United Natural Foods to buy grocery retailer Supervalu in $2.9 billion deal at CNBC. “United Natural Foods…offered Supervalu shareholders $32.50 per share in cash, a 67 percent premium to Supervalu’s Wednesday closing price…United Natural Foods is the the primary supplier for Amazon’s Whole Foods Market, and said it plans to sell some Supervalu retail assets after the deal.” Read more

 

Walmart makes a bigger bet on its baby business following Babies R Us’ demise at CNBC. “Walmart said that over the past year it’s added 30,000 additional items to its baby assortment online. Searches for baby-related items on Walmart.com have jumped roughly 40 percent over the same time frame, Walmart spokeswoman Danit Marquardt told CNBC.” Read more

 

Target apologizes for recreating CBGB storefront for new East Village store grand opening by Rachel Desantis at NY Daily News. “We sincerely apologize if some eventgoers felt it was not the best way to capture the spirit of the neighborhood,” a spokesperson said in a statement.” Read more

 

Executive Shari Ballard is leaving Best Buy by Kavita Kumar at Star Tribune. “Ballard, 52, is currently president of multi­channel retail overseeing stores, e-commerce, Best Buy Mexico and real estate…”My reason for leaving, as simple as it sounds, is that it’s time,” she wrote in the e-mail, which was obtained by the Star Tribune.” Tiered subs.

 

People’s 2018 Companies that Care list (Wegmans #11, Patagonia #21, Ikea #31, Nordstrom #34, REI #37, QuikTrip #49) List

 

Retailers set sights on Facebook, Google ad revenue at Reuters. “Target homed in on shoppers who likely had allergies and showed them ads for Dyson’s cordless V6 vacuum on social media and Target’s website. The result: sales for the vacuums doubled among shoppers who regularly purchase anti-allergy treatments and products such as Claritin or humidifiers on Target.com and in stores.” Read more

 

Tractor Supply Q2 Comp Sales +5.6% Press release

 

**A message from BK Resources – We’re your source for industrial kitchen equipment. Leading supplier of stainless steel: commercial faucets, sinks, work tables, bar equipment, ice bins and more. Catalog | Website | Contact

 

Neighborhood Market still evolving as it celebrates 20 years by Kim Souza at Talk Business. Read more

 

Kroger is launching a new house brand line of razors and grooming products by Alexander Coolidge at Cincinnati Enquirer. “Kroger announced the new line, Bromley’s For Men, on Wednesday. It features premium razors and replaceable blades, shaving accessories and skincare.” Read more

 

San Jose liquor store sells winning $543M lottery ticket, gets own windfall by Stephen Ellison at NBC. “It is the largest jackpot in California Lottery history, the third largest in Mega Millions history and the ninth largest lottery jackpot in U.S. history…The owner of Ernie’s Liquors will receive a $1 million bonus for selling the jackpot ticket, lottery officials said.” Read more

 

Godiva Names Former Burberry Executive as New CFO by Nina Trentman at The Wall Street Journal. Subscription

 

Amazon expected to report huge jump in second-quarter profits as it nears $1 trillion milestone at CNBC. “Wall Street estimates Amazon to post second-quarter profit of $2.50 per share, or roughly $1.2 billion, up from the 40 cents per share reported a year ago, according to a Thomson Reuters consensus estimate. That would be nearly a six-fold increase from the year-ago period.” Read more

 

Loblaw quarterly comp sales: Food retail division +0.8% excluding gas / Shoppers Drug Mart +1.7% at Toronto Star. Read more

 

Burberry Receives Backlash for Burning $38 Million of Unsold Products by Lindsay Weinberg at Hollywood Reporter. “Burberry says the energy that was released from burning the clothing was captured, making it environmentally friendly.” Read more

 

Band Of Female Lululemon Thieves Hit A Dozen Stores Across The Bay Area at CBS KPIX 5. Video/Read more

 

Tipsheet Extra Stories

Wheelchair-bound man who sues inaccessible shops can walk

Walmart to spend $175 million on high-tech Surrey, BC warehouse

Amazon pays $1.5M to fund more public bus service around its Seattle HQ

U.S. Embassies Around the World Are Auctioning Off Seriously Bizarre Items

Steak ‘n Shake tries — and fails — to throw shade at Wendy’s

Read Tipsheet Extra Stories

 

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