Amazon threatened to kill its Whole Foods deal if the grocer started a bidding war by Jason Del Rey at Recode. “Amazon’s bankers “also made it clear again … that Amazon.com would disengage from its efforts to acquire the Company and pursue other alternatives and initiatives if the $42.00 per share price were not accepted,” the filing said” Read more

 

…Reuters has reported that Albertsons was “Company X” in Whole Foods bidding at Fortune. Read more

 

Retailers offer deals for Amazon Prime Day — but not Walmart, Target by Diane Kruzman at USA Today. “Walmart, Target and Lowe’s are among the big names who are so far skipping the event. But JCPenney, Kohl’s and Macy’s are all offering exclusive discounts before and during Prime Day.” Read more

 

Self-Service Food Kiosk Vendor Avanti Hacked at Krebs on Security. “Avanti Markets, a company whose self-service payment kiosks sit beside shelves of snacks and drinks in thousands of corporate breakrooms across America, has suffered of breach of its internal networks in which hackers were able to push malicious software out to those payment devices, the company has acknowledged.” Read more

 

A $4 billion clothing company created an exclusive brand for Amazon Prime by Jason Del Rey at Recode. “In the spring, Amazon quietly introduced Simple Joys by Carter’s, a line of baby and kid clothing sold in multi-piece bundles….Carter’s executives emphasized that their company already has similar arrangements with Walmart and Target.” Read more

 

The Cosmetics Counter Was Long Immune to Discounting. Not Anymore by Suzanne Kapner & Sharon Terlep at Wall Street Journal. “Last month, Lord & Taylor offered 15% off almost all cosmetics and fragrances. Bloomingdale’s gave members of its loyalty program a $25 reward card for every $100 beauty purchase. The moves followed a decision by Macy’s to offer 15% off cosmetics, which it touted in nationally televised advertisements this spring.” Read more (subs.)

 

This luxury goods site is a ‘retail playground’ for the 1 percent by Lisa Fickenscher at NY Post. “While the site, World’s Best, is working off a small revenue base, it is still experiencing rapid growth…“If something is being sold in Nordstrom, you won’t find it on our site,” said co-founder Robert Steele, a former division president at PepsiCo.” Read more

 

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Tiffany Hunts for Path to Regain ‘Cool’ by Suzanne Kapner at Wall Street Journal. “At the root of the jeweler’s tepid results is a stubborn perception: Tiffany has lost its cool and is struggling to get it back. “Audrey Hepburn versus Lady Gaga is a fine line to walk,” said Citi analyst Paul Lejuez.” Read more (subs.)

 

Wal-Mart Inks $1.65M Deal In Medi-Cal FCA Suit by Kat Greene at Law 360. “U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert hailed the settlement as enforcement of an “essential” regulation that keeps pharmacies from submitting claims to the state medical program for drugs that aren’t prescribed for a specific purpose.” Read more (subs.)

 

Chinese internet giant Tencent launches WeChat Pay in Europe to challenge Alibaba’s Alipay by Arjun Kharpal at CNBC. “The move is specifically aimed at Chinese tourists coming to Europe and is not necessarily a challenger to the likes of Apple Pay and Samsung Pay.” Read more

 

Men and Republicans Are the Best Tippers by Polly Mozendz at Bloomberg. “Democrats and southerners leave a median 15 percent at a restaurant, according to a new survey…That’s compared with the median 20 percent that men, Republicans, and northeasterners leave.” Read more

 

Investors still unsure of outlook for Australia’s hardware chain Bunnings at The Sydney Morning Herald. “Bunnings has one of the world’s highest profit margins among home improvement chains. It is expected to increase its profit margins this year, taking advantage of last year’s demise of rival Masters.” Read more

 

Amazon, IRS Agree On Tax Refund Due In $1.5B Dispute by Vidya Kauri at Law 360. “After suffering a blistering loss in a $1.5 billion transfer pricing dispute against Amazon, the IRS agreed that it owes the online retail giant $9.5 million for the 2005 tax year, but that there is an income tax deficiency of $2.5 million from the following year.” Read more (subs.)

 

Wildfire evacuees celebrate 50th wedding anniversary in Walmart parking lot by Jon Azpiri at Global News. “We popped [the bottle] and we sat there and we toasted,” she said. Margaret said she’s not sure when they’ll be able to return home. “It’s a little nerve-racking but we’ll get through it,” she said.” Read more

 

Anti-Trump protesters try knocking down Home Depot-sponsored wall at Ruido Fest at ABC 7 – Chicago. “Home Depot’s booth had a wall that people could decorate, but protesters found is distasteful and began chanting and knocking it down…Some suffered minor injuries from falling debris…In a statement, Home Depot said they were at the festival to show their support for the community, and that “this was a very disappointing misunderstanding.” Read more

 

Tipsheet Extra Stories

Amazon Prime is on pace to become more popular than cable TV

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More than 70 firefighters in London battle tremendous blaze at famous market

Traditional grocers should be ‘very worried’ about Amazon Prime Day deals

Second razor blade found hidden on Missouri Walmart shopping cart

Read Tipsheet Extra Stories

 

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