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☆ Walmart and Home Depot are getting ready for a consumer slowdown
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-21 | by ( Melissa Repko | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

If you want to know how this year may be for the retail industry, look no further than Walmart 's cautious outlook. At Walmart, that means shoppers are buying more necessities like groceries and lightbulbs rather than big-ticket items or discretionary items like electronics and home decor. At Home Depot, it could mean customers may delay a home project or opt for cheaper floor tiles or kitchen appliances. Home Depot Chief Financial Officer Richard McPhail said the higher prices of groceries and more are influencing customers' decisions. "We've seen an increasing degree of price sensitivity as the year's gone on, which is actually sort of what we predicted in the face of persistent inflation," McPhail told CNBC.

☆ Asda retail boss Towle leaves after less than ten months
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

LONDON, Feb 20 (Reuters) - British supermarket group Asda said on Monday retail director Ken Towle is leaving the business less than ten months after starting the job. Asda also said on Monday it had appointed Aldi UK veteran David Hills as its new chief customer officer. Hills has been at the German-owned discounter since 2007 and is currently group director, marketing & communications. Asda said acting chief customer officer, Sam Dickson, will continue in the role until Hills arrives later this year and will then assume a strategy role for the Asda and George brands. Asda had a tough 2022 but in November reported a return to quarterly sales growth, while industry data has shown its sales growth matching that of Tesco and Sainsbury's.

☆ Wall Street Week Ahead: Retailers' results may be next test for rally in U.S. stocks
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-19 | by ( Lewis Krauskopf | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Nolte is considering buying home-improvement retailer stocks that were hit hard in 2022 as the housing market struggled. Other companies set to report next week include chip company Nvidia (NVDA.O), COVID-19 vaccine maker Moderna (MRNA.O) and e-commerce firm eBay (EBAY.O). Both companies are set to report on Tuesday and will "set the stage for everyone else," according to JPMorgan retail analysts. Reuters GraphicsAmong the other retailers set to report in the coming week are TJX Companies (TJX.N) and Bath & Body Works (BBWI.N). "We are clearly emphasizing retailers in select industries versus the mass market retailers," Tuz said.

☆ Britain's Morrisons puts faith in better pricing to win back customers
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-26 | by ( James Davey | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Morrisons, owned since 2021 by U.S. private equity firm Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, was overtaken as Britain's fourth-largest grocer by market share by German-owned discounter Aldi last September, according to researcher Kantar. Monthly industry data has consistently shown the group underperforming rivals including market leader Tesco (TSCO.L) and No. Sales in the three weeks before Christmas were up 2.5% year on year, said Morrisons, which has a UK grocery market share of 9.1%. In the financial year to end-October, Morrisons reported a 15% drop in core earnings (EBITDA) to 828 million pounds ($1.03 billion) while underlying sales fell 4.2%. Analysts had suggested that Morrisons' debt burden following CD&R's 7 billion pound purchase has impacted its ability to maintain price competitiveness.

☆ Compelling reasons to own stocks lift market — listen to 'The Homestretch'
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-23 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +11 min

WHAT PEOPLE ARE EXCITED ABOUT ITHINK IS THAT THERE ARE STOCKSTHAT HAVE A LOT OF REASONS TOOWN. SO, YOU KNOW, GOOD THINGSHAPPENING THERE. WE CAN'T SEEM TO GET OUR ARMSAROUND WHAT APPLE IS GOING TODO, AND IT IS STILL VERYIMPORTANT IN THE MARKET. >> YEAH, LOOK, I THINK THATAPPLE IN THE END OF -- THERE'SMIXED EMOTIONS BECAUSE CHINA FORTHE MOST PART BECAUSE OF COVID. J&J, LOOK, I KNOW A LOT OFPEOPLE ARE CAUTIOUS ABOUT THECOMMENTS THE CEO MADE AT THEJPMORGAN CONFERENCE JUST THEOTHER WEEK, AND, OF COURSE,DEFENSIVE STOCKS ARE OUT OFFAVOR.

☆ Lidl GB expects more customers to switch from rivals after bumper Christmas
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-09 | by ( James Davey | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Lidl GB, part of Germany's Schwarz retail group, said on Monday over 1.3 million more customers shopped at its stores in the seven days to Christmas Eve. Also unlike their traditional rivals, Aldi and Lidl are still opening lots of new stores. Last week Aldi UK reported a 26% increase in December sales. However, investment to keep a lid on prices has held back profit at both Aldi and Lidl. Lidl GB highlighted strong sales of Christmas vegetables sold for 19 pence a pack, Christmas puddings, prosecco, mulled wine and cheese.

☆ Retailers brace for tougher times and more frugal customers in 2023
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-02 | by ( Melissa Repko | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Sales from Nov. 1 to Dec. 24 rose 7.6%, according to data from MasterCard SpendingPulse, which measures in-store and online retail sales across all forms of payment. The next few weeks, which close out many retailers' fiscal year, could help determine whether the holiday quarter is a win or a bust. Retailers enter 2023 reckoning with the fact that store traffic already lagged during peak weeks of the holiday season. It is also retailers' last chance to sell through excess inventory and start the new fiscal year in a cleaner position. Like many other retailers, Walmart's holiday quarter includes January.

☆ FedEx cost cuts stanch losses, analysts see need for more
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Shares in FedEx rose 4.7% to $172 at midday Wednesday, a level far below their 52-week high of $266.79. FedEx has been underperforming its unionized rival United Parcel Service (UPS.N), which is squeezing greater profit from its leaner, more streamlined operating structure. FedEx has outlined plans to integrate its disparate businesses, revive its long-troubled Europe operations and appease activist investor D.E. On Tuesday, FedEx issued a new 2023 profit forecast, signaling that it may be "finding the floor," Susquehanna analyst Bascome Majors said. Reporting by Lisa Baertlein in Los Angeles; Editing by Cynthia OstermanOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Norway's Reitan Retail buys 114 Danish stores from Germany's Aldi
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

OSLO, Dec 9 (Reuters) - Norway's Reitan Retail said on Friday it had agreed to buy 114 Danish grocery stores and three distribution centres from German rival Aldi for an undisclosed amount, boosting the Norwegian group's chain of Rema 1000 discount stores. "This will significantly lift our Danish revenue and should make Rema 1000 the largest chain of grocery stores in Denmark," Reitan Retail Chief Executive Ole Robert Reitan told Reuters. Before the transaction, Rema 1000 had around 330 grocery stores in Denmark. German discounter Aldi said in a statement the sale was part of a full exit from the Danish market, where it has a total of 188 stores. Reitan Retail, which has some 42,000 employees across seven countries, earlier this year reported an operating profit (EBIT) of 3.8 billion Norwegian crowns ($381 million) for 2021, down from 4.4 billion in 2020.

☆ Jim Cramer's top 10 things to watch in the market Thursday: Cooler inflation, Salesforce co-CEO exit
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-01 | by ( Jim Cramer | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Club holding Salesforce (CRM) saw the departure of co-CEO Bret Taylor, leaving co-founder Marc Benioff as sole CEO, again. Five Below (FIVE) blowout quarter and stock jumps more than 9% in the premarket; in keeping with the discounter retailers. As a subscriber to the CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer, you will receive a trade alert before Jim makes a trade. Jim waits 45 minutes after sending a trade alert before buying or selling a stock in his charitable trust's portfolio. If Jim has talked about a stock on CNBC TV, he waits 72 hours after issuing the trade alert before executing the trade.

☆ Walmart and Target’s quarterly results lay bare the retailers' stark differences
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-17 | by ( Melissa Repko | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Groceries account for 56% of Walmart's annual revenue, compared with just about 20% at Target, according to company filings. More customers turn to Walmart to fill out the bulk of their grocery lists, said Neil Saunders, managing director of retail advisory firm GlobalData. A man pushes his shopping cart past bread for sale at a Walmart SuperCenter store in Rosemead, California. Brown | AFP | Getty ImagesLow prices vs. Fun findsWalmart is known for its mantra of "everyday low prices" and its focus on value has become synonymous with its name. About 21% of sales at Target come from unplanned purchases, according to GlobalData research from before the pandemic.

The company said Wednesday it now plans for a weaker holiday quarter. Target did not provide an outlook beyond the holiday quarter, but said it expects tough conditions to persist. So far this fiscal year, those losses have had a more than $400 million impact on Target’s operating margin. Comparable sales, which track Target sales online and at stores open at least 13 months, rose 2.7% over the year-ago period. Target will share more details about its cost-cutting plan at an annual investor day, which is scheduled for March.

☆ Jim Cramer says the Fed should consider retail earnings over economic data for its inflation strategy
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-16 | by ( Krystal Hur | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

CNBC's Jim Cramer on Wednesday said the Federal Reserve must pay attention to recent retail earnings reports to plan the rest of its battle against inflation. At the same time, October sales data showed that retail spending increased slightly more than expected. However, Cramer said that the individual retailers' earnings reports are more indicative of the state of the economy than macroeconomic data. TJ Maxx and Marshalls parent TJX Companies reported better-than-expected third-quarter earnings boosted by the industry-wide inventory glut. Disclaimer: Cramer's Charitable Trust owns shares of TJX Companies.

☆ Walmart will report earnings before the bell — here's what to expect
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-15 | by ( Melissa Repko | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Customers outside a Walmart store in Torrance, California, US, on Sunday, May 15, 2022. Walmart on Tuesday will report its fiscal third-quarter earnings before the bell, as the retail giant caters to inflation-squeezed customers and gears up for the peak of holiday season. To drum up sales, Walmart, Amazon , Target and other retailers have kicked off the holiday season early. Walmart threw its own sales event in October to coincide with Amazon's second Prime Day-like sales event of the year. The company's shares closed Monday at $138.39, bringing Walmart's market value to about $375.62 billion.

☆ Retailers' biggest holiday wish is to get rid of all that excess inventory
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-13 | by ( Melissa Repko | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Investors want a clearer sense of how much excess stuff retailers have sold off — and how deep they may have to discount to keep merchandise moving. Retailers are under pressure to clear out inventory and start fresh in the next fiscal year. Walmart and Target were among the retailers that shocked investors with significant jumps in inventory levels in the first quarter, which ended April 30. Kohl's swung from having too little inventory last year to having ballooning inventory in the second quarter of this year. Excess inventory could downgrade the shopping experience this holiday season at some stores, too.

☆ Walmart overhauls its intimates and sleepwear line to keep pace in a competitive market
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-24 | by ( Melissa Repko | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Walmart has rolled out Joyspun, a new intimates and sleepwear line. Walmart is overhauling one of its most popular apparel lines — its top intimates and sleepwear brand. Secret Treasures, Walmart's largest intimates and sleepwear line, drove $1 billion in sales last fiscal year — one of the retailer's 13 private brands of general merchandise to do so. Yet the intimates and sleepwear space has gotten more competitive, especially during the pandemic as people worked remotely and spent more time at home. Joyspun is also hitting Walmart's stores and websites ahead of the holiday season.

☆ Britain's Boots to recruit 10,000 workers for Christmas period
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

LONDON, Oct 24 (Reuters) - British health and beauty retailer Boots said on Monday it planned to recruit more than 10,000 temporary workers, as competition for staff for the Christmas trading period heats up. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterThe British arm of German discounter Aldi said this month it aimed to recruit 3,000 workers before the festive period. John Lewis said in August it would recruit 10,000 Christmas staff for its department stores, Waitrose supermarkets and online operations. Boots is offering staff 45% off own brand products, while John Lewis is offering free meals. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterReporting by James Davey; Editing by Edmund BlairOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Analysis: World Cup could be nightmare before Christmas for Britain's supermarkets
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-19 | by ( James Davey | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

Retail executives say the World Cup, moved to the winter to avoid the intense Qatari summer temperatures, has totally thrown the algorithms they increasingly use to predict trading and plan their logistics. "It's also an executional headache, because right when you want to have everything Christmas out, you've got to somehow reflect slabs of booze and snacking for the World Cup," he said. During the last World Cup in July 2018, which coincided with a prolonged period of hot weather, shoppers visited UK supermarkets an extra 13 million times, according to market researcher Kantar. Of course, customers visiting stores to buy festive goods could buy in World Cup supplies at the same time. "It's not going to be as big as the summer World Cup, that is clear," said Fraser McKevitt, head of retail and consumer insight at Kantar.

☆ How to invest with the S&P 500 at risk of falling up to 28% in the next 3 months as valuations contract, according to an investment chief and 5-star fund manager
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-14 | by ( James Faris | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Valuations in past downturns suggest that the S&P 500 could fall another 28%. Don't be surprised if the S&P 500 plummets by up to 28% in the next three months, said Doug Ramsey, chief investment officer of The Leuthold Group, in a recent interview with Insider. "The stock market is not just a discounter of future economic activity — it's also a driver by the wealth effect and the confidence effect," Ramsey said. Ramsey added: "They acknowledged the power of the wealth effect, and they've certainly harnessed the power of the wealth effect on the way up. That means being willing to quickly pivot off an incorrect view — including if his theory that the S&P 500 will fall below 3,000 proves to be wrong.

☆ FedEx's reduced holiday forecast no surprise to skeptical contractors
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-11 | by ( Lisa Baertlein | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Bush has delivered packages for FedEx Ground for 15 years, and in that time, he said, "they haven't had accurate projections." The updated holiday forecast will help ensure that contractors have appropriate resources for the peak delivery season while minimizing preparation costs, FedEx said in a statement. More than half the 20 contractors who spoke with Reuters for this story were not planning to bulk up operations to meet the company's original holiday forecast. Their previously unreported silent work action shows the distrust many Ground contractors have in company leadership. Last year, FedEx's overly bullish holiday forecast left many contractors with losses after they geared up with trucks and employees for a surge that failed to materialize.

☆ With eye on rising energy bills, Britons seek cheaper ways to cook -Kantar
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-11 | by ( James Davey | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

LONDON, Oct 11 (Reuters) - Faced with soaring energy bills, Britons are searching for cheaper ways to cook as they try to avoid using their ovens, market researcher Kantar said on Tuesday. Kantar also noted that sales of duvets and electric blankets increased 8%, while sales of candles increased 9%, suggesting people may be preparing for possible winter blackouts. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterLast week, department store chain John Lewis said Britons were stockpiling thermal underwear, gloves and dressing gowns. The market researcher said grocery sales rose by 4.8% in the 12 weeks to Oct. 2 year-on-year - masking a much larger drop in volumes once inflation is accounted for. For the fifth month in a row discounter Lidl was the fastest-growing grocer, pushing up its sales 20.9% over the 12 weeks, marginally ahead of rival Aldi whose sales rose 20.7%.

☆ Aldi UK's trading accelerates as shoppers seek savings
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-26 | by ( James Davey | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterAn Aldi superstore is seen in London, Britain, September 29, 2018. Privately owned Aldi (ALDIEI.UL), which earlier this month overtook Morrisons to become Britain's fourth-biggest supermarket group, said operating profit fell to 60.2 million pounds ($63.8 million) in 2021 from 287.7 million pounds in 2020. The profit fall was blamed on investment to keep prices low, higher staff costs and COVID-19 related expenses. read moreHurley said the cost of living crisis is a time "when Aldi comes into its own". ($1 = 0.9433 pounds)Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterReporting by James Davey; Editing by Jason Neely and Muralikumar AnantharamanOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Aldi UK says trading strong after 2021 profit fall
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterAn Aldi superstore is seen in London, Britain, September 29, 2018. REUTERS/Peter Nicholls/LONDON, Sept 26 (Reuters) - The British arm of German discounter Aldi reported a 79% fall in 2021 operating profit but said trading had accelerated quickly in the past six months as pandemic restrictions were lifted and rising living costs affected shopping habits. Aldi (ALDIEI.UL), which earlier this month overtook Morrisons to become Britain's fourth-biggest supermarket group, said operating profit was 60.2 million pounds ($63.8 million) in 2021, down from 287.7 million pounds in 2020. The profit fall was blamed on investment in prices, staff and COVID-19 related expenses. read more($1 = 0.9433 pounds)Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterReporting by James Davey, editing by Louise Heavens and Jason NeelyOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Walmart unveils virtual fitting room to push shoppers to buy more clothes
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-15 | by ( Melissa Repko | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Walmart is rolling out its latest version of virtual try-on, which allows shoppers to upload an image of themselves and see how items would look. As some shoppers reduce their spending on clothes, Walmart is rolling out a new tool that it hopes will nudge them toward clicking the "buy" button. Starting this week, customers can use a virtual try-on tool to see how a shirt or another clothing item would look on their own bodies. It is the latest feature the company has added to its website because of the acquisition of Zeekit, a virtual fitting room startup. The newest feature for Walmart, "Be Your Own Model," uses algorithms and machine learning technology that was originally used to develop more accurate topographic maps.

☆ Dollar Tree's stock tumbles as rival Dollar General's bet on food and groceries pays off
▼ + stars: | 2022-08-25 | by ( Robert Hum | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Look at what's happening between Dollar General and Dollar Tree if you want proof. The reason for Dollar Tree's weaker outlook is price cuts it's taking at Family Dollar stores that will eat into margins. Dollar General said it's seeing plenty of customers visiting its stores to buy food and groceries. But the problem for Dollar Tree is that it has less exposure to the grocery business than Dollar General. Family Dollar's customers tend to have lower incomes than both Dollar Tree and Dollar General, and clearly these shoppers are feeling the strain of months of higher prices.

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