Big Brands’ Dash for Amazon Cash Is No Joke by Jack Neff at Ad Age. “Prime members’ conversion rates — or the percent of visitors to the site who end up buying — is just over 60%, Mr. Caine said. “When you look at those same people, they’re converting at a rate of only 6% when they visit Walmart.com.” Read more

 

Dick’s CEO addresses golf commitment in letter to customers: “We remain 100% committed to the golf business going forward” Read the full message

 

Rite Aid March Comp Sales +4.3% (Front-End Comp +2.5%) Read the release

 

Meijer announces $50M makeover of 4 Dayton-area stores by Mark Fisher at Dayton Daily News. “Meijer officials said the remodeled supercenters will boast reconfigured floor plans that will allow for expanded selections in departments throughout the store. The new pharmacies will be relocated near the front of the stores, and a new “Baby Center” will cater to expectant parents.” Read more

 

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‘Target Cart Basketball’ Video Goes Viral  See the video

 

Nordstrom Family Sued Over Aircraft Fleet by Angel Gonzalez at Seattle Times. “The complaint alleges that Nordstrom, which itself owns two planes, manages and services eight other aircraft owned by members of the extended Nordstrom family. Their private fleet today includes a single-engine turboprop and four floatplanes. In addition, the company leases from the family a pair of business jets — a Bombardier CL-600 and a Cessna 560.” Read more

 

Cabela’s Explores Possibility of an Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada, Location Read the release

 

Lumber Liquidators: 10,000 customers asked for air test kits at AP via San Jose Mercury News. Read more

 

Charlotte: Walmart  & Harris Teeter still on top of local grocery scene, but both lose share by Katherine Peralta at Charlotte Observer. “Walmart commanded a 19.8 percent share of the local grocery market, down from 22.4 percent the prior year, data released this week from sales-tracking firm Chain Store Guide show. At No. 2, Harris Teeter’s market share also decreased, down to 19.7 percent from 20.4 percent.” Read more

 

Cub Foods rolls out special needs-designed carts by Nick Halter at Minn./St.Paul Business Journal. “Cub says this month’s roll-out is the first among Minnesota grocers. They were tested in the Maple Grove store last year but should be in all 76 Twin Cities stores and one Illinois store by the end of April.” Read more

 

Wal-Mart and other retailers struggle to tweak private label prices, offerings by Kim Souza at The City Wire. “A price study conducted in March by Raymond James & Associates found Wal-Mart’s Great Value basket to be 21.7% cheaper than the basket with comparable national brands, down from 23% savings in February and a 24.2% savings in March 2014.” Read more

 

HarperCollins, Amazon appear on a collision course at Puget Sound Business Journal. Read more

 

Time: America’s Most Popular Supermarket Is Also Its Least Loved by Brad Tuttle. Read more

 

Target Canada Employee Pens Letter – Don’t Treat Our Stores as Junk Shop by Gill Barathy at The StarPhoenix. “They think nothing of dumping their unwanted items all over the store or on the floor. The amount of theft that has occurred is unbelievable. People must be of the opinion that it doesn’t matter if they steal because “the store’s closing anyway,” but it does matter.” See the pic / Read more

 

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Eye-on-Retail Tipsheet is created early every weekday morning and read by retail merchants and executives worldwide. We love data, earnings reports, executive presentations and stories off the beaten path that get at what’s happening in the world of retail. Contact us at info@shiftmarketinggroup.net.