Eye-on-Retail Tipsheet 11/13/12

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Today at a glance:

Home Depot Q3 earnings call @ 9:00am EST.  https://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=63646&p=irol-irhome&HD%20INVESTOR&viewTaskName=ExternalDirectView

CVS to present at Lazard Capital Markets 9th Annual Healthcare Conference @ 9:00am EST. https://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=99533&p=irol-EventDetails&EventId=4864716 

Dick’s Sporting Goods — conference call to discuss Q3 earnings @ 10:00am EST. https://www.dickssportinggoods.com/investors

Rite Aid to present at Morgan Stanley Global Consumer & Retail Conference November 13 @ 1:35 EST.  https://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/home/permalink/?ndmViewId=news_view&newsLang=en&newsId=20121109005892&div=-1245645151

Walgreens  to present at Lazard Capital Markets 9th Annual Healthcare Conference @ 3:30pm EST.  https://investor.walgreens.com/

The News that Matters:

Highlights from Twitter Chat on 11/12 with Brooke Buchanan, Director, Communication & Sustainability at Walmart.  Hosted by Aman Singh at CSRwire and Nick Aster at Triple Pundit:

Walmart revealed that “buyers will have sustainability objectives in their evaluations next year” Asked what they’re doing with information collected via supplier sustainability scorecards, Walmart responded that “index scorecard data is being used by buyers in business planning and to drive innovation.”

Walmart said they’re the largest green power purchaser in the US and is piloting on-site industrial wind turbines, fuel cells and energy efficiency.  They have 170+ solar installations worldwide and a goal to have 1,000 by 2020.  Their goal is to reduce packaging by 5% by 2013 (using a 2008 baseline).  Walmart said that “suppliers can show sustainability leadership and help at https://www.walmartsustainabilityhub.com/

Asked which sector has responded most favorably to Walmart’s sustainability index they cited “real leadership from many categories – beer and wine, computers, cereals and others”.

Money quote from Walmart – “Our customers shouldn’t have to choose between products they love/can afford and green products.”

Link to Twitter Chat home page:  https://www.triplepundit.com/2012/11/walmart-sustainability-chat/

Hands on experience with new Amazon locker (Video) — “Who’s afraid of Amazon locker?” by Rocky Agrawal in Venture Beat:   “For the company that invented one-click ordering, the experience is surprisingly kludgy. The touch screen isn’t very responsive. (In the video, you can see where letters register incorrectly or don’t register at all.)  But despite my nitpicking of the user experience, this solves a real pain point for online commerce.”https://venturebeat.com/2012/11/12/whos-afraid-of-amazon-locker/#aBBhhVjKFgw72qvy.99”

“ShopRunner Takes On Amazon With Local Delivery System For Online Retail Purchases” by Leena Rao in Techcrunch:  “The company’s service offers an Amazon Prime-like unlimited, free two-day shipping service from a number of online retailers with no minimum order size. The company’s network includes Lord & Taylor, Toys R Us, Sports Authority, GNC, drugstore.com, inc., Borders, PetSmart and Newegg.com.”  https://techcrunch.com/2012/11/12/shoprunner-takes-on-amazon-with-local-delivery-system-for-online-retail-purchases/

“Rona Luring Lowe’s Back to Bid With CEO’s Exit” by Frederic Tomesco in Businessweek: ““As a shareholder, we hope that Mr. Dutton’s departure signals that the Rona board will be reassessing all avenues to unlock shareholder value,” Richard Fortin, Calgary-based portfolio manager at Bissett Investment Management, said in a telephone interview. “The obvious one is going back to the table with Lowe’s.”  https://www.businessweek.com/news/2012-11-12/rona-luring-lowe-s-back-to-bid-with-ceo-s-exit

“Target’s Black Friday to start at 9 p.m. Thanksgiving Day” by Chris Isidore in CNN Money:  “”We heard from our guests that they look forward to kicking off their holiday shopping with deal-hunting on Thanksgiving night,” said Kathee Tesija, executive vice president, merchandising, for Target. “Opening at 9 p.m. gives Target’s Black Friday guests a more convenient way to create an after-dinner shopping event that the entire family can enjoy.”  https://money.cnn.com/2012/11/12/news/companies/target-thanksgiving-opening/

“Apple retail stores most productive in US – by far” by Rik Myslewski in The Register: “According to a new study by the research firm Retail Sails, Apple’s real-world stores earned an average of $6,050 per square foot during the year ending in June. Tiffany pulled in a distant $3,017, and third-place yoga and running-gear purveyor lululemon athletica was far behind at $1,936.”  https://www.theregister.co.uk/2012/11/13/apple_retail_juggernaut/

“Lowe’s Iris Smart Kit Named as CES Innovations 2013 Design and Engineering Award Honoree.”  “Lowe’s entered the Smart Home market in July with the launch of its new, award- winning Smart Kit. Lowe’s offers three starter kits: Iris Safe & Secure, Iris Comfort & Control and Iris Smart Kit. Iris is available in more than 500 Lowe’s stores nationwide and on Lowes.com/Iris.”  https://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/home/permalink/?ndmViewId=news_view&newsLang=en&newsId=20121112006535&div=-1245645151

Eye-on-Retail Tipsheet 11/12/12

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“Rona president and CEO steps down after 20 years” from Maclean’s:  “One of Rona’s largest shareholders says the home-improvement retailer’s board should launch discussions with U.S. rival Lowe’s following the sudden departure of long-time chief executive Robert Dutton…”Clearly, retailing has changed dramatically and you’ve got a tremendous competitor in Home Depot… the best course would be probably to open up discussions with Lowe’s.”  https://www2.macleans.ca/2012/11/09/rona-president-and-ceo-steps-down-after-20-years/

Target CMO Jeff Jones speaks from the Forbes CMO Summit on “The New Rules of Engagement”; from Jennifer Rooney at Forbes (Video):  “For me the one thing is almost the validation that we’re all struggling with the one thing…what does engagement mean in today’s world…the reality is brands today and the concept of brand management which is really one about I as a marketer get to control my brand…it’s so clear that it (engagement) is at the center of what all of us are trying to think about…nobody has the perfect engagement model…we’re all struggling with the same thing but we know how important it is.”  https://www.forbes.com/sites/jenniferrooney/2012/11/10/behind-the-brand-why-target-got-revenge/

“How Home Depot Became a Pinterest Powerhouse” by Allison Boyer in blogworld:  “One might not at first think that power tools and lumber have a place on the Internet’s current social media darling, Pinterest, but this visual platform is being dominated by none other than Home Depot. Currently, Home Depot has over 12,000 profile followers on Pinterest.”  https://www.blogworld.com/2012/11/09/how-home-depot-became-a-pinterest-powerhouse-case-study/

“Walmart Black Friday Strike Being Organized Online For Stores Across U.S.” by Kathleen Miles at Huffington Post:  “Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving regarded as one of the biggest shopping days of the year, may be dramatically different this year.  Organizers are planning a nationwide strike against Walmart, the largest retailer in the world, and are banking on a new strategy: online organizing.”  https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/08/walmart-black-friday-strike-organized-online-video_n_2094698.html#slide=1605073

“Earnings Preview:  Home Depot 3Q Results” in Bloomberg Businessweek:  “Home Depot Inc., the nation’s largest home-improvement retailer, reports third-quarter results before the market opens on Tuesday…Analysts expect higher net income and revenue from the largest U.S. home-improvement retailer.”  https://www.businessweek.com/ap/2012-11-09/earnings-preview-home-depot-3q-results

For $100K you may be able to buy your own Sears Hometown & Outlet Store in Cleveland….“Sears eyes return with outlet store” by David Davis in Cleveland Daily Banner:  “Sears Hometown Stores regional development manager Jackie Adams said Tuesday that the retailer is looking for an entrepreneur in Cleveland to own and operate a store of about 10,000 square feet in size.”  https://www.clevelandbanner.com/view/full_story/20763963/article-Sears-eyes-return-with-outlet-store?instance=homefirstleft

Behind the Scenes of Target’s Holiday Commercial:  “We wanted to do something slightly different this year, so the notion of “Dream Big. Save bigger” was perfect.  This is also one of the first years where we’re really stressing the “Expect More. Pay Less” brand promise in every single commercial. We wanted to turn these commercials not just into a fantastical world, but into a world that everyone can afford.”  https://abullseyeview.com/video-bullseye-is-coming-to-town-behind-the-scenes-of-target-holiday-commercial/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=video-bullseye-is-coming-to-town-behind-the-scenes-of-target-holiday-commercial

“The Walmart Effect: 4 Best Practices for Dealing with that First Huge Order” by Christopher Koch in Forbes:  “When a small business gets its first big order it can seem like manna from heaven. But wipe those dollar signs out of your eyes because it’s really more like a shock to the system.”  https://www.forbes.com/sites/sap/2012/11/07/the-walmart-effect-4-best-practices-for-dealing-with-that-first-huge-order/

“7-Eleven, Radio Shack Lead List of Fastest Phone Responders” by Adam Blair in RIS:  ” A complementary study conducted in May 2012 found that consumers were 59% more likely to buy and 73% more likely to recommend a brand when their call was answered in less than one minute.”  https://risnews.edgl.com/retail-trends/7-Eleven,-RadioShack-Lead-List-of-Fastest-Phone-Responders83162

“Publix profits rise 18.1% from last year” by Kyle Kennedy at Ledger Media Group:  “You have to give people a reason to shop at your store, and you can’t be in the big middle (middle ground of supermarkets) anymore,” said George, chairman of St. Joseph’s food marketing department.”  https://www.newschief.com/article/20121109/NEWS/121109971/-1/news02?Title=Publix-profits-rise-18-1-from-last-year-

“Walmart Canada unveils first-of-its-kind supercube trailer” at Daily News:  “The extended semi-trailer of up to 60-ft, 6 inches provides about 28% more volume than the existing 53-ft semi-trailer with a floor that is lower, not actually higher, than a typical trailer currently in use.”  https://www.trucknews.com/news/walmart-canada-unveils-first-of-its-kind-supercube-trailer/1001824268/

 

Week at a Glance:

11/12

“Twitter Chat” with Walmart sustainability Exec Brooke Buchanan @5pm EST.  https://www.triplepundit.com/2012/11/walmart-sustainability-chat/

11/13

Home Depot Q3 earnings call @ 9:00am EST.  https://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=63646&p=irol-irhome&HD%20INVESTOR&viewTaskName=ExternalDirectView

CVS to present at Lazard Capital Markets 9th Annual Healthcare Conference @ 9:00am EST. https://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=99533&p=irol-EventDetails&EventId=4864716 

Dick’s Sporting Goods — conference call to discuss Q3 earnings @ 10:00am EST. https://www.dickssportinggoods.com/investors

Rite Aid to present at Morgan Stanley Global Consumer & Retail Conference November 13 @ 1:35 EST.  https://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/home/permalink/?ndmViewId=news_view&newsLang=en&newsId=20121109005892&div=-1245645151

 Walgreens  to present at Lazard Capital Markets 9th Annual Healthcare Conference @ 3:30pm EST.  https://investor.walgreens.com/

11/14

Rite Aid to present at Citi 2012 North American Credit Conference: @ 9:20am EST  https://www.riteaid.com/company/investors/presentations.jsf

11/15

Walmart Q3 earnings release @ 7:00am EST.  https://news.walmart.com/events/investors/fy2013-q3-earnings-release-4222642

Ross Stores Q3 earnings release and conference call @ 8:30am EST.  https://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/home/permalink/?ndmViewId=news_view&newsLang=en&newsId=20121108005460&div=-1245645151

Dollar Tree Q3 earnings conference call: @ 9am EST.   www.dollartreeinfo.com/investors/news/events.

Target Q3 earnings call @10:30am EST.  https://investors.target.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=65828&p=irol-EventDetails&EventId=4829614

Walgreens to present at Credit Suisse 2012 Healthcare Conference @1:30pm EST.  https://investor.walgreens.com/

 

 

 

Eye-on-Retail Tipsheet 11/9/12

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Walmart “Guarantees” Customers its Best Black Friday Ever.  “This year, Walmart will be kicking off its in-store specials at 8 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day, followed by its big electronics event at 10 p.m. and a weekend full of savings starting at 5 a.m. on Friday, November 23.”  https://news.walmart.com/news-archive/2012/11/08/walmart-guarantees-customers-its-best-black-friday-ever

“Twitter Chat” with Walmart sustainability Exec Brooke Buchanan on Monday, Nov. 12th @5pm EST: “The chat will be led by Brooke Buchanan, Director, Communications & Sustainability at Walmart, and will include other Walmart associates. CSRwire’s Editorial Director, Aman Singh, and Nick Aster will help facilitate the chat, providing an opportunity for journalists, bloggers, industry analysts and other interested parties to get an in-depth look at Walmart’s sustainability strategy.”  https://www.triplepundit.com/2012/11/walmart-sustainability-chat/

Family Dollar to Present at the Morgan Stanley 2012 Global Consumer Conference on Tuesday, Nov. 13th @2:45pm EST: “Family Dollar Stores, Inc. announced today that the Company will make a presentation to the investment community at the Morgan Stanley 2012 Global Consumer Conference.  A webcast of this presentation can be accessed through the Company’s website at https://corporate.familydollar.com in the “Investors” section under “Presentations & Webcasts.”   https://corporate.familydollar.com/pages/investors.aspx

“Target to showcase CNET reviews as it courts gadget shoppers” by Jessica Wohl in Reuters:  “The partnership between the discount chain and CNET, a website popular with gadget enthusiasts and known for its consumer electronics reviews, kicks off this week after a small test this spring showed that Target’s shoppers appreciated getting third-party reviews in stores.”  https://www.reuters.com/article/2012/11/08/target-cnet-idUSL1E8M560F20121108

“Sears launches a free-shipping program” by Thad Rueter in Internet Retailer — Like Amazon Prime, the service offers two-day shipping for $79 annually.  “The shipping also applies to items purchased from Kmart and the Sears Marketplace, a sales forum hosted by Sears. For 99 cents extra per order, program members can receive faster shipping. Consumers can try out a membership for 90 days for free.”  https://www.internetretailer.com/2012/11/05/sears-launches-free-shipping-program

Walgreens CFO to Present at Credit Suisse 2012 Health Care Conference on Thursday, Nov. 15 @1:30pm EST:  “Wade Miquelon, chief financial officer and president, international, Walgreen Co. will present during the Credit Suisse 2012 Health Care Conference at the Arizona Biltmore Hotel, Phoenix.  Miquelon will discuss Walgreens strategies for becoming America’s first choice for health and daily living.  Miquelon’s presentation will be webcast live and can be heard by visiting https://investor.walgreens.com/events.cfm.     https://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/home/permalink/?ndmViewId=news_view&newsLang=en&newsId=20121108006465&div=-1245645151

“Amazon unveils wine marketplace in some U.S. states” by Alistair Barr in Reuters:  “The service will be available to California, Connecticut, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Nevada, North Carolina, Oregon, Washington, Wyoming and the District of Columbia.  Amazon said more states will be added “soon.””  https://www.reuters.com/article/2012/11/08/us-amazon-wine-idUSBRE8A710Y20121108

“Staples lets Amazon use stores as package pickup points” by Allison Enright in Internet Retailer:  “A search today of Amazon.com for locker locations listed eight Staples stores with Amazon Lockers…The searches also returned 12 RadioShack locations in the San Francisco metro area as having Amazon Lockers.”  https://www.internetretailer.com/2012/11/08/staples-lets-amazon-use-stores-package-pick-points

“Rona’s weak results make Lowe’s deal less likely – analyst”  by Jonathan Ratner in Financial Post:  “…Unfortunately, the Canadian home improvement retailer’s earnings were so poor that the analyst was forced to reduce the probability that Lowe’s will pursue a transaction. Mr. Howlett now sees the odds of that happening at 33%, down from 60% previously.”  https://business.financialpost.com/2012/11/08/ronas-weak-results-make-lowes-deal-less-likely-analyst/

Wegmans to Open Italian Restaurant by Rachel Barnhart at WHAM 13 ABC (includes video clip):  “Wegmans plans to open its first-ever Italian restaurant in NY.”   https://www.13wham.com/news/local/story/wegmans/VtQTiVPyNUChqAiDj6vf-g.cspx?autoplay=1

 

 

Eye-on-Retail Thursday Tipsheet

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Eye-on-Retail

Retail Intel for the Vendor Community

11/8/12

“One on One with The Home Depot’s Carol Tome” from Womenetics.com:  Defining Success — “I like to refer to what Maya Angelou said about success: ‘Pursue the things you love doing and then do them so well that people can’t take their eyes off of you.’ And in terms of my legacy, I want them to say that I’ve put together an incredible team…”  https://www.womenetics.com/ROLE-MODELS/one-on-one-with-the-home-depots-carol-tome

“Walmart’s small stores take on local supermarkets” by Lisa Liddane with The Orange County Register: “The four Neighborhood Markets in Orange County represent about a seventh of Walmart’s total of 27 new small-format U.S. stores in fiscal year 2012. Next year, the company plans to open 80 more, according to Bill Simon, U.S. president and CEO of Wal-Mart Stores Inc. The company plans to have more than 500 Neighborhood Markets by fiscal year 2016.”  https://www.ocregister.com/articles/walmart-376846-stores-new.html

“Amazon Taunts Retailers, Netflix With $8-Per-Month Prime Plan” by Marcus Wohlson in Wired:  “Only a company as sprawling and powerful as Amazon could take a popular service, make it more expensive, and still reasonably expect that competitors will cringe at the move. Yet Netflix as well as retailers online and off all have reason to fret over Amazon’s recent decision to offer shoppers the option of paying $7.99 per month for Amazon Prime rather than a single $79 annual fee.”  https://www.wired.com/business/2012/11/amazon-monthly-prime-plan/

“Amazon Offers Global Selling Guide” by Julia Wilkinson in EcommerceBytes.com:  “The manual is a general outline of the various considerations sellers need to take into account when deciding to branch out by listing their inventory on Amazon’s international marketplaces, and the benefits of expanding their customer base to outside their home country.”  https://www.ecommercebytes.com/cab/abn/y12/m11/i07/s03

Barbara Thau in Forbes, “Dollar Chains Tap Smokes, Booze to Drive Sales, Fight Wal-Mart’s Small-Format Stores”: “Dollar stores have undergone an extreme makeover in recent years, emerging as the star performers of the retail sector amid a down economy. Now the nation’s biggest dollar chains are turning to so-called “sin items” to churn even more sales.” https://www.forbes.com/sites/barbarathau/2012/11/06/dollar-chains-tap-smokes-booze-to-drive-sales-fight-wal-marts-small-format-stores/

Lowe’s putting “quiet pressure” on Rona to sell in Canada?  —  “U.S. hardware chain Lowes aims to expand into Winnipeg”on CTV Winnipeg News:  “Earlier this year, Lowes failed in its bid to buy Canadian company Rona.  Cyrenne said acquiring Rona could be Lowes’ real motivation for setting up shop in a city like Winnipeg.”   https://winnipeg.ctvnews.ca/u-s-hardware-chain-lowes-aims-to-expand-into-winnipeg-1.1025365

“Rona Inc’s profit drops, says “progress interrupted”” by  Allison Martell in Reuters: “Lowe’s takeover proposal, which never made it to the formal offer stage, became a hot-button issue during this year’s provincial election in Quebec, where Rona has deep roots. Politicians from the incumbent Liberal Party and the election’s eventual winner, the Parti Quebecois, both opposed the plan.”  https://www.reuters.com/article/2012/11/07/us-rona-results-idUSBRE8A61JN20121107

NBC Today video footage from inside Home Depot’s Atlanta “war room” amid response to Sandy.  “About 350 people…take emergency orders, monitor news reports and social media and figure out how to stock stores in ravaged communities.” https://video.today.msnbc.msn.com/today/49672676#49672676

“Walmart and Mattel open a digital pop-up toy store” by Hollie Shaw with Financial Post:  “Consumers walking by the promotion in the PATH underground commuter walkway are able to scan QR codes to buy popular Mattel items this season from Barbie, Hot Wheels, and more. It includes free shipping.”  https://business.financialpost.com/2012/11/05/walmart-and-mattel-open-a-digital-pop-up-toy-store/

“Whole Foods’ freshness starting to wilt” by Ken Shreve in msn Money:  “…since the start of the bull market in March 2009, the stock has surged 700%. This prompts a question: Has the big money already been made?  https://money.msn.com/top-stocks/post.aspx?post=fd83b49e-8f43-4534-aec5-1ec7c6be3565

“Target to Close Four Underperforming Stores” by Jake Anderson in Twin Cities Business:  “Minneapolis-based Target Corporation, which is gearing up to open 125 stores in Canada and continues to add locations in the United States, said Wednesday that it is shuttering four underperforming U.S. stores.”  https://tcbmag.com/News/Recent-News/2012/November/Target-to-Close-Four-Underperforming-Stores