Target pledges to increase number of Black employees by 20% at CNBC. “About 75% of its leadership team is White and 8% are Black, based on 2019 data. That rises to nearly a quarter, however, when including all people of color like Latinos and Asians.” Read more

 

Walmart+ launches new ad campaign “The commercials were created by award-winning husband and wife filmmaking duo, Daniel and Katina Mercadante. Following all COVID-19 safety production protocols, their two-person crew became embedded into the families’ everyday lives and generated over 100 hours of unscripted footage and 30 hours of audio interviews. This resulted in the first documentary-style ad campaign for Walmart.” Read more/Spot

 

Ulta Beauty CEO says business is better than expected, but remains cautious about second half results at CNBC. “It took some time for stores to ramp up, but now, you know, the last month or so we’ve only been down mid-single digits,” she said in a “Mad Money” interview, adding that it’s “a lot better than we thought it would be at this point, although we’re cautious about what the second half of the year looks like.” Read more/Video

 

RH Q2 net revenue up slightly vs. LY Press release

 

JC Penney deal with Brookfield, Simon Property confirmed at Fox Business. “Retailer JC Penney left for dead, is being resuscitated by two of the nation’s largest landlords potentially saving 70,000 jobs. JC Penney confirmed on Wednesday night that a deal has been reached in principal that will keep the retail chain afloat after the company filed for bankruptcy back in May…” Read more

 

Academy Sports + Outdoors plans to go public Press release

 

**A message from Comfy Sacks bean bag chairs – Consumers want stay at home comfort. Comfy Sacks are filled with superior quality furniture grade foam. Offer your consumer something unique & comfortable. Booklet | Video | Website | Request sample bag: info@eyeonretail.net

 

Amazon adds former NSA and U.S. Cyber Command leader Keith Alexander as board director at GeekWire. Read more

 

Petco owners exploring sale or IPO: Bloomberg News at Reuters. “…could value it at $6 billion, including debt, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday. CVC and CPPIB are interviewing potential advisers while reviewing strategic options, with formal efforts around a sale or IPO not expected to kick off until next year, Bloomberg said, citing people with knowledge of the matter.” Read more

 

A year later, Amazon’s voice assistant alliance still hasn’t attracted any of its rivals at The Verge. Read more

 

Lowe’s underwent an online makeover just in time at Business Insider. “It was very obvious that the fundamental things that world-class retailers do very well were absent here,” (Marvin Ellison) said on Wednesday during Goldman Sachs’ annual Global Retailing Virtual Conference  — citing the state of Lowe’s e-commerce business in 2018.” Read more

 

SEPTEMBER 16TH: Amazon is hiring 33,000 new employees with an average compensation package worth $150,000 at CNN. Read more

 

Amazon Halo team hints at larger ambitions, with ‘full roadmap’ of health devices and experiences at GeekWire. “That’s the message from an Amazon job post seeking a principal product manager for the team following the Halo unveiling. Or at least it was, until we spotted the job post and asked the company to share more information. Since then, the language has been changed.” Read more

 

US Consumers to Spend 1B Hours Shopping on Mobile This Holiday Season – Up 50% YoY Press release

 

Five Below sees ‘great back-to-school season’ by focusing on home learning environment, CEO says at CNBC. “Five Below is approaching the upcoming Halloween season in a similar way…“It’s going to be less about trick-or-treating and more about decor and still creating a fun experience at home, and at Five Below you can do that without having to break the bank, so to speak,” said Anderson.” Read more/Video

 

Kroger hires homeless woman who slept in store’s parking lot, changes her life at Fox 17 Nashville. “When there were days when I didn’t know what I was going to do, they motivated me. They helped me. I cried in their arms,” (Lashenda Williams) adds. “And that’s why I work so hard in this Kroger. It’s not for me, it’s for every worker in here.” Read more/Video

 

Tipsheet Extra

Joe Exotic underwear line sells out in seconds

Carol Tome making UPS ‘Better, not Bigger’

Tile will refund up to $1,000 in products if it can’t find your lost item

Customer recounts averted mass shooting at Bass Pro Shops

Speak softly and scatter 50 times fewer coronavirus particles

Kroger will offer flu shots at larger venues such as the Indianapolis Zoo

Read Tipsheet Extra Stories

 

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