Walmart and Microsoft Join Forces in Battle Against Amazon by Grace Dobush at Fortune. “The agreement gives Walmart access to Microsoft’s 365 and Azurecloud computing systems across all its lines of business, migrating some of its apps and websites to Azure. The retail giant plans to build out a worldwide Internet of Things platform with Microsoft, connecting its stores and shipping systems to streamline its supply chain.” Read more | WSJ article (Subs.)

 

Petco unveils first PetCoach store in San Diego by Jennifer Van Grove at San Diego Tribune. “Petco is opening a new kind of retail store where animal-friendly amenities such as dog baths, play yards and treats fit for humans are meant to win over picky pet parents…Called PetCoach, the pilot San Diego store, officially unveiled on Tuesday…” Read more

 

Walmart Names Humana Veteran to Run Its Health and Wellness Unit by Matthew Boyle at Bloomberg. “(Walmart) named Sean Slovenski as senior vice president of health and wellness, reporting directly to Greg Foran…according to a July 12 internal memo from Foran. The appointment is effective Aug. 1.” Tiered subs.

 

AMAZON SPAIN STRIKE – Number of people striking is close to 2,000 at Daily Mail. Read more

 

June Retail Sales +4.2% NRF press release

 

Yeti rival Rtic Coolers to open flagship Houston store by Andrea Leinfelder at Houston Chronicle. “While customers have long visited the front room of Rtic’s Cypress warehouse to buy products, the company plans to open a flagship Houston store on Nov. 1. It will continue to open some 20 stores in the next few years.” Read more

 

Marc Lore at Brainstorm Tech conference: “Everyone is racing toward same-day delivery and I think we’re set up really well.”…”We can see where the puck is going- it’s toward faster delivery time.” by Phil Wahba at Fortune. Read more

 

Amazon, MLB add machine-learned stats to cloud deal at Reuters. Read more

 

After rift over ‘Green Monstah’ shirt, t-shirt maker lands space in Boston Target by Greg Ryan at Boston Business Journal. “The Target store in Boston’s Fenway neighborhood opened a 400-square-foot section featuring Sully’s apparel, according to Sully’s founder Chris Wrenn. “No hard feelings,” he said.” Read more

 

Giant Eagle, workers reach contract agreement by Stacey Federoff at Pittsburgh Business Times. Read more

 

Amazon Prime membership growth slows in the US by Allison Enright at Internet Retailer. “Membership grew 12% in the past 12 months, down from 35% growth during the previous 12 months…The majority of U.S. online shoppers are already Prime members…CIRP estimates 59% of Amazon customers in the U.S. are Prime members.” Read more

 

CVS fires two employees involved in police calls over black woman’s ‘fraudulent’ coupon at USA Today. Read more

 

Kroger launches app to help you shop healthier by Bill Cieslewicz at Cincinnati Business Courier. “OptUP (is) a free app that gives each purchase a score based on nutritional value…OptUP scores range from 0 to 1000, reflecting a customer’s purchase history over the past eight weeks. The ideal score is 600 or better.” Read more

 

IHOP Now Delivers Pancakes to Your Front Door at Fortune. Read more

 

Amazon on track to become the No. 1 apparel retailer in the U.S. by year’s end at CNBC. “According to a new survey from eMarketer, Amazon’s apparel and accessories sales will balloon 38 percent by the end of 2018 to reach nearly $40 billion. That means this category will soon represent roughly 15.4 percent of Amazon’s overall e-commerce business, and about 38.5 percent of all online apparel sales.” Read more

 

Papa John’s founder says media agency tried to extort $6 million to keep N-word call quiet at CNBC. Read more

 

Tipsheet Extra Stories

‘Sopranos’ memorabilia, including Bobby’s fat suit, go up for auction

Chicago may become largest city in US to try Universal Basic Income

Only five Fiat autoworkers show up for Ronaldo protest in Italy

What if grocery orders were prepared in a tiny robot warehouse?

Hulk Hogan Reinstated Into Wrestling Hall of Fame

Water Pik recalls flossing toothbrushes over fire concern

Read Tipsheet Extra Stories

 

**