Tipsheet:
Big Lots Q2 sales +1.6% Press release
Lululemon Q2 comp sales +20% vs. expected +9.6% Press release | CNBC article
Google and Mastercard Cut a Secret Ad Deal to Track Retail Sales by Mark Bergen & Jennifer Surane. Tiered subs.
Ulta Beauty Q2 comp sales +6.5% “Retail comparable sales increased 4.0%, including salon comparable sales growth of 1.7%; E-commerce sales increased 37.9% to $132.8 million.” Press release
Walmart will have 30% more toys in stores this holiday season at CNBC. “…and it will offer 40 percent more toys on Walmart.com. At some locations, the physical space dedicated to toys also will be larger, Walmart said Thursday at a briefing with the media in New York.” Read more
…Hatchimals, hoverboards and Fingerlings are tops as Walmart unveils top toy picks by Charisse Jones at USA Today. “On Sept. 8, young shoppers will be able to try out toys, snap pictures and leave with giveaways as Walmart hosts a “National Play Day” at over 1,500 Walmart locations.” Read more
The Most Powerful Women in Chicago Business (Mary Dillon, etc.) at Crain’s Chicago Business. Tiered subs.
Walmart.com tests new fulfillment protocol for consumables, some vendors in limbo by Kim Souza at The City Wire. “…for suppliers selling everyday consumables…including pets, dry grocery, office and party supplies, household, baby, health and beauty…the test is known as Geo-Location/ Geo-Gaging, and is considered is a next step toward smart basket capabilities used by Jet.com.” Read more
Instacart is now available to 70% of U.S. households at TechCrunch.”Last year, the company announced its goal to reach 80 percent of U.S. households by the end of 2018, and its most recent funding round seems to be propelling the startup to achieve that goal.” Read more
…Kroger and Instacart Expand Same-day Grocery Delivery by 50% to 1,600+ Stores Press release
Abercrombie comp sales rose 3 percent in the quarter vs. 3.7 percent increase, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S at NY Post. Read more
Chinese government plans to limit the number of new games approved for release, and the total number of titles. The initiative is part of a growing government campaign against games and online addiction in young people. at Variety. Read more
Target Is Already Thinking Of Expanding Heyday, Its First-Ever Consumer Electronics Brand by Barbara Thau at Forbes. “Mark Tritton: “Our first internally designed and developed brand in electronics gives us a chance to more deeply connect with our Gen Z and younger Millennial guest. We believe it’s a disruptor…” Read more
Austin’s bag ban is no more; City Hall still hopes store owners shun single-use bags by Daniel Salazar at Austin Business Journal. Read more
Gunmaker American Outdoor Brands (Smith & Wesson) jumps more than 20 percent after earnings beat at CNBC. Read more
The Cosby Show star Geoffrey Owens is spotted working as a cashier at Trader Joe’s at Daily Mail. Read more
Tipsheet Extra Stories
Home Depot employees build lemonade stand for boy raising money for cancer-stricken friend
Useful or creepy? Machines suggest Gmail replies
Target & Nordstrom model talks about living with a disability and navigating the streets of NYC
DSW to close Town Shoes brand, all 38 stores in Canada by January
Chief U.S. spy catcher says China using LinkedIn to recruit Americans