Target names former PepsiCo exec Jim Lee as new chief financial officer at CBS News. “Lee has over 25 years of experience at PepsiCo, where he was most recently the company’s deputy chief financial officer. He will succeed Michael Fiddelke, Target’s chief operating officer.” Read more

 

…Get to Know Jim Lee, Target’s New CFO “Lee: ‘I have three kids ranging in age from 12 to 17. All of them, along with my wife, are accomplished classical musicians. So, much of my free time is spent with them, driving them to different commitments related to their music. Outside of that, I like to exercise every day. I also enjoy the strategy and probabilities in the occasional game of poker and am a big sports fan.'” Read more

 

Walmart Unveils its Holiday Plans “Beginning Oct. 8 at 12 a.m. ET on Walmart.com and the app, Walmart+ members get exclusive early access to shop the most-wanted deals, 12 hours earlier than anyone else…” Press release

 

Amazon introduces Amelia, an AI assistant for third-party sellers at CNBC. “…it’s launching the product, called Amelia, in beta for select U.S. sellers, before introducing it more broadly later this year. Amazon describes it as an “all-in-one, generative-AI based selling expert,” and is making it accessible through Seller Central, the internal dashboard for third-party merchants.” Read more

 

Mastercard: US holiday sales to grow again with promotions in focus at Reuters. “U.S. retail sales are expected to rise 3.2% in the holiday season as companies look to deals to attract thrifty shoppers during a shorter-than-usual shopping window this year…In comparison, retail sales rose 3.1% between Nov. 1 and Dec. 24 of 2023, according to the report from Mastercard…” Read more

 

Amazon’s New ‘Shark Tank’-Style Show Gives Winners Top Billing in Its Store at WSJ. “Coming soon: Amazon.com sellers duking it out on TV to get their wares prime placement at the world’s largest online retailer. Think “Shark Tank” meets Home Shopping Network. The e-commerce giant plans to introduce a new competition show next month in which entrepreneurs pitch their products to a studio audience as well as to judges including Amazon executives and celebrities like Goop founder Gwyneth Paltrow and designer Christian Siriano. Finalists will have their inventions sold in a new Amazon “Buy It Now” online store, and the winner of each episode will earn $20,000.” WSJ subs. 

 

…Contestants sue MrBeast and Amazon over alleged conditions on reality competition show at Variety. “While participants knew upon signing the contract at the production’s inception that they were facing a potentially long and challenging competition, they allege getting a lot more than they bargained for,” attorneys for the anonymous “Beast Games” contestants said in a statement about the lawsuit. “Several contestants ending up hospitalized, while others reported suffering physical and mental complications while being subjected to chronic mistreatment, degradation and, for the female contestants, hostile working conditions.” Read more

 

***A message from Su Salsa: It’s time for lime in your salsa set! Lime flavored foods are everywhere…but lime flavored salsas aren’t. Su Salsa Mild delivers a “hint of lime” flavor with a jalapeno kick. High-impact lime green label pops at shelf. Learn more/See the label. Sample request: info@eyeonretail.net

 

Walmart will now let you ‘Shop with Friends’ from home at Fast Company. “…lets users choose from a set of models to find one that looks like them, then assemble a virtual fitting room of outfits they’re potentially interested in. Then, they can see how the outfits look on their chosen model and generate a link to their fitting room to share by text, email, or social media, letting friends weigh in on which outfits to get.” Read more

 

Amazon is using generative AI to drive more same-day shipping at CNBC. “During an exclusive tour of Amazon’s largest California sort center, located in Tracy, Armato told CNBC that 60% of Prime orders in March were delivered the same day or next day in the top 60 metropolitan areas in the U.S. Amazon is betting on generative AI to increase that figure.” Read more/Video

 

Walmart used 3D printing tech for a supercenter expansion at Talk Business. “Walmart teamed up with Greely, Colo.-based Alquist 3D to build a new 8,000-square-foot concrete structure in Tennessee that stands 20-feet tall via 3D printing. It is the one of the largest freestanding, 3D-printed commercial structures in the U.S, the retail giant said. The new building is an extension to the Walmart Supercenter in Athens, Tenn., and will be used to for online pickup and delivery services. It’s the first time Walmart has used 3D technology in commercial construction.” Read more

 

Former Zulily workers sue Seattle’s one-time e-commerce darling at Seattle Times. “The workers…allege the company did not provide remote workers with enough advanced notice of coming layoffs.” Read more

 

Amazon raises pay to more than $22 an hour, gives free Prime to transportation workers at Fast Company

 

Sam’s Club boosting pay for 100K frontline workers at NY Post. “Under Sam’s Club’s new plan, “hourly wages will progress faster in their pay range, expanding the increase to between 3% and 6% based on years of service.” The average hourly rate for Sam’s Club associates is anticipated to be above $19. The company also announced that its also giving associates the “potential to earn thousands of dollars annually in bonuses.” Read more

 

After Shark Tank, Mark Cuban Just Wants to Break Shit—Especially the Prescription Drug Industry Wired/Q&A

 

Big Lots: 47 more stores across 19 states to close; total closures surpass 300 at The Hill