News

Who’s got the cheapest prices: Amazon or Walmart.com?
New York -- The gap in prices between Amazon and Walmart.com’s grocery basket has widened in the past two months, according to a report by 360pi. The company conducted a two-month study, comparing a basket of grocery pantry/household items spanning a number of CPG brands with a non-grocery basket (such as toys, electronics and tools) basket shopped on Amazon.com and Walmart.com.
What's on Amazon's truck?
Amazon.com has come up with another new and exciting way to keep its brand out in front of potential customers.

The e-commerce giant has put a so-called Treasure Truck on the streets of Seattle. Each day the “Treasure Truck cruises to different neighborhoods loaded to the gills with one amazing item you won’t want to miss,” the company says. Photos on social media show the truck has a sign that says, "What's on the truck today?"

Rockler improves store workflow with Reflexis

Medina, Minn. - Rockler Woodworking and Hardware has improved store workflow by implementing the ReflexisPlus and StoreWalk for ReflexisPlus task management and retail store auditing solutions. Rockler, which provides woodworking and do-it-yourself supplies, tools, and media implemented the Reflexis store execution and compliance solutions in three weeks in its 29 stores located across the U.S.
Champs Sports introduces the ARMOURY

Champs Sports is elevating its value proposition for shoppers by launching an Under Armour store-within-a-store.

The ARMOURY at Champs Sports will serve as a destination for legions of Under Armour brand enthusiasts, featuring all of Under Armour's best and most innovative footwear, apparel, and accessories.
Bed Bath & Beyond misses Q1 profit, same-store sales

Union, N.J. – Bed, Bath & Beyond Inc. missed Wall Street expectations for profit and same-store sales during a not-so-comfy first quarter of 2015. Net earnings dropped 18% to $158.5 million from $187.1 million, with increased selling, general and administrative (SG&A) and interest expenses offsetting higher gross profit.

Net sales totaled $2.74 billion, an increase of 3% from $2.66 billion. Same-store sales increased by 2.2%, including the negative impact of Canadian currency fluctuation.
One to watch: more exec changes at 99 Cents Only

An ongoing senior leadership transformation at 99 Cents Only stores has put a former Kmart executive in the role of interim CEO and now the company has named a former Walmart executive as interim CFO for the second time.

Less than a month after Andy Giancamilli was named interim president and CEO, 99 Cents only named Michael Fung to the role of CFO. Both men served on the company’s board of directors with Giancamilli in the role as chairman.
Barnes & Noble loss narrows

New York – Barnes & Noble Inc. beat Wall Street expectations, sharply reducing its loss even as sales fell.

The bookseller reported a net loss of $19.42 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015, down from a loss of $36.7 million in the year-ago period. Reductions in selling, general and administrative (SG&A) and interest expenses, as well as lower depreciation and amortization, drove the decline in net loss.
No wonder Ahold and Delhaize merged

Walmart Neighborhood Markets offer a compelling source of new sales growth for the company, Moody’s says in a new report.

Despite strategic shifts to compete more successfully with the company, traditional supermarkets will feel the pressure as Walmart moves to increase its already dominant share of the U.S. grocery segment.
Moody’s is wild for Walmart Neighborhood Market

New York -- Walmart’s Neighborhood Markets format offers a compelling source of new sales growth for the nation’s largest retailer, according to a report by Moody’s.

Despite strategic shifts to compete more successfully with the company, traditional supermarkets will feel the pressure as Walmart moves to increase its already dominant share of the US grocery segment.
Study: Shoppers leaving national brands behind

National food, beverage and household brands continue to lose their place in Americans’ shopping carts, according to a new survey.

Deloitte’s annual American Pantry Study of more than 354 brands across 34 product categories found that nearly three in four (73%) of consumer packaged goods categories show an overall decline in their status as “must have” brands.