Ulta Q4 Comp Sales +16.6% “Retail comparable sales increased 12.8%, including salon comparable sales growth of 8.8%…E-commerce sales grew 63.4% to $154.9 million.” Press release

 

…CNBC: Ulta blows past Wall Street forecasts, but shares drop on soft outlook “After opening 100 stores last fiscal year, it will open another 100 in fiscal year 2017.” Read more

 

Fortune: 100 Best Companies to Work For (Wegmans #2, Publix #21, REI #28, Container Store #49, Whole Foods #58, QuikTrip #68, Nordstrom #94) Top 100 list

 

Target Security Chief Joins Booz Allen Hamilton by Steven Norton at Wall Street Journal. “Brad Maiorino, former information security chief at Target Corp., has joined Booz Allen Hamilton as an executive vice president responsible for growing the defense contractor’s U.S. commercial business.” Read more (subscription)

 

Meijer Leapfrogs Midwest Rivals In Rolling Out Home Delivery by Dale Buss at Forbes. “Working with Shipt, the delivery outfit in its Detroit test, and an app and web site, Meijer will make 55,000 grocery and other items available for a monthly fee or $99 for a yearly subscription, which includes free delivery for each purchase over $35. “We think we’re taking the lead in the Midwest,” Meijer President Rick Keyes told me.” Read more

 

Hibbett Sports Q4 Comp Sales -2.2% “…we were pleased with continued strength in our footwear business. The decline in comparable store sales was driven mainly by softer sales in apparel and equipment. Licensed products accounted for much of the weakness in apparel.” Press release

 

J.C. Penney piloting six new home installation services by Courtney Reagan at CNBC. “Starting later this month, shoppers will see signs in the J.C. Penney home departments and on its digital storefront for services in bathroom remodeling, home heating and cooling systems, quick-ship and installed blinds, whole home water solutions, awnings and smart home technology. “It’s a $300 billion market that we believe we have the opportunity to pick up some significant market share,” Ellison said during an exclusive interview on CNBC’s “Power Lunch.” Video/Read more | Q&A Transcript

 

Millennials buy more clothes on Amazon than any other website by Jason Del Rey at Recode. “Amazon accounted for nearly 17 percent of all online clothing sales to this demographic last year, more than doubling the market share of the No. 2 seller, Nordstrom. Old Navy, J. Crew and Victoria’s Secret rounded out the Top 5.” Read more

 

**A message from Fabe – Italian hand-crafted pillows prevent and relieve neck and back pain. Fabe’s Ergo Praxis pillow supports and aligns the head and neck to prevent cervical pain. Created in cooperation with Ludes University in Switzerland – it gets the body in the right position for a good night’s sleep. 100% Made in Italy. Ergo Praxis Specs | Fabe Website | Retailers request samples at info@shiftmarketinggroup.net. Italy to America product connection

 

Home Depot to Pay Banks $25 Million in Data Breach Settlement by Jeff John Roberts at Fortune. “The settlement, filed this week in federal court in Atlanta, also requires Home Depot to tighten its cyber-security practices and to subject its vendors to more scrutiny—a measure tied to the fact that a security flaw by a third-party payment processor made the hacked self-checkout terminals vulnerable.” Read more

 

Weis Markets Q4 Comp Sales +3.4% Press release

 

Amazon names video-game veteran to head studio by Matt Day at Seattle Times. “Amazon.com has added another video-game industry veteran to its ranks, naming Louis Castle head of the company’s Seattle game-production studio. Castle co-founded Westwood Studios, best known as the maker of the “Command & Conquer” series.” Read more

 

Meet the Self-Made Women Billionaires of the World by Guadalupe Gonzalez at Inc. Top 55 list

 

Staples to close 70 more stores this year by Jon Chesto at Boston Globe. “Staples closed 48 shops last year, leaving it with nearly 1,600 locations in the US and Canada. Another 70 will go dark this year. There are about 250 leases expiring within three years, and stores without positive cash flow likely will be shuttered.” Read more

 

Amazon Seeks Fresh Investment in India With New Grocery Service by Rajesh Roy & Newley Purnell at Wall Street Journal. “Amazon has sought approval from India’s Trade Ministry to invest about $500 million in the new venture. The new Amazon grocery service would take advantage of recently eased restrictions on foreign retailers and deliver mostly local food products such as fruits, vegetables and other staples, according to one of the officials.” Read more (subscription)

 

Randalls to shutter Houston DC by Jack Witthaus at Houston Business Journal. Read more

 

Macy’s Is Testing Self-Service at More of Its Shoe Sections by Phil Wahba at Fortune. “…turning more of its shoe departments into “open sell” environments, industry speak for self-service…The open-sell shoe test, begun about a year ago at some of Macy’s smaller stores, is being expanded to medium sized locations.” Read more

 

Target Romances Top Jewelry Site BaubleBar To Launch Sugarfix by Kristina Moore at Forbes. BaubleBar owners Q&A

 

Wind knocks down little pig’s house so pig walks a mile to Home Depot at WWMT. “Amanda James, a Home Depot employee, said, “We looked out the side door and there was a pig on the hill. He’s super friendly, he’s very sweet, doesn’t make too much noise, believe it or not.” After he “pigged out” on dog biscuits James fed him, she brought him to her house where she knew he’d be safe.” Video/Read more

 

Tipsheet Extra Stories

Costco Cleared on Discrimination Claims of Worker With Tourette’s

Anheuser-Busch might boycott St. Patrick’s parade if gay vets group is excluded

Fake Walmart checks being mailed to St. Louis area residents

Publix’s CEO got a big raise last year — and, by some measures, he’s still a steal

Leonardo DiCaprio invests in Boulder frozen fish company

ChannelAdvisor CEO: Amazon could drive 80% of U.S. e-commerce growth next year

Read Tipsheet Extra Stories

 

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