Costco May Comp Sales (ex. gas & f/x) +8.0% “…net sales of $11.02 billion for the retail month of May, the four weeks ended June 3, 2018, an increase of 14.1 percent from $9.66 billion last year.” Press release

 

Neiman Marcus Q3 Comp Revenues +6.0% Press release

 

…New Neiman Marcus CEO says strategy is working by Maria Halkias at Dallas Morning News. “…strongest gains were in handbags, accessories and jewelry…Three more Last Call stores are closing July 13…Online sales increased 17.1 percent to $416 million and represent more than 35 percent of overall sales.” Read more (Tiered subs.)

 

GameStop turns to comic books in 40 store test by Brian Womack at Dallas Business Journal. “The collectibles piece of its business, though relatively small, grew 24 percent during the first quarter while overall sales declined by 5.5 percent.” Read more

 

Target launching design-focused home brand to bring better functionality to everyday items by Kavita Kumar at Star Tribune. “The 750-item (Made by Design) line that hits stores on June 23 includes everything from cookware with pour spouts and lids with built-in strainers to rustproof bath accessories and bath towels with hanging loops on them so they don’t fall as easily on the bathroom floor. Most items are under $30.” Read more (Tiered subs.)

 

Walmart tests FAST unloader in 30 of its busiest supercenters by Kim Souza at Talk Business. “The highest turnover among jobs in Walmart supercenters are with employees who unload trucks. The retailer hopes the use of an automated unloading conveyor system from Casi not only reduces employee turnover but also improves on-shelf product availability.” Read more

 

GLOBAL 2000: The World’s Largest Public Companies (Walmart #24, Amazon #53) at Forbes. Full list

 

More than 450 Businesses Head to Walmart’s Home Office in Bentonville for a Shot at the American Dream Press release

 

Target Fires Employee Who Falsely Accused Black Woman of Theft by Kate Taylor at Business Insider. “The woman, Ashonae Davis, and her attorney say she was handcuffed, forced to do a “walk of shame” through the Target store, and then made to pull up her shirt and pull down her pants in front of two male loss-prevention officers.” Read more

 

**A message from ReadyStrainer – Sink full of dirty dishes and need to drain noodles? The ReadyStrainer sits at the side of the sink and directs water into the sink! Overview | Website | Sample: info@eyeonretail.net

 

250K UPS union members teed up for massive potential strike by Brittany De Lea at Fox Business. “The current contract, which was for a five-year duration, expires at the end of July. Only after its expiration can members strike.” Read more

 

El Rancho Supermercado opens first Houston-area store by Jen Para at Houston Business Journal. Read more

 

Halo Top opens scoop shops by Zan Romanoff at Eater. “The brand has opened two scoop shops so far, the one in Culver City as well as an outlet in Topanga (LA)…And soon, a pop-up is coming to New York’s Supermoon Bakehouse, in a test of the NYC market.” Read more

 

Walmart goes upscale again with Winemakers Selection wines at bargain prices by Ben Tobin at USA Today. “…offering 10 “distinctive labels” of wine sourced from California, France and Italy. They sell for about $11 per bottle, yet will be high quality, according to Nichole Simpson, Walmart’s senior wine buyer. They “drink like a $30 to $40 bottle of wine,” Simpson said.” Read more

 

NRF/University of Florida Survey Says Retail ‘Shrink’ Decreased to $46.8 Billion in 2017 Press release

 

Former Toys ‘R’ Us boss has plan to salvage chain by Lisa Fickenscher at NY Post. “Storch, who was chairman and CEO of the company from 2006 to 2013, is in discussions with several venture groups that are considering buying the remaining parts of the storied retailer and bringing him on to the management team, a source with knowledge of the talks told The Post.” Read more

 

CHICAGOLAND – Amazon Go cashierless stores coming to Willis Tower, Ogilvie by Ryan Ori at Chicago Tribune. “Amazon has leased spaces for the high-tech new stores in Chicago’s tallest building, Willis Tower, and in an office building connected to Ogilvie Transportation Center, according to sources.” Read more (Tiered subs.)

 

Canada Is About to Legalize Recreational Marijuana Use by David Meyer at Fortune. “The Canadian senate will on Thursday vote on a bill that would make the country the first G20 state to legalize recreational marijuana. The senate is expected to ratify Bill C-45.” Read more

 

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