The Addiction to Discounting at Michael Kors Is Exposed in Court at WSJ. “Michael Kors and the executives who ran his fashion label knew they had a serious problem: Many of the handbags were selling for less than $100, far from the regular price of $450. The designer complained in emails that were revealed in a recent court hearing that the once-hot brand was chasing down-market and unfashionable customers. In one message, Kors wrote the brand was pursuing an old-fashioned customer who wasn’t sleek and definitely not jet set.” WSJ subs.

 

The looming dockworkers strike is mostly up to 1 fiery union leader at Politico. “The decision to strike is largely in the hands of the mercurial and tough-as-nails head of the dockworkers union, Harold Daggett, a native New Yorker who’s been accused of having mob ties…The union’s constitution allows Daggett to call a strike without a vote of his members.” Read more

 

…Shippers scramble for workarounds ahead of looming US East Coast port strike at Reuters. “Ronnie Robinson, chief supply chain officer at DSW parent company Designer Brands, normally routes about 20% of the company’s shoe imports through the East Coast. He shifted about half of those goods to the West Coast. And, he paid ten times more than a typical ocean transit to fly in a small shipment of leather boots and dress shoes from Brazil.  Robinson (said) his company cannot risk late deliveries to clients like Macy’s, Nordstrom, and Dillard’s.” Read more

 

Adobe expects U.S. online sales to hit $240.8 billion this holiday shopping season (Nov. 1 to Dec. 31), representing 8.4% growth year-over-year Full report

 

H&M abandons 2024 margin target as costs hurt profit at Reuters. “H&M scrapped its margin target for 2024 as higher discounting, costs and fierce competition hurt operating profit in the third quarter, denting shares in the world’s second-biggest listed fashion retailer.” Read more

 

PayPal to allow cryptocurrency buying, holding and selling for US merchants at Reuters

 

Promises of ‘passive income’ on Amazon led to death threats for negative online review, FTC says at CNBC. “Jamaal Sanford received a disturbing email…The message, whose sender claimed to be part of a “Russian shadow team,” contained Sanford’s home address, social security number and his daughter’s college…The sender said Sanford…would only only be safe if he removed a negative online review. “Do not play tough guy,” the email said. “You have nothing to gain by keeping the reviews and EVERYTHING to lose by not cooperating.” Read more

 

Salt Life apparel brand to close 28 retail stores after bankruptcy auction at Fox Business

 

American Eagle sues Amazon over alleged ‘knock-offs’ of Aerie products at CNBC. “American Eagle said it didn’t authorize Amazon to sell products from its Aerie line…Clicking on a link leads to an Amazon webpage that “displays only knock-offs and ‘dupes’” of Aerie products…notified Amazon “over a month ago” of the infringing products, but says they were relabeled with misspellings of its Aerie trademarks, including “Aeries,” “Arie” or “Aries.” Read more

 

Kroger’s Wellness Festival is this weekend in Cincy “175+ sponsors engaging and educating attendees through live activations and sampling.” (+ Third Eye Blind!) Event schedule

 

Former JCPenney Executives Ask $30 Million for Their Colorado Estate at WSJ. “For years, no one wanted to buy a roughly 38-acre Colorado parcel overlooking the Rocky Mountains because it was filled with old buildings, a railroad caboose and a metal sculpture of an airplane…But in 2020, former JCPenney executives Peter McGrath and his wife, Janet Fox (spent) over $17 million to clean up the property and build a roughly 5,750-square-foot ranch-style home on it. Now they are putting the estate, known as Sage Ridge, on the market for $30 million.” WSJ subs.

 

Tire Study: Go-to tire retailer – Discount Tire 33.8%, Walmart 17.7%, Costco 16.9%…Costco took the crown for overall brand ranking…Sam’s Club faced the highest rate of customer-reported issues.” Press release

 

LinkedIn Top Startups 2024: The 50 U.S. companies on the rise List

 

How Kwik Trip created a cult-like following in the Midwest at Minneapolis Star Tribune. “That personal touch, replicated in 850 stores and growing, has made the La Crosse, Wis.-based convenience store chain a cultural icon in its region…Kwik Trip — and its Iowa counterpart, Kwik Star — has won the type of cult following common among regional convenience store brands. East Coasters love their WaWa, Texas has Buc-ee’s, and Great Plains folk swear by Casey’s General Store pizzas.” Tiered subs.

 

NOT SHOCK POLL – Survey by Blind finds 91% of Amazon employees not happy about return-to-office policy at GeekWire

 

Harris Says She Will ‘Go After’ Companies Engaged In ‘Price Gouging,’ In First Solo Interview As Democratic Nominee at Forbes

 

Walmart’s 11th annual Open Call at Talk Business. “Walmart opened its doors to more than 500 entrepreneurs on Tuesday (Sept.24) at the retail giant’s 11th annual Open Call. Jason Fremstad, Walmart head of supplier development and sourcing, said merchants will hold 800 meetings on Wednesday with the supplier hopefuls. He said Walmart continues to source products made or assembled in the U.S. but also wanted to stretch the focus by inviting export buyers from Canada and Mexico.” Read more

 

CDC: Tenth death reported in listeria outbreak linked to Boar’s Head meats at USA Today

 

A Shoplifter Gets Shot Stealing Candy at Walgreens. Who’s to Blame? at WSJ. “More than a year after the killing, the official answer is no one; even San Francisco’s mayor backs a state ballot measure to stiffen shoplifting penalties.” WSJ subs.

 

Reuters speaks to nine current 7-Eleven franchisees in Japan, almost all voiced disapproval of Seven & i’s strategy  and welcomes the proposed buyout by Circle K owner Couche-Tard Read more

 

Ulta Beauty Announces Partnership with Wicked  Press release

 

CHECKS IN THE MAIL – $500K Target gift card scheme lands East Coast man behind bars at Mercury News. “In his plea agreement, O’Brien admitted the goal was $1,077,100…In addition to the (5-year) prison term, Judge Beth Labson Freeman ordered O’Brien to serve three years of supervised release and repay the retailer, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.” Read more