Walmart acquires adtech startup by Sarah Perez at TechCrunch. “Polymorph’s technology includes a high-speed ad server, a self-serve interface and server-side header bidding. This, says Walmart, will make advertising easier for thousands of brands and will deliver more relevant ads to consumers.” Read more

 

J. Crew is considering an IPO for its Madewell clothing brand at CNBC. Read more

 

Stop & Shop supermarket workers in 3 states go on strike via Boston Herald. “Stop & Shop…has 415 stores across the Northeast but the strike affects 240 stores in the three states…According to broadcast reports, managers were keeping stores open and allowing customers to use self-checkout lanes.” Read more

 

‘How about paying your taxes?’: Walmart responds to Amazon’s challenge over pay at NBC News. Read more

 

Macy’s CEO responds to Jeff Bezos: We put our tax savings back into our employees at CNBC. Video/Read more

 

Ross Stores President and Chief Operating Officer Resigns Press release

 

Amazon’s original birthplace sells for $1.5M, but fate of legendary mailbox remains unclear by Nat Levy at GeekWire. “The mailbox was removed from the curb as a security precaution after the home was put on the market earlier this year. It’s not clear if the mailbox will be passed along to the new owner of the home or remain the property of the previous owners.” Read more

 

Bed Bath & Beyond plans to close at least 40 stores this year but open 15 new locations by Kelly Tyko at USA Today. “Robyn D’Elia, CFO: “This number will grow unless we are able to negotiate more favorable lease terms with our landlords.” Read more

 

**A message from Real Coconut Water: Brazilian Coconuts = Sweeter Taste.  Available in bottles, cans, and Tetra Pak. PL & Branded. Sell sheet | Website | Samples: info@eyeonretail.net

 

Amazon confirms that employees listen to Alexa conversations to help improve digital assistant by Nat Levy at GeekWire. Read more

 

Rite Aid will stop selling e-cigarettes in all stores at CNBC. “However, Rite Aid will continue to sell cigarettes.” Read more

 

Mattress Firm’s relationship with major supplier likely cost CEO his job by Paul Takahashi at Houston Chronicle. “Stagner…was the “last remaining hurdle” keeping Tempur Sealy from inking a deal with Mattress Firm to sell high-end Tempur-Pedic sleep systems.” Read more

 

Campbell Soup nears $500M deal to sell Bolthouse Farms at NY Post. Read more

 

Alibaba founder defends overtime work culture at Reuters. “Ma defended the industry’s ‘996’ work schedule, which refers to the 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. workday, six days a week. “I personally think that being able to work 996 is a huge blessing,” he said in remarks posted on the company’s WeChat account.” Read more

 

Black for homes is trending, inside and out by R. Daniel Foster. “From 2017 to our most current data, we saw a nearly 30% increase in the usage of blacks” for interior and exterior use, said Benjamin Moore color and design expert Hannah Yeo. “What was really interesting — in 2017, the No. 1 and No. 2 blacks were actually a really deep gray. But in the recent report, the No. 1 color in blacks was just pure black.” Tiered subs.

 

Tipsheet Extra Stories

Shops and sports bars could be coming to planes soon

There’s a major helium shortage affecting a host of industries

Bill Murray Shares His Best Drinking Stories

F-words and T-shirts: U.S. Supreme Court weighs foul language trademarks

Jeff Bezos jabs eBay in shareholder letter over third-party sales

Read Tipsheet Extra Stories

 

**

Eye on Retail Tipsheet is must-read material for 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: eyeonretail.net