BLOWOUT – Walmart Q2 U.S. Comp +4.5% (vs. +2.4% expected) / + 40% e-com sales growth Press release

 

…Sam’s Club +5.0%, the strongest growth in six years

 

…Reuters: Walmart’s second-quarter comparable sales rise most in a decade, shares soar Read more

 

JCPenney Q2 Comp Sales +0.3% “…total net sales decreased 7.5 %…The decline in total net sales was primarily the result of the 141 stores that closed in fiscal 2017.” Press release

 

…CNBC: JC Penney shares crater 22% on earnings miss, lowered forecast Read more

 

Amazon Is in the Running to Buy a Movie Theater Chain by Bloomberg at Fortune. “The company is vying with other suitors to acquire (Landmark Theatres) from Wagner/Cuban Cos., which is backed by billionaire Mark Cuban and Todd Wagner.” Read more

 

Best Buy to buy GreatCall – a provider of mobile devices and care products designed for older adults – for $800 million by Patrick Rehkamp at Minneapolis/St.Paul Business Journal. “GreatCall sells smartphones with enlarged text for people with vision problems and wearable devices that can alert emergency services if someone is having a health crisis.” Read more

 

**A message from Sondare Megaphone sound enhancing case – Aging seniors and the hearing impaired can have trouble hearing their smart phone. Boosts the sound level 2X and directs sound towards you. No wires or batteries. Provides louder and clearer: ringtones, text/email alerts and family communications. Website/Video | Sample

 

Kohl’s now accepting Amazon returns at 100+ stores by Rick Romell at Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. “Kohl’s quietly opened Amazon return centers at 21 stores across the (Milwaukee) region in late July…“This expansion will allow Kohl’s to continue to test and learn in the market where Kohl’s headquarters is located,” Jen Johnson, senior vice president of communications, said in a statement.” Read more

 

The 2018 Inc. 5000 Full list

 

Tapestry CEO Talks Trade, Kate Spade Revival and Selena Gomez by Brian Sozzi at The Street. “The collection last year with Selena Gomez was a sellout. We are literally launching pre-orders right now today on our site and on Neiman Marcus for a new Selena capsule, which for the first time shows a complete head to toe look.” Q&A

 

Amazon considering UK insurance comparison site at Reuters. “While it was not immediately clear what type of insurance would be sold on any Amazon site, home and motor policies are popular sellers on existing UK price comparison sites.” Read more

 

20 Questions with Neiman Marcus Fashion Director Ken Downing by Rachel Schostak at Seen. “What are the must-have items for fall fashion this 2018 season? It’s a really great fashion season! All ’80s! All Day! All Night! …My top trends for fall: Anytime Sequins!…Animal prints!…The power pantsuit!.” Read more

 

Amazon Music Names Andre Stapleton Head of U.S. Label Relations at Variety. Read more

 

Kroger’s new clothing line Dip rolls into more stores by Steve Watkins at Cincinnati Business Courier. “About the name: Mimran said it fit well with Kroger’s grocery business. “We looked at Kroger’s unmatched heritage in food,” Mimran said. “We thought about the fun, easy energy of the clothes. We thought about what makes every gathering better…Dip is simple, fresh and goes great with everything.” Clothing pics/Read more

 

SpartanNash Q2 Sales: Food Distribution +4.3% / Military Segment +3.9% / Retail Comp -1.9% Press release 

 

Mattress Firm may get rescued by its biggest supplier by Josh Kosman at NY Post. “The buyout firm that owns Serta Simmons — the nation’s biggest mattress maker — is actively exploring a takeover bid for Mattress Firm, the nation’s dominant mattress retailer, The Post has learned.” Read more

 

CANADA – Metro faces supplier pressure, expects higher grocery prices in the future via Montreal Gazette. “Ontario’s new minimum wage, which rose to $14 at the start of the year, is adding extra pressure on prices. “We expect that the cumulative effect of all these cost pressures should start to be reflected at retail,” La Fleche said.” Read more

 

Bloomingdale’s Sets Anti-Bullying Campaign by Sharon Edelson at WWD. “The eight shirts, priced from $28 to $39, feature messages such as “Find Your Kind,” “Kind Campaign,” “Cool to Be Kind” and “Kindness is Magic.” Read more

 

Grabb-It wants to turn your car’s window into a video billboard by Greg Kumparak at TechCrunch. “As the driver crosses town, the ads can automatically switch to focus on businesses nearby. Near the ball park? It might pitch you on tickets for tonight’s game. Over in The Mission? It could play an ad about happy hour at the bar behind you.” Read more

 

Father is charged with homicide after killing man when he tried to get into his daughter’s QuikTrip bathroom stall at Daily Mail. Read more

 

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