Retail Intel Weekly: Walmart, Circle K & More

SUPERMARKETAlbertsons Companies has revamped its popular sparkling water private-label brand Soleil for summer. The brand has relaunched with special packaging designs from global visual artists and three Spotify music playlists as well as four new flavors — mango, raspberry lime, tangerine and watermelon — to go with the omnichannel campaign dubbed “Sip to the Beat,” which allows shoppers to unlock one of three curated Spotify music playlists through the new packaging.Publix grew revenue and same-store sales in the first quarter (representing the three months ended March 27) even as grocery sales ignited by the COVID-19 pandemic wanes. The retailer’s sales for the first quarter were $11.7 billion, a 3.9% increase from $11.2 billion in 2020. Same-store sales for the quarter increased 2.4%. The company estimates its sales for the quarter and the prior-year quarter increased about $0.9 billion or 7.8% and $1 billion or 10.3%, respectively, due to the impact of the pandemic. Net earnings for the first quarter were $1.5 billion, compared to $667.3 million in 2020, an increase of 124%.Kroger and Drone Express, a division of TELEGRID Technologies, Inc., is piloting grocery delivery via autonomous drones. Shoppers can place orders and have eligible orders delivered within as little as 15 minutes via kroger.com/dronedelivery. The retailer is designing bundled product offerings ideal for meeting customer needs within the current weight limits for drone delivery, which is about five pounds. For example, Kroger will offer a baby care bundle with wipes and formula, a child wellness bundle with over-the-counter medications and fluids, and a S'mores bundle with graham crackers, marshmallows, and chocolate. Drone Express commenced test flights last week near the Kroger Marketplace in Centerville, OH. The flights will be managed by licensed Drone Express pilots from an on-site trailer with additional off-site monitoring. Customer deliveries are scheduled to begin later this spring, and a second pilot is scheduled to launch this summer at a Ralphs store in California. DRUGCVS Health saw first-quarter total revenues increase 3.5% year-over-year, totaling $69.1 billion, for the three months ended March 31. Revenue from CVS’ retail/long-term care business increased by 2.3% in the quarter compared with the prior year. The retailer said the growth was primarily driven by increased COVID-19 diagnostic testing and vaccinations and brand inflation, partially offset by lower front-store revenues, particularly the acceleration of demand in March 2020 as consumers prepared for the pandemic and a weak cough, cold and flu season.CVS has launched new initiatives to support women's health and wellness in May and also mark National Blood Pressure month. The retailer is offering no-cost heart health screenings from May 9-15 at MinuteClinic locations to help women understand their risk for heart disease. In addition, CVS will provide accessible solutions and special offers to support women's physical and mental well-being. Through May 22, ExtraCare members will receive deals on women's wellness items in-store, including weekly promotions for products in a variety of categories such as vitamins, skin care, and feminine care and beauty products to help women feel their best.CONVENIENCECircle K is launching a "Sip & Save" beverage subscription program, according to CNBC. For $5.99 per month, shoppers can get one tea, coffee, Froster slushy or Polar Pop fountain drink daily. The program began May 3, according to CNBC, and looks to coax people into Circle K stores again on a regular basis after shying away during the pandemic. “We really see this an opportunity to drive traffic at a time that people are just starting to come out of the understandable cocoons that they’ve been in for the last 12-plus months,” Kevin Lewis, chief marketing officer of Alimentation Couche-Tard, Circle K’s parent company, told CNBC.MASSIn collaboration with non-profit Partnership for a Healthier America (PHA) and Higher Ground Productions, Walmart has launched “The Hidden World of Waffles + Mochi," an interactive digital experience designed to inspire families to cook fresh, healthy foods, like the Waffles and Mochi characters do on their Netflix show. The effort is part of the Pass the Love campaign to donate 1 million healthy meals across the U.S. The retailer is also hosting a round-up campaign through May 31 for customers to support PHA and Pass the Love. Shoppers who wish to support the PHA’s Pass the Love campaign can round-up their Walmart purchase to the nearest dollar through May 31. Walmart Health is acquiring MeMD, a multi-specialty telehealth provider. The acquisition will allow Walmart Health to provide access to virtual care across the nation, including urgent, behavioral and primary care, complementing the retailer's in-person health centers.AMAZONAn anti-counterfeiting program for Amazon sellers called Transparency reportedly sent out a message announcing that it was going to provide tools to help customers more directly engage with brands on Amazon. In the email, Transparency said the new feature would let sellers “offer customers marketing promotions” and “encourage repeat purchases” when customers scanned a barcode, Modern Retail reported. The tool is distinct from the "Manage Your Customer Engagement" Tool Amazon also recently launched.A court in California just held Amazon liable for a defective product sold by a third-party seller in Loomis v. Amazon — and it may portend many more product liability cases to come for online marketplaces in the state.

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