“Amazon Unveils Its Own Line of Diapers, Confirming Partners’ Biggest Fears” by Jason Del Rey at Recode. “By working directly with a manufacturer, Amazon will be able to price the brand aggressively, with a 40-count package of diapers starting at $7.99. That works out to about 19 cents a diaper, compared to competitor prices that mostly range from 24 cents to 34 cents.” Read more

 

“Target Employee’s Epic Black Friday Pep Talk Goes Viral” at RTV 6 ABC. “People of Target, brothers, sisters, hear me now,” he said. “They’re standing out there. Any moment now, those doors will be breached. Whatever comes through those gates, you will stand your ground with a smile on your face.”They come here with bargains in their heads and fire in their eyes and we shall give those bargains to them,” he continued.” See the video

 

“Kroger Q3 Comp Sales +5.6%” Read the release

 

“Kroger earnings surprise analysts, market reacts” by Steve Watkins at Cincy Bus. Courier. “Kroger’s sales climbed 11 percent to $25 billion. That also topped analysts’ estimates, which had called for sales of $24.8 billion.” Read more

 

…Three takeaways from Kroger’s earnings call by Steve Watkins at Cincy Bus. Courier. “1) The Harris Teeter acquisition is going swimmingly. Kroger has been able to cut prices, making it a popular move for customers. 2) Natural and organic items continue to be a home run, as do private label products. 3) Kroger keeps modifying its stores. Read more

 

“Dollar General Q3 Comp Sales +2.8%” “Importantly, we are seeing a significant step up as we start the holiday season, and we expect to achieve same-store sales growth of approximately 5 percent for the fourth quarter.” Read the release

 

…Dollar General CEO: Retailer is ‘committed as ever’ to Family Dollar acquisition by Jennifer Thomas at Charlotte Bus. Journal. “Thus far, Dollar General has spent $8.2 million related to its proposed acquisition of Family Dollar. It also has delayed share repurchases pending the outcome of those efforts.” Read more

 

…Dollar General Q3 Earnings Call Transcript via Seeking Alpha  Read the transcript

 

Dollar Tree Release: “Dollar General continues to refuse to agree to a “hell-or-high-water” commitment. Based on the foregoing concerns regarding the Pending Merger, Dollar Tree believes that the FTC may require divestitures far in excess of the 1,500 stores that Dollar General has offered to divest in its tender offer for Family Dollar.” Read the release

 

“Rite Aid November Front-End Sales +0.7%” “Total drugstore sales for the five-week period increased 5.6 percent to $2.571 billion compared to $2.434 billion for the same period last year. Prescription sales accounted for 69.7 percent of drugstore sales.” Read the release

 

“Walgreens Hires 1st Chief Merchandising Officer” by Corilyn Shropshire at Chicago Tribune. “Before a 15-month stint at Claire’s, (Linda) Filler was executive vice president and chief merchandising officer at Sam’s Club. She’s held several leadership roles at consumer brand companies, including vice president positions at Wal-Mart and Kraft Foods Group, according to a statement from Walgreen. Filler also has held leadership positions at Hanes Brands and Sara Lee Corp.” Read more

 

Sam’s Roz Brewer: How women can win a seat at the decision table by Phil Wahba at Fortune. “It is a reality—there are still so many inequities in the workplace—I see it everyday. They’re happening in companies,” said Brewer, who took the reins of Sam’s Club in 2012, adding that women routinely face bigger hurdles than their male counterparts. “I get tested every day.” Read more / See the video

 

“Amazon: Shop while you’re in the toilet” by David Goldman at CNN Money. “Amazon and Procter & Gamble want you to do business when you’re doing your business. The companies have partnered to place ads in public bathroom stalls across several U.S. cities. The ads show coupons for P&G products with barcodes that you can scan using the Amazon app. (Yes, they’re asking you to use your smartphone camera while in a public restroom.)” Read more

 

…“a whole new way to sit, shop and save.” by Barrett J. Brunsman at Cincy Bus. Courier. “How many people multitask on the toilet? An estimated 38 million Americans have shopped online while seated in a bathroom…Men were more likely to do so than women.” Read more

 

“Oops! Amazon sent this man $5K of free stuff” by Katie Little at CNBC. “The online retailer told the student, Robert Quinn, he could keep the stuff, saying “‘it’s on us.” The diverse haul includes a 55-inch Samsung 3D TV, leaf blower and ironing board. Quinn says he’s still receiving packages so he’s doesn’t think the error has been fixed.” Read more

 

“Sears to accelerate closings, shutter 235 stores” by Krystina Gustafson at CNBC. “Belus Capital Advisors analyst Brian Sozzi said the retailer likely needs to close another 200-plus locations in 2015.” Read more

 

“Michael Kors’ new NYC store is the talk of the town” by Alev Aktar at NY Post. “In mid-December, Michael Kors will open its biggest flagship in the world — a Michael megastore, if you will — at 520 Broadway in Soho. The boutique will feature three levels of Kors luxury.” Read the Kors interview

 

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