Tipsheet: JCP Adds Toys | Target Traffic Up | Ace Eyes T.Value |
Target boosts second-quarter forecast, says same-store sales will be higher by Terri Cullen at CNBC. “The retailer said it expects to see a “modest increase” in comparable-store sales, having forecast negative results earlier in the year. “Following better-than-expected results in the first quarter, we’ve seen additional, broad-based improvement in traffic and category sales trends in the second quarter, despite continued challenges in the competitive environment,” Brian Cornell, chairman and CEO of Target, said in a statement.” Read more | Press release
J.C.Penney rolling out toy shops by Korri Kezar at Dallas Business News. “…introducing roughly 500-square-foot areas in all of its locations that will carry products like Barbie dolls, My Little Pony figurines, NERF blasters and Hotwheels race tracks. Featured brands will also include Hasbro, Mattel, Playmobil and Fisher Price.” Read more
Ace eyes True Value hardware buyout deal by Robert Reed at Chicago Tribune. “It is our understanding that True Value is evaluating or conducting a formal auction process for the sale of its business,” wrote John Venhuizen, Ace president and CEO, in an email the company sent to me. “At this point, we have received no contact to participate in that auction process. If contacted, we would have interest in exploring it.” Read more
Kroger Appoints Aldi Vet Liz Ferneding President of Ruler Press release
7X – Amazon’s 2017 Prime Day could mark an Echo and Alexa tipping point by Jason Del Rey at Recode. “(Amazon’s) family of gadgets was already forecast to control 70 percent of the voice-controlled-speaker market for the year….Amazon announcing on Wednesday that it sold 7x the number of Echos this Prime Day as last… Read more
…a reliable source told us yesterday that Echo devices were selling at a rate of “thousands per minute” by Ingrid Lunden at TechCrunch. Read more
Sears Canada eyes July 21st to begin liquidation sales by Francine Kopun at Toronto Star. Read more
Home Depot and Macy’s offer the easiest login, while Staples shines on security features by Stefany Zaroban at Internet Retailer. “A new benchmark study conducted by Forrester Researcch Inc. finds that many online retailers are better at giving consumers a convenient shopping experience than they are at providing strong security measures.” Read more
**A message from Hot Shot – There’s no place like home. And when you rule the roost, you do it all… keep the peace, dry the tears, mop up the messes – even squash the spiders. When bugs cross your threshold, count on Hot Shot® brand for practical, easy-to-use, effective home insect solutions that take care of the creepy-crawlies for you – without breaking the bank. Save the Day. Facebook page
Amazon may face mounting regulatory pressure and lawsuits over its pricing practices, according to former Walmart U.S. CEO Bill Simon at Fox Business. Video/Read more
Apple unveils smart home experiences in 46 of its retail stores worldwide by Megan Rose Dickey at TechCrunch. “Now, when you go into Apple’s new retail stores, you’ll be able to use the Home app from either an Apple Watch, iPhone or iPad to control devices like the Philips Hue light bulb, the Hunter ceiling fan and many others.” Read more
Gymboree Closing 350 Stores With Eye On Exiting Bankruptcy by Phil Wahba at Fortune. Read more
Amazon webpage hints at expansion into real estate referrals by Monica Nickelsburg at GeekWire. “The Hire a Realtor page is nestled under Amazon’s Home and Business Service marketplace, which connects customers with professionals for home improvement, electronics installation, and other services for a referral fee.” Read more
Tiffany & Co. Names Alessandro Bogliolo Chief Executive Officer “Mr. Bogliolo, 52, is a veteran luxury industry executive who previously served for 16 years at Bulgari SpA…Most recently, he has served as Chief Executive Officer of global apparel and accessories company Diesel SpA.” Press release
Alimentation Couche-Tard Q4 sales: Same‑store merchandise revenues increased by 1.6% in the U.S., by 2.7% in Europe and decreased by 0.9% in Canada. Press release
Bonfire of the Retail Stocks Brings Traders Running by Ben Eisen & Amrith Ramkumar at Wall Street Journal. “People day trade on volatility,” said Vlad Karpel, a day trader in Chicago who also runs Tradespoon, a firm that uses models to offer buy and sell signals on stocks. “Traditionally, it’s been biotech stocks, penny stocks or leveraged ETFs. Recently, it’s been retail stocks.” Read more (subs.)
Amazon sent nearly 700 million promotion emails on Prime Day – 256 million in India alone by Zak Stambor at Internet Retailer. “(Amazon) spent just $4,000 on Tuesday and $6,000 on Prime Day-specific keywords. And from July 6 to July 11, it spent roughly $18,000 on those keywords.” Read more
LEADERSHIP – How this woman compelled over 80 strangers to unite and save the lives of 10 people who were drowning in a riptide by Zameena Mejia at CNBC. “I think other people should be inspired to actually help more, come up with a solution and work with other people you might not know,” Simmons says.” Read more
Tipsheet Extra Stories
This under-the-radar e-commerce giant is the NBA’s new best friend
Amazon Appoints New Comedy, Drama Heads in Executive Shuffle
Woman takes motorized Walmart cart – won’t pull over for police
Jet blast kills tourist on beach known for its views of low-flying airliners on approach
Pepsi Says It’s Facing the Same Trends That Are Battering Retail
***
Eye on Retail Tipsheet is must-read material for 20,000+ retail execs every weekday morning. Tipsheet stories are carefully curated bright and early every morning to ensure fresh and unique content.
Subscribe to Eye on Retail Tipsheet here
Contact us: Send story tips, press releases and advertising inquiries to info@eyeonretail.net
Website: www.eyeonretail.net