Alibaba’s Freshippo opens first membership-only store in Shanghai, challenging Costco and Sam’s Club at South China Morning Post. “Freshippo opened its first bricks and mortar store in Shanghai in 2016. Two years later, it launched the X membership plan with an annual fee of 258 yuan (US$38) in the same city and then gradually expanded its footprint to Beijing, Xi’an and Chengdu in 2019. By the end of June, there were 214 Freshippo stores across China.” Read more

 

Home prices rose 4.8% in July, according to Case-Shiller index at CNBC. “The 10-City Composite annual increase showed a 3.3% gain, up from 2.8% in the previous month. The 20-City Composite rose 3.9% annually, up from 3.5% in June.” Read more

 

Consumer confidence posts solid gain to 101.8 in September at AP. “The Conference Board reported Tuesday that its consumer confidence index rose to a reading of 101.8, up from 86.3 in August.” Read more

 

Target won’t be left out of this year’s Prime Day at CNN. “On October 13 and 14, Target is holding Deal Days (the same days as Amazon’s Prime Day event). The retailer promises that this year’s sales extravaganza will have “nearly 1 million more deals” than last year and will serve as a revamped kick-off to the key holiday shopping season.” Read more | A Bullseye View

 

Amazon unveils biometric ID, touting convenience and testing customer trust at GeekWire. “Amazon has developed a new biometric ID system that works by scanning the palms of participating customers, planning to ultimately let people make in-store payments, gain access to office buildings, and move quickly through stadium turnstiles by holding out a hand.” Read more

 

U.S. Retail Bankruptcies, Store Closures Hit Record in First Half at Wall Street Journal. “This year is on pace to rival 2010, when 48 retailers filed for bankruptcy in the wake of the 2007-09 recession, BDO said. Retail bankruptcies in 2020 have already surpassed the 22 such filings recorded last year.” WSJ subs.

 

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Walmart looks to join hands with Tata group in retail push at Mint. “Tata group is in talks with Walmart for a deal entailing a strategic investment by Walmart in the super app platform business. The Walmart investment could touch $20-25 billion eventually for a large stake in the proposed super app to be hosted under a Tata Sons subsidiary,” one of the two people said on condition of anonymity.” Read more

 

United Natural Foods Q4 comp sales +8.0% Press release

 

LVMH files countersuit against Tiffany & Co. claiming ‘blatant breach’ amid breakdown of huge deal at Fox Business. Read more

 

Amazon launches a $4.99-per-month ‘personal shopper’ service for men’s fashion at TechCrunch. “At launch, the new men’s personal shopping service will include brands like Scotch & Soda, Original Penguin, Adidas, Lacoste, Carhartt, Levi’s, Amazon Essentials, Goodthreads and more…” Read more

 

Gabriel Arreaga joins Kroger Family of Companies as SVP of Supply Chain Press release

 

Bed Bath & Beyond teams with Shipt and Instacart for same-day delivery before holidays at CNBC. “The option will be available to customers in eligible ZIP codes at a flat-rate fee of $4.99 for orders of more than $39 at Bed Bath & Beyond and buybuy Baby.” Read more

 

Kroger and Ocado Announce Location of High-Tech Customer Fulfillment Center in Michigan Press release

 

NRF tells consumers this holiday season to shop ‘safe and early’ at CNBC. “The National Retail Federation announced Tuesday the debut of its new ad campaign, “Shop safe, shop early.” “In a year that has been full of uncertainty, we encourage consumers to avoid the last-minute stresses of the holiday season like long lines and shipping delays,” NRF President and CEO Matt Shay said in a statement.” Read more

 

Tipsheet Extra

Molson Coors to launch Coca-Cola’s first alcoholic beverage in the U.S.

Home Depot is selling a new Google Chromecast that hasn’t been announced

Cardi B trademarking ‘WAP’ for lines of clothing, shoes, beverages

Google, Fitbit deal set to win EU okay after fresh concessions – sources

Yale’s Smart Delivery Box doesn’t yet solve the porch pirate problem

Read Tipsheet Extra Stories

 

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