Microsoft takes aim at Amazon with push for checkout-free retail by Jeffrey Dastin & Stephen Nellis at Reuters. “Microsoft has shown sample technology to retailers from around the world and has had talks with Walmart about a potential collaboration, three of the people said. Microsoft’s technology aims to help retailers keep pace with Amazon Go…” Read more

 

Kroger exits Raleigh-Durham market – sort of by Alexander Coolidge at Cincinnati Enquirer. “(Kroger) said it would shut 14 area stores in mid-August. But eight of those stores will be sold to Harris-Teeter, which Kroger owns. Agreements to sell two other locations are also under contract.” Read more

 

Whole Foods CEO describes ‘clashes with Amazon’ in leaked audio recording by Hayley Peterson at Business Insider. “I ultimately am not afraid to get fired, so — not that I think they are going to fire me, but I’m not afraid of it — so that gives me a position of strength to speak truth to power when it’s necessary to do so, and I’ve done it many, many times,” (John Mackey) said.” Read more

 

Michaels Q1 Comp Sales +0.4% “Net sales were $1,155.5 million compared to $1,158.6 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2017. The decrease in net sales was primarily due to the closure of all 94 full-size Aaron Brothers stores in the first quarter of fiscal 2018.” Press release

 

OPEN CALL – Walmart pushes private brand deals by Kim Souza at Talk Business. “Cindi Marsiglio, Walmart VP of manufacturing and sourcing: ‘This was the first time we have done this around Open Call but we have learned over the years the importance of helping to educate these entrepreneurs and manufacturers on the possibilities that exist with private brands’” Read more

 

New Amazon Chief Steps Up Talent War With Netflix, Courts A-List Creators by Lesley Goldberg at Hollywood Reporter. Read more

 

Boxed CEO Chieh Huang and the genius of frugal leadership by Paul C. Brunson at USA Today. “Having just finished a multileg overseas trip, Huang quipped that if his co-founders were with him, they would have all shared the same room. “It’s just what we do. We’re not a high-maintenance group.” Read more

 

Jos. A. Bank Q1 Comp Sales +1.2% by Ryan Sharrow at Baltimore Business Journal. Read more

 

Gap appoints Neil Fiske president and CEO of Gap brand at CNBC. “Fiske will join Gap from Australian clothing brand Billabong, where he has served as CEO of Billabong International…He has also served in executive roles at Eddie Bauer and Bath and Body Works.” Read more

 

Petco Announces the Appointment of Ron Coughlin as CEO “Mr. Coughlin joins the Company from HP Inc., where he served for 11 years, most recently as President of Personal Systems.  He will begin in this role as of Monday, June 18.” Press release

 

Rue21 Appoints Laurie Van Brunt President and CEO “…she was President of Soma Intimates from 2010 to 2017…was Corporate Vice President, Director of Private Brand Management at J. C. Penney Company, Inc. from 2005 – 2010.” Press release

 

44% would consider booking travel with Amazon by Lewis Lazare at Chicago Business Journal. “The next most viable alternative, based on travelers surveyed, was Facebook (at 14 percent).” Read more

 

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Ex-Home Depot & Target Exec Joins Macy’s As Chief Technology Officer “Prior to joining The Home Depot in 2010 as senior director of information technology, (Naveen) Krishna was a director at Target with overall accountability for Target.com technology and operations.” Press release

 

Walmart Urged To Reach Deal With Exec Hired by Amazon In Noncompete Suit by Vince Sullivan at Law 360. Subscription

 

Amazon cancels huge summer picnic and post-holiday party – plans new post-Prime Day concert by Taylor Soper at GeekWire. “Now that we have more than 45,000 Amazonians in Seattle, we are evolving our employee events to ensure we can offer a great experience for the large number of employees who attend these celebrations…Amazon said in a statement.” Read more

 

There Aren’t Enough Drivers to Keep Up With Your Delivery Lifestyle by Michael Sasso at Bloomberg. “You’re not going to have enough drivers who are capable,” Karabus said. “Just getting a warm body to drive is not enough.” Read more (Tiered subs.)

 

Claire’s Q1 Comp Sales -0.4% Press release

 

Inside a converted Walmart Supercenter about 6 miles from the U.S. border with Mexico, nearly 1,500 young immigrant boys have found their first home in the U.S. by Alicia A. Caldwell at Wall Street Journal. Read more (Subs.)

 

Target Is Sorry It Sold ‘Baby Daddy’ Father’s Day Cards Featuring a Black Couple at Fortune. Read more

 

Tipsheet Extra Stories

New York City’s styrofoam ban goes into effect Jan. 1

Montreal retail industry facing ‘perfect storm,’ new report warns

Publix plans to offer valet parking at some stores

Retail Sales Surge +0.8% In May – Biggest Jump In 8 Months

DSW’s concept store is the Holy Grail for sneakerheads

Kohl’s shares fall after Citigroup downgrades the stock

Read Tipsheet Extra Stories

 

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