Wal-Mart to host suppliers for two-day growth summit by Kim Souza at Talk Business. “Instead of having suppliers at the retailer’s year beginning meetings held as in the past, Wal-Mart is holding a two-day Supplier Growth Forum Feb. 15-16 at the John Q Hammons Convention Center in Rogers.” Read more

 

L.L. Bean CEO offers help to employees affected by Trump’s travel ban by Annie Karni at Politico. “We are committed to help our affected employees in any way possible,” (CEO) Smith wrote in the internal email, urging anyone “personally grappling” with the implications of the ban to reach out to him directly.” Read more

 

Lowe’s among investors pouring $45 million into Desktop Metal, the 3D printer startup by Lora Kolodny at TechCrunch. “The company aims to bring metal-making capabilities to smaller businesses and designers who couldn’t afford, or find the space, for previously available technologies.” Read more

 

Ahold Delhaize announces ‘brand-centric’ structuring by John Springer at Supermarket News. “Ahold USA will combine the Stop & Shop New England and New York Metro divisions into a single division to be based in Quincy, Mass., led by current Stop & Shop New England president Mark McGowan.” Read more

 

Yes, another Amazon building: 17-story office project will expand new Seattle campus to 5th block by Todd Bishop at GeekWire. “Amazon’s second Seattle campus is officially expanding to five blocks. The tech giant has filed for permits to build a 17-story office building at 2205 7th Ave., the site of a former Days Inn hotel, according to city records.” Read more

 

Gap comp sales for January 2017 +1% “Old Navy Global: positive 2 percent versus negative 6 percent last year. Gap Global: positive 3 percent versus negative 6 percent last year. Banana Republic Global: negative 4 percent versus negative 17 percent last year.” Press release

 

**A message from Lock-it Block-it – Get rid of the stick! It’s time to retire the ugly wooden sticks sitting in window tracks around the world. Wooden sticks fall out, require measuring and cutting and don’t adjust up or down (no summer breeze for you!). The Lock-it Block-it is a high-impact security bar that allows windows to stay open AND secure at the same time. 13 adjustment holes allow for inch-by-inch opening adjustments. Great for sliding doors/windows too! Watch the video | Sell sheet. Retailers request samples: info@eyeonretail.net

 

Online prices cheaper than in store? Not so fast, MIT researcher finds by Megan Woolhouse at Boston Globe. “According to a pricing study at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, major retailers in the United States charge the same price for goods they sell online as compared with in stores about 70 percent of the time…It looked at more than 24,000 products in 10 countries, including 8,000 in the United States.” Read more

 

Wal-Mart’s grow-slow with Massmart in Africa by Alexandra Wexler at The Australian. “Some analysts and investors wonder whether Massmart’s slow expansion means Wal-Mart is losing interest in its African venture…“If being sort of Steady Eddie is described as a criticism, I’m happy to be criticised,” said Mr Hayward, a South African who joined Massmart in 2000.” Read more

 

84 Lumber and the big-budget Super Bowl ad to nowhere by Thomas Heath at Washington Post. “Adamson called 84 Lumber’s commercial “a miss,” because like several other advertisers, it was trying to attach itself to a social issue instead of pushing its product. He calls the tactic “borrowed interest,” and said it usually backfires.” Read more

 

10 retailers that have the fastest home page load time (Kohl’s #6, Home Depot #8) by April Berthene at Internet Retailer. Top 10 list

 

Abercrombie & Fitch reveals new store concept with “suite” fitting rooms by Nathan Bomey at USA Today. Read more

 

Nielsen: 20% of grocery sales could be online by 2025 by James Melton at Internet Retailer. “By 2025, as many as 70% of U.S. consumers will be buying groceries online and those purchases will total more than $100 billion.” Read more

 

Adidas Says Tesla Logo Is Too Similar To 3-Stripe TM by Bill Donahue at Law 360. Read more (subscription)

 

Nearly half of online retailers are looking for a new e-commerce platform by Stefany Zaroban at Internet Retailer. “Nearly 17% of retailers surveyed say they are in the midst of a replatforming, while more than 72% say they plan to switch within the next two years.” Read more

 

Tipsheet Extra Stories

Teen shot, killed after stealing carts of diapers from Walmart

Target red ball dislodges, pinballs around parking lot causing thousands of dollars’ worth of damage

Atlanta Dick’s store pulls championship merchandise off shelves

Athleisure Makeup Has The Cosmetics Industry Breaking A Sweat

Steer runs for its life through a Texas shopping district, gets roped by two cowboys outside Walmart

‘World War Z 2’ pulled from release schedule

Read Tipsheet Extra Stories

 

Eye on Retail Tipsheet is must-read material for 20,000+ 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: www.eyeonretail.net