Retail Intel Weekly: Oct. 7-11

TOPLINE TOPICSSam’s Club president and chief executive officer John Furner (pictured) will become the president and ceo of Walmart U.S., effective Nov. 1, succeeding Greg Foran. Furner will report directly to Walmart president and ceo Doug McMillon. Foran, who held the role for five years, will become ceo of Air New Zealand, though he will remain with Walmart through Jan. 31, 2020, to ensure a smooth transition. Furner’s successor at Sam’s Club will be revealed at a later date.Target chief merchandising officer Mark Tritton will resign to lead home goods retailer Bed Bath & Beyond as chief executive officer, effective Nov. 4. Following Tritton’s departure, in the interim, Tritton’s duties will be assumed by general merchandising managers Christina Hennington and Jill Sando, Target said. Senior vice presidents and general merchandising managers Christina Hennington and Jill Sando will assume interim leadership of the retailer’s merchandising organization. In other appointments, Target named Michael Fiddelke executive vice president and chief financial officer, effective Nov. 1. He succeeds Cathy Smith, who will begin serving as a strategic advisor for the company on Nov. 1 and remain in the role through May 1, 2020.MASSWalmart on Monday laid off "dozens" of men's clothing retailer Bonobos’ approximately 600 employees, according to Vox.According to Supply Chain Dive, Walmart has filed two recent patents for systems that would help ensure safe delivery and drop-off of packages by drone by not dropping packages on the ground, as is the case with other models.Target is helping revive the Toys "R" Us shopping experience. Toysrus.com relaunched on Tuesday, Oct. 8, with videos and articles on the latest toy trends and brands. Products on the pages, however, direct shoppers to target.com to purchase items and fulfill orders.AMAZONAmazon on Monday began offering preorders for a $109.99 Kindle Kids Edition, which it describes as a first-ever dedicated reading experience built just for kids.Tying in to World Sight Day on Oct. 10, Procter & Gamble's Herbal Essences introduced a voice-powered app for Amazon Alexa. Triggered with the phrase, "Alexa, open Herbal Essences," the skill lets consumers ask questions about Herbal Essences’ products, ingredients and personal recommendations.SUPERMARKETBaking soda-free natural deodorant brand Honestly Phresh is currently rolling out to Whole Foods stores (and will hit Target early next year).Albertsons Cos. unveiled plans to phase out traditional white prescription bags and roll out recycled brown bags by the end of 2020 as a way to be more sustainable. Through a partnership with Hartsville, SC-based packaging company Novolex, the new bags are made of 100% recycled materials and include 60% post-consumer recycled content.Giant/Martin’s has launched a new loyalty program dubbed Giant Choice Rewards (or Martin’s Choice Rewards) chainwide, following successful associate then shopper pilots. The new program brings benefits from the Giant BonusCard, Gas Extra Rewards and Bonus Buy Savings programs under one brand, while adding new personalized offerings and an improved digital experience, which allows access through Giant/Martin’s mobile apps.Food Lion is continuing to expand its "Food Lion To-Go" grocery pickup service by adding 50 more stores in Delaware, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia beginning Oct. 14.DRUGWalgreens and Kroger will stop selling e-cigarettes amid public concern over vaping-related illnesses and deaths. "We have made the decision to stop selling e-cigarette products at our stores nationwide as the CDC, FDA and other health officials continue to examine the issue," Walgreens said in an Oct. 7 statement. "This decision is also reflective of developing regulations in a growing number of states and municipalities." The company did not offer a timeline, though a Walgreens spokesperson said "we plan to exit in an orderly manner," according to Institute sister-publication Drug Store News. The grocer released a similar statement and will stop all sales of e-cigs at its stores and fuel stations once it runs through its current inventory. FedEx announced it will make it easier for consumers to drop off returns at thousands of Walgreens locations nationwide. Merchants and e-tailers that have implemented FedEx Returns Technology – a solution for simplifying returns that is already available at 1,900 FedEx Office locations nationwide – can now offer more convenient returns to their customers at Walgreens. The rollout will begin in early November before the peak holiday season.

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