Amazon is taking on the drug supply chain by Christina Farr at CNBC. “Citing an anonymous analyst, the report states that Amazon may “indeed be in conversations with some middle-market PBMs now, in an effort to get into various contract arrangements.” That suggests that Amazon is a “bigger threat” than many expect, but that it won’t be right away. Leerink estimates that it will take about 18 to 24 months for Amazon to get pharmacy licenses in all 50 states.” Read more

 

Fortune’s 2017 Most Powerful Women in Business List Full list

 

Target rolls out Bluetooth beacon technology in stores to power new indoor maps in its app by Sarah Perez at TechCrunch. “Instead of simply showing a static map, or noting the aisle number where a product can be found, the new Target application will actually show your own location on the map, as indicated by a blinking dot. As you move through the store, your location will update, too – similar to how the blue dot appears on Google Maps, for example.” Read more

 

Albertsons buys meal kit company Plated at CNBC. “This transaction is the latest example of Albertsons meeting our customers wherever and however they like to shop,” said Bob Miller, chairman and CEO of Albertsons.” Read more

 

Couche-Tard says it wants to sell marijuana in its Quebec c-stores via Financial Post. “Couche-Tard even hired a lobbyist to work on ensuring it is involved in the cannabis-distribution system Quebec will eventually set up, but Bouchard says the provincial government has given the company the cold shoulder.” Read more

 

The expected relaxing of foreign gun sale rules could increase sales by as much as 20% at Forbes. Read more

 

Amazon preps for a heated race in India as Diwali holiday sales kick off by Saritha Rai at Bloomberg via Seattle Times. “Diwali is the time when annual bonuses are paid in India, and families do their heaviest shopping. The festival extends over several days, starting Oct. 17 this year. “Amazon and Flipkart are more evenly matched today than ever before and it’s a lot tougher to predict who’ll be the winner in this year’s peak selling season,” said Mrigank Gutgutia.” Read more

 

Google unveils multimillion-dollar Austin office by Will Anderson at Austin Business Journal. 21 pics/Read more

 

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A toy story: Geppetto’s thrives in the retail jungle by Rob Nikolewski at San Diego Union-Tribune. “While local customers may be long familiar with the chain that has grown to include nine stores across San Diego County, they may not know Geppetto’s has become the largest independent toy retailer in the U.S.” Read more

 

American Eagle Outfitters to expand in India by Stacey Federof at Pittsburgh Business Times. “The first stores are planned for Mumbai and Delhi…Stores in the U.K. were closed in July after three years in the market.” Read more

 

Amazon working on Alexa smart glasses with bone-induction audio by Todd Bishop at GeekWire. Read more

 

CVS amps up its campaign against tobacco at colleges by Chris Isidore at CNN. “CVS’s charitable foundation said it will issues grants to 126 colleges and universities to help them ban smoking on campus. The foundation is donating a total of $1.2 million, or about $10,000 a school.” Read more

 

Amazon Puts Whole Foods on Fast Track to Conventional Supermarket by Heather Haddon & Annie Gasparro at Wall Street Journal. “Under the changes planned to begin in April, Whole Foods’ 470 locations will no longer allow brand representatives to promote their products or check to make sure they are stocked and displayed correctly.” Read more (subs.)

 

Kroger Named One of the Healthiest 100 Workplaces in America Press release

 

As retailers close, thrift stores and consignment reach customers on Facebook, Instagram by Rachel Layne at USA Today via CNBC. “Supply doesn’t seem to be running out. The average American woman doesn’t wear 60% of items in her closet, or about $220 billion in potential inventory, according to Fung Global Retail Tech, a consulting firm.” Read more

 

Amazon ‘reviewing’ its website after suggesting bomb-making ingredients, report says by Aime Tsang at NY Times via Toronto Star. “Amazon said on Wednesday that it was reviewing its website after a British television report said the online retail giant’s algorithms were automatically suggesting bomb-making ingredients that were “Frequently bought together.” Read more

 

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