Amazon takes on Wish with an “Under $10” selection of products that ship for free by Sarah Perez at TechCrunch. “In the Amazon iOS app and on the web, Amazon recently added a new section offering products under $10 that ship for free. Some of the products are also available on Prime, but the feature doesn’t appear to be limited to Prime subscribers.” Read more

 

Kroger Edge Rolls at CNBC. “Kroger is in the midst of rolling out Kroger Edge, a new shelving system for its grocery stores. The company is planning to outfit hundreds of stores with digital screens that will be able to instantly update an item’s price or feature other information. Eventually, the technology will link to shoppers’ phones to help them navigate the store.” Read more

 

H&M Has Hired a Diversity Manager Following Its ‘Racist’ Monkey Hoodie Scandal by Natasha Bach at Fortune. “The Swedish retailer announced that it’s named Annie Wu, already the global manager for employee relations, as the group’s new global leader for diversity and inclusiveness.” Read more

 

dunnhumby: Grocer Preference Index: #1 Trader Joe’s, #2 Costco, #3 Amazon, #4 H-E-B, #5 Walmart 54 grocers ranked

 

The Last Place on Earth Where Everyone Still Loves Kmart by Lucy Kramer at Wall Street Journal. “Guam Kmart, by far the chain’s busiest store, is protected by an expanse of ocean from a consumer market that’s largely shunned such stores, prospering on a retail version of the Galapagos. “People come by and take photos, selfies out in front,” said Mike Fleissner, the store manager.” Read more (subs.)

 

‘Absolutely Insane Scene’: Police Deal With Unruly Crowd of 600 at Sam’s Club Store at CBS Detroit. “It was absolutely an insane scene there today,” said Lorna, who declined to give her last name. “Management has now closed it because it’s just getting, as they termed it, ‘too nuts inside and a little nuts outside.’” Read more

 

…Residents pack library to voice displeasure about Sam’s closing – many saying they believe the store was closed because it was located in a predominantly Black community at The Champion. Read more

 

Trader Joe’s to Remove Controversial Chemicals From Receipts by Lauren Coleman-Lochner at Bloomberg. “A study being released Wednesday in partnership with Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families, a coalition of environmental and health groups, showed BPA and BPS were found in 93 percent of 208 register receipts tested.” Read more

 

**A message from Kidibul – The festive, bubbly beverage made for kids’ parties! Wildly popular European beverage now available in the US for the first time. 100% natural & sparkling juice in a champagne type bottle with natural cork & wire to pop. Great for birthdays, New Year, Christmas, etc. Kids love the bubbles! Website | PowerPoint | Samples: info@eyeonretail.net

 

Loblaw and the Canada Revenue Agency faced off in a Toronto court Wednesday in a $404-million dispute involving allegations that the grocery giant’s Barbadian banking subsidiary was misused for tax avoidance at Toronto Star. Read more

 

Amazon Studios to cut back on indie films in programing shift: sources at Reuters. Read more

 

Smart vending machines could change e-commerce as we know it by Lisa Fickenscher at NY Post. “Privately held Swyft has deals with CVS, Uniqlo, BestBuy, Sugarrfina, Nespresso and others. While Swyft at first placed its $20,000 smart machines in airports and malls, it is now placing them where customers live — at gyms, in hotels and on college campuses.” Read more/Pic

 

Walmart press release announcing Judith McKenna as President & CEO of Walmart Int’l Press release

 

Say Hello to Good Chemistry, Target’s First Exclusive Fragrance Brand at A Bullseye View. “The vegan and paraben-free scents are made with essential oils and will be available in all Target stores starting Jan. 21.” Read more

 

Office Depot’s chief accounting officer resigns by Keith Larsen at South Florida Business Journal. Read more

 

Wegmans opens first store to include a Mexican restaurant and tequila bar at Syracuse.com. “The second floor will feature Blue Dalia, a restaurant named after Mexico’s national flower, opening May 4 with a menu of Mexican dishes, made-to-order salsas, margaritas and more.” Read more

 

Goldman upgrades Walmart and names it one of the bank’s favorite stocks on the tax cut at CNBC. Read more

 

How online dollar store Hollar aims to win by keeping prices cheap by Katie Evans at Internet Retailer. “Until recently, Hollar sourced and owned all its own items…But the e-retailer’s business model is evolving. In July, Hollar launched an online marketplace that allows outside merchants to sell products on Hollar. The goal is to offer as much variety as possible.” Read more

 

Blain’s Farm & Fleet pushes into the Michigan market – will bring the company’s total number of stores to 40 by Melanie Lawder at Milwaukee Business Journal. Read more

 

Tipsheet Extra Stories

Dog Found Hanging From A Tree Near Lowe’s Store

Town could become first major city in world to run out of water after 90-day warning

“Big Truck Farms” brewery in the works on Under Armour co-founder’s farm

Macy’s moving to sell off parking at downtown Cincinnati HQ

Man commits “joke robberies” at JCP & Sephora – gets away with warning

Divers Have Discovered the World’s Longest Underwater Cave

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: www.eyeonretail.net