Shoplifter extortion case against Walmart, other retailers is dismissed at Reuters. “U.S. District Judge Lucy Koh in San Jose, California, found no proof of a nationwide conspiracy to steer accused shoplifters into paying $400 up front or $500 in installments for the classes from Utah-based Corrective Education Co, and admitting guilt, to avoid prosecution.” Read more

 

Target, Best Buy’s in-house creative shops part of wave reshaping ad industry by Nicole Norfleet at Star Tribune. “Target Creative, which was officially formed when (Todd) Waterbury joined the company in 2013, has grown to become a 450-person content engine with about 300 local team members at its offices on two floors of Target Plaza III and its SuperTarget-sized North Loop production studios.” Tiered subs.

 

‘Nobody Likes Valentine’s Day Anymore.’ Retailers, Florists Cash In on ‘Galentine’s Day’ by Anne Marie Chaker at Wall Street Journal. “Women across the country are embracing a ladies-only spin on Valentine’s called Galentine’s Day, a celebration of female friendship marked by brunches, pink drinks—and each other…Walmart has been expanding its Galentine’s Day offerings, putting products on display at 1,011 stores this year, spokeswoman Tara House says.” WSJ subs.

 

Walmart launches private-label furniture brand “Featuring nearly 650 items across every room in the house, MoDRN provides the elevated look and feel that you would typically find at a specialty store, without the elevated price tag.” Read more/Video

 

Household Products May End Up Costing You Even More at Fortune. “Church & Dwight Co. recently increased prices on 30% of its products, including Arm & Hammer baking soda and cat litter, OxiClean products, Pampers and Huggies diapers, and Charmin and Scott toilet papers, among others, The Wall Street Journal reports.” Read more

 

IKEA accelerates services drive as competition stiffens “In the first readout on TaskRabbit’s activity since IKEA bought it, executives told Reuters the number of jobs done by TaskRabbit handymen had more than doubled and 10 percent of the tasks were furniture assembly, up from 2 percent before.” Read more

 

Payless ShoeSource prepares for bankruptcy that could come within weeks at CNBC. “If it cannot find buyers, it may need to shutter the majority, if not all, of its North American stores, the person said.” Read more

 

Newly launched Amazon Live shopping streaming service looks to take on QVC by Sarah Perez at TechCrunch. “On the live shows, hosts talk about and demonstrate products available for sale on Amazon, much like they do on QVC. Beneath that sits a carousel where shoppers can browse product details and make purchases.” Read more

 

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CEOs From Walmart, Sonos, Mattel Coming To Brainstorm Tech July 15-17 Read more

 

Jeff Bezos’ Journey From Private Family Man to Tabloid Sensation at Wall Street Journal. “One Saturday night last September, a crowd of celebrities, Silicon Valley titans and Hollywood executives gathered at television producer Mark Burnett’s Malibu mansion for a birthday party celebrating venture capitalist Vivi Nevo…Some people walking by seemed surprised to see (Bezos) in such a setting. “I just went, ‘Wow,’ ” the guest said.” WSJ subs.

 

Aldi Exec Heini Named Lidl US Chairman at Progressive Grocer Read more

 

What It’s Like To Work Inside Apple’s ‘Black Site’ by Joshua Brustein at Bloomberg. “This building is as bland as the main Apple campus is striking. From the outside, there appears to be a reception area, but it’s unstaffed, which makes sense given that people working in this satellite office—mostly employees of Apple contractors working on Apple Maps—use the back door. Workers say managers instructed them to walk several blocks away before calling for a ride home.” Tiered subs.

 

Ikea apologizes for leaving New Zealand off a world map at CNBC. Read more

 

Target changes pricing app after TV watchdog report at KARE 11 NBC. “Target changed its app Wednesday night after a KARE 11 investigation found certain prices on the app switched when customers entered the parking lot of Target stores. An updated version of the retailer’s app now clearly says either “online” or “in-store” next to the price of every product on the app.” Video/Read more

 

FDA: Walgreen’s has worst record on selling kids tobacco at Fox 5 News. Read more

 

Tipsheet Extra Stories

Best Buy employee, fired for tackling burglary suspect, to receive medal from sheriff

Trump to sign executive order promoting artificial intelligence

Target employee donates kidney to co-worker in need

Walmart removes lock from black hair care products case after complaints

This screen-printed poster connects to Wi-Fi and can tell you the weather

Read Tipsheet Extra Stories

 

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