’60 Minutes’ Goes Inside Apple HQ for a Peek at the Apple Store of the Future by Dawn Chmielewski at Recode. “The “60 Minutes” segment, to air at 7:30 pm Sunday, gains access to Jony Ive’s “secret” design studio at Apple’s Cupertino headquarters. It also gives Apple Chief Executive Tim Cook a platform to discuss encryption, corporate taxes and manufacturing products in China.” Read more

 

Reports: Amazon is starting its own air cargo operation, wants to use 20 Boeing freighter jets by Taylor Soper at GeekWire. “The Seattle Times also reported about Amazon’s plans on Thursday, but noted that the company is looking to lease jets, not purchase them, because it does not have an Air Operator’s Certificate, among other reasons.” Read more

 

Grocery Shakeout as Organic Goes Mainstream by David Randall at Reuters. “The number of organic items now available in traditional grocery stores is up between 35 percent and 50 percent over the last year, according to estimates from investment bank Piper Jaffray.” Read more

 

REI hires National Geographic executive as CFO by Angel Gonzalez at Seattle Times. “Her arrival means that Eric Artz, who until now ran the company’s financials, will devote himself to his role as chief operating officer.” Read more

 

Women’s merchandise costs 7% more than those aimed at men by Erin Durkin at NY Daily News. “Gender discrimination is never acceptable, and when we know that women continue to make less than men every year, the findings of this study are insult to injury for female consumers,” said Mayor de Blasio, who said the city would pressure retailers to change gender disparities in pricing.” Read more

 

** Trade Show Spotlight – Retail Buyers Love ASD Market Week!

• “I go to five different markets – if I had to give up a market this is the last one I’d give up” Retail chain owner
• “It’s a very profitable show for us.” Buyer, Hallmark 

Go inside the trade show here. On February 28 – March 2, 2016, 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. Learn more about ASD / See category list | Register Now

 

Shoppers in 108 countries have ordered from Target’s Int’l website at A Bullseye View. 

• Most Remote Shipments: New Caledonia, French Polynesia and Azerbaijan
• Cheapest Item Purchased: up&up Erasers (just $.49!) sent to Hong Kong
• Most Expensive Item Purchased: Upside down, pre-lit Christmas Tree sent to Italy
• Top Seller so Far: Enfamil Premium Infant Formula  Read more

 

Kroger’s Marmer to lead anti-poverty effort by Sharon Coolidge at Cincinnati Enquirer. “(Lynn) Marmer is group vice president of corporate affairs for Kroger, from where she will retire Feb. 1.” Read more

 

Black Lives Matter plans Mall of America protest Dec. 23 by Jim Hammerand at Minneapolis/St.Paul Business Journal. “Black Lives Matter Minneapolis said on Facebook that it will call off the “BlackXmas2″ demonstration if authorities release video recordings of the police shooting death of Jamar Clark and prosecute the officers involved.” Read more

 

…Chicago: #BlackChristmas Protesters Plan Magnificent Mile Takeover by Alex Nitkin at DNAinfo. “Christmas Eve: Demonstrators at the event, dubbed #BlackChristmas will at meet at noon at the intersection of Michigan Avenue and Wacker Drive and make their way up to Oak Street.” Read more

 

Best Buy hopes faster free shipping will rein in holiday procrastinators by Kavita Kumar at Star Tribune. “(Best Buy) is trying to rein in last-minute holiday shoppers by offering free two-day shipping for online orders placed by 10:30 a.m. Tuesday.” Read more

 

The Whole Foods Co-CEO Has Saved Up 338 Days of Vacation Time by Anders Melin at Bloomberg. “With technology today, forget it — you’re never off,” said Jon Luther, former CEO of Dunkin’ Brands Group Inc., who did take vacations but would spend mornings on work calls before switching to relaxation mode.” Read more

 

New NBA Flagship Store Set To Open In NYC by Kurt Badenhausen at Forbes. “It will be the only NBA Store in the U.S. There are 151 outside the U.S.” Read more

 

Canada: Head start on suds sales has Loblaw’s rivals crying in their beer by Vito Pilieci at Postmedia  News via Financial Post. “Competitors are questioning why Loblaw Cos. got an apparent head start on selling beer that allowed one of its outlets to be the site of a photo opportunity for Premier Kathleen Wynne.” Read more

 

The cashmere sweater at Macy’s I’m following? It’s 80% off today by John Ewoldt at Star Tribune. “Since I purchased the $195 sweater for $69.99 on Black Friday weekend, the price has changed to $97.50, $79.99, $78, $68.25 and a week ago, $52.49. That’s when I foolishly wrote “At 73% off, I don’t think I’ll get much of a lower price, even after Christmas.” I guess that I just don’t know Macy’s very well because today, you buy that sweater for $39.99.” Read more

 

Tipsheet Extra Stories

Target: Disgruntled worker crashes car into Target store (gets stuck head-first in cart upon exit)

At a glance: 10 highest-paid female CFOs (Carol Tome #8)

Walmart Crushes Holiday Video Views , Has #1 Viral Video

Butter shortage forces Canada’s dairy commission to import 8.8-million pounds of butter 

Walmart Touts Friday No-Minimum Free Shipping

Read Tipsheet Extra Stories

 

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Contact Jason Long, jlong@eyeonretail.net