Walmart

Walmart continues to explore new ways to make it easier for customers to pick up goods purchased online.    The discounter is expanding its deployment of a giant self-service kiosk, which it calls a Pickup Tower, that spits out online orders to users of Walmart's buy-online-pickup-in-store service. Walmart debuted the technology last fall, in a store in Bentonville, Ark., close its headquarters.  

Eloquii is making the leap to physical retailing — with more than one location.    The plus-size fashion brand is set to open a store at The Fashion Centre at Pentagon City, Arlington, Va., followed by a location in downtown Chicago, and one at Easton Town Center, in Columbus, Ohio, which will open in September, reported The Columbus Dispatch.   

Proposed cuts in food stamp benefits could cost the the retail industry billions — with supermarkets and discounters taking the biggest hit.    AlixPartners estimates that retail collectively stands to lose $70.7 billion during the next 10 years if the proposed cuts in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (commonly referred to as food stamps) turn into reality, CNBC reported. The budget proposed by the Trump administration calls for $191 billion in cuts to the program between 2018 to 2028.  

While Amazon expands its physical presence, Walmart Canada is taking its own swipe at the online giant — by moving in on its turf.   

Target Corp. has entered the fast-growing next-day grocery delivery market.    The discounter on Tuesday launched a pilot for Target Restock, a next-day delivery service for household essentials and dry grocery items ordered online, in its hometown market of Minneapolis-St. Paul. The service, available only to Target REDcard holders, comes with a flat fee of $4.99 per box.   

Walmart leads the pack when it comes to paid search advertising in the grocery category.   That’s according to new research from AdGooroo. The search marketing intelligence provider analyzed 124 non-branded grocery store and grocery delivery keywords from June 2016-May 2017.  

Amazon may face a contender for Whole Foods Market.   JP Morgan research analysts said in a note that Walmart could step in as a rival bidder for the grocery chain, reported CNBC, attracted by Whole Foods' more affluent customer base and strong brand.   

Dollar General has added a Vitamin Shoppe veteran to its ranks as executive VP and chief merchandising officer.   Jason Reiser, most recently executive VP and COO of Vitamin Shoppe, will join the discounter, effective July 12. He replaces the recently retired Jim Thorpe.   Reiser brings with him to Dollar General more than 30 years’ experience in retail management, private brand sourcing and regulatory affairs. He also is a trained pharmacist.