Walmart pairs with Advance Auto Parts to create online specialty auto parts store at CNBC. “The partnership will bring home delivery and same-day pickup in both Walmart and Advance stores. The venture will sell common auto parts and accessories, including tires, lube and battery services, online and in its 2,500 Walmart Auto Care Centers nationwide.” Read more

 

Build-a-Bear Workshops are opening at select Walmart stores at USA Today. List of stores

 

Amazon Doles Out Freebies to Juice Sales of Its Own Brands by Spencer Soper at Bloomberg. “Amazon uses Vine extensively to promote a fast-growing assortment of its own private-label products, distributing free samples…But there (is) an important group excluded from the Vine program: independent merchants…” Tiered subs.

 

Albertsons Q2 comp sales +1.0% Press release

 

Apple’s Jony Ive says he still has a lot to do at Apple at CNET. “(Ive), who’s now overseeing Apple Store designs, added that the last thing he learned was how you can connect glass to a structural frame. “We’ve been doing this for a long time, and we’re still surprised and learning so much,” Ive said.” Read more

 

Grainger Q3 revenue +7.4% Press release

 

Walmart cuts earnings outlook for 2019 at CNBC. “…says net sales growth for 2020 will be at least 3 percent and will be hit by changes of operations in Brazil and reduced tobacco sales at Sam’s Club.
It expects net sales to climb about 5 percent internationally.” Read more

 

Petco Names Justin Tichy as Chief Stores Officer Press release

 

The Background Music You Hear May Not Be Licensed by Anne Steele at Wall Street Journal. “Though 88% of all small and medium stores play music either daily or almost every day, less than half say they know there is even a difference between playing music for personal consumption and playing background music at a business.” WSJ subs.

 

**A message from Real Coconut Water – Ask about our PL Organic Coconut Water program. Sell sheet | Website | Request samples: info@eyeonretail.net

 

BEZOS: “If big tech companies are going to turn their back on the DoD, this country is going to be in trouble.” at CNN Money. Read more

 

…“This country is a gem. It is amazing. It’s still the best place in the world,” (Bezos) said. “It’s the place where people want to come. There aren’t other countries where everybody is trying to get in — I’d let them in if it were up to me, I like them, I want all of them in. But this is a great country and it does need to be defended.” by Taylor Soper at GeekWire. Read more

 

CVS doesn’t want to leave any ‘white space’ for Amazon to disrupt at CNBC. “What Merlo does worry about is how CVS can meet the needs of its customers, he said Monday in an interview with David Rubenstein, president of the Economic Club of Washington, D.C.” Read more

 

Amazon launches new ‘As Seen on Shark Tank’ online store for 70+ shark-backed products by Nat Levy at GeekWire. “And each Shark Tank-approved company will be considered for Amazon’s Launchpad program, which helps startups launch, market and distribute products.” Read more

 

Wayfair launches new membership program with $29.99 annual fee Press release

 

Figs is Fast Becoming the Warby Parker of Scrubs by Jacob Gallagher at Wall Street Journal. “Figs, a five-year-old startup has upended the medical apparel industry with direct-to-consumer scrubs and splashy marketing campaigns. This year, it’s on track to make $100 million in revenue.” WSJ subs.

 

Instacart raises $600 million at a $7.6 billion valuation at TechCrunch. Read more

 

Walmart’s looking to sell third-party streaming platform subscriptions at The Verge. “Bloomberg says Walmart wants to give its Vudu customers the ability to add on premium services, like HBO Now, Showtime, or Starz. Bloomberg attributes the push to declining DVD sales. Amazon offers a similar service through Channels.” Read more

 

Amazon invests $10 million in Closed Loop Fund, which finances the creation of recycling infrastructure and services in U.S. cities at TechCrunch. Read more

 

Tipsheet Extra Stories

Grocery store refuses to sell Pepsi until drinks giant removes NFL logo

‘Retail is the place to be’ in cannabis, says MedMen CEO

He posed as a federal agent in Best Buy. He’s now a federal inmate in prison.

Drivers cars had to be towed from Kroger after pumping bad fuel

“Tom and Jerry” is expected to be the first live-action hybrid to shoot in 2019

Amazon delivery driver caught on video urinating near front door of home

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: Send story tips, press releases and advertising inquiries to info@eyeonretail.net

 

Website: eyeonretail.net