TARGET RED: Target tests new program in Dallas-Fort Worth that gives shoppers rewards without a credit card by Maria Halkias at Dallas News. “…gives shoppers 1 percent cash back on their purchases…get Target’s Restock next-day delivery for free…cuts the first year Shipt membership price to $49.99 from $99.99.” Read more (tiered subs.)

 

Walmart Is Getting Picky About Online Marketplace Sellers by Matthew Boyle at Bloomberg. “Since November they appear to have reduced the number of sellers they approve,” said Juozas Kaziukenas, founder of Marketplace Pulse. “Most U.S. marketplaces are adding thousands of sellers a day, so Walmart is doing the opposite by trying to manage it.” Read more

 

Home Depot CEO Craig Menear talks home improvement at Bloomberg 9:15 video

 

BOYCOTT DAY TODAY: Jesse Jackson brings Kroger protest to HQ in Cincinnati by Alexander Coolidge & Sharon Coolidge at Cincinnati Enquirer. “Kroger in the heart of the black community pulled out – it created a food desert,” Jackson told The Enquirer on Monday…Tentative local plans call for a protest in front of Kroger’s Downtown headquarters and a press conference in front of the closed supermarket in Walnut Hills.” Read more

 

Ace Hardware and Dollar Tree Top Tempkin Customer Experience Ratings (BJ’s beats Costco; Home Depot bests Lowe’s; Walmart beats Apple; Sears isn’t last) Press release

 

Did Kroger drop plans for Indy-suburb superstore because of Amazon-Whole Foods deal? by John Tuohy at Indy Star. “In 32 years in this business, this is the first time I’ve seen something like this occur, to pull out at such a late date,” said Mark Perlstein first vice-president of the commercial real estate service CBRE in Indianapolis.” Read more

 

LA: Whole Foods launches free two-hour delivery through Prime Now in Los Angeles Press release

 

**A message from 2018 Sweets & Snacks Expo – Be first to market with the newest candy and snack products!  See the 2017 Innovation Winners. Put yourself in the center of the single largest gathering of confectionery & snack companies under one roof – schedule your trip now! Chicago, May 22-24, 2018. Website | Exhibitors

 

REI introduces new supplier sustainability standards “Visitors to REI.com can now shop by sustainability attribute, by searching for terms like “organic cotton” to find clothing made with resource-conserving farming practices, or “fair trade,” which promotes safe, healthy working conditions and sustainable livelihoods…” Press release

 

Best Buy to open first new U.S. store in seven years in Salt Lake City by Kavita Kumar at Star Tribune. Read more (tiered subs.)

 

Trump Organization’s online store adds Virginia to short list of states collecting tax on its sales, bringing total to 3 at CNBC. “Tax experts say the Trump Store should be collecting sales taxes in New York.” Read more

 

Canadian Tire ups the stakes in its loyalty program, but do customers have loyalty fatigue? by Hollie Shaw at Financial Post. “Triangle Rewards will extend over time to the retailer’s other banners…The beloved coupon tender still isn’t going anywhere — Canadian Tire Money will continue to be handed out at stores.” Read more

 

MOBILE: 100+ Walmart DC job seekers come hours early, stand in rain at FOX 10 News. “When its fully operational, officials said the center will employ more than 750 full time associates, with wages averaging more than $16.50 an hour.” Video/Read more

 

WAWA DAY: On Thursday Wawa will give away more than 2 million cups of coffee to its customers at USA Today. Read more

 

Mattel is shuttering its New York office at CNBC. “The closing, which will take place in phases through the rest of the year, will affect roughly 100 employees.” Read more

 

Tipsheet Extra Stories

There’s an embarrassing shortage of ‘Black Panther’ toys

Man rams front-end loader into multiple cars in Walmart parking lot

The missing billions spent on gasoline in California each year

Boxed introduces annual membership for discounts

Man allegedly detonates 2 explosive devices at Sam’s Club in SoCal

Elderly women left out in windstorm at Walmart for over an hour

Women who have babies at these ages earn less than their husbands

Read Tipsheet Extra Stories

 

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