Kroger starts offering free Covid-19 testing to its employees at CNBC. “…employees who work at stores, distribution centers or other facilities will be able to get either a self-administered test kit or an appointment at drive-thru locations run by Kroger Health, the health-care division of the company.” Read more

 

Michigan police probing reports that Family Dollar store shooting stemmed from argument over mask at The Hill. “The victim, a 43-year-old male, died at a local hospital following the shooting. No suspect has been arrested in the shooting thus far…” Read more

 

Publix Q1 comp sales +14.4% Press release

 

COSTCO FRESH MEAT LIMITS – Fresh meat purchases are temporarily limited to a total of 3 items per member among the beef, pork and poultry products Read more

 

Kroger is limiting ground beef and pork purchases in some stores at CNN. Read more

 

J.Crew has filed for bankruptcy at CNN. “The retailer expects to stay in business and emerge from bankruptcy as a profitable company. Madewell, the fast-growing denim brand that had been slated for an IPO, will remain part of the business.” Read more

 

France rejects Amazon’s request for unemployment schemes at six sites at Reuters. “The French government has rejected a request by Amazon to tap a state partial unemployment scheme for employees at its six warehouses in the country, a spokeswoman for the labor ministry said on Monday.” Read more

 

**A message from Comfy Sacks bean bag chairs – You have to sit in it to believe it! Filled with superior quality furniture grade foam for incredible comfort. High-growth category is on-trend with stay at home comfort. Request a sample bag @ info@eyeonretail.net | Booklet | Video | Website

 

SAKS LOBBIES – Lobbyists Press Congress for Last Chance at Coronavirus Stimulus Funds at Wall Street Journal. “Saks Fifth Avenue thinks government rules that prohibit federal assistance to firms with too much debt don’t take into account the vast real-estate holdings and other collateral options of many department stores…Saks has hired a former top Senate aide as a lobbyist, and hopes to win the support of (Sen Chuck) Schumer.” WSJ subs.

 

Beef output in US much lower than plant shutdown reduced capacity suggests at The Hill. “According to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, cattle slaughter dropped 37 percent this past week compared to what it was year ago, Bloomberg reports. This is higher than the 10 to 15 percent capacity that meat plants around the country have lost due to the pandemic.” Read more

 

House committee calls on Jeff Bezos to testify at The Hill. “In a letter sent to Bezos on Friday, the bipartisan group of lawmakers cited a Wall Street Journal report that said the company had used sensitive business data from third-party sellers on the website to create competing products.” Read more

 

Massachusetts Walmart store sees more than 80 employees test positive for coronavirus at Fox News. Read more

 

New York quietly conducting coronavirus tests at grocery stores by Lisa Fickenscher at NY Post. “Among those participating are several Fine Fare supermarkets in the Bronx and Brooklyn, each of which has administered upwards of 200 antibody tests a day inside the stores…“They don’t tell anyone they are doing that — otherwise we’d have lines through the kazoo,” said Fuertes, who says he tested positive for the virus but had no symptoms.” Read more

 

Ohio governor says face mask requirement in stores was “a bridge too far” at Axios. Read more

 

Oklahoma city immediately dropped its face mask order after residents threatened violence against employees who were enforcing the rule at Business Insider. “Store employees trying to enforce the requirement were met with verbal and physical abuse, including a threat involving a firearm, according to a city statement.” Read more

 

AIR JORDAN MASSIVE CROWDS – New Air Jordan 5 “Fire Red” Sneakers caused a massive crowd at the Greenbriar Mall in Atlanta at 11 Alive. “…shoe collectors lined up from the entrance of Jimmy Jazz all the way to the outside the mall itself. The shoes dropped on Saturday.” Video/Pics

 

How Costco is planning to jump into the golf club game at Golf. “Costco is getting into the golf club game with a Kirkland Signature KS1 putter. The putters are milled and made from 303 stainless steel…”This is a great club,” says Tim Farmer, Costco’s vice president of merchandising, in (Costco Connection)…” Read more

 

Tipsheet Extra

New Rochelle Costco calls cops to help control chaotic crowds

The National Weather Service is working to revolutionize severe storm warnings

Costco makes changes – won’t allow young Instacart shoppers during ‘seniors only’ hours

Amazon checks out bankrupt OneWeb’s internet satellite assets

China’s young spenders say #ditchyourstuff as economy sputters

Read Tipsheet Extra Stories

 

**

Eye on Retail Tipsheet is must-read material for retail execs every weekday morning. Tipsheet stories are carefully curated bright and early every morning to ensure fresh and unique content.

 

Subscribe to Eye on Retail Tipsheet here

 

Contact us: Put your product or service in front of the most powerful retail execs in the world, send advertising inquiries to info@eyeonretail.net

 

Website: eyeonretail.net