Tipsheet: H.Depot Fires Ad Agency | NYC Bag Ban On | Dickey’s BBQ Breach
U.S. Retail Spending Picked Up Strongly in September at Wall Street Journal. “A measure of purchases at stores, restaurants and online, retail sales increased a seasonally adjusted 1.9% in September from the prior month, the Commerce Department reported Friday, outstripping economists’ expectations for a 0.7% rise.” WSJ subs.
TikTok is driving massive toy sales as play dates become less frequent during pandemic at CNBC. “A combination of fan-generated and TikTok influencer videos ignited the craze,” Renee Lee, vice president of global marketing at Zuru, said. The company has seen an average of 20 million to 25 million weekly views of videos that feature its product. At its height, Zuru was selling more than 250,000 capsules per week across North America.” Read more
Amazon scoops up third warehouse site on Staten Island at NY Post. “…has leased nearly one million square feet at Matrix Global Logistics Park near the Goethals Bridge, where it already has two other warehouses, according to Crain’s New York Business, which confirmed the deal with Matrix Development Group.” Read more
Amazon has already started early holiday deals, less than 2 days after Prime Day at CNBC. “Amazon on Friday launched its Holiday Dash sales event, which it has pegged as a way for shoppers to “beat the holiday hustle” this year. The event features a range of early holiday shopping deals every day across a number of categories, including toys, fashion, electronics and home goods.” Read more
Breach at Dickey’s BBQ Smokes 3M Cards at Krebs on Security. “On Monday, the carding bazaar Joker’s Stash debuted “BlazingSun,” a new batch of more than three million stolen card records, advertising “valid rates” of between 90-100 percent. This is typically an indicator that the breached merchant is either unaware of the compromise or has only just begun responding to it.” Read more
Whole Foods’ customers, employees unhappy with strict new dress code at Fox Business. Read more
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NYC’s Oct. 19 plastic-bag ban still on, judge says at NY Post. “Albany state Judge Gerald Connolly declined to provide the injunctive relief requested by a group of grocers, bodegas and bag manufacturer Poly-Pak Industries…Connolly instead set a calendar for the litigation against the Department of Environmental Conservation, which is overseeing the ban. DEC has until Oct. 23 to respond to the complaint.” Read more
Wine supply – and prices – could be affected by wildfire smoke at USA Today. Read more
Walmart CEO says TikTok deal would help make social media more shoppable at CNBC. “If you’re watching a TikTok video and somebody’s got a piece of apparel or an item on it that you really like, what if you could just quickly purchase that item?” (McMillon) said. “That’s what we’re seeing happen in countries around the world. And it’s intriguing to us, and we would like to be part of it.” Read more
US Foods names Bill Hancock EVP and Chief Supply Chain Officer Press release
Indie booksellers feeling ‘Boxed Out’ by Amazon respond with campaign targeting tech giant at GeekWire. “Playing off the ubiquitous nature of Amazon’s cardboard packaging, brown coverings were created to “overtake” participating storefronts with slogans such as “Bookstores vs. Billionaires” and “Books curated by real people not a creepy algorithm.” Read more
REI Co-op expands used gear business with member gear trade-in program and pilot of standalone used gear pop-up stores Press release
Amazon says third-party merchants sold $3.5B of goods during Prime Day at GeekWire. “…a 60% increase over last year…The announcement comes as Amazon faces antitrust scrutiny for its treatment of third-party retailers in the marketplace that the company operates.” Read more
US senators ask Amazon if it tracks employees, curbs bids to form unions at Fox Business. Read more
Home Depot Fire Dallas Ad Agency Over Founder’s Racially Insensitive Remarks at NBC. “The racially insensitive comments made by founder Stan Richards happened during an internal pitch meeting last week involving a proposed advertising campaign for Motel 6. The 88-year-old founder admitted to using the words “It’s too Black” when reacting to the proposal.” Read more
Tipsheet Extra
Two grocery employees share what it’s like to be tasked with enforcing mask mandates
Bowling alleys on the brink
Ikea’s new line of candles wants to evoke memories of your childhood home
Acme Markets wins bid for Kings Food, Balducci markets
Target highlights Good & Gather in national direct mail piece
Former Walmart exec switches to PTO work
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