Home Depot welcomed Arthur Blank at its 2016 annual meeting by Maria Saporta at Atlanta Business Chronicle. “It was only the second annual meeting Blank attended since he left the company in 2002…After the meeting, Blank was asked how the meeting compared to when he and Marcus were leading the company. “This is different,” Blank said. “We were kind of loud and ruckus.” Read more

 

Target tests in-store Which Wich shops by Nick Halter at Minneapolis/St.Paul Business Journal. “(Target) has installed Which Wich in nine California stores as part of its LA25 program. Target is using 25 Los Angeles stores to test concepts ranging from online order pickup counters to new grocery displays.” Read more

 

…Target Using California Stores As Retail Labs To Test “Enhancements” by Ashlee Kieler at Consumerist. “Each location features 35 enhancements that include, among other things, stylish apparel fixtures, better-lit fresh produce sections, an emphasis on organic products, service stations expedited online order pick ups, and department specialists.” See the pics / Read more

 

Gap closes 75 stores outside North America via USA Today. “The closures include 53 Old Navy stores in Japan, Gap said.” Read more

 

…Gap Q1 Comp Sales -5.0% Read the release

 

Nordstrom has cut about 200 jobs and there’s another 200 cuts coming by Coral Garnick at Puget Sound Business Journal. “During Nordstrom’s annual shareholder meeting Thursday the company said it has cut “just about half” of the roughly 400 positions it plans to cut in Seattle by the end of July.” Read more

 

Nordstrom Expands Loyalty Program Read the release

 

Inside the New Apple Retail Store Design by Alex Webb at Bloomberg. “The flagship location, opening Saturday on San Francisco’s Union Square, boasts 40-foot-tall doors opening onto the square and comprises five departments, or what Apple prefers to call “features.”.” See the pics / Read more

 

**A message from 2016 Sweets & Snacks Expo – Last Chance to Register! The Expo has shown over 20% exhibitor growth this year. More exhibitors mean more new products for you! Do more business in three days at the Expo than you could all year. Find your next best-seller at the New Product Showcase with more new candy and snacks than ever before. Don’t miss out… register now to save over $200 on registration! May 24-26, 2016 McCormick Place – Chicago.

 

Macy’s workers prepare to strike over pay, health benefits by Kerry Burke & Reuven Blau at NY Daily News. “Midtown, Queens, Bronx and White Plains store employees authorized a strike if a contract is not negotiated by June 15. Their contract expired May 1.” Read more

 

Shoe Carnival Q1 Comp Sales +2.7% Read the release

 

HOW DID THE BIKES GET INTO COSTCO MYSTERY – ASI investigating how Costco got some SE Bikes via Bicycle Retailer. “Unfortunately this is a pretty common occurrence with this particular retailer and many brands have shown up there,” said Simone. ” This type of sale violates the SE dealer/distributor agreement and will lead to the termination of this dealer or distributor.” Read more

 

Former Saks CEO on CNBC: Big retailers must ‘fundamentally transform’ by Emily Balan at CNBC. “I think the big stores — like the Macy’s 34th Street, the Saks on Fifth Ave — they will be fine. They’re going to be fundamental to the idea of providing the experience, but they’ve got to change.” See the video / Read more

 

Sleep Number Opens 500th U.S. Store Read the release

 

Wal-Mart’s CEO calls e-commerce growth too slow by Sandra Guy at Internet Retailer. “The retailer’s global e-commerce sales grew 7% in fiscal Q1 2017.” Read more

 

Ross Stores Q1 Comp Sales +2.0% Read the release

 

The average age for a child getting their first smartphone is now 10.3 years by Jay Donovan at TechCrunch. “Tablets have surged from 26% to 55% usage as kids’ device of choice during car rides. Smartphones trail at 45%…64% of kids have access to the Internet via their own laptop or tablet, compared to just 42% in 2012.” Read more

 

Hibbett Sports Q1 Comp Sales +1.1% Read the release

 

Just when you thought the ‘Frozen’ craze was over… by Michael Riedel at NY Post. “Break out your tap shoes, Elsa, you’re coming to Broadway!…The Walt Disney Co. held a top-secret reading of the stage version of “Frozen” last week — and word around the Magic Kingdom is that the show has the potential to be a “Lion King”-size blockbuster.” Read more

 

Tipsheet Extra Stories

P&G employee was on missing EgyptAir flight

This Wal-Mart tactic should send shivers across retail

Kroger employees at 41 stores vote to go on strike

Retailers Win Big in Idaho Potato Commission Contest

‘Today’ staff at war over Natalie Morales’ dressing room

Read Tipsheet Extra Stories

 

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