“Whole Foods paying $800,000 for overcharging in California” by Shan Li at LA Times.  “Problems included failing to deduct the weight of containers when ringing up fresh food, putting smaller amounts into packages than the weight stated on the label, and selling items by the piece instead of by the pound, as required by law, the statement said.”  Read more

 

“Latest Minnesota push strengthens Walmart where it’s weakest” by Nick Halter at Minneapolis/St.Paul Bus. Journal.  “The 420,000-square-foot Mankato distribution center, when it opens in spring 2015, will employ 300 and supply groceries to Wal-Mart stores in the upper Midwest…Wal-Mart has surpassed Target’s store count in Minnesota, boasting 82 stores — at least if you include the company’s 13 Sam’s Clubs…Target has 75 Minnesota stores.”  Read more

 

“5 stores where you should never pay full price (Sears #1, Macy’s #2)” at MarketWatch via NY Post.  “Some stores release coupons so frequently that their customers would almost be crazy to pay full price. According to data that deal site DealScience.com ran for MarketWatch, covering between 3,000 and 4,000 brands, the average major retailer releases just over one new coupon each week.”  See the Top 5 List

 

“Target Accused of Infringing on Priceline Founder’s Patent” by Jake Anderson at Twin Cities Business.  “Target declined to comment on the lawsuit, citing the fact that it is still pending litigation. But media reports indicate that Walker has an extensive track record of suing big companies in a variety of industries.”  Read more

 

“FAA bans delivery by drone” by Julie Balise at SF Gate.  “The third bullet relates to Amazon…’If an individual offers free shipping in association with a purchase or other offer, FAA would construe the shipping to be in furtherance of a business purpose, and thus, the operation would not fall within the statutory requirement of recreation or hobby purpose.’  Read more

 

****A message from Pro-Chlor Septic Tabs.  Homeowners with aerobic septic systems are required to properly chlorinate their system or face fines upon mandated county inspections. Flushable tabs won’t work here …only septic tablets made specifically for aerobic systems.   High margin – High ring. Contact info@shiftmarketinggroup.net for program information or go to www.gwtcinc.com

 

“Will soaring Family Dollar stock prices stave off a takeover?” by Jennifer Thomas at Charlotte Bus. Journal.  “Family Dollar has sales per square foot of $170, compared with $220 per square foot for Dollar General. Storms notes that Family Dollar’s operating margin is 5.5 percent. That’s well below Dollar General’s 9.9 percent.”  Read more

 

“Walgreen withdraws earnings goals” by Peter Frost at Chicago Tribune.  “Walgreen Co. on Tuesday withdrew its profit goals for its 2016 fiscal year, citing unforeseen pressure in its pharmacy operations and a lack of clarity on the final structure it will take following its expected purchase of European drug giant Alliance Boots GmbH.”  Read more

 

Boston:  “Survey finds problems with supermarkets’ scanners” by Megal Woolhouse at Boston Globe.  “A review of nearly three dozen supermarkets in Greater Boston by the online journal ConsumerWorld.org found nearly half the scanners did not work or otherwise comply with state rules aimed at guaranteeing pricing accuracy. The rules went into effect 18 months ago.” Read more

 

“September 17th: Target CMO Jeff Jones Presents at Ad Age CMO Summit”  Read more

 

Today: Home Depot Presents at Oppenheimer Consumer Conference at 9:05 a.m. ET  Webcast

 

“The Barcode Turns 40” by Jeff Gray at The Globe & Mail.  “Forty years ago Thursday, the purchase of a 67-cent (U.S.) package of Wrigley’s Juicy Fruit gum at a supermarket in Troy, Ohio, received what may have seemed like an undue amount of attention. With reporters and photographers looking on, a flat cellophane bag of 10 smaller gum packages, now enshrined in the Smithsonian Institution, was the subject of the first-ever transaction in the world to involve scanning a bar code. ”  Read more

 

“Delhaize names Kevin Holt its North American CEO” by Jennifer Thomas at Charlotte Bus. Journal.  “Holt was formerly president of retail operations at SuperValu Inc. He also will become a member of Delhaize Group’s executive committee.”  Read more

 

“How Amazon’s Product Design Is Governed by the Whims of Jeff Bezos” by Joshua Brustein at Businessweek.  “I think that Amazon is a challenging place to work as a designer, because there’s only one product manager,” says Goss. “That’s Jeff, and he’s not a design guy.”  Read more

 

***

About Eye-on-Retail

Eye-on-Retail is a daily tipsheet that is must-read material for thousands of Retail Merchants/Executives every weekday morning. Eye-on-Retail is unique because it’s timely, smart and fun. It’s created bright and early every morning and delivered around 7 am CST. We love data, earnings reports, executive presentations and stories off the beaten path that get at what’s really happening in the world of retail. Enjoy!

Send story tips, news releases, comments & questions to: info@shiftmarketinggroup.net