Friday’s Eye-on-Retail Tipsheet: Kroger Comps Up 3.3% | Wmart’s Sustainability Mtg | DC Kills Wage Bill

 

“Breaking:  Retail sales fall short, up 0.2 percent in August” at CNBC.”  “U.S. retail sales rose less than expected in August even as demand increased for automobiles and other big-ticket items, the latest sign that economic growth slowed in the third quarter.  The Commerce Department said on Friday retail sales increased 0.2 percent last month as Americans bought automobiles, furniture and electronics and appliances.  However, they cut back on clothing, building materials and sporting goods.”  Read more

 

“Kroger Q2 Comps Up 3.3%” at Supermarket News.  “Net income for the quarter was up 13.6%, to $317 million, and sales rose 4.6%, to $22.7 billion.  The quarter marked Kroger’s 39th consecutive increase in same-store sales.”  Read more

 

“Wal-Mart highlights sustainable efforts” by Kim Souza at City Wire.  “Wal-Mart on Thursday (Sept. 12) held its annual Global Sustainability Milestone meeting in Bentonville and presented nine initiatives that have raised the company’s overall sustainability index reading by 12% in the past year…Jason Long, a supplier consultant in St.Louis with Shift Marketing Group, said Wal-Mart has put some teeth into their sustainability efforts…”I’m hearing more and more from suppliers who are trying to understand and demystify the sustainability scorecard requirements”  Read more

 

“Wal-Mart announces phase-out of hazardous chemicals” by Wendy Koch at USA Today.  “Prodded by health and environmental advocates, Wal-Mart announced Thursday that it will require suppliers to disclose and eventually phase out 10 hazardous chemicals from the fragrances, cosmetics, household cleaners and personal care products at its stores.”  Read more

 

“DC Mayor Kills Wage Bill Affecting Walmart” by Ben Nuckols at AP via Breitbart.  “Washington’s mayor has vetoed a bill that would force Wal-Mart and other large retailers to pay their employees a “living wage” of at least $12.50 an hour.  Mayor Vincent Gray says in a statement that the legislation is “not a true living-wage bill.” The Democratic mayor also calls it a “job killer,” saying large retailers would avoid opening stores in the District of Columbia if it became law.”  Read more

 

“Harris Teeter & Bi-Lo Purchase 29 Piggly Wiggly Locations”  “The acquisitions will give Harris Teeter more Charleston-area stores than its Florida-based rival Publix Super Markets, which operates 12 grocery stores in the area. Publix has been moving into Harris Teeter’s home turf in North Carolina with the opening of a Charlotte-based division.  Harris Teeter is itself being acquired for more than $2.4 billion by The Kroger Co., a deal expected to close later this year.”  Read more

 

“Staples Announces New Development Center in Seattle to Expand e-Commerce Capabilities”  “Staples is changing the way customers shop online,” said Faisal Masud, executive vice president, global e-commerce, Staples. “Seattle is an innovation hub rivaling Silicon Valley and features some of the world’s biggest technology companies. Staples new Development Center will allow us to tap into the wide range of talented engineering and e-commerce professionals on the West Coast.”.  Read more

 

“How Walmart’s Walton family holds onto their billions” by Zachary Mider at Bloomberg News via Financial Post.  “Wal-Mart Stores Inc. heiress Alice Walton founded Crystal Bridges in 2011 in a wooded ravine next to her childhood home, supplying dozens of paintings from her personal collection. Bankrolled by more than US$1-billion in donations from her family, the museum attests to the Waltons’ generosity and vast wealth. It’s also a monument to their skill at preserving that fortune across generations.”  Read more

 

“New Research Debunks ‘Showrooming’ Myths”  “Some of the key takeaways of the report include:  Showrooming isn’t just for the Millennial Generation: Contrary to popular belief, 74% of M-(Mobile) shoppers are older than 29 years old.  Mobile devices can actually improve the chances of an in-store purchase: More than 50% of M-Shoppers are more likely to purchase a product in-store when their mobile device helps them find online reviews, information, or trusted advice.”  Read more

 

“Target Announces LEED Certification for Additional 44 Stores” at Digital Journal.  “This announcement means that all 68 newly launched Target locations have been awarded LEED certification – a first for a major retailer in Canada.  Target is pursuing LEED certification for all 124 stores scheduled to open in Canada this year.”  Read more

 

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Have a great weekend!