Dick’s Q4 Comp Sales -2.5% “Same store sales for DICK’S Sporting Goods decreased 2.5%, while Golf Galaxy decreased 5.8%. Fourth quarter 2014 consolidated same store sales increased 3.4%.” Read the release

 

…CNBC: Dick’s Sporting Goods earnings miss estimates “The company posted fourth-quarter earnings per share of $1.13…Analysts had expected the company to report earnings of about $1.15 a share” Read more

 

Walmart readies new product development lab and sensory kitchen at Bentonville headquarters by Kim Souza at The City Wire. “The concept is designed to help food suppliers and Walmart better align on future food offerings, according to Walmart spokesman John Forrest Ales. He said the food lab is slated for completion in late May and will likely be unveiled during the retailer’s annual shareholder week in early June.” Read more

 

How Amazon Shames Warehouse Workers for Alleged Theft by Josh Eidelson & Spencer Soper at Bloomberg. “Amazon has put up flatscreen TVs that display examples of alleged on-the-job theft, say 11 of the company’s current and former warehouse workers and antitheft staff. The alleged offenders aren’t identified by name. Each is represented by a black silhouette stamped with the word “terminated” and accompanied by details such as when they stole, what they stole, how much it was worth, and how they got caught…” Read more

 

How Sam’s Club Scored 24 Million Views for Private-Label Diaper Ad by Jack Neff at Ad Age. “The brief generated 400 ideas, with the one that made it into development being “country club babies,” according to Mr. DeJulio. Sam’s liked the gist of the idea, but came back with making them “spa babies” or “resort babies” to seem more accessible and less snobby.” Read more

 

**A message from Sweets & Snacks Expo – Speakers You Can’t Miss! Amy Margolies, Sr. Leader with Google to present “The Digital Revolution and the Path to Purchase”. See bios for Amy & other speakers | Meet the Expo’s Taste Panel | This Year’s Exhibitors | May 24-26, 2016 – Chicago, IL

 

Gift Cards Feel Pinch of New Rules by Robin Sidel at WSJ. “To ward off thieves, (Kroger) is limiting the number of gift-card purchases that are made on a credit card within a 24-hour period, said Chris Hjelm, the chain’s chief information officer.” Read more (subscription)

 

Saks Fifth Avenue personalizes online shopping experience to transfer the service received in-store to anywhere consumers wish to shop by Jen King at Luxury Daily. Read more

 

CVS Store Destroyed During Baltimore Riots Reopens via ABC News. “CVS Health spokeswoman Carolyn Castel tells news outlets the store has been completely rebuilt at the same location where it was destroyed.” Read more

 

Walmart’s CTO Says It Wins Hiring Battles With Big Tech By Not Buying The Silicon Valley Hype by Alex Konrad at Forbes. “(CTO Jeremy) King surprised the assembled executives and investors with one statistic that Silicon Valley wouldn’t expect of the giant retailer. When Walmart Labs competes with top tech companies for talent, it gets the job candidate as much as 70% of the time, King says.” Read more

 

Petco Earns Fifth Consecutive World’s Most Ethical Company Recognition “Petco is one of only three companies in the retailer category honored this year.” Read the release

 

…Target and Marks & Spencer also Honored See the list of 131 honorees

 

Ex-Home Depot Director Joins Auto Plus & Pep Boys “Pete Bednarzyk has been named Senior Vice President, Supply Chain, for Auto Plus and Pep Boys…Bednarzyk previously served as Senior Vice President, Supply Chain for Auto Plus. He came from Home Depot, where he was Senior Director, Supply Chain Southern Division.” Read more

 

Wal-Mart to participate at the Bank of America 2016 Consumer & Retail Conference Read the release

 

Amazon to Open New Pickup Location at Georgia Institute of Technology “Amazon Student and Prime members will receive Free Same-Day Pickup for orders placed by noon and Free One-Day Pickup for orders placed by 10PM.” Read the release

 

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