WM Squeeze | BJ’s +4.6% | Kroger +2.4% | Burl. Beats
BJ’s Wholesale Club Q4 comp sales (ex-fuel) +4.6% “…guidance for fiscal 2025: Comparable club sales, excluding the impact of gasoline sales, to increase 2.0% to 3.5% year-over-year.” Press release
Kroger Q4 ID sales (ex-fuel) +2.4% “Full-Year 2025 Guidance: Identical Sales without fuel of 2.0% – 3.0%.” Press release
Walmart Asks Chinese Suppliers for Major Price Cuts on Trump Tariffs at Bloomberg. “Some suppliers, including producers of kitchenware and clothing, have been asked to lower their prices by as much as 10% per round of tariffs, essentially shouldering the full cost of Trump’s duties, according to the people, who asked not to be identified as the information is private…So far, few have acquiesced.” Bloomberg subs. | MSN
Macy’s, Inc. Q4 comp sales (owned) down 1.1% Press release
…Macy’s turnaround starts to take shape, but ailing stores weigh on quarterly results at CNBC. “…comparable sales across its owned and licensed businesses, plus its online marketplace, were up 0.2%, which is the highest the metric has been since the first quarter of 2022. Plus, the so-called First 50 locations…saw comparable sales up 0.8%…” Read more
US retailers publicly scrap some ‘DEI’ initiatives while quietly supporting others at Reuters. “Tractor Supply…ceased gathering data on its workforce for the Human Rights Campaign’s annual Corporate Equality Index…But Keayana Robinson, the contractor who led the diversity data collection at Tractor Supply, told Reuters the retailer offered to keep her on in an undefined role that would be “as closely aligned as possible” to the DEI work she had been doing…”I don’t want to work for an organization that wants to hide me,” she said.” Reuters subs.
Burlington Stores, Inc. Q4 comp sales +6%, versus guidance of 0% to 2% Press release
…Cramer: Burlington shares jumped 13% this morning after crushing estimates with its financials numbers. Off-price retailer is a bright spot in a tough industry.
**A message from Sensi: Sensi named a “Best Smart Thermostat of 2024” by CNET noting its simple and intuitive display, which allows you to make changes easily. Website | Contact: info@eyeonretail.net
Inside Walmart’s immersive commerce strategy to reach Gen Z and Gen Alpha at Ad Age. “Walmart is selling real-world items across numerous virtual environments—a strategy called immersive commerce—that the retail giant hopes will create new demand among young consumers for convenient shopping experiences inside social and gaming platforms.” Ad Age subs.
Joann Commences Store Closing Sales at All 790 Locations Nationwide Press release
Target Wants to Bring Back the ‘Tarzhay’ Magic at WSJ. “At an investor briefing Tuesday, the company said it would focus on its traditional strengths: exciting merchandise and a great store experience. Executives on the call repeatedly referred to the company as “Tarzhay”…” WSJ subs.
Home Depot introduces Magic Apron, a suite of advanced AI tools to help customers Press release
Meet Lowe’s newest associate, Mylow, the first AI-powered virtual home improvement assistant Press release
7-Eleven will sell an underperforming retail business, replace its chief executive and buy back shares to strengthen its case for repelling takeover at Yahoo Finance
Google’s Shopping tab has a new AI tool that takes your fashion idea and suggests similar clothing at Tech Crunch. “The new feature, “Vision Match,” is now available in the search experience on mobile for U.S. users. It lets shoppers describe a garment they’re imagining, and then the AI suggests ideas based on the description, along with the best available matches that users can purchase.” Read more
Walmart, KKR to sell Japanese grocer Seiyu for about $2.54 billion at Talk Business
**Advertise your product, service or trade show in Eye on Retail Tipsheet to get in front of the most powerful retail decision-makers in the world. Contact: info@eyeonretail.net