Judge seems likely to block CVS-Aetna merger by Josh Kosman at NY Post. “I expect Leon to issue some kind of an injunctive order to keep them from integrating,” a source close to the case told The Post. Such a ruling, in turn, could kick-start a procedural saga that might delay the $69 billion merger for months, rather than the weeks that most investors anticipate, insiders said.” Read more

 

Nielsen: 45% often or always use devices while watching TV by Sarah Perez at TechCrunch. Read more

 

Lowe’s to hire 2,000 software engineers amid company overhaul by Katherine Peralta at Charlotte Observer. “Lowe’s CEO Marvin Ellison went so far as to call the website crash on Black Friday “embarrassing.” But, Ellison said, it demonstrated the kind of shoddy technology that store workers deal with constantly.” Tiered subs.

 

…Lowe’s Unveils a New Slogan That Sounds a Lot Like Home Depot’s by Matthew Townsend at Bloomberg. “This spring, Lowe’s will start using the phrase “Do It Right For Less.”  Tiered subs.

 

…Lowe’s Investor Presentation – Slideshow at Seeking Alpha. PowerPoint

 

Apple will build a $1 billion campus in Austin, Texas at AP News. “…(will also) break ground on smaller locations in Seattle, San Diego and Culver City, California, and over the next three years will expand in Pittsburgh, New York and Colorado.” Read more

 

Amazon Warehouse Workers in New York Announce Plan to Unionize at Bloomberg via Fortune. “…riding a wave of anti-Amazon sentiment since it was announced that New York City would give the billion-dollar company a $3 billion tax break to set up its new headquarters in Long Island City. A group of Staten Island warehouse workers claim the company treats them like “robots”…” Read more

 

Sam’s Club finding success with private brand push by Kim Souza at Talk Business. “Pamela Gaik, vice president of private brands at Sam’s Club was the speaker at the Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce’s WalStreet Speaker Series held Wednesday morning…When asked what categories Sam’s Club is looking to expand the Member’s Mark brand in the future, Gaik said women’s apparel and home goods.” Read more

 

**A message from X1 Ebike – Up to 37 miles on a single 4-hour charge. Folds into the size of a golf bag in 1 second. GPS tracking, VIN # & alarm for security. Video | Website | Contact

 

Walmart and Express Scripts Sign Three-Year Agreement Press release

 

Circle K gas prices drop to pennies per gallon during computer glitch at AJC. “…two of the stations, located in West Columbia, South Carolina, and Baton Rouge, Louisiana, temporarily sold regular unleaded gas for 1.9 cents per gallon Tuesday night, allowing some customers to fill up their tanks for less than 30 cents.” Read more

 

Tailored Brands Q3 comp sales +2.3% (Men’s Warehouse +1.7% / Jos. A. Bank +3.8%) Press release

 

…Tailored Brands Unravels After Reducing Full-Year Guidance at The Street. Read more

 

‘Nobody should work here — ever’: Teen uses intercom to quit Walmart by Michael Brice-Saddler at Washington Post. “I’ve been a loyal employee here for over a year and a half, and I’m sick of all the bulls—, bogus write-ups, and my job,” he said. He ended his rant using expletives to curse management, his job and Walmart as a whole.” Tiered subs.

 

Hallmark Names Former Kroger Chairman and CEO David B. Dillon to Board Press release

 

Arkansas Parks and Tourism Director Kane Webb has resigned to take a job with Walmart by R0by Brock at Talk Business. “At the end of the year, Webb will leave the ADPT post to take the position of Director of Executive Communications at Walmart in Bentonville.” Read more

 

COPPER – A look inside Starbucks’ newest Reserve Roastery in New York City at CNBC. Pics/Read more

 

Why the Amazon Invasion in New York and Virginia Will Be Slow by Laura Stevens & Shayndi Raice at Wall Street Journal. “It will likely take many years, if not a decade, before residents see a massive army of Amazon employees invading their cities. That is because Amazon plans to slowly hire workers rather than overwhelm its new hosts all at once. Amazon has told employees at its Seattle headquarters it won’t require them to relocate, said people familiar with the matter…” WSJ subs.

 

Kohl’s says it surpassed its holiday hiring targets, even in a tight labor market at CNBC. Read more

 

Top Lobbyists 2018 at The Hill. “Lobbyists that represent: Walmart, Home Depot, Target, Walgreens, Amazon…” List

 

Costco has stopped selling its Kirkland Signature Light Beer by Mary Hanbury at Business Insider. “Earlier this year, a video of a California man making a commercial for the beer in his backyard went viral. Carpenter Randy Colpek was filmed breaking through a wall of Costco’s Kirkland Signature Light Beer, while shouting out a series of slogans such as: “Kirkland Light: It’s got 30% less calories, so you can drink double the amount.” Read more

 

Tipsheet Extra Stories

Man erects giant middle-finger sculpture, flipping off local government

KFC is now selling a firelog that smells like its fried chicken

Quebec maple syrup production plummeted by 22.4% in 2018

Taylor Swift tracked stalkers with facial recognition tech at her concert

Walgreens Sued For $525 Million Over Shooting Death

Read Tipsheet Extra Stories

 

**

Eye on Retail Tipsheet is must-read material for 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: eyeonretail.net