the first time, their customers aren’t just deferring because of higher financing costs,” CFO Richard McPhail said. “They’re deferring because of a sense of greater uncertainty in the economy.” Read more

 

US producer prices rise less than expected in July – +0.1% last month vs. forecast of +0.2% at Reuters

 

AI-labeled products can scare away customers, study finds at Fortune/Yahoo. “In every single case,” Gursoy told Fortune, “whenever we mentioned ‘AI’ versus ‘high tech,’ consumers’ purchase intention went down.” Read more

 

Amazon rebrands used goods marketplace to Amazon Resale at GeekWire. “…was previously known as Amazon Warehouse. Amazon says customers saved 25% on average on products purchased last year through Amazon Resale.” Read more

 

Two-time JCPenney / Ex-Macy’s CEO Mile Ullman dies at 77 at WFAA

 

Saks Fifth Avenue owner developing luxury hotel, apartments in former department stores at NY Post. “Saks Fifth Avenue is contemplating extending its brand to hotels and luxury apartments…In Beverly Hills, HBC is applying for permits from the city to build dozens of luxury residences on Wilshire Blvd. and a hotel, replete with a private club, spa and restaurant along a two-block stretch – real estate that HBC owns – that currently includes parking lots and its new Saks women’s store.” Read more

 

Walmart DC partners with Dallas college on sign language program at NBC DFW. “Many of Kampman’s co-workers have even expressed an interest in learning American Sign Language. “Every day they’ll come up and be like, ‘What’s the sign for this? What’s the sign for that?’ And then I’ll show them.” Soon Kampman will have help.” Read more/Video

 

Senators call Kroger’s dynamic pricing a corporate profiteering scheme at Financial Regulation News. “U.S. Sens. Bob Casey (D-PA) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) are questioning Kroger Co.’s use of digital price tags…” Read more

 

A Colorado Ranch Tied to Walmart’s Founding Family Seeks $48.5 Million at Robb Report/Yahoo

 

Tech Talks Business will feature Ted Decker, CEO of Home Depot at Georgia Tech. “Join us for a discussion with Ted Decker…as he shares his career journey, lessons learned, and the importance of an entrepreneurial mindset. Wednesday August 28, 2024, 5:30PM – 7:00PM.” Read more

 

Mark Cuban’s Company Shifts From Partner To ‘Consultant’ In Amazon-Blue Shield Pharmacy Venture at Forbes

 

How Amazon’s massive TV deal with YouTube’s top star turned sour at Business Insider. “Amazon announced the show, called “Beast Games,” in March and said it would offer a $5 million cash prize — believed to be the biggest in TV history…Insiders say the show was risky from the start, with the streamer ceding control to MrBeast’s team.” Read more

 

Canada Goose CEO isn’t worried about diluting the brand as it expands—but experts caution there are graveyards of companies that have tried at Fortune/Yahoo

 

Amazon Prime Day shoppers demonstrate loyalty at Chain Store Age. “According to new data from Earnest Analytics, across all major e-commerce retailers with promotional events in July 2024, 88% of customers exclusively shopped at a single retailer, with 11% shopping at two retailers and 1% shopping across three or more retailers.” Read more

 

CVS @ CNBC | Costco +7.1% | China Pets 2X Kids | 3-Ft Pop-Tart

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Costco reports a 7.1% rise in July comp sales (US +6.3% / Canada +10.2% / Other Int’l +8.9%) Press release

 

…Costco members will soon have to scan membership cards upon entrance at Fortune/Yahoo. “…plans to add card scanners at the entrances of its warehouse stores in the coming months, with members required to scan in before they start shopping…all guests will need to be accompanied by a valid member.” Read more

 

RUN – Overloaded by Amazon, rural delivery companies reach the end of the road at GeekWire. “Two of the three independent delivery companies based at the Amazon facility on the outskirts of this Northern California town are shutting down…Drivers in Orland say changes made by Amazon this year, determined by its automated routing algorithms, overloaded them with stops and packages. In many cases, it became impossible to finish their allotted deliveries without skipping breaks or risking their safety by literally running to keep up.” Read more

 

CVS CEO says she’s ‘taking direct ownership’ to fix Aetna insurance business at CNBC. “Our problem … is the Aetna business…” Lynch said…”necessary to “look at the totality of the business,” saying she was pleased with other segments like retail and pharmacy. She added the company has “really strong momentum going into 2025.” Read more

 

…CVS is piloting a new program at several stores in New York where customers can unlock products on shelves using QR codes CNBC

 

***A message from Su Salsa – Lime flavored tortilla chips are too lime-y! Su Salsa Mild salsa puts the lime into the dip – not the chip. A hint of lime and cilantro flavor with a kick of jalapeno at the end. Great taste. Great label. Marketing Deck | Buyers request sample: jlong@eyeonretail.net

 

BRAND BANK – Supplying Saks Was a Soapmaker’s Dream Until He Got a $74 Check at WSJ. “The retailer had been conserving cash as it negotiated to buy rival Neiman Marcus…”You have the money to do an acquisition, but you can’t pay the people that you owe?” Shnitzer-Bartocci said. “They sold the merchandise we’ve given them. They’ve made money on it, and yet they still haven’t paid us back.” WSJ subs. 

 

UK launches formal probe into Amazon’s ties with AI startup Anthropic at TechCrunch

 

Walmart, Costco Pressured by Investor Group Over Abortion Pills at Bloomberg/Mint. “…letter sent to chief executive officers at the two retail giants, as well as Kroger Co., Albertsons Co. and medical distribution company McKesson Corp. The religious group behind the petition owns about $172 million in shares of the five companies.” Read more

 

Ingles Markets Q3 net sales down 2.8% Press release

 

Travel companies rein in their forecasts as US consumers cut spending at Reuters. “They have less available, less disposable income and (less) capacity to do anything including travel,” Hilton Worldwide CEO Christopher Nassetta told analysts on an earnings call on Wednesday.” Read more

 

Olympic swimmers are guzzling cans of Coke to protect from bacteria in the Seine at Independent/Yahoo

 

MEE-AO – China will have nearly twice the pets than young children by 2030, Goldman Sachs says at CNBC. “In 2017, the situation was just the opposite — there were 90 million children aged four and under, compared to the urban pet population of around 40 million…the bank expects the country’s pet food market to flourish…forecasts China’s cat ownership to surpass that of dogs as the former tend to require less space to raise.” Read more

 

Boot Barn Holdings, Inc Q1 comp sales +1.4% Press release

 

Pop-Tarts unveil giant 3-foot tall ‘Party Pastry’ in select cities at Fox Business. “The Pop-Tarts “Party Pastry,” which is 73 times the size of a classic, standard toaster pastry, will be available starting Wednesday, Aug. 7…The $60 pastry, which includes delivery, is being sold only in New York City, Los Angeles and Chicago.” Read more

Whiff of Pawnshop | Bentonville BFF Dallas | Tariff Decisions

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Sharpie-maker Newell moves more operations from China as tariffs loom at Reuters. “Newell Brands, is moving production of kitchen appliances out of China and has relocated manufacturing for its writing business to Tennessee as it faces “uncertainty” on tariffs ahead of the U.S. presidential election, Newell CEO Chris Peterson said in an interview with Reuters.” Read more

 

Drugstores tinker with new looks as their usual way of doing business faces challenges at AP News. “Walgreens spokesman Jim Cohn said shopper preferences are shifting, and the company aims “to meet them where, when and how they want to shop.”…At one of these locations in Indianapolis, only four short aisles separate the front door and the pharmacy counter in the back. Healthy snacks, vitamins, first aid supplies, and the usual mix of antacids and Advil fill its shelves.” Read more

 

Is Amazon Turning Into Temu? A race to the ultracheap brandless bottom at New York Intelligencer. “Take this dress from CUPSHE, listed on Amazon at $47.99…On Temu, where it also ships for free from a “local” (read domestic) warehouse, it’s listed as “Womens Casual Boho Lace Hem Floral V Neck Long Beach Dress Cocktail Party Maxi Wedding Dress” and costs just $16.49. On TikTok Shop, it’s on Flash Sale with free shipping for $27 dollars. On AliExpress, it’s available at lots of prices from different sellers, for $9.90 with $9.60 shipping, or, on promotion, shipped free with an alleged 85.2 percent chance of arriving within 14 days for $8.66.” Read more

 

…‘I’m really desperate now’: Temu sellers revolt against fines and withheld pay at WSIL TV. “According to videos taken by a protester on Monday and seen by CNN, gathered to chant slogans demanding their money. Dozens of them managed to get into the office and staged a sit-in…Two suppliers…separately told CNN that they were there to complain about what they called “disproportionately high” fines charged by Temu for poor customer service.” Read more

 

Retailers Locked Up Their Products—and Broke Shopping in America at Bloomberg. “…it’s become routine to discover entire aisles transformed into untouchable product galleries armored in plexiglass. The whole thing has a whiff of pawnshop, which might actually be unfair to pawnshops. They, at least, have someone ready and waiting to take things out of lockup.” Read more

 

Walmart-owned Flipkart blitzes into India’s 10-minute quick commerce battle at TechCrunch. “Flipkart has started to roll out Flipkart Minutes, its quick commerce service, in parts of Bengaluru. The new service offers customers the ability to have a wide range of items, from grocery to smartphones, delivered to them within 10 to 15 minutes.” Read more

 

Global retailer Daiso announces three new locations in US at Yahoo Finance. “…two in California and one in Texas. California’s Westminster Centre will gain a new Daiso store covering 5,200ft², while the Mid Valley Marketplace in Van Nuys will see the opening of a 6,318ft² location. Both California stores will offer Japanese-inspired home decor, stationery and food items.” Read more

 

Numerator: Walmart captured 21.4% of grocery dollar share during past 12 months – up from 20.8% in the year-ago period at Chain Store Age

 

Big Lots closing nearly 300 stores nationwide at Columbus Dispatch. “…73 in California, 21 in Arizona and 18 in Washington….Florida…with 25.” Read more

 

Walmart’s grocery supply chain continues to evolve at Talk Business. “…high-tech distribution centers can store double the number of cases and process more than twice the volume of a traditional perishable facility, more than doubling the number of cases processed per hour,” Guggina said.” Read more

 

H-E-B begins testing Apple Pay at Chron. “We are launching a one-store pilot program to test digital tap-to-pay systems, starting at our Lovers Lane Central Market in Dallas,” Jackson told Chron. “While we hope to offer these tap-to-pay services at more stores in the future, however, there is no timeframe to expand this service beyond the one pilot location.” Read more

 

Walgreens & Instacart Collaborate to Accept SNAP/EBT Online Nationwide Press release

 

Fred Segal, Iconic Staple of L.A.’s Fashion Scene, Shutters Its Last Two Stores at Hollywood Reporter. “We are going to be looking for a new operator to open up more stores in the future,” Russ told the L.A. Times. Added Lotman: “Hopefully someone may pick it back up and get it to go. It is truly one of the great fashion brands out there.” Read more

 

50 Winn-Dixie stores will be transitioned to Aldi stores during the second half of 2024 at Supermarket News

 

Cocoa Puffs contain lead, lawsuit claims at Legal Newsline

 

Drinking Too Much Water Can Actually Be Dangerous at WSJ. “Drinking too much water essentially makes it difficult for the body to keep up healthy levels of sodium, an electrolyte that helps balance the fluid in cells. A person’s kidneys can typically manage about one liter of water per hour, said Thunder Jalili, a professor of nutrition and integrative physiology at the University of Utah.” WSJ subs.

 

How a $26 burger becomes $41 at California restaurants at Daily Mail/MSN. “At the Black Cat, a jazz bar and lounge in the Tenderloin district, bosses there add a 20 percent service charge ‘to ensure a living wage’ and a 10 percent ‘SF safety and benefit charge’ to its bills – on top of the 8.63 percent sales tax. It is made clear the service charge is not a tip…” Read more

 

Visitors make up 49% of Bentonville restaurant sales at Talk Business. “Top visitor markets outside of Northwest Arkansas include Little Rock, Springfield, Mo., Dallas, Tulsa, Kansas City, Mo., Oklahoma City,  Joplin, Mo., Houston, and St. Louis…One of the advocacy items from the report is to target visitors from Dallas. Visitors from that metro have the highest average spend per visitor…” Read more