Today’s Tipsheet: Petco Nears $4.7B Deal | Walmart’s Cyber Sunday | Patti LaBelle Dragged on Twitter
Petco Nears $4.7 Billion Sale to CVC and Canadian Pension Plan by Leslie Picker at NY Times. “The deal is likely to be announced on Monday, said the person, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the discussions were still private.” Read more
Walmart is About to Turn Cyber Monday into Cyber Sunday by Phil Wahba at Fortune. “Walmart said on Monday it would offer its Cyber Monday deals beginning on Sunday for the first time ever, looking to get a head start on an online shopping day expected to generate $3 billion across the retail industry. Those Walmart deals will be available starting at 8 p.m. Eastern on Nov. 29.” Read more
“It can be exhausting for working parents and millenials to stay up past midnight to shop online, only to wake up early the next day to get ready for work,” said Fernando Madeira, President and CEO, Walmart.com….Read Walmart’s press release
Under Armour may be working out Lululemon purchase by Josh Kosman at NY Post. “It seems a natural pairing, since Under Armour has been actively seeking to grow in women’s sportswear.” Read more
Target drops early-retiree health-care benefits by Neal St. Anthony at Star Tribune. “One Twin Cities retiree, who left Target several years ago said he already was paying about $300 more per month for health insurance than active employees…” Read more
Supervalu to consider potential Save-A-Lot sale by Lauren Hirsch & Greg Roumeliotis at Reuters. “Supervalu has received interest in Save-A-Lot from several private equity firms, and has told them that it will consider offers once it registers the unit with regulators for a spin in early 2016, the sources said this week.” Read more
Patti LaBelle Gets Dragged on Twitter for Taking Credit for Sweet Potato Pie Success by Trent Fitzgerald at The Boombox. “In an interview with TMZ, when LaBelle was asked if she would get Wright to help her sell more pies, she said, “I did it myself.” Then later on the Today show, the “On My Own” songbird told Willie Geist and Tamron Hall that her pies were selling way before Wright came along with his video.” Read more
**A message from Black Flag® Brand: When the flag flies, pests die. The Black Flag® indoor/outdoor pest arsenal arms homeowners in the battle against invading bugs. Offering quick, decisive formulas that act fast and never back down, Black Flag insect and rodent controls get the job done, and take no prisoners. It’s time to Let It Fly. Check out our videos | Visit us on Facebook
Retailers, consumers hunt for hoverboards this holiday season by Kavita Kumar at Star Tribune. “Target started selling one model, the Swagway, on its website for $500 last week. The Minneapolis-based retailer likely won’t have them in stores until next year. “This is a hot item for the holiday season, and we needed to find a vendor that could provide us with adequate inventory,” said Joshua Thomas, a Target spokesman.” Read more
Watch Jeff Bezos Lay Out His Grand Vision for Amazon’s Future Dominance in This 1999 Video by Jason Del Rey at Recode. “If you’re an entrepreneur building a company, or simply interested in how one of the world’s most successful CEOs thinks about guiding a business, you should really just watch the whole 50-minute video. Bezos is alternately awkward and charming, but all in all, it’s a treat. If you want the CliffsNotes version of the CliffsNotes, though, I’ve dropped some of my favorite quotes.” See the video / Read more
Supermarket Operator Albertsons Names New CIO by Angus Loten at WSJ. “Mr. Dhanda, who comes from supermarket chain Giant Eagle Inc. where he is CIO and senior vice president, will be overseeing IT strategy…” Read more (Subscription)
Toys R Us ditches ‘girls’ and ‘boys’ categories online by Siofra Brennan at Daily Mail. “Meanwhile toy company Mattel has been praised this week for its advertisement for the new Moschino Barbie, which features an adorable boy with a mohawk…’Moschino Barbie is so fierce!’ he then says to the camera as he holds Barbie’s bag.” Read more
Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5TH Announces Three New Store Locations in Canada Read the release
Walmart names new SVP, president health and wellness by Michael Johnsen at Drug Store News. “Walmart on Friday named George Riedl as SVP, president Walmart health and wellness, reporting to Michelle Gloeckler, Walmart EVP consumables and health and wellness. Riedl starts Dec. 14.” Read more
This Amazon Exec Has One of the World’s Most Insane ‘Star Wars’ Collections by Jason Del Rey at Recode. Read more
Anyone who emits carbon will pay, Alberta says as it releases tough climate change policies by Geoffrey Morgan at Financial Post. “Anyone with a carbon footprint in Alberta — whether it’s consumers or businesses — will soon have to pay greenhouse gas taxes, under a sweeping new climate change policy Premier Rachel Notley announced Sunday.” Read more
Costco shopper who broke leg after shoving receipt checker loses lawsuit seeking $610,000 by Aimee Green at The Oregonian. “Walls became so upset when the employee stopped him that he picked up the worker by his shirt collar and shoved him against a pillar, store officials said.” Read more
Tipsheet Extra Stories
Canada’s retail sales growth could take deep cut amid oil price slump
Michael Jordan reaches settlement with Jewel, Dominick’s
How Costco’s Digital Strategy Completely Misses The Point
Who’s buying property next to Kroger’s headquarters?
Water wicking smartphone snags $5,000 prize, finds sweet spot in H-E-B
Tim Hortons abruptly shutters some stores in New York and Maine
Contact Jason Long, jlong@eyeonretail.net