Costco September Comp Sales Flat (+8% Excluding Gasoline & Foreign Exchange) “Costco reported net sales of $10.75 billion for the month of September, the five weeks ended October 4, 2015, an increase of two percent from $10.57 billion during the similar period last year.” Read the release

 

Target’s Kristi Argyilan on What ‘In-House Programmatic’ Really Means by Alexander Bruell at Ad Age. “Advertising Age: Are you spending more on programmatic? Ms. Argyilan: Yes, definitely…We have our own exchange and private marketplace, and in that marketplace we have every channel represented, including some experimental video and TV…Ms. Argyilan will be speaking at Ad Age’s Brand Summit in Los Angeles on Nov. 4.” Read the Q&A

 

TJX CEO Carol Meyrowitz is exiting in style by Taryn Luna at Boston Globe. “TJX said Wednesday that Meyrowitz will be succeeded by her second in command, president and 26-year TJX veteran Ernie Herrman.” Read more

 

J.C. Penney CEO Marvin Ellison focused on building customer loyalty by Maria Halkias at Dallas Morning News. “Crowds are following Marvin Ellison around these days…last month at the Goldman Sachs Annual Global Retailing Conference. The half-empty room filled up when it was Ellison’s turn at the podium. He’ll be talking to the retail industry again Thursday afternoon at the Texas A&M Retailing Summit at the Westin Galleria in Dallas…” Read more

 

Chicago: New Streeterville Target is tiny but delivers big by Judy Hevrdejs at Chicago Tribune. “Located at 401 E. Illinois St., with its grand opening slated for Sunday, the new Streeterville Target boasts an array of goods celebrating Chicago’s appetite for sports and food that we spotted during a first-day visit…” Read more

 

…Any alcohol purchased in the Starbucks must be consumed within the coffee shop limits, starting at 2 p.m. on weekdays and noon on weekends by Brigid Sweeney at Chicago Crain’s. Read more

 

Jet.com Overhauls Business Model, Kills $50 Membership Fee to Broaden Appeal by Jason Del Rey at Recode via CNBC. “One obvious question: Was Jet afraid that fewer customers were willing to pay for a membership after their free trial ended?” Read more

 

Wal-Mart to open second e-commerce center in Fort Worth by Maria Halkias at Dallas Morning News. “Local government officials were given a tour Wednesday of the building, which processes hundreds of thousands of items a day, Wal-Mart spokeswoman Anne Hatfield said.” Read more

 

Amazon pumps $190M into its India operations, opens 21st fulfillment center in the country by Michael De Waal-Montgomery at Venture Beat. Read more

 

Family-owned Mills Fleet Farm looking to sell company by Renee Richardson via Pioneer Press. “For the long term, this is what is right for the business, this is what is right for our employees,” Mills said. “It’s a very, very painful decision for the Mills family.” Read more

 

An Amazon ‘pick-up’ store may be coming to a college near you by Leena Rao at Fortune. “Amazon plans to open more customer service outlets near college campuses so students can pick up their orders, according to several job listings on the company’s website. Students at University of California at Berkeley, University of California at Santa Barbara, and the University of Cincinnati will soon be able to visit physical Amazon stores on or near campus to get their packages.” Read more

 

Amazon launches Handmade, an Etsy-style portal for artisanal goods by Paul Sawers at Venture Beat. Read more

 

PetSmart spokesperson: Animals died when SC store flooded by Dal Kalsi at Fox Carolina. “Posts circulating on social media allege that animals were intentionally left to die, but PetSmart Corporate Communications Manager Erin Gray said the store took steps to save animals and tried to rescue others after the flash flooding.” Read more

 

Magnificent mansion of retail tycoon Charles Woolworth is now a ruin at Daily Mail. “The half-destroyed Pennsylvania home of the co-founder of the Woolworth retail empire has been put on the market for just $295,000…While the grand house is a vision from the outside – all 8,000 square-feet of it – inside it is in near-ruins.” See the pics / Read more

 

Tipsheet Extra

Walmart: Laid off HQ employee talks to TV reporter (married four days before)

Arlington’s new tiny Target is ready to open (video/pics)

JCPenney Hires a New Agency to Help Grow the Brand With Middle-Income Shoppers

Jimmie Johnson driving Red Vest Lowes paint scheme at Charlotte (Photos)

Amazon’s promotional ‘Treasure Truck’ still missing in action

Chinese toolmaker must pay $54 million for copying DeWalt color scheme

How Coach Inc plans to recapture the high-end market as ‘affordable luxury’ rivals rise (President Q&A)

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