Alibaba shares jump on Jack Ma’s first appearance in three months at TechCrunch. “Alibaba’s billionaire founder resurfaced as he spoke to 100 rural teachers through a video call, three months after his last public appearance in October, sending the e-commerce firm’s shares up more than 8% in Hong Kong.” Read more

 

MyPillow CEO: Kohl’s, Bed Bath and Beyond, Wayfair & HEB dropping MyPillow at USA Today. “Just got off the phone – not five minutes ago. Kohl’s, all these different places. … These guys don’t understand,” Lindell said in the interview. “They were good partners. In fact, I told them, ‘You guys come back anytime you want.’” Read more

 

Kroger unwittingly contributed to an Indiana militia group by Alexander Coolidge at Cincinnati Enquirer via USA Today. “Kroger officials say Indiana Oath Keepers was an IRS-approved nonprofit that successfully signed up to receive donations through its customer-directed Community Rewards Program. The group was cut off Tuesday after Kroger learned it was “not aligned with the company’s values.” Read more

 

Curbside pickup is now being offered at Costco’s three New Mexico clubs at USA Today. “The Albuquerque clubs have rolled out the new service with Instacart…There’s a $10 pickup fee on each order and the minimum order is $100, Costco says on its website, adding each pickup warehouse has “dedicated pickup parking spaces.” Read more

 

Chewy CEO says customer calls prompted retailer to accelerate launch of virtual vet service at CNBC. “We started to get calls in our customer service/customer experience centers where customers would be sitting at home saying ‘Hey. My dog just ate chocolate and I can’t get a hold of my veterinarian,’” Singh said, at a virtual conference hosted by the National Retail Federation.” Read more

 

Pandemic-driven cleaning routines boost P&G sales forecast again at Reuters. “P&G said it expects full-year sales to rise 5% to 6%, compared with a prior forecast of a 3% to 4% increase.” Read more

 

**A message from Comfy Sacks bean bag chairs – stuffed with furniture-grade memory foam that cradles your body and resists compression. Hot growth item! Booklet | Video | Website | Request sample bag: info@eyeonretail.net

 

Amazon will open two new logistics centres in Italy this year at Reuters. Read more

 

Office Depot rejects takeover offer from Staples, but says it’s open to other types of ventures at CNBC. “…the parent company of Office Depot, ODP, said it is open to a different kind of a deal, such as selling its retail and e-commerce businesses to Staples or agreeing to a joint venture, according to the report.” Read more

 

Mercy to Operate 22 Pharmacies in Dierbergs Markets Throughout St. Louis Metro Read more

 

Clothing rental service Armoire adapts to pandemic, raises cash from Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella at GeekWire. “The company now employs 25 people, down from more than 60 last year. The most recent fundraising included $3.9 million that was converted to equity from a bridge note initiated in 2019. Total funding to date is north of $12 million.” Read more

 

Ingles Markets Modernizes Operations and Begins Curbside Pick-up Service for its Customers with Aruba Press release

 

Couche-Tard has few regrets about ‘good’ Carrefour deal that failed at Financial Post. “After a tumultuous week that saw the French government shut down an attempt to take over Carrefour SA, executives at Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. lamented the timing of events, but not the move. “We regret the surprise. We don’t regret the project,” Chief Executive Officer Brian Hannasch said in an interview.” Read more

 

Kohl’s CEO Among Five Retail Leaders Added to Retail Industry Leaders Association at Loss Prevention Magazine. “The new board members include: Michelle Gass, CEO, Kohl’s Corporation, Shelley Bransten…Microsoft Corporation, Mark LaVigne, CEO, Energizer Holdings, Inc., Bob Palmer, CEO, C&S Wholesale Grocers, Inc., Karyn Schoenbart, CEO, The NPD Group.”  Read more

 

Tipsheet Extra

LG considers exiting smartphones in 2021

Barstool Sports’ Dave Portnoy is a pub saver amid COVID-19

Tyson Foods reaches more settlements in chicken price-fixing litigation

Aldi workers who get COVID-19 vaccine will receive extra pay

Customs seizes $8 million in counterfeit Cartier bracelets, rings

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