J.D. Power 2016 U.S. Pharmacy Rankings Mass Merchandiser: Sam’s #1, Costco #2, Target #3 See rankings for Supermarkets and Drug stores

 

Costco shifts again on sourcing olive oil by Janet I. Tu at Seattle Times. “The Greek oil did OK — I myself preferred it in a blind tasting — but it was not quite as strong a seller,” Olive Oil Times quotes Chad Sokol, commodity and dry grocery buyer for Costco’s Northern California and Nevada stores, as saying. “And pulling our buy out of Italy was significant. Their pricing came down as a reaction…” Read more

 

Start-ups in Target’s Techstars accelerator race to finish line by Kavita Kumar at Star Tribune. “These final weeks will be “hopefully controlled chaos,” said Ryan Broshar, managing director of the Target + Techstars program. The companies will be furiously fundraising, signing up clients and hashing out final details of their plans. “It will be super intense.” Read more

 

Trader Joe’s lawsuit over Canadian store Pirate Joe’s can proceed via LA Times. “The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals overturned a district court’s decision to dismiss California-based Trader Joe’s federal trademark claims.” Read more

 

Obama Finds an Ally in Wal-Mart, Whose Stores He Once Shunned by Toluse Olorunnipa & Shannon Pettypiece at Bloomberg. “As a freshman senator with his eye on the presidency, Barack Obama said he’d never shop at a Wal-Mart…Today, Wal-Mart is one of Obama’s most reliable corporate allies, a go-to partner that’s backed the White House on more than a dozen business initiatives, particularly Obamacare and climate change…” Read more

 

Washington Post: Why are sales suffering at so many women’s stores? They made bad clothes. by Sarah Halzack. “…They’re now trumpeting their turnaround plans, vowing to once again nail their fits, fabrics and styles. And some say those efforts are beginning to work. But if you’re a woman who suddenly finds that the mall resembles a wardrobe wilderness, accept this consolation: It’s not you. It’s them.” Read more

 

**A message from Fabe – Pillows hand-crafted in Italy prevent and relieve neck and back pain. Fabe’s Ergo Praxis pillow supports and aligns the head and neck to prevent cervical pain. Created in cooperation with Ludes University in Switzerland – it gets the body in the right position for a good night’s sleep. 100% Made in Italy. Ergo Praxis Specs | Fabe Website | Retailers request samples at info@eyeonretail.net. Italy-America Product Connection

 

Listeria Sparks Recall of Pre-Cut Vegetables at Walmart and Publix by Michael Addady at Fortune. “Another Listeria recall is underway, this time in connection to pre-cut vegetables distributed by Texas company Country Fresh LLC. Listeria was discovered during a routine sample test at a retailer by the Georgia Department of Agriculture.” Read more

 

Wayfair Names Doran Robinson Vice President of Operations Product Innovation Team Press release

 

More Patti LaBelle desserts coming to Walmart by Aaron Smith at CNN Money. “LaBelle fans may want to brace themselves for a bit of sticker shock, though. While the sweet potato pie costs $3.98, the cobblers are $6.98, the apple pecan cake costs $9.98.” Read more

 

Top 10 Apparel E-Retailers in the World (Macy’s #3, Nordstrom #6) at Internet Retailer. See the list

 

Amazon Tests 30-Hour Work Week by David Z. Morris at Fortune. “The stated goal of the program is “to create a work environment that is tailored to a reduced schedule and still fosters success and career growth.” Read more

 

The Frozen Concentrated Orange-Juice Market Has Virtually Disappeared by Julie Wernau at Wall Street Journal. “The number of futures contracts held by traders has dropped by more than two-thirds from a 1997 high of 48,921, to 15,410 contracts last week. There were 71 players in the futures market as of last week, compared with 168 in 2004.” Read more (subscription)

 

Tipsheet Extra Stories

Outraged moms say Aldi’s new ‘sensitive’ baby wipes have brought their children out in rashes

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Big Tobacco Wants to Turn Japan’s Smokers Into Vapers

For Sale: Hand Signed Business Card Of Craig Jelinek

Read Tipsheet Extra Stories

 

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