Pfizer says COVID-19 vaccine is looking 90% effective at AP. “Dr. Anthony Fauci, the government’s top-infectious disease expert, said the results suggesting 90% effectiveness are “just extraordinary,” adding: “Not very many people expected it would be as high as that.” Read more

 

…Behind Pfizer’s vaccine, an understated husband-and-wife “dream team” at Reuters. “The market value of Nasdaq-listed BioNTech, which the pair co-founded, had ballooned to $21 billion as of Friday’s close from $4.6 billion a year ago, with the firm set to play a major role in mass immunization against the coronavirus. “Despite his achievements, he never changed from being incredibly humble and personable,” said Matthias Kromayer, board member of venture capital firm MIG AG.” Read more

 

…A Covid vaccine could mean a slowdown in growth for grocers: Bain & Co. at CNBC. “U.S. grocery sector revenue has risen by as much as 10% year over year in 2020, according to the consulting firm. That rate may shrink to 2% to 5% next year — or could even drop by as much as 7 percentage points if a Covid-19 vaccine is widely available and diners return to restaurants in early 2021.” Read more

 

Walmart CEO led Business Roundtable congratulates President-elect Joe Biden, Vice President-elect Kamala Harris at Fox Business. Read more

 

Whole Foods reverses ban of Remembrance Day poppies amid outrage at NY Post. “Whole Foods has canned a controversial rule barring employees from wearing poppies in honor of Remembrance Day, Canada’s holiday for fallen soldiers, following a cascade of criticism.” Read more

 

Pandemic pet boom puts dogs, cats and other critters at the top of the holiday gift list at CNBC. “Pet merchandise is expected to be one of the top gift-giving categories, according to a survey by consulting firm Deloitte. About half of the more than 4,000 people surveyed by the firm said they plan to purchase pet foods and supplies during the holiday season. On average, they plan to spend $90 on pet items, such as gifts for their own dog or for a family member or friend’s pet.” Read more

 

Rite Aid is betting that new stores that put pharmacists at the front instead of the back will help it draw customers at CNN. “The company opened a “store of the future” Monday in Moscow, Pennsylvania. It includes lower shelves to improve visibility and more natural light, with signs and display fixtures moved away from windows. In addition to a new location for the pharmacist that makes the person more accessible to customers, the store has a “wellness room” where customers can schedule a visit with a licensed clinician.” Read more

 

Amazon disavows Mississippi police program that plans to use Ring cameras for real-time surveillance at GeekWire. Read more

 

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Walmart’s 98% OTIF requirement remains a work in progress at Talk Business. “Joe Metzger, senior vice president of supply chain transportation for Walmart, recently spoke virtually at the WalStreet speaker event hosted by the Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce. Metzger said customers want what they want when they want, how they want it and across all assortments…” Read more

 

Amazon’s new rewards program gives frequent delivery drivers easier access to work at The Verge. “Of particular use to drivers is the reward program’s “preferred scheduling” feature, which includes easier access to shifts. These are often hotly contested between drivers, and there have even been reports of some using bots to access in-demand shifts.” Read more

 

Crate and Barrel Pairs Up With Dr. Jane Goodall to Create Kids’ Furniture at Wall Street Journal. “When it comes to her own habitat, the world’s foremost expert on how chimpanzees live doesn’t fret about aesthetics….But give her a chance to excite children about nature through home décor—as in her new collaboration with the Crate and Barrel brand Crate and Kids—and the eminent primatologist will opine precisely about which animals make the best throw pillows.” WSJ subs.

 

Softbank-backed delivery startup goPuff enters the California market with its deal to buy alcoholic beverage chain BevMo! at CNBC. Read more

 

How Peloton Could Beat Nike and Lululemon at Apparel at Wall Street Journal. “…co-founder and CEO John Foley delegated the apparel business to his wife and vice president Jill Foley. She now has 24 people working under her. “Just this year I hired eight more people because of our growth and I think the greater Peloton brand realized, ‘Oh, geez, we need to invest more in this apparel,” said Ms. Foley. “They’re selling like hot cakes.” WSJ subs.

 

Tipsheet Extra

Vans owner VF Corp to buy streetwear brand Supreme for about $2.1 billion

DVD rental chain Family Video makes last stand against COVID-19

Superstore finds a way to laugh about the pandemic

DC liquor stores sell more champagne after Trump loss than on last two New Years combined

Apple puts major supplier Pegatron on probation for labor violations

Read Tipsheet Extra Stories

 

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