Archive for category: Eye-on-Retail

 

Trump hosts Walmart, Target and Home Depot CEOs for tariff meeting at CNBC. “A White House official told CNBC earlier Monday that a representative from Lowe’s would also be at the meeting. After the meeting concluded, an official told NBC News that no one from Lowe’s attended. After the meeting wrapped, the three companies issued nearly identical statements. “We had a productive meeting with President Trump and his team and appreciated the opportunity to share our insights,” a Walmart spokesperson said.” Read more

 

From Fake Eyelashes to Care Bears, U.S.-Bound Goods Are Stuck in Tariff Limbo at WSJ. “Zeng, for now, is holding her truck at the Mexican warehouse, hoping for some resolution to the trade war. Several other shipments that are halfway across the ocean will soon join the truck. Zeng has two to three months of inventory in the U.S. that she can continue selling. “I think we’re trying to hold out for at least one more month to see what happens. But then we’ll have to make some hard choices,” she said.” WSJ subs.

 

Meta Is Racing for Retail Media Budgets at AdWeek. “Over the past year, the tech giant has been sharing more data, rolling out new products, and updating old ones, all geared at retailers, eight sources told ADWEEK…One of Meta’s most significant new products is an API that allows online marketplaces that sell products from third parties to run ads on Meta. Most importantly, the API collects data that lets both the marketplace and brand know whether those ads drove sales.” Read more

 

US FDA suspends milk quality tests amid workforce cuts at Reuters/MSN. “The Food and Drug Administration is suspending a quality control program for testing of fluid milk and other dairy products due to reduced capacity in its food safety and nutrition division, according to an internal email seen by Reuters.” Read more

 

Walgreens to pay up to $350 million in U.S. opioid settlement AP

 

Flipkart is preparing to shift its headquarters back to India from Singapore as the company prepares to file for an IPO TechCrunch

 

Bath & Body Works has a major tariff advantage at CNBC. “Bath & Body Works produces 80% of its products in the United States…its foaming hand soap, for example, used to take about 3 months to reach its distribution center…Now, that entire process is done at Beauty Park — in 3 weeks.” Read more

 

**A message from Su Salsa – Shake up your salsa set with “a hint of lime” and the label that pops on shelf. Made in USA. Learn more | Sample: info@eyeonretail.net

 

DHL to suspend global shipments of over $800 to US consumers at CNN

 

Shoppers could find shelves empty by summer as China imports plunge amid Trump trade war at NY Post. “The volume of goods shipped from China that is scheduled to arrive at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach between the week of May 4 and May 10 has dropped 43%…Wes Allen, who owns Sunlight Sports in Cody, Wyo. said…“The things we are importing directly are costing way more than we thought they would and our vendors are laying off people so they can pay the tariffs,” Allen said.” Read more

 

Kroger and other brands to discuss transforming marketing through data at 5/22 event in NYC Ad Age

 

Inside Home Depot’s $20 Billion Secret Garden at WSJ. “It was a chilly day in early March when I walked into an industrial warehouse behind Suite 900 of an office park, only to find that it was bursting with flowers and the people who breed, grow and sell them…The event is known inside the company as spring trials. This invitation-only showcase is where breeders flaunt their latest offerings and Home Depot’s suppliers get their first glimpse of new plants that the retailer spent years helping to develop.” WSJ subs.

 

Trader Joe’s is planning 21 new locations, including 5 in California Location list

 

Wegmans restaurant to open in NYC on 4/30 at Democrat & Chronicle. “The restaurant and sushi bar in Astor Place will be open from 5 to 11 p.m. Monday to Saturday, with a champagne hour from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. Make reservations online at www.wegmansnextdoor.com; its first weekend appears to be fully booked.” Read more

 

Al Sharpton calls meeting with Target’s CEO amid DEI backlash ‘very constructive and candid’ AP

 

NRF Reveals 2025 Top 50 Global Retailers “Walmart retained its spot as the largest retailer globally… The other companies in the Top 10 remain unchanged from 2023.” Press release

 

**Retailers are looking for your Made in USA products. Contact us now to get in front of them: info@eyeonretail.net

 

Albertsons Companies, Inc. Q4 identical sales increased 2.3% Press release

 

Jeff Bezos sells Seattle mansion amid move to Florida — for $63 million at NY Post. “This deal eclipses the state’s prior record…Nestled along Lake Washington’s shores, Bezos bought the 9,420-square-foot Hunts Point residence in 2019 for $37.5 million.” Read more/Pics

 

Lowe’s acquires Artisan Design Group (ADG) for $1.325 billion “ADG is a leading nationwide provider of design, distribution and installation services for interior surface finishes, including flooring, cabinets and countertops, to national, regional and local homebuilders and property managers…fiscal 2024 revenue of approximately $1.8 billion (and) a national network of over 3,200 specialized installers…” Press release

 

Sam’s Club announces plans to remodel all 600 locations, open 15 stores per year at USA Today. “…will open two new clubs this fiscal year in…Tempe, Arizona and Lebanon, Tennessee…” Read more

 

Jewel sues Kroger over Wellness Festival; departed CEO Rodney McMullen to be deposed at Local 12. “Jewel and another co-founder of Kroger Co.’s annual Wellness Festival are suing the supermarket giant, claiming the company unjustly took control of the event away from them just as it turned profitable.” Read more

 

“Koshco” is a California store touted as a “dupe” for Costco at NY Post. “…this cut-price storefront boasts a similar color scheme of red, blue and white, and also sells a variety of items in bulk. Koshco is entirely kosher and located in the Pico-Robertson neighborhood of Los Angeles, which has long boasted a large Jewish community.” Read more

 

Meet Walmart heir Steuart Walton, the most powerful board member you’ve never heard of at Yahoo Finance. “For someone born to billions, and the grandchild of one of the most famous businesspeople of all time, Walton keeps a low profile. Sure, he married actress Kelly Rohrbach. But he’s no publicity magnet like other wealthy offspring. His profile in the press is minimal. His public appearances are often biking in nature, a passion of Walton’s, in Bentonville’s town square or being seen with his family at the farmer’s market.” Read more

 

At China’s largest trade fair, exporters say US markets are ‘frozen’ at Reuters. “Kobe Huang, sales representative at Shenzhen Landun Environmental Technology, which makes water filters and smart toilets, says that for now, European sales are up, but the U.S. market is “frozen.” U.S. customers and distributors haven’t cancelled orders, he said. “They have asked us to hold on. We are holding on.” Read more

 

Consumers reduce spending on spring fashion at Talk Business. “…consumers polled by McKinsey & Company indicate they plan to spend less on discretionary categories like clothes and shoes over the next three months. Only 14% said they intend to spend more on apparel this spring.” Read more

 

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Walgreens Boots Alliance Q2 sales +4.1% Press release

 

…Walgreens tops estimates as drugstore chain cuts costs, prepares to go private at CNBC. “Earnings per share: 63 cents adjusted vs. 53 cents expected…Revenue: $38.59 billion vs. $38 billion expected.” Read more

 

Sam’s Club picks Publicis Groupe as its integrated agency of record Ad Age subs.

 

Walmart+ Week takes place from April 28 through May 4 “50¢ off every gallon of fuel at participating Exxon and Mobil stations…Up to 2 free sandwiches from Burger King daily…6 months of the Paramount+ with SHOWTIME plan…” Press release

 

…Walmart is facing tariffs and recession fears. It may have a secret weapon to keep growing at CNBC. “Walmart+ members drove nearly half of the total spent across Walmart’s website and app in the U.S. in the most recent fiscal year…(Walmart) will deliver business updates at an investor event in Dallas on Tuesday and Wednesday.” Read more

 

Clothing retailers delay orders, freeze hiring as tariffs hit at Reuters. “Ian Rosenberger, CEO of Day Owl, a six-year-old New York company that makes backpacks in Vietnam, has paused future orders. Unless there’s a deal to significantly lower Vietnamese tariffs, Rosenberger estimates Day Owl has 30 days before it folds…tariffs would increase his duty to $22 from from $5, prompting him to increase the price of his top-end bag to $212 from from $155.” Read more

 

**A message from Su Salsa – Shake up your salsa set with “a hint of lime” and the label that pops on shelf. Learn more | Sample: info@eyeonretail.net

 

Lowe’s Will Close All Stores for 24 Hours on Easter Newsweek

 

CVS Health Announces Chief Financial Officer Transition Plan “Brian Newman was most recently executive vice president and chief financial officer of United Parcel Service…Before joining UPS, he spent 26 years with PepsiCo…” Press release

 

Camping World CEO Marcus Lemonis defies lawsuits, vows massive American flags ‘not coming down’ at NY Post. “I wasn’t born in this country. I emigrated from Beirut, Lebanon. Came here to Miami, Florida and had an opportunity to live the American dream in this country…And it’s my love letter to tell everybody how grateful I am this country provided me an opportunity where it didn’t have to…” Read more

 

Shopify teams must demonstrate why AI can’t perform a job before they’re permitted to ask for more headcount at TechCrunch

 

Bezos Backs Breeding More Climate-Friendly Cows “For the first time, scientists and breeders across the globe are joining forces to slash methane emissions from livestock. Backed by $19.3 million from the Bezos Earth Fund…” Press release

 

**Advertise your product, service or event in Eye on Retail Tipsheet to get in front of the most powerful retail decision-makers in the world. Contact: info@eyeonretail.net

 

Amazon resumes drone deliveries after two-month pause at CNBC. “In January, Amazon halted Prime Air deliveries in College Station, Texas, and Tolleson, Arizona, the two U.S. markets where it’s testing the service, as the company rolled out a software update to its drone fleet. Amazon discovered an abnormality with the drone’s altitude sensor, caused by dust in the air, that could have caused its system to produce an inaccurate reading of its position relative to the ground…” Read more

 

Two people arrested in connection to train robberies of Nike shoes at USA Today. “The Hualapai Nation Police Department said two unnamed suspects, a male and a female who had entered the U.S. illegally, were taken into custody. The arrests come amid a string of train heists targeting Nike shoes around the West.” Read more

 

Thomas J. Edwards to join Macy’s, Inc. as Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer “Currently, Edwards is the Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer of Capri Holdings Limited…” Press release

 

The Drone-Delivery Service Beating Amazon to Your Front Door at WSJ. “This modern-day manna from heaven, including takeout meals and treats for neighborhood kids, is enabled by drone delivery startup Zipline. A dark horse in the flying delivery race…initial commercial testing in the U.S. is happening in Pea Ridge and Mesquite, Texas, just outside Dallas. Walmart is the only retail operation Zipline delivers for in the U.S. at present.” WSJ subs.

 

Orange juice demand fears squeeze market plunging futures to 2-year low at Financial Post

 

**Sensi named a “Best Smart Thermostat of 2024” by CNET noting its simple and intuitive display, which allows you to make changes easily. Website | Contact: info@eyeonretail.net

 

The Mexican Drugstore Mascot Opening Doors to the US at Bloomberg. “The mustachioed mascot, known for joyfully beckoning shoppers into the more than 9,700 Mexican storefronts of Farmacias de Similares SA, has in the last few years become one of the country’s most recognizable corporate icons, thanks to music fans who routinely bring plush Dr. Simis to concerts around the globe and throw them onstage as a way of announcing that Mexico is in the house. That’s helping the country’s largest generic drugstore chain gain brand recognition in the US, where it has just taken the first steps of its ambitious plan to crack the market.” Bloomberg subs.

 

‘Nova Act’ moves Amazon further into the AI agent race at GeekWire

 

ChatGPT’s new image generator is really good at faking receipts at TechCrunch. “It wouldn’t be hard to imagine this kind of tech being used by bad actors to get “reimbursed” for entirely fake expenses…” Read more

 

Foot Locker relocates its global headquarters to St. Petersburg, Florida Press release

 

REI Co-op Names Kristin Shane as Chief Merchandising Officer “…(experience includes) The Guitar Center, PetSmart and Target.” Press release

 

How Costco’s Kirkland Signature Brand Became a Powerhouse at WSJ. “We were kind of flying right in the face of that success story,” said Jim Sinegal…“It kind of simplifies things, and it certainly has told a story to our customers,” said Sinegal.” 9:33 video

 

Some Hudson’s Bay vendors are owed thousands — and they’re rushing to reclaim their inventory at Financial Post

 

**Advertise your product, service or trade show in Eye on Retail Tipsheet to get in front of the most powerful retail decision-makers in the world. Contact: info@eyeonretail.net