Target launches its own mobile payments system with debut of ‘Wallet’ by Sarah Perez at TechCrunch. “Wallet, as the name implies, allows Target shoppers in-store to both check out using their smartphone as well as take advantage of their Cartwheel digital coupons and discounts with only one scan of their barcode.” Read more

 

40% CHANCE OF CVS DEAL? – “Source: ‘Considering that Aetna’s share price would be around $160 a share without a merger, the market is saying there is only a 40 percent chance the deal will get approved by regulators.'” by Josh Kosman at NY Post. Read more

 

…CVS Boss Larry Merlo’s Path From Corner Pharmacy to C-Suite by Sharon Terlep at Wall Street Journal. “I can’t say enough good things about Larry and his team,” Wolfe Research analyst Scott Mushkin said. “But this deal, whoa, I don’t know. Sometimes I suppose you just have to give a good team the benefit of the doubt.” Read more (subs.)

 

HD Supply Q3 Net Sales +7.5% “Preliminary Net sales in November were approximately $372 million, which represents year-over-year average daily sales growth of approximately 9.8 percent.” Press release

 

Holiday bots are stealing Christmas, driving up prices via USA Today. “Grinch bots cannot be allowed to steal Christmas, or dollars, from the wallets of New Yorkers,” (U.S. Sen. Chuck) Schumer said in a statement…“We look forward to working with him and all interested parties to strengthen enforcement against bad actors…,” said David French, a spokesman for the retail federation.” Read more

 

AutoZone Q1 Comp Sales +2.3% Press release

 

“THE EVENSVILLE WALMART” – How Dollar General Became Rural America’s Store of Choice by Sarah Nassauer at Wall Street Journal. “Dollar General’s typical shopper “doesn’t look at her pantry or her refrigerator and say, ‘You know, I’m going to be out of ketchup in the next few days. I’m going to order a few bottles,’” said Mr. Vasos, the company’s chief executive. “The core customer uses the last bit of ketchup at the table the night prior, and either on her way to work or on her way home picks up one bottle.” Read more (subs.)

 

J.Jill Q3 Comp Sales -0.6% “CEO: ‘Thus far in the fourth quarter, we have returned to total comparable sales growth, with our current product offering better aligned to what our customer expects from J.Jill.'” Press release

 

**A message from deVaca – Give coffee consumers what they want – a great tasting, non-GMO, all-natural coffee substitute grown & roasted in Colorado. Fill the natural caffeine free gap in your coffee assortment. Sell sheet | Sample: info@shiftmarketinggroup.net

 

Neiman Marcus CEO Says Affluent Shoppers in ‘Very Good Shape’ by Lindsey Rupp at Bloomberg. “Her balance sheet is in very good shape,” (Karen) Katz told Emma Chandra on Bloomberg Television. It’s “really a matter of how emotionally she feels about things, and she seems to be in a good place right now.” Video/Read more

 

Block California’s egg law, 12 states ask the Supreme Court via LA Times. “A dozen states are banding together to ask the U.S. Supreme Court to block a California law requiring any eggs sold there to come from hens that have space to stretch out in their cages.” Read more

 

UPS Drivers To Demonstrate Against 70-Hour Work Week at CBS Boston. “The Teamsters Locals said UPS “is forcing a 70-hour week for drivers” which is “a nationwide issue jeopardizing the safety of drivers and the general public.” Video/Read more

 

Big Lots CEO, David Campisi, To Take Temporary Medical Leave Press release

 

Jim Cramer: “Wal-Mart is the only retailer with the heft to truly challenge Amazon. It’s also got the leadership to pull it off thanks to CEO Doug McMillon.” at CNBC. Read more

 

Shoppers Drug Mart partners with producer Aphria for medical marijuana by Aleksandra Sagan at Canadian Press via Toronto Star. “The deal comes after many months of discussions and is subject to Health Canada approving the application of the chain’s parent company, Loblaw Companies Ltd., to dispense medical marijuana. Loblaw applied for a licence in October 2016, but neither company can say if or when that application will be approved.” Read more

 

Amazon adds ‘Homemade’ artisan products to Prime Now 2-hour delivery service in select cities by Taylor Soper at GeekWire. “The Prime Now eligible cities for Handmade product delivery include: Austin, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Minneapolis, Phoenix, Portland, Raleigh, San Diego, San Francisco Bay Area and Seattle.” Read more

 

Nike Will Close Its Flagship NYC Store in Spring, New One Coming in 2019 by Emily Price at Fortune. “New York City will be without a flagship Nike store for around a year, the sports apparel maker announced Monday. The retailer announced plans to open a new 69,000 square-foot flagship store in Manhattan at 650 Fifth Avenue at West 52nd Street in early 2019.” Read more

 

Instacart and Kroger strike grocery delivery deal at most of its stores in the Portland and Seattle areas by Nat Levy at GeekWire. Read more | Press release

 

Amazon finally launched in Australia — and other retailers immediately rallied via CNBC. “Amazon’s not materially cheaper on a wide basket of items than the retailers,” said Vertium Asset Management portfolio manager Daniel Mueller.” Read more

 

Patagonia accuses President Trump of stealing public lands at Fast Company. “The brand, making good on a threat it made back in April, will soon be announcing a potential lawsuit against the Trump administration for the protection of Bears Ears National Monument, complementing a separate effort and lawsuit filing by others regarding the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument.” Read more

 

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