“Top 100 Retailers:  Amazon Crashes the Party” by David P. Schulz at NRF. “The current retailing revolution isn’t about overthrowing the old elite; it’s about the speed with which the old dogs are learning new tricks. One such example: Amazon.com has joined the uppermost ranks of STORES magazine’s Top 100 Retailers.” Read more

 

NRF: Top 100 Retailers: See the List

 

“Philly firm building ‘One of the largest sporting goods retailers in the U.S.’ “ by Joseph N. DiStefano at Philly Inquirer. “Vestis Retail Group LLC says it has agreed to buy Sport Chalet, a Southern California chain of 50 sporting-goods dealers, for up to $1.20 a share. Vestis plans to combine Sport Chalet’s back-office and online logistics operations with its Eastern Mountain Sports chain in the mid-Atlantic states and Bob’s Stores in the Northeast “to create one of the largest sporting goods retailers in the U.S.,” with a total of 150+ stores.” Read more

 

“Blue Apron Takes on Amazon and Walmart with Unique Recipe” by Brian Sozzi at The Street.  “Blue Apron, which reportedly is valued at $500 million following a financing raise, utilizes a different approach to the same-day delivery of fresh food relative to its competitors. For $9.99 per person, per meal, a subscriber receives a box all of the ingredients and several recipes required to make a unique meal at home.”  Interview with CEO Matt Salzberg

 

“Walmart Launches BestPriceWholesale in India, a B2B Ecommerce Site” at Trak.in.  “The newly launched site is targeted towards small and medium sized kirana stores in India…Unfortunately, we could not find too many details about the products and their pricing because the site is open only for their registered users who have their membership card. The site does not give out any information unless you are logged in with your 7 digit membership number.” Read more

 

***A message from Orchard Road Canning Co. – Energize Home Canning Sales with Millennials and Young Canners.  Where’s the next growth spurt in the home canning category?  Young female canners are the future of the category and there is untapped potential within this segment.  Orchard Road targets young females with a simple and elegant glass jar design and unique package graphics that feature authentic food-filled jars.  See the package design. See the sell sheet. www.orchardroadcanning.com.  Contact info@eyeonretail.net for more information.

 

“Whole Foods launches experiment in one of Chicago’s most downtrodden neighborhoods” by Bill Ruthart at Chicago Tribune.  “It’d be stupid to come here and not provide products at prices that people want. That’d just be dumb,” (co-CEO Walter) Robb said. “Talk is cheap, but we will be accessible and affordable for people. Otherwise, we’re not going to succeed.” The $12 million store, Robb added, would be “one of the most meaningful things we’ve done as a company.” Read more

 

“Canadian retailers step-up game plan to woo price-conscious fashionistas” by Marina Strauss at Globe & Mail.  “Everyone is a competitor these days,” said Linda Fittler, vice-president of apparel at Wal-Mart Canada, as she showed off a sample of a $12 pair of George herringbone jeggings (a cross between jeans and leggings). “Everyone is competing for that opening [lowest] price to get the traffic in the store.” Read more

 

“Food retailers expect $6.2 billion July 4 spending boom” by Kim Souza at The City Wire.  “This year’s (NRF) survey indicates the average household will dole out $68.16 on burgers, snacks and other food for the occasion. This is the first year the survey tracked food spending.”  Read more

 

“Amazon promotes a Hachette title that it’s not willing to provide on pre-order” by Tricia Duryee at GeekWire.  “Lepucki finds herself in the cross fire between Amazon and her publishing house Hachette…As a bargaining tactic, Amazon has been delaying shipments of some books, and in the case of Lepucki, refusing to make the title available for pre-order.” Read more

 

“China Taking Orders for Luis Suarez (Uruguay’s Soccer ‘Biter’) Bite Bottle Openers” at WSJ.  “Using a Photoshopped image that went viral after the game of Mr. Suarez’s mid-bite visage grafted onto a plastic figurine and preparing to chomp down on a bottle lid, the vendors are selling the openers for as little as 15 yuan ($2.50).”  See the pic / Read more

 

“Once-trendy retail brands that lost their cool” at CNBC.  See the list

 

“WWE Wrestler Arrested on Walmart Shoplifting Charges” by Kels Dayton at WWLP News.  “Police said 25-year old Tenille Dashwood, known by WWE fans as “Emma,” was stopped at WalMart on Monday afternoon for allegedly stealing an iPad Mini case…This is Emma’s bio from the WWE’s official website: “A Diva who dances like no one’s watching and can pack a mean punch, Emma boasts a wacky attitude and quirky confidence that would make even the boldest men raise an eyebrow.” Read more / See the video

 

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