Investors to challenge Neiman Marcus bankruptcy loan, push for sale – sources at Reuters. “The investors behind the 11th-hour financing proposal view Saks Fifth Avenue owner Hudson’s Bay Co as a logical buyer, and also expect other suitors to show an interest in Neiman Marcus, the sources said.” Read more

 

CVS Health names Kym White chief comms officer at PR Week. “White was most recently SVP and chief communications officer for Vertex Pharmaceuticals, a global biotechnology company based in Boston.” Read more

 

Amazon tests using live video calls to vet aspiring third-party sellers, seeking to weed out fraudsters at GeekWire. “Amazon uses its Chime video conferencing technology to make the scheduled calls. On each call, a trained Amazon representative checks the prospective seller’s ID to make sure it matches the person on the call, and the documents the seller has provided in the application.” Read more

 

New York retailer charged with hoarding disposable masks, gowns at USA Today. “In late March and early April, authorities said, Singh stockpiled more than 1.6 tons of disposable masks; 2.2 tons of surgical gowns; 1.8 tons of hand sanitizer and seven shipments of digital thermometers.” Read more

 

Apple to delay mass production of 2020 flagship iPhones at Reuters. Read more

 

Trump: Postal Service must raise prices on Amazon or ‘I’m not signing anything’ for USPS aid at GeekWire. “Trump said that USPS should be charging Amazon “four or five times” more than current package delivery rates at a signing ceremony for a $484 billion coronavirus relief bill.” Read more

 

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Instacart has a problem with third-party apps letting shoppers pay for early access to orders at TechCrunch. “…it’s gotten so bad that (shopper) Carmichael ends up sitting in her car for hours waiting for a batch she can try to snag before the bots. “My thumbs are sore and eyes are strained,” she said. “I’ve only managed to grab four orders. My livelihood is literally being snatched out from beneath me.” Read more

 

Amazon restricted from selling non-essential items in France after it loses court appeal at The Verge. Read more

 

Unproven Coronavirus Therapy Proves Cash Cow for Shadow Pharmacies at Krebs. “Their products do not require a prescription, are largely sourced directly from pharmaceutical production facilities in India and China, and are shipped via international parcel post to customers around the world.” Read more

 

Amazon to impose new unpaid leave restrictions for warehouse workers starting May 1st at The Verge. “On May 1st, hourly employees…must request an unpaid leave of absence to continue staying home if they do not want to work out of fear for their safety during the COVID-19 pandemic.” Read more

 

Starbucks strikes partnership with venture capital firm Sequoia to make tech investments in China at CNBC. Read more

 

Democrats demand answers on whether Amazon ‘lied’ about data tactics at Politico. “This is exactly what happens when you let a giant company be both the umpire and a player in the game,” (Sen. Elizabeth) Warren said in a statement. “Amazon needs to explain why it misled Congress — and we need to break up Amazon and big tech.” Read more

 

Tipsheet Extra

Lysol was once advertised as birth control

Amazon revealed to be behind mystery $310K donation to bookshops

Top six Walmart execs compensation a combined $112.39 million in 2019

A vintage Apple-themed racecar is listed for sale at $499,999

Online Piracy Spikes Amid Coronavirus Lockdown: Study

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