Wal-Mart to tear down walls between store, online buying operations by Nandita Bose at Reuters. “It also wants to apply its bricks-and-mortar expertise in securing the lowest possible prices to its e-commerce business, according to the vendors, who spoke over the last few days. They declined to be identified for fear of disrupting business relations with Wal-Mart.” Read more

 

Fast Company: 2017 World’s 50 Most Innovative Companies (Amazon, Home Depot…) Top 50 rankings

 

‘Bananacam,’ ClickList improvements among innovations Kroger’s technology unit is launching by Steve Watkins at Cincinnati Business Courier. “This is one of four Kroger technology sites in Blue Ash. One is so secret that Matthew Groom, Kroger Technology’s general manager, told me he couldn’t disclose the site or he’d have to kill me. He was kidding about the punishment … I think. The location I visited on Carver Road in the Landings office development opened a year ago. It’s home to about 250 Kroger digital employees…” Read more

 

Retail CEOs Are Heading to Washington to Plead Case Against Import Tax at Fortune. “Chief executives of some of America’s largest retailers, including Target and Best Buy, are headed to Washington this week to make their case that a controversial tax on imports would raise consumer prices and hurt their businesses, according to people familiar with the plan. The group of eight retail bosses, that also includes chief executives of Gap and Autozone, will meet on Wednesday with Kevin Brady, chairman of the tax-writing House Ways and Means Committee, and with members of the Senate, four people said in recent days.” Read more

 

Jeff Bezos’s first — and only — female adviser has moved on to a new role at Amazon by Jason Del Rey at Recode. “Amazon spokespeople did not respond to several requests for comment on whether a new shadow had been named and who it was. It’s also not clear what exactly Renz’s new role as chief of “delivery experience” entails.” Read more

 

Dunnhumby signs deal with Whole Foods by Steve Watkins at Cincinnati Business Courier. Read more

 

The woman behind the boycott that is pressuring retailers to dump the Trumps by Sarah Halzack at Washington Post. “She maintains a meticulous spreadsheet online of the dozens of companies that should be boycotted, including notations about why they’re on the list and updates about the inventory of Trump-branded merchandise they offer. Those that cease doing business with the Trumps are removed from the list.” Read more

 

**A message from Lock-it Block-it – Get rid of the stick! It’s time to retire the ugly wooden sticks sitting in window tracks around the world. Wooden sticks fall out, require measuring and cutting and don’t adjust up or down (no summer breeze for you!). The Lock-it Block-it is a high-impact security bar that allows windows to stay open AND secure at the same time. 13 adjustment holes allow for inch-by-inch opening adjustments. Great for sliding doors/windows too! Watch the video | Sell sheet. Retailers request samples: info@eyeonretail.net

 

Miles Cahn, creator of the Coach handbag, has died by Anthony Noto at New York Business Journal. Read more

 

EU Online-Security Plan Is Criticized by Todd Buell at Wall Street Journal. “Business groups are slamming a European Union proposal that would require customers to enter extra security information for online purchases above €10 ($10.64), saying the extra hassle could cut online sales by more than €11 billion ($11.7 billion) a year.” Read more (subscription)

 

NY Times: Amazon’s Living Lab: Reimagining Retail on Seattle Streets by Nick Wingfield. Read more

 

WinCo Foods ups new store capacity with new Denton distribution center by Maria Halkias at Dallas News. “The company said it’s focusing on Texas and Oklahoma and the new distribution center can support more than 30 stores in the two states. The distribution center will employ 165 people and can expand another 130,000 square feet. The 77-acre complex includes a 60,000-square-foot truck maintenance center.” Read more

 

Amazon unveils Chime, looks to reinvent the conference call with new Skype and GoToMeeting competitor by John Cook at GeekWire. Video/Read more

 

Ex-CVS execs join Fred’s “Gregory Froton joins as SVP Merchandising, General Merchandise. Kimberley Felice-Dooley promoted to SVP Merchandising – Consumables.” Press release

 

Gander Mountain reportedly near bankruptcy filing by Mark Reilly at Minneapolis/St.Paul Business Journal. Read more

 

Hibbett Sports Comp Sales Decrease 2.2% in Fourth Quarter Press release

 

Study: Detroit Unhealthiest City In U.S., San Fran Healthiest at Study Finds. 150 cities ranked

 

Dick’s Sporting Goods Boosts Dividend By Nearly 12% at Fox Business. Read more

 

Amazon hints at Prime sales in latest filing by John Mannes at TechCrunch. “For 2016, Amazon reported almost $6.4 billion in sales from retail subscription services. To put that in perspective, Prime sales alone surpass the entire e-commerce sales of Macy’s, The Home Depot and Best Buy. That figure represents 43 percent growth over last year’s ~$4.5 billion.” Read more

 

US mobile sales grow 45% in Q4 by Matt Linder at Internet Retailer. Read more

 

Tipsheet Extra Stories

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Retail workers reveal the secret perks they have the power to give customers if you’re nice to them

‘Made in the USA’ is a tough promise for luxury brands to make

Read Tipsheet Extra Stories

 

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