Costco July comp sales -2.0% / +1.0% excluding gas & f/x “Due to the timing of the Independence Day holiday, this year’s July results included one less sales day in the U.S. than last year. This shift negatively impacted total Company sales by an estimated 2.5% (3.5% in the U.S.).” Press release

 

Michelle Gloeckler to exit Wal-Mart for Academy Sports by Kim Souza at The City Wire. “AcademySports + Outdoors named Michelle J. Gloeckler Executive Vice President, Chief Merchandising Officer and President of Academy International Limited, its global sourcing entity, effective August 29, 2016.” Press release

 

…Academy CEO & Gloeckler had ties to University of Arkansas by Kim Souza at The City Wire. “Gloeckler and (CEO J.K.) Symancyk served in June on a retail panel discussion…for the University of Arkansas Center for Retail Excellence Conference…Symancyk is a UA graduate and Gloeckler has a son attending UA…Cindi Marsiglio will continue as vice president of U.S. Manufacturing and another executive vice president will likely be chosen to oversee the initiative as well.” Read more

 

Wal-Mart Said to Be in Talks to Acquire Amazon Rival Jet.com by Jing Cao, Spencer Soper & Eric Newcomer at Bloomberg. “Jet has been reaching out to Wal-Mart and other retailers for capital to help take on Amazon, with the goal of raising about $640 million at a valuation of approximately $1.7 billion, one of the people said.” Read more | WSJ article (subs.)

 

Target’s SVP of Beauty & Personal Care – Harry’s is coming to Target at A Bullseye View. “Target will carry a selection of Harry’s most popular items…If you can never remember when it’s time to replenish your shave supplies, you can sign up for a subscription on Target.com…” Read more

 

Murphy USA Q2 earnings jump 77%, keeps focus on new store build-out at The City Wire. “Murphy USA opened eight retail locations in second quarter, bringing the quarter end store count to 1,344 – 1,118 Murphy USA sites and 226 Murphy Express sites. A total of 40 stores are under construction…” Read more

 

**A message from 2016 Sweets & Snacks Expo – The Most Innovative New Products winners have been announced! Winners were awarded in nine categories: chocolate, non-chocolate, sweet, salty, savory, novelty, seasonal, gourmet/premium and gum/mints. See the 9 winners & 36 nominees The 2017 Sweets & Snacks Expo is nearly 90% sold out and will take place May 23-25 at Chicago’s McCormick Place – Notify me when registration opens

 

Canada: Walmart, Costco continue to eat into sales of traditional Canadian grocers by Hollie Shaw at Financial Post. “In the first quarter of 2015, grocery retailers’ share of Canadian food sales was about 78 per cent. That has fallen steadily from 84 per cent in the first quarter of 2010…Read more

 

Canadian Tire Retail Q2 comp sales +2.9% Press release

 

Staples Unplugging Staples Connect Smart-Home Platform by Alan Wolf at Twice. “Connect’s disconnection leaves Lowe’s, with its Iris program, and Home Depot, with Wink, as the leading proponents of retailer-centric home automation.” Read more

 

Hy-Vee promotes two senior leaders “Jeremy Gosch, formerly senior vice president and chief merchandising officer, was named executive vice president strategy and chief merchandising officer. Donna Tweeten, formerly senior vice president and chief marketing officer, was promoted to executive vice president and chief marketing officer.” Press release

 

Build-A-Bear Q2 Comp Sales -8.6% Press release

 

At Home Announces Pricing of IPO “At Home Group announced the pricing of its initial public offering of 8,667,000 shares of its common stock at a public offering price of $15 per share…” Press release

 

The Epic Fight Over How To Label “Natural” Foods by Neal Ungerleider at Fast Company. “Food science is changing faster than the government and corporations can keep track of, and the only clear losers are the public—who still don’t have a clear definition of what “natural foods” actually are.” Read more

 

Fred’s July Comp Sales -4.6% Press release

 

First daughter Sasha Obama works takeout window at restaurant by Gayle Fee at Boston Herald. “The first daughter is working the takeout window at Nancy’s, a seafood restaurant on Martha’s Vineyard…“We were wondering why there were six people helping this girl, but then we found out who it was,” said a server at the busy island eatery. “She’s been hosting, serving and working takeout.” Read more

 

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