Holiday e-commerce increases 13% to $69 billion by Tracy Maple at Internet Retailer. “The numbers fell a bit short of comScore’s prediction of $70 billion sales and 14% growth. Sales from personal computers only grew 6%, less than the 9% growth comScore anticipated, but mobile growth of 60% over the holiday season partly made up for the shortfall.” Read more

 

Bed, Bath & Beyond Q3 Comp -0.4% “Net sales were approximately $2.952 billion, an increase of approximately 0.3% from net sales of approximately $2.943 billion reported in the third quarter of fiscal 2014.” Read more

 

Target’s Collaboration With Soulcycle Is Its Most Unexpected Partnership Yet by Jamie Feldman at Huffington Post. “The two mega-brands have paired up to offer shoppers free pop-up fitness cycling classes (usually $34) in ten cities — Houston, Seattle, Washington D.C., Atlanta, Denver, Nashville, Miami, Chicago, Minneapolis and Los Angeles –between Jan. 22 and Feb. 14, as well as a pop-up shop dedicated to wellness products in the participating stores.” Read more

 

Wal-Mart sued over sale of bullets used in Pennsylvania murders via CNBC. “Until recently, sellers of guns and ammunition assumed they were protected from liability by the federal Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act. But last year, in a Wisconsin case, a jury found a Milwaukee gun store liable for selling a gun to a 21-year-old customer even though clerks had serious misgivings that the buyer was illegally buying the gun for someone else.” Read more

 

Supervalu files plan to spin off Save-A-Lot by Sam Black & Jim Hammerand at Minneapolis/St.Paul Business Journal. “The spinoff’s headquarters will be at Save-a-Lot’s current offices in Earth City, Mo. Supervalu…said the move does not need stockholder approval but did not say when the separation would be final.” Read more

 

Container Store, Macy’s, HSN cashing in on movie “Joy” based on inventor Joy Mangano by Maria Halkias at Dallas Morning News. “The Container Store is hosting Mangano at one of its Manhattan stores (58th & Lexington) on Sunday. The Container Store has sold a zillion of Mangano’s non-slip, space saving Huggable Hangers. Macy’s starts selling her products on Saturday. Mangano is making an appearance at its Herald Square store in Manhattan.” 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 

See retail buyer testimonial video 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. See show category list | Register Now

 

REI launches app-based guide to U.S. national parks by Angel Gonzalez at Seattle Times. “The app, dubbed the REI Co-op Guide to the National Parks, will contain trail maps and descriptions for many national parks and their surroundings.” Read more

 

J.C.Penney comp sales +3.9% in November and December by Matthew Townsend at Bloomberg. “Despite unprecedented warm weather that significantly affected apparel sales across the company, our focus on private brands, enhanced omnichannel execution and compelling gift giving selection resulted in strong holiday sales,” (Marvin) Ellison said in the statement.” Read more

 

Container Store Q3 Comp +0.5% Read the release

 

…The Container Store stock nosedives nearly 17 percent after Q3 loss by Korri Kezar at Dallas Business Journal. “The company’s full-year guidance also held bad news. TCS now expects consolidated net sales to range between $785 million and $795 million, down from previous predictions of $800 million to $815 million.” Read more

 

Walgreens Q1 Results: “…net earnings attributable to Walgreens Boots Alliance determined in accordance with GAAP increased 30.6 percent to $1.1 billion compared with the same quarter a year ago.” Read the release

 

Walgreens Defends its Deal with Valeant by Laura Lorenzetti at Fortune. “Of course, when you introduce something new to the market and some new thoughts there’s always people who may think differently,” said Walgreens President Alex Gourlay. “We’re trying to take costs out of the system.” Read more

 

DECEMBER COMPS:  Gap -5%  | Fred’s +2.4% 

 

ORCHARD SUPPLY PLANS GROWTH – Two years after bankruptcy, Lowe’s-owned hardware chain looks to expand by Annie Sciacca at San Francisco Business Times. “The 84-year-old retailer is slated to open nine stores in 2016, bringing its store count up from 76 to 85. That includes one or more in the San Francisco area, where it has already rolled out several new outlets.” Read more

 

Take a peek inside Cincy’s first Amazon store by Erin Caproni at Cincinnati Business Journal. See the 11 pics

 

Tipsheet Extra Stories

Chief Executive Magazine Lists Top 40 Companies for Leaders (P&G #9, Coca-Cola #27)

Apple just bought a startup that reads people’s emotions

Barneys New York to open at Chelsea location where it all started

Former Pier 1 exec to lead Sally Beauty Supply’s U.S., Canadian business

Costco senior vice-president retiring

Read Tipsheet Extra Stories

 

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