Eye-on-Retail Tipsheet 2/28/13: Walmart last in customer satisfaction; Target tops
“Walmart ranks dead last in customer satisfaction in Discount stores and Supermarkets according to ACSI’s National Customer Satisfaction Benchmark” See the rankings at: https://www.theacsi.org/acsi-results/acsi-benchmarks-february
“Target Earnings Top Forecasts, Despite Holiday Weakness” at CNBC. “After the earnings announcement, the company’s shares initially rose in pre-market trading, but shares have since given up their gains on investor concern over Target’s ability to reach its forecast, given its large-scale expansion plans in Canada. The discount retailer plans to open its first store in Canada this year, and eventually expand to 124 stores.” Read more: https://www.cnbc.com/id/100497566
“Survey: Showrooming a threat to Costco, too” by Amy Martinez at The Seattle Times. “A new study by Seattle startup Placed identifies home-goods chain Bed Bath & Beyond as most at risk of becoming a showroom for Amazon, followed closely by PetSmart and Toys R Us. The survey — based on responses from nearly 15,000 U.S. consumers, as well as an analysis of their movements through the physical world — also puts Issaquah-based Costco Wholesale on notice that its customers have no qualms about showrooming.” Read more: https://seattletimes.com/html/businesstechnology/2020438998_ecommerceshowroomingxml.html
“Amazon’s Merchandising of Its Search Results Doesn’t Violate Trademark Law” by Eric Goldman at Forbes. “Many of us have had the experience of going to Amazon to buy one thing but checking out with a huge shopping cart of items that we didn’t initially seek—or even know were available. Amazon’s merchandising often benefits Amazon’s customers, but trademark owners who lose sales to their competition due to it aren’t as thrilled. Fortunately for Amazon, a California federal court recently upheld Amazon’s merchandising practices in its internal search results.” Read more: https://www.forbes.com/sites/ericgoldman/2013/02/26/amazons-merchandising-of-its-search-results-doesnt-violate-trademark-law/
“Nearly Six-in-Ten U.S. Adults Report Potentially Higher Shipping Costs Won’t Deter Them From Shopping Online, Finds New CouponCabin.com Survey” “For those who still continue to click and buy, their typical online shopping behavior will shift to sites that offer free shipping. Nearly three-in-four (73 percent) U.S. adults are more likely to shop online at a website that offers free shipping as opposed to one that doesn’t.” Read more: https://media.prnewswire.com/en/jsp/latest.jsp?resourceid=6382176&access=EH
“This Amazing 3-D Desktop Was Born at Microsoft” by Ryan Tate at Wired. “The history of computer revolutions will show a logical progression from the Mac to the iPad to something like this SpaceTop 3-D desktop, if computer genius Jinha Lee has anything to say about it. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology grad student earned some notice last year for the ZeroN, a levitating 3-D ball that can record and replay how it is moved around by a user. Now, following an internship at Microsoft Applied Science and some time off from MIT, Lee is unveiling his latest digital 3-D environment, a three-dimensional computer interface that allows a user to “reach inside” a computer screen and grab web pages, documents, and videos like real-world objects.” Read more: https://www.wired.com/business/2013/02/amazing-3d-desktop/?goback=%2Egde_145854_member_217841275
“Walmart Sales Near Half a Trillion Dollars, But Amazon’s Still Winning” by Marcus Wohlsen at Wired. “As others have pointed out, “delivering” in this case would likely mean Walmart is on track to meet or exceed the $9 billion online sales goal Ashe set at Walmart’s shareholders’ meeting in October. (Walmart doesn’t break out its online sales figures separately.) In many contexts, that’s a lot of money. But not in the context of $466 billion. Walmart undoubtedly looks at that $9 billion and sees nowhere to go but up. The other figure they’re looking at is $61 billion: Amazon’s net sales for its most recent fiscal year. According to the most recent Internet Retailer estimates, Staples is the only other company that has exceeded $9 billion in online sales. Amazon so vastly outstrips all other comers, including Walmart’s online operation, that it in some ways appears to have the market locked. But if anyone can challenge Jeff Bezos’ battering ram, it’s likely the only other company besides Exxon that can say “a half-trillion dollars” with a straight face.” Read more: https://www.wired.com/business/2013/02/walmart-nears-half-trillion/
“Home Depot buys ThrilloftheGrill.com from Mike Mann for $30,000” at Domain Name Wire. “Earlier this month Mike Mann posted on his Facebook page that he sold the domain ThrillOfTheGrill.com for a sizzling $30,000. Now the sale through partner Sedo has gone through and we know who the buyer is: Home Depot.” Read more: https://domainnamewire.com/2013/02/27/home-depot-buys-thrillofthegrill-com-from-mike-mann-for-30000/#sthash.1T1f8426.dpuf
“Walmart Expands Solar Installations in Hawaii” “Walmart and SunEdison today announced the completion of new solar power installations in the islands at three Walmart stores in Kahului, Kailua-Kona and Kapolei, doubling the total number of stores in Hawaii powered by renewable solar energy. The installations contribute to the company’s broader aspirational goal of being supplied 100 percent by renewable energy. Similar installations are already in operation atop the Honolulu Sam’s Club and Mililani Walmart on Oahu, and the Lihue Walmart on Kauai.” Read more: https://media.prnewswire.com/en/jsp/latest.jsp?resourceid=6387775&access=EH
“Sears Canada Reports Fourth Quarter Earnings and Full-Year Results” “Sears Canada Inc. today announced its unaudited fourth quarter and full-year results. Total revenues for the 14-week period ended February 2, 2013 were $1,298.0 million versus $1,365.9 million for the 13-week period ended January 28, 2012, a decrease of 5.0%. Same store sales for the quarter decreased 3.8%.” Read more: https://media.prnewswire.com/en/jsp/latest.jsp?resourceid=6382187&access=EH
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