Shoplifting skyrockets by 24% across US even as most other crimes fall to pre-pandemic levels at NY Post. “The study reviewed crime statistics from 23 cities across the US, finding shoplifting has steadily been on the rise since the country began emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic around 2022.” Read more

 

Tractor Supply Q2 comp store sales down 0.5% Press release

 

Walmart’s chief technologist reveals how Gen Z habits will define the next great retail transformation at Fortune/Yahoo. “Earlier this year, Walmart chief technologist Suresh Kumar argued that the 62-year-old retailer is in the process of transforming the industry through a framework his company dubbed “Adaptive Retail.”…Now Kumar – who previously worked a combined 20 years for Amazon, Google and Microsoft – and fellow Walmart leaders have the research that they believe backs up their vision.” Read more

 

…Walmart Releases First Annual State of Adaptive Retail Report

 

When This Supply-Chain Essential Goes Missing, It’s Time to Bring in the ‘Pallet Detectives’ at WSJ. “When the world’s biggest supplier of wooden pallets tries to recover its lost property from junkyards and hard-to-find lots, things can get ugly. “If you’re in Europe, it goes relatively easily. If you’re in Alabama, unfortunately sometimes a guy comes out with two dogs and a shotgun,” said Graham Chipchase, chief executive of Brambles, which owns and rents reusable pallets to companies including manufacturers, suppliers and retailers.” WSJ subs.

 

Are schools asking too much for back-to-school shopping? Many parents say yes. at USA Today. “More than…70%, believe that schools ask them to buy too much during the back-to-school season…Eighty-six percent of parents think the cost of education is out of control…52% of those surveyed, also expect to pay more for back-to-school shopping this year than last year.” Read more

 

Sam’s Club MAP Launches Display Ads in Sam’s Club Mobile App’s Unique Scan & Go Feature “Sam’s Club MAP is the first and only retail media platform to integrate ads in a mobile, self-checkout app experience…” Press release

 

Home goods retailer Conn’s files for bankruptcy, to close over 70 stores at Fox Business

 

Loblaw, George Weston to settle class action over bread price-fixing for $500 million at CTV. “The class-action case was brought against a group of companies that includes Loblaw and the Weston companies, Metro, Walmart Canada, Giant Tiger and Sobeys and its owner Empire Co. Ltd.” Read more

 

…Loblaw faces privacy probe over customers’ claims they can’t delete PC Optimum accounts at Financial Post

 

Best Buy Introducing ‘Spokeshologram’ at Adweek

 

Walmart’s New Campaign Gives Farmers a Voice at Progressive Grocer. “I saw that we had a perception issue in produce,” Evan Gaetano, manager of site merchandising-grocery e-commerce at Walmart and one of the architects of the campaign, exclusively told Progressive Grocer…To remedy this situation, Walmart launched the American Farmers campaign on Walmart.com, which “highlights our growers and puts them front and center on our shoppable pages,” noted Gaetano.” Read more

 

Boxed.com relaunch Press release

 

Hibbett announces completion of acquisition by JD Sports Fashion Press release

 

***Eye on Retail Tipsheet will return August 6th. Thanks for reading!

Contact: jlong@eyeonretail.net