How 7-Eleven Struck Back Against an Owner Who Took a Day Off by Hisako Ueno at NY Times. “The company that controls the 7-Eleven chain, Seven & I Holdings, terminated Mr. Matsumoto’s franchise last week after he decided to close his store on New Year’s Day, and it has stopped supplying him.” Tiered subs.

 

Pier 1 Imports to close up to 450 stores, nearly half of its locations by Kelly Tyko at USA Today. Read more

 

Placer.ai lists the retail chains it sees winning the war for foot traffic in 2020: Target, Bed Bath & Beyond, CVS, Ulta… “Target isn’t just crushing, it is defining a segment with potential for ongoing success. Moves to include higher-priced offerings, like Disney or Toys-R-Us locations on-site, speak to a move upmarket.” Read more

 

Ikea to pay $46 million to family of toddler crushed by dresser at CNN. Read more

 

Walmart store is facing a bedbug infestation after someone released the parasitic insects in a men’s changing room at KDKA 2 CBS. “A Walmart in Pennsylvania is facing a bedbug infestation after someone released the parasitic insects in a men’s changing room, state police said…The bottle was found inside a boy’s jacket which was for sale.” Read more

 

Topgolf could IPO as soon as this year with a $4 billion valuation at Markets Insider. Read more

 

**A message from Sweets & Snacks Expo. Save the date: May 19-21, 2020 at McCormick Place in Chicago. Your year starts here. Website/Register

 

Jan. 18 has been dubbed National Use your Gift Card Day by Kim Souza to Talk Business. “…retailers from Kohl’s to Saks Fifth Avenue are giving extra perks to consumers who cash in gift cards on that day. Thus far, 16 retailers have signed on to the program offering discounts and other bonuses in connection with spending on Jan. 18.” Read more

 

Amazon is considering opening offline retail stores in Germany, newspaper Die Welt reported, citing an interview with Ralf Kleber, head of the company’s operations in the country at Bloomberg. Tiered subs.

 

Hallmark Cards will cut 400 jobs – of the jobs lost, 325 will be in the Kansas City headquarters at CNN. Read more

 

Shoppers in Thailand are getting creative after a new plastic bag ban by Justine Kalma at The Verge. “Creative shoppers brought in wheelbarrows, fishing nets, and even what looks like an impressive piece of pottery to haul their groceries home…Mexico City also rang in the New Year with a new ban on plastic bags. There, the law is expected to bring back traditional ways of packaging and carrying goods, like using straw baskets and paper rolled up in cones.” Read more

 

Illinois marijuana dispensaries sold more than $10.8 million worth of recreational weed in the first five days of sales. Now, some have halted recreational sales amid product shortages. by Ally Marotti at Chicago Tribune. “Customers made more than 271,000 purchases during that time.” Tiered subs.

 

Tipsheet Extra

Thousands of camels in Australia to be killed as they drink too much water amid wildfires

How Cameo makes tens of millions from selfie videos and D-list celebrities

Professional sports leagues finally cash in on sports betting by selling data

White House proposes guidelines for regulating the use of AI

Elizabeth Warren unveils plan to overhaul bankruptcy laws

Read Tipsheet Extra Stories

 

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