Strategy

Nike is opening up shop on Amazon.   The sportswear giant has entered into a pilot program with the online giant to sell a limited (at least initially) selection of footwear, apparel, and accessories on the online site. Nike products have long been available on Amazon, but only through unauthorized third party sellers. This will be the first time that Nike has sold directly on the Amazon.   

Williams Sonoma will open the largest version yet of its new dual-concept format, which combines its traditional kitchen and food products with home furnishings.  

Camping World Holdings has given an update on its plans for Gander Mountain.   Camping World, which acquired the assets of Gander Mountain and boating division Overton's in a bankruptcy auction in May, said it plans to operate 57 locations — assuming details can be worked out with landlords and final acceptable leases agreed to. Liquidation sales started in May at all 160 Gander stores.   

For Tractor Supply Company, buy-online-pickup-in-store is proving a win-win, for both itself and its customers.    With more than 1,600 stores in 49 states, Tractor Supply is the nation's largest operator of stores dedicated to a rural lifestyle. Online and offline, it offers a wide range of merchandise, from welders and generators to an-imal care products to men and women's workwear. Stores are typically located in towns outlying major metropolitan markets and in rural com-munities.   

With home remodeling and housing starts on the rise, The Tile Shop is in a sweet spot. The specialty retailer of manufactured and nature stone tiles, which reported a 8.8% increase in net sales and a 4.9% increase in same-store sales for its first quarter, displays its collections in a showroom-like environment that includes full-room tiled displays and a design studio where customers can utilize 3D renderings to visualize their design ideas.   

Walgreens Boots Alliance has announced a new Rite Aid deal, effectively ending its nearly two-year quest to acquire the Camp Hill, Pa.-based drug store chain. The divestiture agreement with Fred's Pharmacy, whereby Fred's would buy 865 stores, is also terminated.  

The news that Walgreens is to scrap its $9.4 billion merger with Rite Aid is unsurprising. The glacial pace of the Federal Trade Commission investigation and increasing signals that the federal government would disallow the merger have forced a rethink.  

Alimentation Couche-Tard has closed on the biggest transaction in its history.    The Canadian company announced that it has completed its $4.4 billion acquisition of CST Brands. The deal will add approximately 1,300 stores to the Couche-Tard portfolio, including 666 locations in Texas.   

Pier I Imports reduced its loss in the first quarter amid a boost in its gross margin and other operational improvements.   Pier 1 reported its first-quarter loss narrowed to $3 million, or 4 cents a share, from $6 million, or 7 cents a share, a year earlier. Its results beat expectations.   

Sycamore Partners has a plan for its newest retail acquisition, Staples.   The private equity firm, which purchased the office supply giant for $6.9 billion on Wednesday, plans to divide the chain into three separately financed units: U.S. retail; Canadian retail; and corporate-supply businesses, reported The Wall Street Journal reported. The three units will all remain under the same corporate umbrella.