Amazon met with startups about investing, then launched competing products at Fox Business. “Ms. Braga is one of more than two dozen entrepreneurs, investors and deal advisers interviewed by The Wall Street Journal who said Amazon appeared to use the investment and deal-making process to help develop competing products. In some cases, Amazon’s decision to launch a competing product devastated the business in which it invested. In other cases, it met with startups about potential takeovers, sought to understand how their technology works, then declined to invest and later introduced similar Amazon-branded products, according to some of the entrepreneurs and investors.” Read more | WSJ subs.

 

Mall owner Simon and Authentic Brands make $305 million bid for bankrupt Brooks Brothers, aiming to keep over 125 stores open at CNBC. “A court hearing to approve the bid has been set for Aug. 3, while other competing offers are due by Aug. 5, according to the filing. A hearing to approve the final sale of Brooks Brothers’ assets is set to take place Aug. 11.” Read more

 

Tractor Supply Q2 comp sales +30.5% “Net sales for the second quarter 2020 increased 35.0% to $3.18 billion…comparable transaction count and comparable average ticket of 14.6% and 15.8%, respectively.” Press release

 

Walmart to open at least six more health clinics in greater Atlanta area by end of 2020 at CNBC. “…(Walmart) will enter the Florida market next year, starting with the Jacksonville area…That would bring its total clinics that offer primary care, dental exams and other medical services to at least 13 by year end.” Read more

 

Amazon now sells auto insurance in India at TechCrunch. “…has begun offering auto insurance to cover two and four-wheelers in the country, marking the American giant’s first foray into this financial services category globally.” Read more

 

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Loblaw Q2 comp sales: Food retail (Loblaw) +10.0% / Drug retail (Shoppers Drug Mart) -1.1% Press release

 

‘Are you intending to shoot me over a mask?’ Workers feel burden of enforcing rules at USA Today. “I’m gonna be honest,” (owner) White said, taking a deep breath. “I’m in a (expletive) bead shop. … Do you think I feel like I should have to carry a gun to come to work? It’s art. It’s craft. It’s design. It’s teaching people. … I’m not coming to a shooting range. This should be the happiest place.” Read more

 

Publix Pharmacy Receives Patient Choice Award Press release

 

Schnucks Realigns C-Suite Teams at Progressive Grocer. “Schnucks has promoted Ryan Cuba to lead its merchandising department as chief merchant…hired Bill Bradley, a former longtime executive at Anheuser-Busch, to head the grocer’s newly merged marketing, communications and customer insights team as its chief marketing and communications officer.” Read more

 

BJ’s Announces Monica Schwartz as SVP, Chief Digital Officer “Most recently, Schwartz was Vice President, Online Merchandising at Home Depot where she was responsible for leading the company’s online merchandising and category experience across desktop, mobile web and the app.” Press release

 

Flipkart to acquire Walmart India’s wholesale business at The Economic Times. Read more

 

Dollar General to hold virtual supplier and diversity innovation summit “…will be held on September 16. This virtual event will provide companies holding a wide variety of diversity certifications that have not sold products to the Company within the past 18 months with an opportunity to meet with Dollar General merchandise buyers and category managers.” Press release

 

J.Jill forbearance period has been extended until July 30, 2020 Press release

 

Tipsheet Extra

Shelf Engine raises $12M to help Target & Kroger manage orders and reduce waste

A homemade face mask likely needs two or three layers of cloth to be effective

3 in 4 Americans back requiring wearing masks

UNFI condemns unions decision to initiate an illegal strike

Amazon suggests uses for all of those extra shipping boxes in your house

Read Tipsheet Extra Stories

 

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