How Barnes & Noble Became Private Equity’s Most Radical Retail Experiment at Bloomberg. “To understand the strategy that’s brought Barnes & Noble Inc. back from the retail abyss, you first have to understand the pyramid…no two pyramids on the dozens of tables inside each of the company’s nearly 750 locations are alike…The method is now so revered among Barnes & Noble employees, every one of them I interviewed in reporting this story used the word “pyramid” as a verb, including the company’s chief executive officer, James Daunt…”  Bloomberg subs.

 

Big Tobacco comes out on top after US FDA shake-up at Reuters. “The U.S. FDA’s new, looser regulation of new vapes and nicotine pouches will potentially unleash hundreds more such products on the market in the coming weeks and months, ​according to three current and former Trump administration officials.” Reuters subs.

 

1-800-Flowers Moves to Invest In Its Brand After Overrelying on ‘Buying Clicks’ at WSJ. “We were buying transactions for $40 and making $20 margin on each transaction, then you would say, well, that’s great because we are acquiring a customer,” he said. “That’s true if you retain the customer. But if you don’t retain them, then you are just wasting dollars…” WSJ subs.

 

BP shares fall after board removes chairman Albert Manifold over ‘serious’ conduct concerns at CNBC. “The decision to oust Manifold with immediate effect followed “serious concerns” related to governance standards, oversight and conduct, the company said in a statement, without elaborating.” Read more

 

Two Walmart execs are exiting the company at Talk Business. “Tom Ward, EVP, is leaving his post as chief operating officer at Sam’s Club… Ward was on the fast track since joining Walmart U.S. in May 2013 from ASDA…The memo states that Ward is retiring, though he is still in his mid-40s…Cedric Clark, EVP of store operations, is also leaving. Clark logged more than 20 years at Walmart…” Read more

 

I tried Amazon’s Bee wearable and am both intrigued and slightly creeped out at TechCrunch. “Bee is designed as a kind personal assistant: it records, transcribes, and summarizes the user’s conversations throughout the day, providing an ongoing note-taking capability…” Read more

 

Exceptionally early heat wave shatters records and brings deaths in Europe at AP. “Monday was the U.K.’s hottest May day on record, with the temperature hitting 34.8 C (94.6 F) at Kew Gardens in London, smashing the previous record of 32.8 C (91.4 F) set in 1922 and 1944.” Read more

 

BJ’s up to 46 clubs in Florida market; expanding club count in recently launched Kentucky and Indiana markets Press release

 

Coach by Dick’s: “Powered by agentic AI and built using Adobe Brand Concierge and Dick’s content and knowledge, Coach by Dick’s delivers immersive conversational experiences that go beyond transactional shopping…” Press release

 

Kroger’s Valerie Jabbar, senior vice president of Retail Divisions, retired in May after 38 years of service Press release

 

EPA Cuts Refrigerant Rules “…revisions to the 2023 Technology Transitions Rule extend compliance deadlines for the use of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), making a wider variety of refrigerants available to businesses…” Press release