Petco +0.5% | Academy 300+ | H&M +2%

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H&M posts weaker-than-expected fiscal first-quarter sales in slow start to the year at CNBC. “Sales at the Swedish fashion giant rose 2%…Operating profit totaled 1.2 billion in the first quarter, versus 1.9 billion Swedish krona expected.” Read more

 

Petco Q4 comp sales +0.5% Press release

 

Amazon launches personalized shopping prompts as part of its generative AI push at TechCrunch. “…announced on Wednesday a new feature called “Interests,” aimed at creating a more personalized and conversational search experience. With the new feature, customers can enter tailored prompts in the search bar, reflecting their interests, preferences, and even their budget.” Read more

 

Amazon Pharmacy medical chief Gupta is latest health exec to leave company at CNBC

 

How PayPal, Sam’s Club, and Nordstrom Plan to Grow Their Ad Businesses at Adweek. “…Sam’s Club hosts tailgate events in cities across the country. In Kansas City, shoppers can play football and get autographs from National Football League players. “The best part of that for a brand is that you get to see things. You get to touch things. You get to taste things, smell things,” he said. “We’re tracking all of that at the member-level.” Read more

 

Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez’s star-studded wedding guest list revealed at NY Post

 

Academy Sports + Outdoors Surpasses 300 Stores Press release

 

Amazon ramps up its fight against fakes with help from AI and law enforcement at GeekWire. “Amazon says it worked with Chinese law enforcement on cases that led to more than 60 raids in 2024. More than 100 suspected counterfeiters were detained, and several were convicted. Those are some of the details from Amazon’s new Brand Protection Report, released Tuesday night.” Read more

 

Zulily goes through another ownership change as Beyond to sell majority stake in retail site for $5M at GeekWire

 

The pain—and glory—of a self-made billionaire’s insatiable drive at Fortune. “In his thirties and forties, when he was building the e-commerce businesses that would make him a billionaire, Marc Lore hardly ever made it home for weeknight dinners with his wife and two daughters. During the intense periods of fundraising that became his calling card, he sometimes wouldn’t make it home at all.” Fortune subs.

 

Dollar Tree is selling Family Dollar, ending its disastrous merger at CNN

Walton USA Ad | Inventories Up | Confidence Down

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Consumer confidence plummets to lowest level since January 2021 at CNN

 

Affirm announces JPMorgan Chase merchants can soon offer installment loans at checkout at CNBC. “U.S. merchants who use JPMorgan to handle payments can soon add Affirm to their checkout pages, according to a release. Consumers will have access to loans ranging from 30 days to 60 months, according to Affirm.” Read more

 

Retailers Bulk Up Inventories to Blunt Tariff Impact at WSJ. “The Logistics Managers’ Index, a monthly survey of supply-chain managers, showed inventory levels expanded in February at the fastest rate since June 2022. The ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach in California, the main gateway for imports from China, were flooded with container volumes last seen during the Covid-19 pandemic to start the year.” WSJ subs.

 

Walmart Heiress’ Veiled Trump Critique Breaks Billionaire Quiet at Bloomberg. “Christy Walton, an heiress to the Walmart Inc. retail fortune, placed a full-page advertisement in Sunday’s New York Times calling on America to uphold its democratic principles. Headlined “USA, USA, USA,” the ad shows an image of the Statue of Liberty at sunset alongside eight declarations, including “we respect our neighbors and trading partners” and “we defend against aggression by dictators.” Bloomberg subs.

 

Kroger’s new interim CEO Ron Sargent is getting paid an annual salary of nearly $4.4 million and given a $3.9 million stock grant at Cincy Enquirer

 

**Sensi named a “Best Smart Thermostat of 2024” by CNET noting its simple and intuitive display, which allows you to make changes easily. Website | Contact: info@eyeonretail.net

 

The Surprising Good News for Mall Owners: Forever 21’s Bankruptcy at WSJ. “High-end malls are nearly fully occupied and rents are rising. Leasing is even starting to pick up in second-tier properties…Business is so good at Westfield malls that its European owner…has decided to stick around the U.S. The Paris-headquartered company said in 2022 that it would move quickly to unload most of its American portfolio, which included about two dozen malls.” WSJ subs.

 

Wayfair has a quality problem. Its new ‘Verified’ program wants to fix it at Fast Company. “…unveils a new program called “Verified” that involves merchants painstakingly examining a selection of furniture on Wayfair’s site. The company has selected a small fraction—50,000 pieces by the end of the year—that will be verified for quality, durability, and value. The brand will highlight “Verified” furniture with a new purple check, and these pieces will surface higher in search results.” Read more

 

Buc-ee’s files trademark suit against Barc-ee’s at MYSA

 

The most innovative companies in retail for 2025 (J.Crew, Coupang, IKEA…) at Fast Company Top 10 list | The World’s 50 Most Innovative Companies

 

Reality setting in for workers who thought Hudson’s Bay would never close at Financial Post. “From concerns about losing their homes to regrets about not accepting a previous severance offer that could have potentially paid them three times as much money, there were “a lot of tears” among some of Hudson’s Bay Co. ULC’s roughly 9,000 employees this week as Canada’s oldest departmental store started liquidating its outlets on Monday.” Read more

 

2,400 grocery workers to decide whether Tony’s Fresh Market will go union at Chicago Tribune/Yahoo

 

Williams-Sonoma, Inc. Joins the S&P 500 Press release

 

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D.Gen +1.2% | C-Store Pain | China Hits WM | Sam’s Golf

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Dollar General Corp. Q4 comp sales +1.2% “For fiscal 2025, the Company expects…Same-store sales growth in the range of approximately 1.2% to 2.2%.”  Press release

 

…Dollar General CEO warns consumers are cash-strapped, and says 2025 won’t be better at CNBC. “For the fourth-quarter, Dollar General said same-store sales growth of 1.2% was driven entirely by 2.3% growth in average transaction. Customer traffic fell 1.1% during the period, “impacted by ongoing financial pressures of our core consumer,” Vasos said.” Read more

 

Trump threatens 200% tariff on European alcohol as trade war escalates at CNN

 

PPI showed no gain for the month after jumping an upwardly revised 0.6% in January, seasonally adjusted figures showed. Economists surveyed by Dow Jones had been looking for a 0.3% increase at CNBC

 

Shoppers Are Skimping on Cigarettes, Doritos and Twinkies at WSJ. “U.S. convenience-store sales volume fell by 4.3% as prices rose in the year ended Feb. 23, according to market-research firm Circana…At a Circle K store in suburban Chicago, adult customers with children in tow hurry out the door before they get talked into buying a snack, said sales representative David Guerino…A large bag of chips there now costs $7. “People can’t afford it anymore,” Guerino said…” WSJ subs.

 

Duluth Holdings Inc. Q4 net sales down 1.8% Press release

 

…Samuel Sato to retire as President/CEO/Board member at Duluth effective April 25, 2025 – During the transition period, Stephen Schlecht, the Company’s Chairman of the Board, Founder and former CEO, will assume day-to-day leadership Press release

 

Walmart Gets an Earful From China Over Response to Trump Tariffs at WSJ/Yahoo. “Chinese authorities summoned Walmart officials for a dressing-down this week after receiving complaints that the retailer was pressuring some Chinese suppliers to cut prices to absorb the cost of U.S. tariffs, state media and people familiar with the matter said Wednesday…“If Walmart insists” on making Chinese suppliers absorb the blow, “then what awaits Walmart is not just talk,” state broadcaster China Central Television said on social media Wednesday.” Read more

 

Build-A-Bear Workshop Q4 revenues +0.8% Press release

 

Roomba maker iRobot, once Amazon’s takeover target, flags going concern risk at Reuters/Yahoo. “Roomba vacuum cleaner maker iRobot, a former $1.4 billion buyout target of Amazon.com, raised concerns on Wednesday about its ability to stay in business…company was once valued at $3.56 billion in 2021, driven by pandemic-fueled demand. It is now worth less than $200 million.” Read more

 

Sam’s Club introduces Member’s Mark golf ball Press release

 

As China’s Birth Rate Drops, Pampered Pets Reap the Benefits at Bloomberg. “China’s population has fallen for three straight years, and the marriage rate plunged by a fifth in 2024, reaching its lowest level in almost a half-century. With fewer babies, China’s formula market dropped 21% from 2021 to 2024. Pets, meanwhile, are on track to outnumber toddlers almost 2 to 1 by 2030, Goldman Sachs Group Inc. predicts.” Bloomberg subs. 

 

Michaels unveils its first-ever Creativity Trend Report Press release

 

They Wanted a Quick Fix for Hair Loss. Instead, These Young Men Got Sick. at WSJ. “Finasteride…is a popular hair-loss treatment that has been on the market for three decades with potential side effects including sexual dysfunction and depression. But a new generation of young men are discovering the medicine—and its potential risks. That is largely because they are peppered with ads on social media pitching hair-loss medications from telehealth companies, which unlike drugmakers aren’t required to disclose side effects and other risks in advertisements.” WSJ subs.

 

Amazon is merging its convenience and grocery store corporate teams at C-Store Dive/Yahoo. “Amazon is merging the corporate teams behind its Amazon Go convenience stores and Amazon Fresh grocery business…” Read more

 

Casey’s Q3 inside comp sales +3.7% Press release

 

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Kohl’s Craters | Dick’s +6.4% | Boomers Not Budging

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Dick’s Sporting Goods Q4 comp sales +6.4% Press release

 

…Dick’s Sporting Goods is latest retailer to forecast rocky 2025 at CNBC. “In the year ahead, Dick’s is expecting earnings per share to be between $13.80 and $14.40, well short of Wall Street estimates of $14.86…” Read more

 

Kohl’s Q4 comp sales down 6.7% Press release

 

…Kohl’s downbeat annual sales forecast sends shares tumbling at Yahoo. “Kohl’s expects 2025 comparable sales to decline 4% to 6%, compared with estimates for a 0.9% drop, according to data compiled by LSEG. Earnings per share is projected in the range of 10 cents to 60 cents, compared with estimates of $1.23.” Read more

 

How America Got Hooked on H Mart at Bloomberg. “The internet is full of people ogling at H Mart’s fabled snack aisles and the treasures of its freezer cases. “I low-key feel like I’m blacking out, and it is just too early for that, but I am already obsessed with this store,” goes the narration on a first-visit-to-H Mart TikTok video seen more than 1.5 million times. Almost a decade after experts said millennials were shunning supermarkets (perhaps permanently!) in favor of dining out or ordering in, the grocery store has become a playground for those seeking out luxurious and hard-to-find foods.” Bloomberg subs. 

 

United Natural Foods, Inc Q2 net sales +4.9% Press release

 

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CVS is opening smaller stores that only have pharmacies at CNN. “…opening around a dozen stores this year that are about the half the size of its traditional layout and have only a pharmacy — ditching the front-end of the store that traditionally has sold snacks, greeting cards and other consumer staples.” Read more

 

The 2025 World’s Most Ethical Companies Honoree List (Best Buy, Kohl’s…) Read more

 

How Walmart Built the Biggest Threat Amazon Has Faced at WSJ. “Walmart’s Spark delivery system, powered by a network of freelance drivers, has enabled the retailer to expand its same-day delivery reach to 93% of U.S. households, offering a competitive advantage over Amazon.” WSJ subs.

 

Boomers are setting up a showdown with millennials, aging in place and plunking down hundreds of thousands on renovating their homes at Fortune/Yahoo. “A 2024 Redfin analysis found empty-nest boomers own 28% of the country’s largest homes, those with three bedrooms or more; and millennials with kids own only 14%…there’s simply no financial incentive for the former group to let go of their homes.” Read more

 

Dollar General Expands Dolly Parton Kitchen and Housewares Collection Press release

 

Loblaw introduces ‘tariff’ symbols on products with higher prices due to trade war at National Post. “Loblaw’s “tariff” symbol consists of a letter T inside a white triangle over a grey box…” Read more

 

Costco set to open 4 US stores this week at USA Today. “Two stores are set to open in Texas while others will open in Michigan and Massachusetts. The company opened two stores in California late last week.” Read more

 

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WM Squeeze | BJ’s +4.6% | Kroger +2.4% | Burl. Beats

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BJ’s Wholesale Club Q4 comp sales (ex-fuel) +4.6% “…guidance for fiscal 2025: Comparable club sales, excluding the impact of gasoline sales, to increase 2.0% to 3.5% year-over-year.” Press release

 

Kroger Q4 ID sales (ex-fuel) +2.4% “Full-Year 2025 Guidance: Identical Sales without fuel of 2.0% – 3.0%.” Press release

 

Walmart Asks Chinese Suppliers for Major Price Cuts on Trump Tariffs at Bloomberg. “Some suppliers, including producers of kitchenware and clothing, have been asked to lower their prices by as much as 10% per round of tariffs, essentially shouldering the full cost of Trump’s duties, according to the people, who asked not to be identified as the information is private…So far, few have acquiesced.” Bloomberg subs. | MSN

 

Macy’s, Inc. Q4 comp sales (owned) down 1.1% Press release

 

…Macy’s turnaround starts to take shape, but ailing stores weigh on quarterly results at CNBC. “…comparable sales across its owned and licensed businesses, plus its online marketplace, were up 0.2%, which is the highest the metric has been since the first quarter of 2022. Plus, the so-called First 50 locations…saw comparable sales up 0.8%…” Read more

 

US retailers publicly scrap some ‘DEI’ initiatives while quietly supporting others at Reuters. “Tractor Supply…ceased gathering data on its workforce for the Human Rights Campaign’s annual Corporate Equality Index…But Keayana Robinson, the contractor who led the diversity data collection at Tractor Supply, told Reuters the retailer offered to keep her on in an undefined role that would be “as closely aligned as possible” to the DEI work she had been doing…”I don’t want to work for an organization that wants to hide me,” she said.” Reuters subs. 

 

Burlington Stores, Inc. Q4 comp sales +6%, versus guidance of 0% to 2% Press release

 

…Cramer: Burlington shares jumped 13% this morning after crushing estimates with its financials numbers. Off-price retailer is a bright spot in a tough industry.

 

**A message from Sensi: Sensi named a “Best Smart Thermostat of 2024” by CNET noting its simple and intuitive display, which allows you to make changes easily. Website | Contact: info@eyeonretail.net

 

Inside Walmart’s immersive commerce strategy to reach Gen Z and Gen Alpha at Ad Age. “Walmart is selling real-world items across numerous virtual environments—a strategy called immersive commerce—that the retail giant hopes will create new demand among young consumers for convenient shopping experiences inside social and gaming platforms.” Ad Age subs.

 

Joann Commences Store Closing Sales at All 790 Locations Nationwide Press release

 

Target Wants to Bring Back the ‘Tarzhay’ Magic at WSJ. “At an investor briefing Tuesday, the company said it would focus on its traditional strengths: exciting merchandise and a great store experience. Executives on the call repeatedly referred to the company as “Tarzhay”…” WSJ subs.

 

Home Depot introduces Magic Apron, a suite of advanced AI tools to help customers Press release

 

Meet Lowe’s newest associate, Mylow, the first AI-powered virtual home improvement assistant Press release

 

7-Eleven will sell an underperforming retail business, replace its chief executive and buy back shares to strengthen its case for repelling takeover at Yahoo Finance

 

Google’s Shopping tab has a new AI tool that takes your fashion idea and suggests similar clothing at Tech Crunch. “The new feature, “Vision Match,” is now available in the search experience on mobile for U.S. users. It lets shoppers describe a garment they’re imagining, and then the AI suggests ideas based on the description, along with the best available matches that users can purchase.” Read more

 

Walmart, KKR to sell Japanese grocer Seiyu for about $2.54 billion at Talk Business

 

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Target +1.5% | B.Buy +0.5% | Produce Up | Dow Down

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Trump tariffs: Mexico says it will retaliate, joining Canada and China – Dow Drops 650 Points CNBC

 

Target Q4 comp sales+1.5 % / Digital Q4 comp sales +8.7% Press release

 

…Target warns February sales were soft at CNBC. “Target on Tuesday warned that it expects a “meaningful” drop in first-quarter profit…as it contends with “ongoing consumer uncertainty,” soft sales in February and concerns around tariffs.” 6:27 Cornell video/Read more

 

…Tariffs may force Target to raise prices on fruits and vegetables in the next couple of days at CNN. “Cornell said Target relies heavily on Mexican produce imports during the winter. ‘Those are categories where we’ll try to protect pricing, but the consumer will likely see price increases over the next couple of days,’ he said.” Read more

 

Best Buy Q4 comp sales +0.5% “…comparable sales guide in the range of flat to 2% growth for the year, with growth weighted more to the second half of the year based on the timing of product launches and initiatives.” Press release

 

Albertsons names Susan Morris new CEO Press release

 

**A message from Comfy Sacks: Delight your consumer with foam-filled, long-lasting and soft bean bag chairs. Genius design + comfort. Website | Program details: info@eyeonretail.net

 

Walgreens Nears Roughly $10 Billion Deal to Go Private at WSJ. “Walgreens is closing in on a deal with private-equity firm Sycamore Partners that would take the struggling drugstore chain off the public market for around $10 billion, according to people familiar with the matter…The sides are aiming to complete a deal as soon as Thursday…They have been discussing Sycamore paying between $11.30 a share and $11.40 a share in cash, the people said.” WSJ subs.

 

Publix Q4 comp sales +4.1% Press release

 

Oscars host Conan O’Brien delivers jokes about Amazon and Jeff Bezos at GeekWire. “O’Brien also shared what he said was footage of Bezos arriving on Oscars red carpet. The video showed an Amazon delivery driver dropping off a long box. “There he is! He seems undamaged,” O’Brien joked. But when cameras cut to the audience and an empty seat, O’Brien wondered where Bezos was. More footage from outside the theater showed a “porch pirate” making off with the Bezos box.” Read more

 

Nordstrom Q4 total company net sales down 2.1% Press release

 

On a quest to revive the woolly mammoth, Colossal Biosciences has created a woolly mouse at TechCrunch. “In addition to working on a woolly mammoth, the company aims to bring back the Tasmanian tiger and the dodo bird. But that 2028 goal might not be realistic…” Read more

 

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