Jeff Bezos carries out inaugural space voyage at Reuters. “Bezos gave a thumbs-up sign from inside the capsule after landing on the desert floor before stepping out, wearing a cowboy hat and blue flight suit, and giving company employees high fives.” Read more

 

US home construction jumps 6.3% in June at AP. “Home construction starts rose 12.6% in the West and 9.7% in the South, offsetting high single-digit declines in the Northeast and Midwest. Applications for building permits, which are used to forecast future activity, declined 5.1% in June to a seasonally adjusted rate of 1.59 million units.” Read more

 

Salesforce projects retailers will pay $223 billion extra for goods in the second half at CNBC. “The amount represents a 62% increase from last year. It’s comprised of an additional $12 billion spent with suppliers, $48 billion more in wage expenses and $163 billion extra in logistics costs.” Read more

 

Costco reverses course and will keep senior hours at USA Today. “Starting the week of July 26, the reserved shopping time at most clubs for senior shoppers, members with disabilities or immunocompromised will be 9 to 10 a.m. Tuesday and Thursday.” Read more

 

Amazon will end onsite COVID-19 testing at its US warehouses at The Verge. “The company confirmed to The Verge that it will begin ramping down its testing operations in the US by July 30th.” Read more

 

Rent the Runway confidentially files for IPO at CNBC. Read more

 

**A message from Comfy Sacks – High-end bean bags drive category 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

 

Tiffany and Costco settle ring lawsuit after 8 years at Fox Business. “Lawyers for both companies asked for the case to be dismissed in the U.S. District Court in Manhattan on Monday, and David Bernstein, an attorney for Costco, said in an email that the parties have “amicably resolved their dispute.” Read more

 

Urban c-store chain Foxtrot to open 50 new stores in the next two years at CSP. “The brand is currently in Chicago, Washington, D.C., and Dallas, and it will be adding New York; Austin, Texas; Boston; Miami; Los Angeles; Houston and others to the roster.” Read more

 

Uber partners with Albertsons at The Verge. “Uber has more than doubled the number of cities where it delivers groceries, marking the first major expansion of the new service since its launch last year. The company’s on-demand and scheduled grocery delivery is now available in 400 cities, including key markets like New York City, San Francisco, and Washington, DC.” Read more

 

Israel PM warns Unilever of ‘severe consequences’ from Ben & Jerry’s decision at Reuters. “Israel warned consumer goods giant Unilever Plc on Tuesday of “severe consequences” from a decision by subsidiary Ben & Jerry’s to stop selling ice cream in Israeli-occupied territories, and urged U.S. states to invoke anti-boycott laws.” Read more

 

…Big Apple supermarket chain Morton Williams has decided to severely curb its sales and marketing of Ben & Jerry ice cream at NY Post. “Morton Williams Supermarkets resolved to reduce the Ben & Jerry’s products it sells in its 16 stores by 70 percent, The Post has learned. The supermarket’s board also agreed to stop promoting the ice cream in its weekly circulars, and to demote Ben & Jerry’s to the “least desirable locations” of its freeze aisles…” Read more

 

Nordstrom pivots as shopper habits change during pandemic at AP. “Q. Which trends from the pandemic will remain and how are you reacting? A. So casual, athleisure, denim. We are scrambling to get after what the new suit is. It may not be the same suit that it was. It’s a sport coat and it’s a pair of jeans. It’s an interesting time to try and react to very quickly changing customer needs.” President Q&A

 

Tractor Supply Q2 comp sales +10.5% Press release

 

Walmart, Ikea, and Amazon have a dirty shipping problem at The Verge. “The report looks at greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution caused by shipping piles of cargo around the world and ranks the top 15 biggest polluters by company. Walmart tops the list, generating more greenhouse gas emissions than a coal-fired power plant would in a year. Ashley Furniture, Target, Dole, and Home Depot round out the top five. Ikea and Amazon ranked 7 and 8, respectively.” List/Read more

 

Tipsheet Extra

Amazon endorsed legal weed. Will it now fight to make it happen?

Apple pushes back return to offices due to rising COVID cases

Victoria’s Secret vows to revive and revamp its infamous fashion show

Taco Bell is hit with nationwide ingredient shortages

Jeff Bezos says first spaceflight was ‘tiny little step’ in plan to build a road to space

Read Tipsheet Extra Stories

 

**

Subscribe to Eye on Retail Tipsheet here

 

Contact us: Put your product or service in front of the most powerful retail execs in the world, send advertising inquiries to info@eyeonretail.net

 

Website: eyeonretail.net