Tipsheet: GNC S.Bowl Ad Rejected | JCP CEO “Father of the Year” | Wmart Free 2-Day | S.Mart Hires H.Bay Vet

 

Walmart launches free, 2-day shipping without a membership on purchases of $35 or more by Sarah Perez at TechCrunch. “As a result of the move, Walmart says that ShippingPass customers will receive a refund on their membership, since the program is no longer required in order to take advantage of free shipping.” Read more

 

GNC Super Bowl Commercial Rejected by NFL by Judann Pollack & Nathan Skid at Ad Age. “Jeff Hennion, exec VP-chief marketing and e-commerce officer at GNC, said the NFL objected to its commercial because fewer than 3% of its products include two of the 162 substances banned by the league. According to Mr. Hennion, the NFL has approval rights over commercials in the big game.” Read more

 

H&M rolls back new store openings by Matthias Verbergt at MarketWatch. “H&M said it was abandoning its target of opening 10% to 15% more physical stores each year…and instead targeting local-market sales growth both online and off.” Read more

 

Walgreens extends deadline for Rite Aid merger after price cut by Josh Kosman at NY Post. “Walgreen announced the purchase price will be cut from $9 a share to $7 a share if it needs to sell 1,000 or fewer Rite Aid stores to gain approval. It said it will cut the price to $6.50 if regulators force a sale of up to 1,200 stores. In exchange, Walgreens extended the merger agreement to July 31.” Read more

 

Wal-Mart Stores approves Furner’s new contract as Sam’s Club CEO at Talk Business. “At the current share price of $65.66, the equity-based stock awards vesting in 2018 have a potential value of $4.658 million, the larger stock awards vesting in three years have a potential value of $6.501 million at the current share price.” Read more

 

Office Depot hires a new CEO by Matt Linder at Internet Retailer. “Gerry Smith will take the reins of Office Depot on Feb. 27…Gerry Smith has spent the past decade in a variety of executive roles at electronics giant Lenovo Group Ltd. Prior to joining Lenovo in 2006, he spent nearly a decade working for computer manufacturer Dell Inc.” Read more

 

“STRESSED TO THE MAX” – Lowe’s cost-cutting moves hitting home with workers by Katherine Peralta at Charlotte Observer. “It’s pretty ugly in Lowe’s land right now,” said a department manager in an Atlanta store who contacted the Observer. The hourly employee was told Friday he would be keeping his job, though several of his coworkers were not as fortunate.” Read more

 

Stein Mart hires a Hudson’s Bay veteran as its new president by Matt Linder at Internet Retailer. “MaryAnne Morin spent the past nearly eight years in executive roles at Hudson’s Bay, mostly with the retail group’s Lord & Taylor brand, rising to become Hudson’s Bay’s chief merchant in January 2015. She also worked two years as a merchandise manager for Macy’s Inc.” Read more

 

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Under Armour releases first line of American-made apparel by Ryan Sharrow at Baltimore Business Journal. Read more

 

…Under Armour Shares Slump on Earnings Miss – CFO Out at Fox Business. “Under Armour’s net sales in North America rose 5.9 percent in the quarter, but was well below the quarterly average growth of about 24 percent it has reported since 2013.” Read more

 

JCPenney Chairman & CEO, Marvin Ellison, to Be Honored as 2017 “Father of the Year” Press release

 

Crate & Barrel, CEO Stole Trade Secrets, Restoration Says by Suevon Lee at Law 360. “Restoration Hardware is accusing Crate & Barrel and its CEO, Douglas Diemoz, and manager in the food and beverage area, Kimberly Ahlheim, of unlawfully taking its proprietary information and violating contractual obligations to the brand.” Read more (subscription)

 

Pier 1’s interim CEO taking home $1 million by Korri Kezar at Dallas Business Journal. Read more

 

Macy’s sells Frango chocolates brand by Jim Hammerand at Puget Sound Business Journal. “The owner of Garrett Popcorn Shops has purchased the iconic Frango chocolate brand from Macy’s Inc.” Read more

 

P&G cracking down on media shenanigans, ad chief says by Barrett J. Brunsman at Cincinnati Business Courier. “…the media supply chain for placing digital ads “is murky at best and fraudulent at worst,” Pritchard said during the keynote address.” Read more

 

Fitbit will lay off 110 employees amid challenges in wearable market by Lauren Goode at The Verge. Read more

 

Peanuts, home of Snoopy and Charlie Brown, up for sale at Reuters. “The move comes three months after U.S. insurance company MetLife dropped the Peanuts characters it had been using as mascots for more than 30 years — a blow to debt-burdened Iconix.” Read more

 

Tipsheet Extra Stories

Lady Gaga Will Star in Tiffany’s First Super Bowl Ad

Mom not impressed with Walmart’s response to metal found in cereal box

Flower delivery startup The Bouqs raises $24 million to grow past its many competitors

Mom disgusted to find fetus-like ‘vile object’ in a carton of Aldi tomato juice

FMI recognizes Wakefern CEO for Entrepreneurial Leadership

Walmart store throws surprise birthday party for 104-year-old customer

Sporting Goods exec takes CEO job at jewelry e-retailer

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