Inflation rose 0.3% in December from the previous month, more than expected at Fox Business

 

Shipment rates soar 4x after Red Sea attacks: CEO at Yahoo Finance

 

Neiman Marcus CEO says there’s ‘no need’ to sell the business as Saks takeover rumors swirl at CNBC. “Some people close to the companies have told CNBC a merger between the two is inevitable, and is a matter of when, not if. But Neiman’s CEO Geoffroy van Raemdonck said there is currently “no process to sell the company.” Read more

 

H-E-B Holds Top Spot in dunnhumby’s Annual Grocery Rankings “Amazon (2) and Costco (3) round out the top three grocers in the U.S. for a second year in a row. The seven other retailers in the top 10 are: 4) Market Basket, 5) Sam’s Club, 6) Wegman’s, 7) Aldi, 8) Shoprite, 9) Walmart Neighborhood Market, 10) Walmart.” Press release

 

Target is trying to offload furnishings as it exits City Center offices at Minneapolis Star Tribune. “The auction this week includes hundreds of items from four of the upper floors that Target once used in City Center. Target occupied 37 of the 50-plus floors of City Center, according to Target spokesman Brian Harper-Tibaldo. It vacated the building in May 2021.” Read more

 

Amazon Is About to Eat the TV Universe at Hollywood Reporter. “On Jan. 29, Prime Video will make its ad tier the default for its tens of millions of subscribers…The move will instantly turn Amazon into a streaming-ad juggernaut, and the largest ad-supported subscription streaming platform in the marketplace with tens of millions of users, leapfrogging the likes of Netflix in the process.” Read more

 

Walmart ready to open new Whole Health fitness center on corporate campus at Talk Business. “Walmart is set to open on Friday (Jan. 12) its new 360,000-square-foot Walton Family Whole Health & Fitness center on its new home office campus – which is still under construction – in the heart of Bentonville.” Read more

 

…Walmart hopes associates get fit at new whole health center at NWA Online. “Walmart and Sam’s Club associates are able to access the Rest and Restore area regardless of membership. This area has cryotherapy chairs, a massage therapist and a registered dietitian.” Read more/Pics/Video

 

Lowe’s launches DIY rewards loyalty program Press release

 

Walmart Expands Drone Delivery in Dallas as It Races Amazon at WSJ. “In Dallas, Walmart will partner with Wing, a unit of Alphabet, and Zipline, a global drone delivery company that works with healthcare providers and others. Walmart is currently offering drone delivery in a limited way in Dallas. After the expansion, drone delivery from Walmart will be available to about 75% of the Dallas-Fort Worth population…” WSJ subs.

 

Wolverine World Wide sells Sperry to Authentic Brands Group in shoe retail deal at CNBC

 

As Retailers Cite Rising Theft and Shrinkage, Analysts Want More Details at WSJ. “We want them to talk about what the heck is going on, what are you doing about it, and how should we bake this into their models?” Rosenblum said. Retailers calculate shrink differently, and often don’t disclose exact figures to show the impact to their financials.” WSJ subs.

 

Amazon’s Twitch, Prime Video, MGM Studios units lay off hundreds at GeekWire

 

Walmart experiments with AI to enhance customers’ shopping experiences via San Antonio Express News. “…provided a glimpse into “InHome Replenishment,” which aims to use AI to learn consumers’ shopping habits and keep them stocked on their favorite groceries, as well as a beta platform that allows customers to create outfits virtually and get feedback from their friends…(At) Sam’s Club…Instead of stopping at a cashier to show the receipt, cameras at the stores’ exits take a picture of what’s in shoppers’ carts to confirm purchases. This camera technology is available in 10 clubs so far.” Read more | WM press release

 

Amazon is deploying its Just Walk Out cashierless technology in hospitals and other healthcare facilities at CNBC

 

Big Y Appoints New President/CEO and COO at Progressive Grocer. “…the roles of president and CEO will transition to Michael P. D’Amour, and those of EVP and COO will move to Richard D. Bossie.” Read more

 

***Advertising inquiries, new product searches, comments, questions, etc…contact Jason Long at jlong@eyeonretail.net