Amazon slashes seller fees on items priced $15 or less to try to improve its grocery selection online by Jason Del Rey at Recode. “Amazon previously charged 15 percent on all grocery items, but will now charge only 8 percent on the lower-priced goods… “To help you list more products and keep prices competitive, we are offering you a limited-time referral fee discount on Grocery products,” the email said, according to a copy forwarded to Recode. “This fee promotion starts at 12:00 a.m. October 15, 2017 (PST), and will run through 11:59 p.m. October 14, 2018 (PST).” Read more

 

Wal-Mart’s U.K. CEO Swap Can’t Cure a Sales Struggle by Andrea Felsted at Bloomberg. “The U.K. arm of Wal-Mart Stores Inc. on Monday appointed Roger Burnley as chief executive officer, taking over from Sean Clarke.” Read more

 

Profitero looks at 52,000 products across 13 categories to compare prices between Amazon, Walmart, Jet.com and Target by Kim Souza at Talk Business. “Wal-Mart’s prices were 2.9% higher than Amazon’s…Target was 16.9% higher on average than Amazon for the same item, while Jet prices averaged 12.3% more expensive.” Read more

 

Best Buy launches free shipping on any size order during holidays by Kavita Kumar at Star Tribune. “Best Buy said it has now expanded same-day delivery to another 15 U.S. metro areas as it said it would do earlier this year. That brings the number of markets where it has it up and running to 40 cities.” List of cities/Read more (tiered subs.)

 

After years of cozying up to Democrats, Google faces reckoning in DC by John D. McKinnon & Brody Mullins at Wall Street Journal. “Google’s parent company, Alphabet Inc., made a big bet on Hillary Clinton winning the 2016 presidential election. Employees donated $1.6 million to her campaign, about 80% more than the amount given by workers at any other corporation…Since the elections, Google has tried to make more connections with the Republicans now in charge. It contributed $285,000 to Mr. Trump’s inauguration…” Read more (subs.)

 

Viking Cruises turns away Costco, agents grateful by Tom Stieghorst at Travel Weekly. “We walked away from millions of dollars of business,” (Viking’s Huffman) told about 800 travel agents at the CruiseOne/Dream Vacations and Cruises Inc. annual conference aboard the Harmony of the Seas. “We need your support to help make that up.” In an interview, Huffman confirmed that he was referring to Costco.” Read more

 

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Dollar General Names Rob Scruggs as Chief Digital and Customer Engagement Officer “Scruggs most recently served as global director of client experience for Bank of America Merrill Lynch where he had responsibility for the end-to-end client experience for global commercial clients.” Press release

 

GameStop is launching a game rental subscription called PowerPass by Jordan Crook at TechCrunch. “The $60 subscription, called PowerPass, lasts for six months at a time, and will include one free game to keep at the end of the subscription period.” Read more

 

Burlington updates guidance for Q3 2017 – Comp sales to increase approximately 3.1% vs. previous guidance of 2% to 3% Press release

 

Over 500 Target stores will show off Chip and Joanna Gaines line with 12-foot-tall display by Dan DeBaun at Minneapolis/St.Paul Business Journal. “It’s meant to help guests imagine what the pieces will look like in their homes and build affinity for the new brand by introducing it as a complete story,” Vice President of Visual Merchandising with Target, Erika De Salvatore, said in a blog post.” Read more |  A Bullseye View story

 

REI to close all stores on Black Friday for the third year – process no online sales Press release

 

Yes, Toys ‘R’ Us Is Still Open for Business by Suzanne Franica at Wall Street Journal. “MS. HASSAN: Children today are overscheduled. For too long we were a business that was focused on transactions, sales and deals. As we looked at our rebranding, we saw an opportunity to have a purpose that was much bigger than just the products that we sell.” Q&A w/Global Chief Mktg Officer (subs.)

 

Shopify posts a 72% increase in third-quarter revenue at Reuters. Read more

 

Brooks Running sees double-digit sales growth despite unpredictability of sports retail at CNBC . “Brooks’ third-quarter sales climbed 11 percent, while global footwear revenue was up 14 percent during the period, the company reported Monday. The retailer is also gaining traction in the “$100 and above” segment for adult running footwear, NPD data show.” Read more

 

Amazon Studios expanding to iconic Hollywood location by Nat Levy at GeekWire. “…moving into the historic Culver Studios, where classics like “Gone With the Wind” and “Citizen Kane” were shot…Amazon said it currently employs about 700 people in Santa Monica, Calif., and those folks will start moving in to Culver Studios toward the end of the year.” Read more

 

Rent-A-Center to Explore Strategic and Financial Alternatives “The Company also announced today that Steven L. Pepper resigned from his position as director and Chairman of the Board of Rent-A-Center, with his resignation taking effect on October 31, 2017.” Press release

 

Macy’s no longer makes much money as a retailer, Citi says, downgrades to sell at CNBC. “The core business is weak and (we believe) is getting weaker,” Lejuez said.” Read more

 

Tipsheet Extra Stories

21-year-old gives birth on the floor of the apparel section at Walmart

Burberry’s Christopher Bailey to Leave Before 2019

Under Armour slashes full-year outlook, sending shares tumbling

Sharper Image Times Square holiday pop-up shop marks physical store comeback

Walmart to dump iconic brand Danskin

Amazon baby apparel sales volume increased 67% to $50M in Q3

Read Tipsheet Extra Stories

 

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