Tipsheet: Amazon SNAP Fighter | Michael’s -1.2% | Drexler Out | Hollar’s Pride
Michaels Q1 Comp Sales -1.2% “I am encouraged with the improving trend in customer transactions this quarter, especially given the headwinds we faced as we anniversaried last year’s coloring trend,” said Chuck Rubin, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.” Press release
HD Supply Q1 Net Sales +5.2% – Announces Sale of HD Supply Waterworks Business Unit Press release
Fred’s Q1 Total Pharmacy Comp +3.3% Press release
Lands’ End Q1 Comp Sales +2.1% / Revenue Dips “Retail segment net revenue decreased 2.8% to $40.0 million, as compared to the same period last year, primarily due to fewer Lands’ End Shops at Sears.” Press release
J.Crew’s Mickey Drexler to step down as CEO by Lisa Fickenscher & Josh Kosman at NY Post. “Drexler, whose 10 percent stake makes him the largest individual investor in J.Crew, will remain chairman of the New York company.” Read more
…Jim Brett Joins J.Crew as CEO “Mr. Brett most recently served as President of West Elm, a member of the Williams-Sonoma, Inc. portfolio..Mr. Brett was the Chief Merchandising Officer for the Urban Outfitters Division of Urban Outfitters, Inc.” Press release
Amazon offers Prime discount to those on government benefits via CNBC. “Amazon says customers who get benefits such as through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or food stamps, can pay $5.99 per month for membership.” Read more
…Takes direct aim at Wal-Mart by Laura Stevens & Sarah Nassauer at Wall Street Journal. “Wal-Mart generated about $13 billion in sales last year from shoppers using the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, accounting for around 18% of the money spent through the program nationwide.” Read more (subscription)
Cabela’s shareholders will vote July 11 on selling company to Bass Pro by Paige Yowell at Omaha World-Herald. Read more | Press release
Giant Eagle to offer up to 100 buyouts by Rachel Treisman at Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. “This is the second buyout Giant Eagle has offered in the last nine months, with the company eliminating 350 corporate positions through a mix of voluntary buyouts and layoffs last October.” Read more
**A message from the Internet Retailer Conference & Exhibition – Show Starts Today! Whether you’re focused on solutions in content or search marketing, maximizing your mobile commerce platforms or minimizing customer disengagement, you’ll find what you need at IRCE. Chicago McCormick Place West June 6-9. Website | Exhibitor list | Register now
Casey’s Q4 Grocery/Other Comp Sales +1.5% “Casey’s annual goal was to increase same-store sales 6.2%…”In spite of the pressures experienced by many in the industry, we continue to be a leader in same-store sales growth in this category” said (CEO) Handley.” Press release
Nearly two-thirds of U.S. internet users visited Amazon in the first quarter: Wells Fargo by Tonya Garcia at MarketWatch. Read more
Some of Amazon’s own brands are becoming super popular online by Jason Del Rey at Recode. “In batteries, for example, the AmazonBasics brand has become the most popular online, accounting for an estimated third of all digital sales in batteries as of last summer. In the baby wipe category, the Amazon Elements brand, which is two-and-a-half years old, holds an estimated 15 percent-plus of online market share — behind only Huggies and Pampers.” Read more
Mills Fleet Farm aims to double its size within 6 years by Rick Romell at Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. “Wisconsin, home to 18 Mills stores, will see a good share of that growth…That, and the strong possibility that Mills will expand into Illinois, could bring the retailer into closer competition with the similarly named but separate Blain’s Farm & Fleet.” Read more
Aldi’s in Australia: Shoppers can save almost $80 on a basket vs. leading supermarket brand products by Lucy Cormack at Sydney Morning Herald. Read more
IRI: Only 8% of U.S. shoppers have used a click-and-collect program but 82% would “definitely” or “probably” use it again Press release
Carl Icahn vs. AutoZone/O’Reilly/Advance Auto Parts by Josh Kosman at NY Post. “The billionaire investor is looking to acquire thousands of auto-repair shops, with the idea that they will buy products directly from his own distributor, AutoPlus, instead of the national car-parts chains, sources told The Post.” Read more
Ahold Delhaize Posts 10 Private Brand Jobs by Christopher Durham at My Private Brand. Read more
Shipt raises $40 million to challenge dominant grocery delivery startups by Jonathan Shieber at TechCrunch. “Shipt is looking to aggressively expand beyond the 47 metro areas and 20 million families it currently serves to roughly 100 cities within the next year. Astonishingly, the original crew of investors is essentially doubling down their $20 million investment from a little less than a year ago.” Read more
India overtakes China as the most promising market for retail expansion by Lauren Thomas at CNBC. “Vietnam was number six on the list, moving ahead five spots from last year as the country boasts more liberal investment laws. Also in Asia, Malaysia and Indonesia placed third and eighth place, respectively, the report said.” Read more
Amazon reportedly eyeing Android-based ‘Ice’ smartphone, possibly focused on India by Nat Levy at GeekWire. Read more
Apple finally wakes up to QR codes, but it’s too late by Jon Russell at TechCrunch. Read more
How the online Dollar store Hollar found success with thrifty millennial moms by Rina Raphael at Fast Company. “It fills us with a tremendous amount of pride that 80% of the shipments being sent out of our warehouse is to outside California and New York,” Yeom adds. “It’s going to Middle America. And we embrace it.” Read more
Tipsheet Extra Stories
Heidi Klum’s fashion label strikes deal with grocery store chain
Cabela’s hometown has ‘lost a lot of people’ amid pending sale to Bass Pro
Possible Marsh buyer could be known soon
Watch eBay’s new TV ad that fires a shot at the Amazon-ification of online shopping
Jury awards Kim Lund $45.2M for her stake in Lunds & Byerlys
Seattle City Council passes sugary drink tax with loopholes for small businesses (and diet)
ABC “Pink Slime” Trial Opens With Scathing Attacks on Media Bias
Kroger delays store construction across Cincinnati region
***
Eye on Retail Tipsheet is must-read material for 20,000+ retail execs every weekday morning. Tipsheet stories are carefully curated bright and early every morning to ensure fresh and unique content.
Subscribe to Eye on Retail Tipsheet here
Contact us: Send story tips, press releases and advertising inquiries to info@eyeonretail.net
Website: www.eyeonretail.net