Tipsheet: Target: ‘Undying Love’ & Plus-Size | Pirate Joe’s Forced to Relocate | Saks Readies Velvet Rope | Amazon Will ‘Eat’ Australia
Amazon’s Huge Advantage in the Online Grocery Battle with Walmart, Target by Phil Wahba at Fortune. “A survey released on Tuesday by Wall Street firm Cowen & Co found that one quarter of Prime members used Prime Now in January 2016…“We view Prime Now as one of the pathways Amazon is utilizing to gain share in the $1 trillion U.S. grocery market,” Cowen analysts wrote in a research note.” Read more
Target Canada Play: Employees more willing to talk to playwright now that gag order lifted by Oliver Sachgau at Toronto Star. “Motum said one thing has consistently jumped out at him during his interviews: most of the employees, despite being sad or angry about their employer closing down with little warning, are still very loyal to the company, even a year later. “They still sort of all have an undying love of Target. I think someone actually said ‘undying love,’” Motum said.” Read more
PIRATE JOE’S FORCED TO RELOCATE – Vancouver’s unauthorized Trader Joe’s reseller to shutter store by Lucy Lau at The Georgia Straight. “…he hopes that the relocation will give him the opportunity to expand the store’s concept, increasing stock and incorporating an eat-in café. From now until Wednesday, Hallatt is offering Pirate Joe’s customers “spot deals,” where they can come in and haggle for the shop’s remaining goods.” Read more
Gilt flash sale kicks off opening of Saks Off 5th by Lisa Fickenscher at NY Post. “Executives are bracing for a crush of fashionistas to show up for the sales — and will set up a velvet rope to keep the clothes hounds orderly.” Read more
Wall Street Journal: Sports Authority Plans to File for Bankruptcy Protection by Matt Jarzemsky & Sara Germano. “The Sports Authority Inc. plans to file for chapter 11 bankruptcy protection as soon as Tuesday evening and shut down in the coming weeks if the struggling retailer can’t find a buyer for its business, according to people familiar with the matter.” Read more (subscription)
CNBC Transcript: J.C. Penney CEO Marvin Ellison Speaks with CNBC’s Courtney Reagan on “Power Lunch” (Monday) Read the Q&A
Target Is Recruiting Barbie to Promote Swimwear by Phil Wahba at Fortune. “In a blog post, Target said the campaign was part of an ongoing plan to promote body acceptance and help customers “feel confident and fearless.” But more practically, it’s partly designed to help Target sell more apparel to segments of the population many retailers, including Target, have long overlooked.” Read more | More via A Bullseye View
**Show Spotlight–Last Day for ASD Market Week! 45,000+ attendees will shop the world’s widest variety of wholesale lifestyle accessories and general merchandise at the lowest price points available. Discover hot new products and stylish finds from over 2,600 vendors in categories including: fashion & accessories, beauty & fragrance, gift & home, toys & novelties and many more. See product categories | See the show floor video | Register now
Dollar Tree says Family Dollar integration remains on schedule by Katherine Peralta at Charlotte Observer. “…revenue fell short of Wall Street analysts’ expectations by $50 million. And though profit was $229 million, up by $22.4 million from a year ago, adjusted earnings per share fell short of analysts’ expectations by 6 cents.” Read more | Read the release
Australian Retail Exec: ‘Amazon will eat our breakfast, lunch and dinner’ by Sue Mitchell at Sydney Morning Herald. “In Perth, for example, some large bricks and mortar retailers could only trade for six hours a day on Sunday, which is now the busiest shopping day of the week in other cities.” Read more
Publix Q4 Comp Sales +3.2% “Comparable-store sales for 2015 increased 4.2 percent.” Read the release
Q&A with GM of the first Walmart distribution center in Minnesota by Grace Webb at Connect Business Magazine. Read the Q&A
Souq, The Amazon Of The Middle East, Raises $275 Million by Michael Grothaus at Fast Company. “Much of the $275 million investment will go to improving the company’s mobile application, Souq’s CEO Ronaldo Mouchawar told the Times, explaining that 70% of Souq sales in Saudi Arabia were made on phones.” Read more
Tipsheet Extra Stories
Why Target is going big on this small water-bottle startup
Sheryl Sandberg posts viral ad that shows a mother struggle to juggle her job, housework and child while her husband sits on the couch
CDC Warns of ‘Healthy’ Food Outbreaks: Sprouts, Salads, Organic Shakes and Meals, Cucumbers
Why Meijer co-CEO is thumbs down on Michigan historic districts
Amazon recalls Kindle charger over electrical shock fears
Sneak peek inside Lexington’s new Cabela’s