Tipsheet: Costco +20.6% | Amazon ZenBooth | T.Joe’s #5 New Grads
Costco Q3 comp sales (ex. gas & f/x) +20.6% / U.S. +18.2% / Canada +32.3% / Other Int’l +22.9% / Ecom +41.2% Press release
…Costco says free samples and food courts will fully return by June at USA Today. “About 170 of Costco’s approximately 550 locations will bring back full sampling by the first week of June, with the rest of locations returning to full sampling by the end of June.” Read more
…Costco earnings call transcript Seeking Alpha
Gap Q1 comp sales +28% vs. 2020 and +13% vs. 2019 Press release
…Gap CEO says the retailer’s ‘cool’ factor and Walmart’s scale make tie-up the perfect match at CNBC Mad Money. “For Gap, it marks the first time the company has ventured into a category outside of apparel as it looks for opportunities to license its globally recognized brand name…“What we’re doing is restructuring the business model of how we monetize the [Gap] brand,” she added.” Video/Read more
Ulta Beauty Q1 comp sales +65.9% vs. 2020 and +7.0% vs. 2019 Press release
Hibbett Sports Q1 comp sales +87.3% vs. fiscal ’21 and +51.4% vs. fiscal ’20 Press release
**A message from Comfy Sacks – Shredded foam bean bag sales continue their meteoric sales growth! Grab your share of this high growth category and add some “wow” and high dollar ring to your assortment. Easy onboard / Retail ready. Website | Sample: info@eyeonretail.net
2021 Best Employers for New Grads (Trader Joe’s #5, Costco #9, Publix #59) at Forbes. List/Read more
Instacart speeds up grocery orders with ‘Priority Delivery’ option at TechCrunch. “When the basket size grows larger or the order becomes more complicated, the app will update to display that the 30-minute window is no longer available and display the new delivery time. Instacart hasn’t yet finalized its pricing for the service, but Priority Delivery will carry an upcharge of some kind.” Read more
CVS to offer sweepstakes for COVID vaccine recipients at USA Today. “..a variety of prizes, including a trip to the Super Bowl, $5,000 to fund a family reunion, cruises or cash.” Read more
Sheetz Becomes First C- Store Chain to Accept Bitcoin Press release
Amazon rolls out kiosk for overwhelmed employees to use at Daily Dot. “Known simply as the “ZenBooth,” the new apparatus, according to a video released by the company on Wednesday, is an “interactive kiosk where you can navigate through a library of mental health and mindful practices to recharge that internal battery.” Read more
On-demand grocery startup Food Rocket launches in the Bay Area at TechCrunch. Read more
Tipsheet Extra
Longtime Amazon HR leader joins Snap
What Makes Amazon Fresh’s Onboarding Process Tick?
U.S. inflation surges in April; consumer spending moderates
Gas shortage? 20% to 25% of tanker trucks are currently parked due to a lack of drivers
Philly restaurant institutes $100 minimum policy
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