Sam’s New COO | WM Loses Top Spot | Five Below +22.7%

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Amazon knocks Walmart from the top spot on Fortune 500 for the first time in 13 years at GeekWire “Only four companies have ever held the No. 1 spot in the 72-year history of the Fortune 500 list: General Motors, ExxonMobil, Walmart, and now Amazon.” Read more | Fortune full list (subs.)

 

Sam’s Club names new chief operating officer at Talk Business. “Sam’s Club has promoted Steve Schrobilgen, who once worked as a club cart pusher, as its next chief operating officer and executive vice president. He replaces Tom Ward who retired amid recent management changes at Sam’s Club and other Walmart divisions.” Read more

 

America’s Richest Self-Made Women at Forbes. “Forbes found 43 self-made queens of capitalism, up from 38 a year ago…That’s despite the passing of two legendary women, (including) Gap cofounder Doris Fisher (d. May 2026 at age 94)…” Full list

 

Walmart+ arrives in Canada Press release

 

Why Berkshire Hathaway Went Window-Shopping at Macy’s at WSJ. “Macy’s shares have jumped about 18% since May 15, when Berkshire Hathaway disclosed its stake in the company…the $55 million purchase—based on Macy’s share price on the filing date—represented about 1% of Macy’s diminished market value.” WSJ subs.

 

Amazon engineers in Seattle slam employer for building AI data centers while laying off 30,000 staffers at CNBC. “The engineers spoke at a Seattle City Council meeting, where officials unanimously passed a proposal to limit new mega data center developments for one year.” Read more

 

Petco Q1 comp sales +0.7% Press release

 

As CEO of the $96 billion Sam’s Club, Latriece Watkins is testing her mettle at the warehouse retailer that produced CEOs for Walmart, Target, and Walgreens at Fortune. “Mentored by Doug McMillon and shaped by a decade on the merchant floor, Watkins is now betting that fewer choices and sharper curation can help the chain compete with Costco.” Read more (subs.)

 

Meet the AI-powered robot assistant helping Germans shop at Reuters. “A humanoid robot, which can switch between personalities and accents, is working as a shop assistant in Germany, as a robotics and AI-solutions company tests how the Chinese-made machine can be programmed to work alongside humans.” 2:16 video (subs.)

 

Five Below, Inc. Q1 comp sales +22.7% Press release

 

Screwworm fly detected in Texas decades after cattle threat was largely eradicated in US at AP. “…the case was in a 3-week-old calf in LaPryor, Texas, about 50 miles from the Mexico border…established a 12-mile quarantine zone, prohibiting the movement of any warm-blooded animal — including pets — outside that zone without an inspection.” Read more

 

Ollie’s Q1 comp sales +1.7% | Macy’s Q1 comp sales +3.0%

 

Amazon will show AI product images when you search for some reason at TechCrunch. “In what may be one of the more questionable uses of AI to date, Amazon announced…that it will display AI-generated images of products within its shopping app based on users’ search queries. That’s right — a retailer where people shop for real-world products thinks that displaying fake photos will “help” consumers better find what they’re looking for.” Read more

 

***Eye on Retail Tipsheet is off next week. See you on June 16th!

Furner Q&A | Amazon’s Trump Lawyer | Victoria’s +40%

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Amazon Announces Prime Day Event from June 23–26 Press release

 

…Target Circle Deal Days June 23–26 Press release

 

The Walmart blueprint: CEO John Furner’s first interview in the top job at Fast Company. “As thousands of Walmart employees descend on Arkansas for the company’s annual Associates Week, Furner sat down for his first in-depth conversation in his new role. He discussed everything from leading through a moment of massive change to turning forklift operators and developers alike into AI builders.” Fast Company subs.

 

Dollar General Q1 comp sales +2.0% “…increases of 1.4% in customer traffic and 0.5% in average transaction amount. Same-store sales in the first quarter of fiscal 2026 included growth in each of the consumables, seasonal, apparel, and home products categories.” Press release

 

…Dollar General Q1 2026 earnings beat, raises full-year EPS forecast at Quartz. “Looking ahead to fiscal 2026, the company lifted its full-year diluted EPS target to $7.20–$7.45 from the prior $7.10–$7.35 range, while leaving its top-line projections unchanged.” Read more

 

Walmart’s Answer to Apple Pay Wants to Be Your Favorite Financial App at Bloomberg. “Walmart Inc. is one of the last remaining merchants that’s been able to hold out against the swell of Apple Pay…Although it still has little name recognition among most Americans…OnePay — is now growing rapidly. The financial-technology service has 6 million monthly active users, double the number a year ago, according to people with knowledge of the company’s results, who asked not to be identified…” Bloomberg subs.

 

Victoria’s Secret & Co. Q1 comp sales +13.0% Press release

 

…Shoppers are treating themselves to bras and underwear at Victoria’s Secret at CNBC. “The lingerie retailer raised its full-year guidance on Tuesday after blowing past earnings estimates in its fiscal first quarter, citing lower tariff costs and more customers willing to spend full price on its products. Shares of Victoria’s Secret soared about 40% in premarket trading.” Read more

 

Target’s Newest Food Distribution Center @ 529k Square Feet Press release

 

What Trump Delivered for Amazon at Bloomberg. “The feds were pushing a landmark case about Amazon’s control of its contract drivers. Then the president put Amazon’s former lawyer in charge.” Bloomberg subs.

 

Signet Jewelers Q1 comp sales +1.8% Press release

 

The Trade Desk Appoints Nate Olmstead CFO After a Year of Executive Turnover at Adweek. “Olmstead joins The Trade Desk at a consequential stretch for the company with its stock  down about 70% over the past year…the company has…faced growing pressure from agency partners while contending with rising competition from Amazon and Google.” Read more

 

Crystal Bridges opens 114,000-square-foot expansion this weekend at Talk Business. “The project… expanded the 200,000-square-foot museum by about 50%…Crystal Bridges was founded in 2005…by philanthropist Alice Walton.” Read more

WM Women Join Power 100 List | B.Buy Beats | Men Fragrance Frenzy

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Core inflation hit an annual rate of 3.3% in April, as expected at CNBC. “…the soft monthly readings could provide some hope that the burst in prices over the previous month had begun to ease…gross domestic product growth in the first quarter was less than expected. GDP accelerated at an annualized rate of just 1.6% for the period (vs. 2.0% expected)…” Read more

 

Best Buy Q1 comp sales +2.0% “We are…maintaining our guidance for the year,” said Matt Bilunas, Best Buy CFO. “Comparable sales have started strong in May, with month-to-date growth up high single digits. Our comparable sales outlook for the full quarter is approximately 1.0% growth…” Press release

 

…Best Buy beats on top and bottom lines as retailer aims to reinvigorate sales at CNBC. “…its biggest growth drivers in the quarter were gaming, computing, mobile phones and services, which were partially offset by a decline in sales of appliances.” Read more

 

Fortune’s 2026 Most Powerful Women (Steelman – Ulta #39 | Watkins – Sam’s #87 | Zhu – Walmart China #92) Top 100 list (Fortune subs.)

 

Dollar Tree, Inc. Q1 comp sales +3.5% “…4.5% increase in average ticket, partially offset by a 1.0% decline in traffic.” Press release

 

EU hits Temu with $232 million fine over illegal products at AP

 

Men Are Spraying Themselves 100 Times in New Fragrance Frenzy at Bloomberg. “…men are being encouraged to layer their fragrances…trend is a boon to cosmetics companies as consumers buy several products instead of just one…influencers hawking fragrances to men on TikTok has increased around 12-fold…far outpaces the 8-fold increase in those marketing to women…” Bloomberg subs.

 

Kohl’s Q1 comp sales down 1.1% Press release

 

…Kohl’s Narrows Losses as Turnaround Takes Hold at WSJ. “CEO Michael Bender called the result Kohl’s best comparable-sales performance in over four years, attributing the moderate decline to ongoing efforts to improve the business…Shares rose 8.7%, to $14.05, in premarket trading.” WSJ subs.

 

Burlington Stores, Inc. Q1 comp sales +6.0% “(Outlook:) Total sales to increase in the range of 9% to 11% on top of the 9% increase during Fiscal 2025…To open approximately 115 net new stores…” Press release

 

Build-A-Bear Workshop Q1 total revenues decreased 2.4% “…with consumer traffic posing a challenge, our results were lower-than-expected for the quarter…commented Sharon Price John, President and CEO…” Press release

 

Amazon offers its AI shopping tech to outside retailers at GeekWire. “It’s designed to let retailers create AI assistants for their own e-commerce sites that can talk with shoppers, answer questions about products, and make recommendations tailored to each store’s inventory and brand. AWS says a retailer can get one up and running in about 60 days.” Read more

 

Yesterday’s rundown: Dick’s Business Q1 comp +6.0% | Abercrombie & Fitch Co. Q1 net sales +2.0% | Bath & Body Works, Inc. Q1 net sales down 3.0%

 

Walmart continues its milk processing facility expansion at Talk Business. “The three Walmart processing plants have the capacity to supply about 1,900 stores, or roughly 40% of its stores. This is still less than competitors like Kroger, which have been in the milk business for decades. Kroger operates 19 processing plants for milk, ice cream and other dairy products, supplying roughly 90% of its private-brand milk sales.” Read more

 

Lululemon’s founder promises not to trash the company—for 18 months at CNN

 

Walmart unveils first new Home brand launch in five years “…introducing Mainstays Kids…featuring more than 600 items across furniture, bedding, bath and décor…six coordinated collections…assortment spans 12 categories…” Press release

B & Noble Pyramids | B Tobacco +100s | BJs 46 FL

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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

Kroger Cuts Prices | WM +4.1% | Sam’s +3.9%

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Walmart Q1: Walmart US comp +4.1% (ex-fuel) / Sam’s +3.9% comp (ex-fuel) / Walmart Int’l net sales +10.1% Press release

 

…Walmart issues worse-than-expected outlook as high gas prices hit shoppers at CNBC. “Finance chief John David Rainey said high tax returns may have muted some of the impact high gas prices had on shoppers in the first quarter, indicating consumer pressures could rise in the current quarter.” Read more

 

Kroger Plans Biggest Price Cuts In Years to Take On Walmart, Costco at Bloomberg. “I think about our business a bit like a Formula One race. There’s a lead group of cars that are doing a very good job,” Foran said. “Our objective is to get out of the midfield and start lapping faster, make up the gap on the first-group cars and then ideally pass them.” In addition to cutting prices, Kroger is working to make service in stores friendlier and faster. It also wants to accelerate new store openings.” Bloomberg subs.

 

Natural Food Colors Embraced by MAHA Linked to Health Problems at WSJ. “People who had higher intakes of beta-carotene as a food coloring had a 44% increased risk of Type 2 diabetes, compared with those who had a lower intake. Among the other natural color additives associated with a higher risk of Type 2 diabetes were curcumin (49% increased risk) and anthocyanins (40% increased risk)…” Read more

 

Advance Auto Parts Q1 comp sales +3.5% Press release

 

H-E-B announces $700M supply chain expansion in San Antonio bringing 1,000+ jobs at MYSA

 

Target Q1 comp sales +5.6% / Comp traffic +4.4% / Digital comp sales +8.9% Press release

 

Bezos defends billionaires, hypes AI, talks taxes and praises Trump in CNBC interview at CNBC. “Trump has lots of good ideas, and he has done a lot of — he’s been right about a lot of things. You have to give him credit where credit is due,” Bezos said.” Read more

 

Lowe’s Q1 comp sales +0.6% Press release

 

Kroger is introducing a revamped beauty concept set to enter 30 U.S. stores by the end of this year at WWD. “…is already live in one Smith’s store in Henderson, Nev., gives beauty and wellness a dedicated in-store space for the first time at Kroger…The new in-store beauty “zones” are roughly 2,700 square-feet and feature updated low-profile fixtures and elevated lighting. The launch doesn’t entail a slate of new brands all at once; rather, Kroger plans to steadily add new brands to its assortment through the year…” WWD subs.

 

TJX Q1 comp sales +6.0% Press release

Target Supply Chain Shakeup | Jassy’s ’98 Cherokee | THD +0.6%

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Home Depot Q1 comp sales +0.6% / US +0.4% Press release

 

…Home Depot says core shopper is resilient in the face of higher gas prices, sales rise 5% at CNBC. “The homeowner in a relevant sense is perhaps more protected financially than other customer cohorts and so we continue to see engagement,” finance chief Richard McPhail told CNBC in an interview…Comparable transactions fell 1.3% — the fourth straight quarter of declines…” Read more

 

Target Names Jeff England EVP, Chief Global Supply Chain and Logistics Officer “England joins Target from QXO, where he served as chief supply chain officer…Prior to that, he was chief supply chain officer at Genuine Parts Company and spent nearly two decades in a variety of operations, strategy and finance leadership roles at Walmart.” Press release

 

…Target Plans to Name a New Supply-Chain Head as It Struggles With Weak Sales at WSJ. “(Gretchen) McCarthy, 47, who has led Target’s supply-chain efforts since 2022 after a long career there, will stay at the company as an adviser through August…” WSJ subs.

 

Andy Jassy Is Rewriting Amazon’s Playbook for the AI Age at Bloomberg. “Jassy…takes pains, earnestly and often awkwardly, to project an everyman image, in part by constantly advertising his lifelong passion for music and sports…Jassy drives himself to work in a ’98 Jeep Cherokee, even though he imagines the airbags might “pulverize” him if they ever deployed. His favorite beer is Manny’s, a Seattle microbrew and fixture at the city’s sports bars and dives. To his Businessweek photo shoot, he wears what he calls his “eight-minute blazer,” which he once bought in a hurry for a customer meeting.” Bloomberg subs.

 

Mayor Mamdani Announces the Peninsula in the Bronx as the Second Site for City’s Public Grocery Stores Press release

 

Startup backed by American Eagle CEO reaches unicorn status in latest funding round at CNBC. “Radar, founded in 2013 by Spencer Hewett, raised $170 million at a valuation of over $1 billion in its series B funding round…American Eagle was the first retailer to implement Radar’s technology across its stores.” Read more

 

TOMORROW – Jeff Bezos interview @ CNBC 5/20 at 8AM ET

 

Lowe’s brings Mr.Beast Experience into stores with new Kids Club Workshops Press release

 

Shein acquires Everlane in $100m deal amid debt crisis – report at GlobalData/Yahoo. “Everlane was established in the early 2010s around a brand identity rooted in sustainability…It gained an early audience as a more affordable option within the apparel market, positioning itself as a contemporary basics brand.” Read more

 

7-Eleven has confirmed suffering a data breach from the notorious ShinyHunters hacker group SecurityWeek

 

A new Swatch model is introduced, and a case study in overexcited ‘drop culture’ plays out at AP. “All for a “bioceramic” timekeeper that retails for around $400 — but perhaps more to the point, resells for thousands of dollars…“It looks like people got crazy to get a Royal Pop to make money through resale, not because they are fans of the Swatch,” said Pierre-Yves Donze, a business history professor…” Read more

 

Sweets & Snacks Expo Announces 2026 Most Innovative New Product Awards Winners Press release

 

Meet the ‘Squatter Hunter’ who moves into hijacked homes to drive out intruders at NY Post. “In a Vancouver, Washington, case, he learns the unwanted occupant may be afraid of snakes, so he turns the living room into a makeshift reptile zone. “The owner told me that there was an incident involving a snake. So I have a little surprise for her,” Shelton says in the episode. “We are going to build a snake terrarium in the living room.” Read more

Lowe’s 10-foot Messi | REI Boycott | Top 100 Family Biz

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America’s Largest Family Businesses: Walmart, Wegmans, Wawa And 97 More at Forbes. “Forbes’ inaugural list ranks the 100 biggest family firms in the country by revenue. They hail from 31 states across the nation and have built brands like Marriott, Nordstrom and Kohler.” Top 100 list

 

Retail sales rose for the third consecutive month in April at CNN. “Retail sales climbed 0.5% (vs. +0.6% projected) in April from the prior month, the Commerce Department said Thursday, down from March’s 1.6%…” Read more

 

U.S. Census Bureau: Population Growth Holds Steady in Midsized Cities / Largest Cities Faced Sharpest Declines Press release

 

Xi tells Musk, Tim Cook and other CEOs on Trump’s trip: China will ‘open wider’ at CNBC. “Xi said that U.S. companies are deeply involved in China’s reform and opening up, and both sides have benefited from this,” according to a report from state-backed newspaper Xinhua.” Read more

 

Lowe’s introduces a 10-foot lighted outdoor inflatable of Lionel Messi “MyLowe’s Rewards and MyLowe’s Pro Rewards members can purchase the limited-run inflatable for just $99…” Press release

 

Whole Foods Market has signed leases for smaller format stores in Boston, Chicago and Philadelphia Press release

 

**Salsa aisle looking a little bland? Su Salsa breaks the “red label” sea of sameness with a pop of lime and a hint of garlic. It’s the flavor-forward, high-visibility brand your premium category needs. Learn more | Sample: info@eyeonretail.net

 

REI union workers call for boycott of co-op’s biggest annual sale at Seattle Times. “…which will run from May 15 to May 25. They’re asking the public not to shop at REI over that time period.” Read more

 

Canadian Tire Corp. Q1 consolidated comp sales down 1.0% / Canadian Tire Retail comp sales down 2.3% Press release

 

Ace Hardware Corp Q1 detailed by CEO John Venhuizen: “Revenue up 10.9 percent, digital up 30 percent, and hardware format same-store sales up 6.1 percent with transactions rising 0.7 percent. Just as importantly, our team delivered a 129 percent increase in net income…” Press release

 

Amazon Scraps Planned API Fees After Backlash From Tech Firms at Adweek

 

Cramer: Bernstein took Club name Home Depot to $365 from $390 ahead of first-quarter results next week. Analysts said earnings expectations remain subdued, but to expect higher comparable sales because of Home Depot’s SRS acquisition.

 

NRF: U.S. Retail Sales Monthly Report: April 2026 “The Retail Monitor calculation of core retail sales was up 0.34% month over month in April and up 5.73% year over year.” Read more

 

Walmart cutting around 1,000 technology jobs at Talk Business

 

**Get your product, service or event in front of the most powerful decision-makers in the retail community. Contact: info@eyeonretail.net

CPI +3.8% | On +14.5% | Popcorn Eating Contest

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Consumer prices rose 3.8% annually in April, the highest since May 2023 at CNBC. “Excluding food and energy, core CPI increased 0.4% and 2.8% respectively, indicating that while inflation is still well above the Federal Reserve’s 2% goal, a good deal of pressure is coming from non-core areas, particularly energy.” Read more

 

On Q1 net sales +14.5% Press release

 

Retail Fraud: A Detective Noir Crime Story at The Robin Report. “…the seafood con may be the most brazen…Scallops, priced at around $45 per pound…are one of the most frequently substituted seafoods…The common switch involves surimi which is a minced white fish blend…The substitution playbook includes selling tilapia as red snapper (with a price difference of up to 244%…)” Read more

 

Amazon Rolls Out Amazon Now to Dozens of Cities Across the U.S Press release

 

eBay Rejects Unsolicited Proposal from GameStop “…We have concluded that your proposal is neither credible nor attractive.” Press release

 

Amazon’s New Prime Video Ads Adjust in Real-Time Based on Past Views at MediaPost. “…pulls in shopping and browsing history, activity on Prime Video, product availability, and geography to adjust product details in the ad. It also considers on-screen headlines, and interactive options. Amazon Ads technology will not change the basic creative concept of the spot, but will adjust it to the viewer’s preferences.” Read more

 

Target is trying to win back busy families from Walmart, starting with the baby aisle at CNBC. “Chief Merchandising Officer Cara Sylvester said families with children ages 5 and under spend two times as much, and families with children across age groups visit stores twice as much as the average Target shopper.” Read/Video

 

Small Online Shops Get Creative With Returns to Win Over Picky Shoppers at WSJ. “Most online shoe sellers let customers return products—but only if they haven’t worn them. Online men’s shoe brand Birchbury takes a different tack: It lets shoppers return shoes within 30 days, whether or not they have been worn…founder: “That break-in period gives them enough time to test the shoes themselves.” WSJ subs.

 

Rural King announces popcorn eating contest featuring Joey Chestnut – launches nationwide qualifier series Press release

 

Sales Are Up. Celebrities Are In. Is Gap Officially Back? at NY Times. “Gap’s comparable sales have risen for eight straight quarters, and its market value has increased to $8.5 billion, from $3.6 billion when Mr. Dickson started…(he) credits the turnaround to “being aware of pop culture, content, art, theater, music, entertainment.” NY Times subs.