Tipsheet: WM +2.8% | Sam’s +1.2% | Hy-Vee Breach? | UK Ad Police
Walmart’s Q2 earnings and sales top analysts’ estimates at CNBC. “Same-store sales: up 2.8% vs. 2.1% expected…transactions were up 0.6% during the quarter, compared with a 2.7% increase a year ago. The average ticket was up 2.2%, better than a 1.8% increase a year ago…e-commerce sales were up 37% during the quarter, matching growth during the prior quarter.” Read more
…Sam’s Club Q2 comp sales +1.2% / Int’l net sales -1.1% Press release
Hy-Vee investigating possible data breach at USA Today. “Hy-Vee is investigating possible security issues with payment processing systems at Hy-Vee fuel pumps, drive-thru coffee shops, restaurants and store-owned Wahlburgers locations that may have left customer payment data vulnerable.” Read more
UK retail sales unexpectedly jump in July at Financial Times. “The volume of sales rose 0.2 per cent in July compared with the previous month…Economists polled by Reuters had predicted a 0.2 per cent contraction.” Read more
Macy’s teams up with Google to help run its warehouses at CNBC. “(CEO Gennette) said the Google Cloud platform will allow Macy’s “efficiency, speed [and] scale.” The Google Cloud platform is going to be rolled out to all other Macy’s distribution centers next year, he said.” Read more
Amazon HQ gets a new ‘4-star’ store by Nat Levy at GeekWire. “The windows outside the ground floor of Amazon’s new re:Invent tower in Seattle are carefully blocked, shielding the bustling activity inside from public view. Stepping through multiple layers of black curtains reveals a crew of roughly 30 people scrambling to put the finishing touches on the latest Amazon 4-star store…” Read more
Weekend of action planned to pressure Walmart to stop selling guns by Charisse Jones at USA Today. “The coalition (is) launching the #Walmartmustact challenge. Visitors to Walmartmustact.org can print out a letter asking the retailer to stop supporting NRA backed politicians along with the other demands. Then they’re being asked to take a picture, tag their friends, and deliver the letters to a Walmart store manager.” Read more
Berkshire Hathaway boosted its stake in Amazon.com by 11% during the second quarter at Reuters. Read more
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See 300 items Target is rereleasing from its designer collaborations by Elizabeth Segran at Fast Company. “On September 14, the 20th anniversary of its first designer collaboration with architect Michael Graves, Target will release nearly 300 of the most iconic items from 20 of its most popular designer partnerships.” Read more | A Bullseye View
Tiffany’s launching men’s jewelry collection by Anne D’Innocenzio at AP. “The new men’s collection includes nearly 100 designs ranging in price from about $200 to $15,000 for jewelry, and up to $75,000 and beyond for men’s home furnishings and accessories like cocktail shakers, ice tongs and beer mugs.” Read more
Metro Q3 comp sales: Food +3.1% / Pharmacy +3.4% Press release
Canada Goose margins miss on higher sales of less profitable, lighter clothes at Reuters via Globe and Mail. “Revenue rose 59.1% and was ahead of estimates, as the company benefited from sales of costlier jackets and parkas to department stores and as it opened new retail outlets and launched products online on Chinese e-commerce company Alibaba’s Tmall marketplace.” Read more | Press release
Shoppers Drug Mart completes Phase 1 of its medical cannabis verification pilot program Press release
Walmart call center opens in Springdale, Arkansas – provides glimpse of retailer’s ‘next generation’ by Paul Gatling at Talk Business. “Greg Foran…called the building a “wonderful example” of where the company is headed…The new call center…is operational 24 hours a day and seven days a week. It employs about 950 people (95% full-time)…” Read more
SpartanNash Q2: Retail comp sales -2.0% / Military distribution +0.9% / Food distribution -0.7% Press release
Amazon will now donate unsold warehouse merchandize by default instead of trashing it at The Verge. “The new program, called Fulfilled by Amazon Donations, will see hundreds of thousands of products third-party vendors were unable to sell go to US nonprofits and a series of UK charities like Barnardo’s, Newlife, and the Salvation Army.” Read more
Amazon faces online backlash in China for T-shirts with Hong Kong democracy slogans at Reuters. Read more
Alibaba IPO plan at risk amid massive Hong Kong protests by Josh Kosman at NY Post. “The Chinese online retailer had been working toward a September listing on the Hong Kong exchange as recently as last week, two sources told The Post.” Read more
2019 Inc. 5000: The Most Successful Companies in America List
Volkswagen and Philadelphia cream cheese ads banned in UK over gender stereotypes at CNN. “The Volkswagen commercial shows a number of primarily male people taking part in adventurous activities…before cutting to a mother sitting on a park bench next to a stroller. It prompted three complaints from viewers, and the ASA found it showed a woman “engaged in a stereotypical care-giving role.” Read more
Tipsheet Extra Stories
‘Avengers’ director comes to Best Buy
NASCAR finally gains some measurable TV ratings traction
Selena Gomez to Launch Beauty Line
Smart ovens turning on overnight and preheating to 400 degrees
OnStar faces firestorm over baby in locked car
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