Wal-Mart’s Comparable Sales Top Estimates at Fox Business. “Sales at U.S. stores open at least a year rose 1.8 percent, excluding fuel. Analysts polled by research firm Consesus Metrix had forecast a rise of 1.3 percent.” Read more

 

…Walmart Hurt By Dreaded Tax Refund Delays for More Than 40 Million Lower Income People at The Street. “Starting this year, the Internal Revenue Service is required to hold off issuing tax refunds until Feb. 15 for those tax filers claiming the Earned Income Tax Credit.” Read more

 

Home Depot blows past Wall Street expectations, buoyed up by healthy housing market by Krystina Gustafson at CNBC. “Comparable sales: 5.8 percent increase vs. the 3.7 percent increase expected by FactSet.” Read more

 

Macy’s Profit Beats Estimates on Store Closures, Lower Costs at Fox Business. “Sales in Macy’s stores open at least a year, including sales in departments licensed to third parties, fell 2.1 percent, compared with the 2.2 percent drop expected by analysts.” Read more

 

Loblaw resets all PC Plus passwords after breach steals member points via Toronto Star. “Loblaw has reset passwords for all its PC Plus rewards collectors’ online accounts after points were stolen from some members’ accounts.” Read more

 

Instacart is playing games with its workers’ pay — and will eventually suffer for it by Jason Del Rey at Recode. “Whatever the truth, Instacart is fast developing a reputation for messing with its own workforce. You know, the humans that the “software company” relies on to pick, pack and deliver to its customers.That should be a red flag, not only to management and employees, but to its investors.” Read more

 

Amazon Quietly Lowered Its Free Shipping Minimum to $35 by Rachel King at Fortune. Read more

 

Toys “R” Us has laid off up to 15% of HQ employees – approximately 250 jobs eliminated by Tom Popomaronis at Forbes. Read more

 

Rollback: Wal-Mart Canada to focus more on everyday low pricing initiative by Marina Strauss at Globe & Mail. “We’re taking prices down on a more permanent basis for a minimum of at least six months, which is as permanent as you’re going to get in an a price environment with inflation and deflation,” chief executive officer Lee Tappenden said in an interview.” Read more

 

**A message from GlobalShop – as a retail expert, you impact the customer experience and GlobalShop is the driving force behind that experience. Through education, peer networking and interaction with retail suppliers, you’ll return with results to build your brand and create a more effective retail environment. From mannequins and lighting to flooring and signage, GlobalShop has it all. Register now to join us in Las Vegas March 28-30, 2017! Qualified attendees use code GS17EOR for free expo hall admission. Sneak peek at retailers attending! | Website | Networking Events

 

Zappos CEO didn’t just want a company — he wanted a cult by Mackenzie Dawson at NY Post. “Partying hard was the norm when people entered Tony’s world …,” writes Groth. “Zappos is different from most companies in that employees are rewarded for partying with their CEO. I never heard of anyone in his sphere suffering repercussions from doing something outrageous or unsavory. Those sorts of events only seem to bond the tribe.” Read more

 

Saks Fifth Avenue in talks with Aditya Birla Fashion to set up India stores by Sapna Agarwal at Hindustan Times. “The first store is likely to open in Aerocity, near the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi, followed by a second in an upcoming retail project in Mumbai’s Bandra Kurla Complex business district, said one of the two people, both of whom spoke on condition of anonymity.” Read more

 

Costco CFO Richard Galanti invests in artificial-intelligence travel planning platform by Monica Nickelsburg at GeekWire. Read more

 

T.J. Maxx arrives in Australia by Simon Johanson at The Sydney Morning Herald. “The group is believed to be currently fitting out a 2000 square metre retail space in Kingston Central Plaza at Moorabbin Airport in the city’s southern suburbs.” Read more

 

U.S. Appetite for Organic Food Prompts Jump in Grain Imports; Farmers Cry Foul by Jacob Bunge at Wall Street Journal. “U.S. organic-farming groups say that influx of foreign grain has been a chief factor in slashing prices for organic corn by about 30% in 2016, along with a 20% decline for organic soybeans. Those declines came despite robust growth in U.S. sales of organic foods.” Read more (subs.)

 

Nordstrom’s big, beautiful stores are losing ground by Janet I. Tu at Seattle Times. Read more

 

Costco co-founder Jim Sinegal to give keynote speech 3/1/17 at San Diego State University Read more

 

The top e-retailers for customer service by Allison Enright at Internet Retailer. “B&H Photo-Video, Gap, L.L. Bean, Lancome, Moosejaw, The Home Depot, Zappos. Read more

 

Walgreens integrates rewards program into Android Pay by Brielle Jaekel at Mobile Commerce Daily. Read more

 

Ex-HD Supply Managers Sue In Chancery Over Stock Awards by Matt Chiappardi at Law 360. Read more (subs.)

 

Nordstrom spotlights up-and-coming talent in incubator program at Luxury Daily. “Kicking off Feb. 21, The Lab is housed within the retailer’s Space concept in-store boutiques at five Nordstrom locations, with a corresponding ecommerce presence.” Read more

 

Tipsheet Extra Stories

Arby’s Acknowledges Breach

UPS Launching Saturday Ground Operations in U.S.

You can now buy Snap’s video-recording sunglasses online

Walmart cashier helps struggling family pay for groceries

Pop-Tarts made into pizza, tacos, and even ‘fries’

Target Clarifies Apple Pay Situation After Misleading Tweet

Read Tipsheet Extra Stories

 

**

Eye on Retail Tipsheet is must-read material for 20,000+ retail execs every weekday morning. Tipsheet stories are carefully curated bright and early every morning to ensure fresh and unique content.

Subscribe to Eye on Retail Tipsheet here

 

Contact us: Send story tips, press releases and advertising inquiries to info@eyeonretail.net

 

Website: www.eyeonretail.net