Tipsheet: Tesco Tests “Slow” Line | Wmart New Shipping Guidelines | JCP to Shutter 130ish | Sears Cuts 130 @ HQ
JCPenney shuttering up to 140 stores as sales weaken by Krystina Gustafson at CNBC. “Along with the stores Penney’s plans to close, it will shutter two distribution centers. The combined closures will help the retailer invest in its better stores, and “raise the overall brand standard of the company,” CEO Marvin Ellison said.” Read more
…JCPenney Q4 comp sales -0.7% Press release
Supervalu shakeup: Cub Foods president leaving by Dan DeBaun at Minneapolis/St.Paul Business Journal. “Eric Hymas has served as president of Cub since January 2016…Supervalu Vice President of Marketing and Consumer Insights, Chad Ferguson, will take over as president of Cub Foods on an interim basis.” Read more
Walmart U.S. gives suppliers new order fulfillment guidelines by Kim Souza at Talk Business. “Suppliers were given a grace period until August to work with their assigned replenishment teams to meet the new OTIF objectives. For suppliers who ship in full-truckload the retailer set a 75% OTIF threshold. The previous requirements were 90% with a one-day window for perishables and a four-day window for food, consumables and general merchandise. Walmart U.S. had previously told suppliers it would require a 95% OTIF with 1 day window for perishable and foods/consumables with 95% OTIF and two-day window for general merchandise.” Read more
How Costco Canada breaks retail rules to win by Hollie Shaw at Financial Post. “It will open its first business centre in Canada next month to target owners of corner convenience stores, restaurants and small businesses. “At one time, we served them better than we serve them now” said Brien.” Read more
Former J.C. Penney CEO: The only one taking Amazon seriously is Walmart by Rachel Cao at CNBC. “They’re making a lot of moves and it’s starting to pay off, but even Walmart will have trouble because if Walmart doubles its $10 billion in sales, it will add $10 billion while Amazon adds $80 billion. People have to take Amazon much more seriously,” Johnson said.” Read more
Sears cuts 130 corporate jobs, mostly at Hoffman Estates HQ by Lauren Zumbach at Chicago Tribune. “Sears declined to say how many employees currently work at its headquarters, but Brathwaite said it remains above the 4,250 employees required by a package of tax breaks Sears received after threatening to leave the state in 2011.” Read more
WHAT’S THE RUSH? A grocery chain starts a check-out line for people who want to take it slow by Gene Marks at Washington Post. “Surprisingly, this is the only store in the giant UK Tesco chain that’s testing out the idea. More surprisingly, it’s not being tried anywhere here, according to the National Grocers Association in the U.S. Yet.” Read more
Gap Q4 Comp Sales +2.0% “Old Navy Global: positive 1 percent…Gap Global: negative 3 percent versus negative 6 percent last year. Banana Republic Global: negative 7 percent.” Press release
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Nordstrom Q4 Comp Sales -0.9% Press release
Hudson’s Bay posts lower quarterly sales via Financial Post. “Comparable sales fell 1.2 per cent on a constant currency basis during the fourth quarter ended Jan. 28…Sales fell 5.9 per cent at Saks OFF 5th…Sales rose 0.6 per cent at its department store banners, which include Hudson’s Bay and Lord & Taylor, and 0.1 per cent at Saks Fifth Avenue.” Read more
Under Armour products will be available at all Kohl’s stores in early March by Holden Wilen at Baltimore Business Journal. Read more
Food Lion Names 2016 Store Manager of the Year Press release
The Hunt for the Perfect Sugar by Beth Kowitt at Fortune. “The winter weather does not agree with stevia, which thrives in warm climates. “You’ll have to forgive our plants,” Faith Son, head of global marketing and innovation, says apologetically as she eyes a struggling seedling on a conference room table. “It’s January in Chicago.” Her company has built its entire business on the small green leaves that Son has placed in front of us.” Read more
Walmart Canada Expands Grocery Pickup to Edmonton Press release
Macy’s, Target and Wayfair are some of the first marketers to jump aboard Pinterest’s Shop The Look feature by Brielle Jaekel at Mobile Commerce Daily. Read more
CPG Now Spends More on Digital Than Traditional Ads, but Shoppers Doubt They Work by Jack Neff at Ad Age. “Only 60% of the roughly 200 retailers in Cadent’s survey said they thought digital advertising works for brands.” Read more
Bionic Leaf project that can ‘make food out of thin air’ receives $100,000 Amazon Catalyst grant by Clare McGrane at GeekWire. Read more
Sears licensing deal will put Kenmore brand grills in more stores by Will Racke at Chicago Business Journal. “Permasteel’s grills, ice chests and patio heaters are sold at Sears and True Value stores and at Home Depot locations in Canada, as well as stores in Brazil and Mexico, among others.” Read more
Stores can’t seem to keep Elmer’s glue on shelves. Here’s why by Sarah Whitten at CNBC. “An old craze has returned among tweens across the country: Slime…Given the trend’s momentum, it wouldn’t be all that surprising if the company developed its own slime kits or branded content in the future. Demand for glue has risen so much that many stores are sold out of the product altogether.” Read more
Tipsheet Extra Stories
Man arrested after swinging swords towards customers at Walmart store
Butter crackdown: Fans forced to leave this state to get their hands on banned dairy product
Man shooting people with BB gun at Walmart shot by officer
Costco files complaint about Wegmans price comparison ads
Inside BET CEO Debra Lee’s home, was $13.5M, now listed for $11.5M (25 pics)
An eBay partnership in China focuses on cross-border e-commerce
New Corryville store isn’t your mother’s Kroger
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