Tipsheet: H.Depot Head of Stores Out | McMillon Talks Carbon on CNBC | Wegmans ‘Hearing Loop’
Home Depot Replaces Leader Of US Stores by Paul Ziobro at Dow Jones Business News. “Home Depot Inc. is replacing the head of its U.S. stores, Marc Powers, with another company veteran, becoming the latest major retailer to change the leader of its store operations.” Read more
…Ann-Marie Campbell, one of Mr. Power’s deputies, will take over his position. Mr. Powers, 54, will leave the company effective Feb. 1 via Wall Street Journal (subscription)
…2015 Interview: Campbell learned much of what she knows about business from her grandmother in Jamaica, who didn’t finish high school but turned a roadside business into a multimillion-dollar company by Henry Unger at Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Read the Q&A
Doug McMillon Talks Carbon Footprints on CNBC panel: “Making a difference in the world is actually good business” See the 3:21 video / Read more
…Wal-Mart CEO: Responding to Climate Issues Boosts Profitability by Saabira Chaudhuri at Dow Jones Business News. “He said Wal-Mart can make any number of decisions to reduce its environmental footprint, such as reducing the size of a Band-Aid package from Johnson & Johnson. While customers won’t notice and the move doesn’t affect sales, it is better for the environment, he said.” Read more
“Make things right,” local little league asks Walmart to rebuild lost field by Adam Snider at KFOR-4. “Moore couldn’t believe her ears when she learned that the Walmart was closing shop after less than a year. “It’s like adding insult to injury,” said Moore. “We lost our field, but now it feels like we lost it for no reason.” See the video / Read more
J.C. Penney testing the sale of major appliances in 22 stores by Maria Halkias at Dallas Morning News. “The stores are in San Antonio, San Diego and Tampa, Fla…Hundreds of Penney stores could have appliance departments this fall, CEO Marvin Ellison said in an interview Tuesday. “We see the pilot being very accretive,” he said. “I’ve got a history with this, and I’m confident we can achieve profitable sales.” Read more
Canada: Star Wars toys help boost holiday toy sales by 22% by Hollie Shaw at Financial Post. “Over the year, Star Wars (accounted for) about 20 per cent of the total increase in the toy industry,” Michelle Liem, director of NPD Group’s toy business, said in an interview.” Read more
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Gilt Groupe Is a Cautionary Tale for Startup Employees Banking on Stock Options by Jason Del Rey at Recode. “Re/code spoke to a half dozen former employees of flash sale site Gilt Groupe in the two weeks since its $250 million acquisition by Hudson’s Bay Company was announced. And at least three of them lost more than $10,000 as a result of the deal.” Read more
Doug McMillon Funds Retail Innovation and Technology Lab on Univ. of Arkansas Campus “The lab is believed to be the first interactive, open-to-the-public university retail lab created to test technologies expected to change the future of retail. Its first series of experiments are expected to launch by March.” Read more
The 25 Best Jobs in America, According to Glassdoor by Julie Verhage at Bloomberg. See the list
Shoppers with hearing loss can choose the “hearing loop” lane at Wegmans by Lorraine Mirabella at Baltimore Sun. “The grocer now plans to install the stations in all 88 stores in six states by the end of the year. Besides checkout lanes, loops are available at the pharmacy and customer service department.” Read more
Ex-Walgreens Exec/RadioShack CEO Takes Reins at Massage Envy Read the release
Wegmans confirms plans to expand into North Carolina by Amanda Hoyle at Triangle Business Journal. “Yes, Wegmans wants to open a store in Cary, N.C.,” Natale says in a statement…Real estate sources say that Wegmans is also negotiating to buy or lease land for new grocery store locations in south Durham and in Raleigh. Read more
Top 50 U.S. Patent Holders for 2015 (Amazon #26 with 1,136 grants) See the top 50 list
These printers will automatically order their own ink from Amazon by Todd Bishop at GeekWire. “Amazon says a GE washer and a Gmate SMART blood glucose monitor will be the next devices to work with the service, by the end of the month. The blood glucose monitor will automatically reorder testing strips and lancets.” Read more
Apple seeks nod to open India stores by Himank Sharma at Reuters. “Apple representatives held talks with Indian government officials about a relaxation of the 30 percent local-sourcing norms before filing the application, said a source familiar with the company’s plans.” Read more
Apple Doesn’t Let Widow Get Late Husband’s Password by Don Reisinger at Fortune. “I finally got someone who said, ‘You need a court order,’” Peggy Bush’s daughter Donna told CBC in an interview.” Read more
Sam’s Club to Accept Visa Credit Cards Read the release
Tipsheet Extra Stories
Mel Gibson Makes Fool of Himself at Whole Foods
Black student wins $45G settlement over alleged Barneys profiling
Tiffany to cut jobs after holiday sales fall 8%
American Express prepares for plastic’s inevitable demise
New Skincare and Beauty Lines Marlowe, Mayfair & You Are Amazing Arrive at Target
Einhorn’s Greenlight Buys Macy’s as Possible Takeover Target