Wednesday Tipsheet: Target ‘Cartwheel’ Exec Exits | Meijer Family Blackmailed | WMT Warns Suppliers | AMZN Showcases Startups
Top Target Digital Executive Alan Wizemann Is Leaving by Jason Del Rey at Recode. “Wizemann started working with Target in late 2012 as a consultant, when he helped overhaul the team building the Cartwheel coupon app…Wizemann is an entrepreneur at heart, having founded several startups before he joined Target. He also lives full time in Portland, Ore., and traveled regularly to Target’s Minneapolis headquarters.” Read more
Amazon First to Lay Out Drone ‘Rules of the Road’ by Matt O’Brien at San Jose Mercury News. “Amazon was first to unveil a plan Tuesday that includes a high-speed lane for robot delivery drones — including its own Prime Air fleet — flying between 200 and 400 feet above the ground.” Read more
Wal-Mart Warns Suppliers Over Labeling Laws by Dow Jones via Nasdaq. “The memo, dated July 20, reads as a perfunctory reiteration of state, federal and company regulations. It also notes that any fines against Wal-Mart or the company’s membership-only club chain Sam’s Club could be directed back to suppliers.” Read more
Supervalu shares soar on plan to spin off Save-A-Lot by Mike Hughlett at Star Tribune. “Supervalu’s announcement Tuesday that it aims to spin off Save-A-Lot, a national discount grocery chain, sent the company’s shares soaring 10 percent.” Read more
Amazon’s New Launchpad Page Showcases Startup Products by Abigail Tracy at Forbes. “More than 200 products created by startups are currently featured on Amazon’s new Launchpad page, which launched on Tuesday. The online retail giant worked with 25 venture capital firms, crowdfunding platforms and startup accelerators to curate the storefront’s selection.” Read more
Here’s how Kroger got on the cutting edge of the craft beer scene by Andy Brownfield at Cincinnati Business Courier. “Kroger was one of the first grocery chains that saw the potential of craft beer, and they were one of the first chains to put Samuel Adams on their shelves,” Koch told me.” Read more
****A message from Pro-Chlor Septic Tabs – Homeowners with aerobic septic systems are required to properly chlorinate them or face fines upon mandated county inspections. Flushable tabs don’t work here …only chlorine tabs made specifically for aerobic systems. Contact info@shiftmarketinggroup.net for program information or go to gwtcinc.com
DICK’S Sporting Goods, DonorsChoose.org launch ‘Sports Matter’ crowdfunding partnership by Cam Smith at USA Today. “Three million dollars, half of it from DICK’S, can go a long way toward soothing the sting of many of these cutbacks.” Read more
St. Louis suburb gets first Neighborhood Markets in area by Lisa Brown at St. Louis Post Dispatch. “Two Wal-Mart Neighborhood Markets, which are about 41,000 square feet versus 182,000 square feet for Supercenters, will open at 45 Sutters Mill Road and 3031 Mid Rivers Mall Drive in St. Peters.” Read more
Lowe’s Canada President to Speak at Retail Council Breakfast on Sep. 3rd Read the invite
Brit tried to extort £2million from Meijer family by Steph Cockroft at Daily Mail. “Casbolt – described in court as an ‘extremely dangerous man’ – also posted ramblings about his wife being a prostitute and even threatened to send suicide bombers to her parents’ home.” Read more
Tipsheet Extra
Brian Cornell resigns from the board of directors of Polaris Industries
‘Elvis Presley Bedding’ headed to select Walmart stores
Sunglass company Oakley is laying off more than 160 workers
Waltons to bring new private school to Bentonville
Meat-labeling legislation sparks fear of retaliation against US
***
Eye-on-Retail Tipsheet is created early every weekday morning and read by retail merchants and executives worldwide. 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. See our website at www.eyeonretail.net