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Big retailers’ fortunes are diverging as the holiday shopping season gets underway. On Wednesday, Target cited “lingering softness in discretionary categories” as a top factor in its disappointing third-quarter sales, as many budget-conscious shoppers continue to focus on necessities. It’s the latest sign that discounts will be the driving force this holiday season, as they’ve been for much of this year. “We’re starting to get back to normal here.”U.S. retail sales rose 0.4% overall in October, federal data showed last month, beating analysts’ forecasts. In the meantime, the steady expansion of e-commerce looks set to continue this holiday season.

Persons: ”, Brad Thomas, they’ve, TJ Maxx, John David Rainey, “ We’re, “ They’re, they’re, ” Thomas, Matthew Shay, TransUnion, Neil Saunders, Saunders, Helene, Milton, who’ve, ” Saunders Organizations: Target, Walmart, KeyBanc, Marshalls, CNBC, “, National Retail Federation, GlobalData, NBC

☆ Target sounds the alarm bell on holiday shopping
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-20 | by ( Nathaniel Meyersohn | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

New York CNN —Target is expecting a surprisingly weak holiday shopping season, a warning sign for the retail industry. The holiday shopping season is pivotal for retailers. While Target can survive a weak holiday season, many smaller companies depend on strong sales during the holidays. But Target has also slumped because of its merchandise mix and higher prices compared to rivals like Walmart. Walmart raised its financial outlook, a signal it expects a strong holiday shopping season.

Organizations: New, New York CNN, Target, Walmart, Costco Locations: New York

“We’re expecting this holiday period to be very consistent with that,” he said. Retailers, including Walmart, are contending with a mixed bag of factors this holiday season. The holiday season is also shorter this year and parts of the U.S. have had unseasonably warm weather, two dynamics that could hurt retailers. That would be lower than the 3.9% year-over-year jump from the 2022 to 2023 holiday season, when spending totaled $955.6 billion. Rainey said the holiday period is “off to a pretty good start.”He said items like TVs, Apple AirPods, Beats headphones and even tires have been selling.

Persons: John David Rainey, “ We’re, ”, “ They’re, Rainey, Walmart’s, Donald Trump’s, it’s, We’ve Organizations: Walmart, CNBC, LSEG, New York Stock Exchange, Sam’s, Walmart U.S, U.S, National Retail Federation, Apple Locations: U.S, China

Walmart’s CFO John David Rainey said the retailer would likely have to raise prices on some items if President-elect Donald Trump’s proposed tariffs take effect. “We never want to raise prices,” he said in an interview with CNBC on Tuesday. Beauty CEO Tarang Amin told CNBC in an interview earlier this month that the company could be forced to raise prices if the higher duties take effect. The majority of goods Walmart sells are not at risk of tariffs. The home improvement retailer addressed the potential levies as it reported earnings on Tuesday.

Persons: John David Rainey, Donald Trump’s, ”, “, ” Rainey, Wall, Matthew Shay, Tarang Amin, Steve Madden, Rainey, We’ve, Lowe’s, it’s, Brandon Sink, — CNBC’s Gabrielle Fonrouge Organizations: CNBC, National Retail Federation, Walmart Locations: China, U.S

☆ Death of 19-year-old employee found in Walmart walk-in oven was not foul play, police say
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-18 | by ( Marlene Lenthang | Marlene Lenthang Is A Breaking News Reporter For Nbc News Digital. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +3 min

No foul play is suspected in the death of the 19-year-old Walmart employee whose body was found in the store’s walk-in oven in Canada last month, police said Monday. Halifax Regional Police had responded on a report of a sudden death to the Walmart at 6990 Mumford Rd. The young woman was identified as Kaur by the Maritime Sikh Society in Halifax, Nova Scotia, which launched a fundraiser on behalf of the family last month. The organization said Kaur was discovered by her mother, who also worked at the store. The Nova Scotia Department of Labour, Skills and Immigration also said it issued a stop-work order on Oct. 22 for the Walmart’s bakery and a piece of equipment at the store.

Persons: Gursimran Kaur, ” Martin Cromwell, ”, Cromwell, Kaur, Kaur’s, “, ” Kaur Organizations: Walmart, Halifax Regional Police, Nova Scotia Department of Labor, Maritime Sikh Society, NBC, CBC, Nova, Nova Scotia Department of Labour, Immigration, Department of Labour Locations: Canada, “, Halifax , Nova Scotia, India, Nova Scotia

☆ Store closings have hit their highest level in years. Competition and higher prices crushed them
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-25 | by ( Nathaniel Meyersohn | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

“It kept these players alive that couldn’t survive in normal situations.”Competition from juggernauts like Amazon, Walmart, Costco, Home Depot and other big-box retailers has also squeezed smaller chains. In 2017 and 2018, retailers closed a combined 13,400 stores, according to Coresight. Retailers closed a record 9,800 stores in 2019. Around 9,700 stores closed in 2020, according to Coresight. Drug store chains are also shrinking.

Persons: —, ”, Michael Brown, Kearney, ” Brown, Barbara Kahn, Charlotte Russe, Shopko, Ted Decker, Joann Fabric, Denny’s, Kelli Valade, Justin Sullivan, Amazon’s, It’s, ” Kahn, TJ Maxx, TJX Organizations: New, New York CNN, Walgreens, Research, Companies, Consumers, “, Walmart, Costco, Home, ” Retailers, United, University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School, Coresight, Retailers, Sears, P Global Market Intelligence, CVS, Aid, Marshalls, Aldi Locations: New York, “, Amazon, United States, Gymboree, JCPenney, Tijuana, HomeGoods

☆ Sam’s Club enters the Thanksgiving meal deal wars with a pre-cooked feast
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-24 | by ( Ramishah Maruf | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

New York CNN —Sam’s Club has now entered the Thanksgiving meal deal wars. Sam’s Club on Thursday announced a Member’s Mark Thanksgiving meal, which feeds up to 10 people for under $100, made up of the warehouse club’s private label products. That follows Aldi, which released its lowest-priced Thanksgiving meal deal in five years, feeding 10 people for $47, or $4.70 per person. That is about $2 cheaper than a similar offer at Walmart, which owns Sam’s Club, which markets a meal to serve eight people for less than $7 per person. Unlike Aldi and Walmart’s turkey dinner, Sam’s Club is also offering to deliver the meal fully pre-cooked, ready to be heated up and served in under two hours.

Persons: Costco’s Kirkland, Butterball, Sam’s Club Myron Frazier, it’s, CNN’s Jordan Valinsky Organizations: New, New York CNN — Sam’s, Sam’s, Aldi, Walmart, Sam’s Club Locations: New York, Ukraine, brussels

☆ Walmart’s new threat to CVS: 30-minute prescription deliveries
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-22 | by ( Maria Aguilar Prieto | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Walmart, already partially responsible for the slow demise of America’s drug stores, is launching yet another CVS killer: 30-minute prescription delivery. Walmart’s pitch to costumers is simple – fill your prescription, plus get some groceries delivered to your door, all in one order. Prescription delivery was the number one most-requested service by its customers, the company said in a press release. The company has nearly 4,600 pharmacy locations across the United States. Earlier this month, Walgreens said it is closing approximately 1,200 locations, while CVS said it planned to cut about 2,900 corporate jobs.

Persons: ”, Tom Ward Organizations: CNN, Walmart, Walmart U.S, Walgreens, CVS Locations: United States

I spent weeks combing through thousands of discounts to find the best October Prime Day deals under $50 — each one I recommend below is highly rated, at least 20% off and at its lowest price in at least three months. SKIP AHEAD Best Prime Day deals under $50 | More Prime Day sales under $50 | Best sales under $50 at other retailers | How I picked the best deals under $50 | Why trust NBC Select? Best Prime Day deals under $504.5-star average rating from 110,503 reviews on AmazonSlice, chop and dice vegetables using this chopper. Best Prime Day sales under $50Here are the best Prime Day sales under $50 to know about. I’m an updates editor at NBC Select who has covered deals and sales for Prime Day, Black Friday and Cyber Monday for the past three years.

Persons: I’ll, ”, Zoe Malin, TikTok Organizations: NBC, Big Deal, Apple, Samsung, Google, Walmart, Wellness, Bath, Giftable Tech, Deal, Facebook, Twitter

SKIP AHEAD What to shop on Prime Day | What to skip shopping on Prime Day | Prime Day v.s. Clothing and footwear: Anything related to fashion typically doesn’t stand out in terms of the best savings during Prime Day, says Shand. How to save the most money during Prime DayPlanning is key to saving during Prime Day. Additionally, Prime card members can earn 10% back or more on select Prime Big Deal Days deals with Amazon’s Prime Card Bonus. I’m an associate updates editor at NBC Select, where I’ve covered Amazon Prime Day for five years.

Persons: Mackenzie Shand, I’ve, Shand, “, ”, they’re, you’re, Vipin Porwal, you’ll, “ You’re, We’ve, it’s, you’ve, Porwal, There’s, TikTok Organizations: Deal, NBC, Echo, Prime, Amazon, Black, Target, Walmart, July’s, Amazon’s, Big Deal, Facebook, Twitter

☆ Shoppers are hyper-focused on ‘value.’ That doesn’t mean buying the cheapest option
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-06 | by ( Parija Bhatnagar | Parija Kavilanz | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Bargain retailers like Walmart and Costco have benefitted, as shown by the retailing industry’s recent slew of first-quarter earnings releases. Sales at its stores open at least a year increased 3.8% in the quarter from the same time last year. Which means that Americans are still spending, but selectively, and that “value shopping” means different things to different people. “A sizable segment of them are focused on value, however, that doesn’t directly correlate to a low price. Shoppers are willing to spend if they see value in an on-trend, well-made dress from Abercrombie – or a healthy salad from Sweetgreen.”

Persons: They’ve, What’s, ”, Neil Saunders, ” Saunders, Fitch, Stephanie Keith, Lilly Pulitzer, Laura Alber, Anne Hathaway, Della Patria, Elisabetta Villa, Richard Dickson, Zak Stambor, eMarketer, ” Stambor, “, Abercrombie – Organizations: New, New York CNN, Walmart, Costco, GlobalData, CNN, Abercrombie, Bloomberg, Getty, Hollister, Sonoma, Navy, Banana, “, Shoppers Locations: New York, Sonoma, Elm, Williams, Rome, Italy, Europe, Banana Republic

☆ Inflation is biting into Target’s ‘Tar-zhay’ luster
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-22 | by ( Nathaniel Meyersohn | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

New York CNN —Target has spent decades building a reputation for cheap chic home goods, clothing and other merchandise. It was the fourth-straight quarter of sales declines at Target (TGT). More than half of Target’s merchandise is discretionary. Target is trying to lure back shoppers by cutting prices on some key items and adding its own brands. The company also recently created a new house brand called Dealworthy to take on dollar stores and Walmart.

Persons: Target, pare Organizations: New, New York CNN — Target, Walmart, Costco, Target Locations: New York

☆ Walmart’s business surges as shoppers hunt for low prices
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-16 | by ( Nathaniel Meyersohn | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

New York CNN —Businesses from McDonald’s to Home Depot are struggling to attract financially strapped shoppers. Walmart said Thursday that sales at stores open at least a year increased 3.8% during its latest quarter from the same time last year. The company raised its sales and profit guidance for the year, a sign it expects growth to continue. Groceries account for more than half of Walmart’s sales, and Walmart has benefited from its pricing advantage with prices around 25% lower than traditional supermarkets, according to analysts at Evercore IRI. Retail sales have slipped overall in recent months.

Persons: ” Neil Saunders, “ Walmart’s, “, ”, Ian Borden Organizations: New, New York CNN, McDonald’s, Walmart, Evercore IRI, GlobalData, “ Locations: New York, United States

☆ Walmart Opens the Year With Stronger Sales and Profit
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-16 | by ( Jordyn Holman | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The Numbers: Sales grew in stores and especially online. Walmart said its comparable-store sales in its U.S. business rose 3.8 percent from the quarter a year earlier. Walmart has performed better than retailers dependent on apparel sales, in part because it also sells essential goods like groceries. Walmart’s quarterly profit, of $5.1 billion, was triple the result a year earlier. The retailer’s stock rose in premarket trading, as investors reacted to last quarter’s results and the company’s upgraded forecast for growth this year.

Persons: ”, David Silverman Organizations: Walmart, Fitch

☆ The pandemic has changed when Americans expect to retire
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-15 | by ( Nicole Goodkind | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Most non-retired adults have some type of retirement savings, but only 36% think their savings are on track. New research from economists at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York finds that this retirement savings deficit hasn’t made a dent in when Americans plan to exit, or partially exit, the workforce. “The pandemic-induced change in retirement expectations may continue to affect the labor market in years to come,” they wrote. Yes, but: This is a survey of expectations, researchers at the New York Fed are quick to point out. Just because Americans say they plan to shift to part-time work or retire early, it doesn’t mean that they’ll be able to.

Persons: Felix Aidala, Gizem Kosar, Wilbert van der, ”, They’re, Alicia Wallace, delinquencies, Joelle, CNN’s Parija, Donna Morris, Morris, ” Morris Organizations: CNN Business, Bell, New York CNN, Census, Federal Reserve Bank of New York, Social Security, New, Survey, SCE, triannual, Social, Social Security Agency, Lawmakers, New York Fed, Federal Reserve Bank of New, “, Public Policy Research, Credit, Walmart, CNN, San Francisco Bay Area Locations: New York, United States, York, Federal Reserve Bank of New York, Bentonville , Arkansas, Walmart’s Dallas, Atlanta, Toronto, Bentonville, San Francisco Bay, Hoboken , New Jersey

☆ Walmart is cutting hundreds of corporate jobs, relocating majority of remote office staff
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-14 | by ( Parija Bhatnagar | Parija Kavilanz | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

New York CNN —Walmart said Tuesday it is eliminating several hundred corporate jobs and will relocate most of its remaining remote office staff to its Bentonville, Arkansas, headquarters. Walmart confirmed the move in a memo sent by Donna Morris, its chief people officer, to employees on Tuesday and obtained by CNN. The relocation will impact the majority of workers in Walmart’s Dallas, Atlanta and Toronto offices. While most relocations will be to its Bentonville headquarters, some workers will be relocated to Walmart offices in the San Francisco Bay Area or to Hoboken, New Jersey, and the New York area. “In addition, some parts of our business have made changes that will result in a reduction of several hundred campus roles,” Morris said in the memo.

Persons: Donna Morris, Morris, ”, ” Morris Organizations: New, New York CNN, Walmart, CNN, San Francisco Bay Area Locations: New York, Bentonville , Arkansas, Walmart’s Dallas, Atlanta, Toronto, Bentonville, San Francisco Bay, Hoboken , New Jersey

☆ Walmart will close all of its health care clinics
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-30 | by ( Nathaniel Meyersohn | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

New York CNN —Walmart, the largest retailer in the United States, will close all 51 of its health care clinics in six states and end virtual health care services, the company said Tuesday. Walmart had made a big push into health care in recent years, opening clinics next to its superstores that offered primary and urgent care, labs, X-rays, behavioral health and dental work in six states — Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Missouri and Texas. Walmart had targeted rural and underserved areas that have a shortage of primary care facilities. The announcement is an abrupt reversal in Walmart’s strategy and may leave a gap in health care access, particularly for lower-income patients without insurance who relied on the clinics. Walmart also said it will end virtual health care services.

Persons: “ Organizations: New, New York CNN, Walmart Locations: New York, United States, — Arkansas, Florida, Georgia , Illinois , Missouri, Texas

☆ Walmart-backed fintech One introduces buy now, pay later
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-23 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailWalmart-backed fintech One introduces buy now, pay laterCNBC's Melissa Repko and Hugh Son join 'Power Lunch' to report on. Walmart’s fintech startup One beginning to offer buy now, pay later loans for big-ticket items at some stores in the U.S.

Persons: Melissa Repko, Hugh Son Organizations: Walmart Locations: U.S

☆ Walmart shoppers could claim up to $500 as part of a class-action settlement
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-05 | by ( Parija Bhatnagar | Parija Kavilanz | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Walmart shoppers could be entitled to as much as $500 as part of a class-action lawsuit settlement by the retailer over allegations that it overcharged customers for certain products. Walmart reached a settlement late last year to pay $45 million to customers, while denying any allegations of wrongdoing. They include:–$10 without a receipt, but a shopper can attest to buying up to 50 weighted goods and/or bagged citrus in-person in a Walmart store during the settlement class period. –$25 without receipts or proof of purchase but attest to buying 101 or more weighted goods and/or bagged citrus. Walmart shoppers can file a claim online or via mail, postmarked, on or before June 5, 2024.

Persons: “ Organizations: CNN, Walmart, Citrus Locations: United States, Puerto Rico

The current Target Circle program has more than 100 million members. The relaunch comes as Target aims to copy the success of Amazon’s juggernaut Amazon Prime and follow Walmart’s membership program. As for its membership program, Target will continue offering its free-to-join membership with personalized deals, member-exclusive sales throughout the year and additional perks and saving. Target said that members of the free Target Circle membership program already shop five times more and spend five times more than non-members. Target Circle (formerly called Target RedCard) credit cardholders will be able to sign up for Target Circle 360 at $49 per year if they have their card saved to their Target profile, the company said.

Persons: —, Brian Cornell, Kendra Scott, Cardholders, Target Organizations: Target, Revenue, Walmart, Target Circle, Amazon Locations: Minneapolis, Manhattan, FactSet

☆ Popular eye ointments may not be sterile, recall warns
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-28 | by ( Ramishah Maruf | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

New York CNN —Eye ointments sold at CVS and Walmart may not actually be sterile, a recall posted by the US Food and Drug Administration warned. On Feb. 26, the FDA posted a voluntary recall from Brassica Pharma, which is recalling several eye ointments with expiration dates ranging from February 2024 to September 2025. This recall is the latest in the FDA’s increased focus on eye products. The agency warned that potential contamination can be a serious health risk because medication applied directly to the eye can “bypass some of the body’s natural defenses.”Brassica’s recall includes brands of eye ointments at popular retailers: Equate Lubricant Eye Ointment (Walmart’s private label), Equate Stye Lubricant Eye Ointment, CVS Health Lubricant Eye Ointment and the Lubricant PM Ointment, which is distributed by AACE Pharmaceuticals. The recall warned customers to stop using the eye ointment and said they can return it.

Persons: ointments, ”, CNN’s Carma Hassan Organizations: New, New York CNN, CVS, Walmart, US Food and Drug Administration, FDA, Pharma, AACE Pharmaceuticals, CNN Locations: New York

☆ Kroger, Albertsons and the New Antitrust Playbook - The New York Times
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-28 | by ( Peter Coy | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

“The proposed acquisition is by far the largest supermarket merger in U.S. history,” one that would unite “the No. 2 traditional supermarket chains in the United States,” it says in its complaint. is correct on the numbers, but the key word is “traditional.” Traditional supermarket chains no longer dominate the grocery business. Kroger is a distant second to Walmart, with a 10 percent market share, and Albertsons is fourth (behind Costco Wholesale), with 6 percent. So even if Kroger and Albertsons merged, they would be only a little more than half of Walmart’s size.

Organizations: Kroger Co, Albertsons Companies Inc, titans, Federal Trade Commission, Albertsons, Walmart, Sam’s Club, Solomon Partners, Kroger, Costco Wholesale Locations: United States

☆ Sam's Club CEO wants to use AI-powered cart scanners to ring you up automatically
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-20 | by ( Dominick Reuter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The high-tech system uses computer vision to recognize the contents of Sam’s Club members shopping carts to confirm their purchases as they exit the warehouse — dispensing with the need for physical receipt checks. Currently installed in 10 stores, the big blue gateways are already a hit with customers, Sam’s Club CEO Chris Nicholas said on Walmart’s fourth-quarter earnings call Tuesday. Sam’s Club is a Walmart-owned company. AdvertisementSam's Club uses computer vision and AI to confirm purchases in shoppers' carts in real-time. Sam's Club US's chief merchant, Megan Crozier, even threw some shade at the small-format tech during the company’s presentation at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.

Persons: —, Chris Nicholas, Megan Crozier, Doug McMillon, ”, Sam's Club's Nichols, Nicholas Organizations: Service, Sam's, Sam’s Club, Business, Sam’s, Walmart, US's, Consumer Locations: Las Vegas

☆ Walmart Reports Rising Holiday Sales as Shoppers Seek Value
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-20 | by ( Jordyn Holman | More About Jordyn Holman | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

The NumbersWalmart said its comparable store sales were up 4 percent in the three months that ended in late January compared with the year before. In addition to its same-store sales, Walmart said its U.S. e-commerce business increased 17 percent. At the same time, many retailers, including Walmart, focused on value last year as the economy cooled and shoppers became more selective. The Road AheadAnalysts expect retail sales to continue to moderate this year after a surge in consumer spending during the early stages of the pandemic. U.S. retail sales fell 0.8 percent in January from a month earlier, according to data released from the Commerce Department last week.

Persons: John David Rainey Organizations: Walmart, Target, Kroger, National Retail Federation, Analysts, Commerce Department Locations: U.S

☆ Why Walmart is buying Vizio
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-20 | by ( Nathaniel Meyersohn | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Walmart announced Tuesday that it’s buying TV maker Vizio for $2.3 billion to shore up its advertising business and create a more potent rival to Amazon’s booming ad business. The deal would give Walmart more ways to offer ads through Vizio televisions, as well as create entertainment options exclusively for customers with Vizio TVs. “We also believe it enables a profitable advertising business that is rapidly scaling,” Walmart US chief revenue officer Seth Dallaire said in a news release Tuesday. Walmart wants to move into the lucrative advertising space to supplement its low-margin retail business. Its advertising business reached $3.4 billion last year, but makes up less than 1% of its total sales.

Persons: Seth Dallaire, Roku Organizations: New, New York CNN, Walmart, Smart, Kroger, Target, Google, Facebook Locations: New York, America

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