AutoZone 3rd Quarter comp sales increase 28.9% “As of May 8, 2021, the Company had 5,975 stores in the U.S., 635 in Mexico and 47 in Brazil for a total store count of 6,657.” Press release

 

Deodorant, Teeth Whitener Fly Off the Shelves at Wall Street Journal. “Beauty products and teeth whiteners were big sellers during the most recent quarter at Walmart Inc., finance chief Brett Biggs said in an interview. “You can tell that the masks are coming off,” he said. Alarm clock sales doubled in April versus the same month last year at the country’s largest retailer, a spokeswoman said, while luggage sales rose 400%. Partyware sales more than doubled and balloon sales rose by 50%, she said.” WSJ subs.

 

Walmart says ‘bad actor’ responsible for emails sent containing racial slur at Fox Business. “A spokesperson for the company said that it was “shocked and appalled” to see the “offensive and unacceptable emails.” “We’re looking into our sign up process to ensure something like this doesn’t happen again,” the spokesperson said in a statement. “We’re also looking into all available means to hold those responsible accountable.” Read more

 

Amazon’s ad revenue is now twice as big as Snap, Twitter, Roku and Pinterest combined at CNBC. “Amazon generated $22.4 billion in ad revenue in the past 12 months, up 65% year-over-year, according to Loop.” Read more

 

Amazon in Negotiations to Buy MGM in Megadeal at The Hollywood Reporter. Read more

 

** The Sweets & Snacks Expo is a can’t-miss event for thousands of confectionery and snack retailers, manufacturers and suppliers – here you’ll find all the product innovations, insights and industry connections you need to build a world-class in-store or online experience that will delight your shoppers. See who’s exhibiting | Show website | Indianapolis, June 23-25 2021

 

Big Lots launches new “Be A BIGionaire” campaign “Featuring Retta – actor, author and producer best known for her role in the NBC series “Good Girls” and “Parks and Recreation” – the first “Be A BIGionaire” brand campaign television spots launched in select markets on April 24 and will be rolled out nationally ahead of the annual Memorial Day sale at Big Lots.” Press release / See spots

 

Etsy extends weapons ban to include gun parts, accessories at Fox Business. “The global online marketplace has long prohibited the sale of weapons, including guns and most gun parts, although it is now “expanding this enforcement”…” Read more

 

JD.com, Meituan, and Neolix to trial self-driving delivery vehicles on Beijing public roads at TechCrunch. Read more

 

Chinese Shoppers, Stuck in China, Revive Local Malls at Wall Street Journal. ““With the cessation of almost all international travel, and with Chinese tourists and luxury goods shoppers not as welcomed in the West as before, almost all such sales now transact inside China,” said Ronnie Chan, chairman of Hang Lung Properties…” WSJ subs.

 

Indoor farming company Bowery raises $300M at TechCrunch. ” The round, which brings its total funding north of $472 million, values the company at $2.3 billion…Its vertically farmed produce is now available in 850 grocery stores, including big-name chains like Albertsons, Giant Food, Walmart and Whole Foods.” Read more

 

Tipsheet Extra

Blue-collar director vote gives U.S. labor another crack at Amazon.com

Wolves scare deer and reduce auto collisions 24%, study says

UK furniture retailer Made.com wants to raise $141 million in an IPO

Disneyland to introduce $100 sandwich

Employees call on Amazon to address environmental harm to communities of color

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: Put your product or service in front of the most powerful retail execs in the world, send advertising inquiries to info@eyeonretail.net

 

Website: eyeonretail.net