Retail Watchers

I love how some media skews things. So conveniently this news comes out and validates my (and others here) concerns about the poor consistency of the Macy's operation. But the headlines are different depending on where you look. CNBC is discussing the fact that Macy's is OPENING more stores and wil...

There was a segment on KPCC this morning on the merger---the Lempert guy (what a bonehead) and a law professor from U of Buffalo (of all places that this merger won't effect)... https://www.kpcc.org/podcast/airtalk/whats-behind-the-ftcs-suit-to-block-the-kroger-and-albertsons-merger Only other thing...

Agreed vis-a-vis Gelsons/Jensens in the Coachella Valley. We live walking distance to Jensens in Palm Springs---I'll stroll over Sunday AM for the newspaper and a browse through the deli---there are a few excellent products (their Thai noodle salad is amazing) and the prices for deli are not worse t...

That is quite a tell. The in-store environment doesn't have an "end of days" feel---it's hard to describe, but in the (admittedly few and pretty centrally located) stores I've been in the smiles have been there, there doesn't seem to be any grumpiness, the bustle seems appropriate. Further...

Just received in my Valpak mailer in the Coachella Valley a coupon for Kroger shop-from-home (branded as-such, with all the nameplates on the other side) for specialty/exotic merchandise. Seemed to me like nothing more than a relaunch of Vitacost which ISTR did show up in Valpak mailings from time t...

Funny I just saw this today a half hour ago at Albertsons...I'd always thought that half gallon--home freezer size-- of Thrifty was widely sold in California...didn't realize it was an exclusive.

Not awful--pretty low-budget, I'd say, but nice that they included ice cream---that ice cream is a hidden jewel.

Some of the Smartly stuff is pretty good (dishwashing liquid in a nice discreet compact/short industrial-type (rather than stylized) 8 oz container sourced in Canada; bar soap), some is about what you'd expect (99 cent toilet tissue--quite thin and loosely-rolled). I actually refill the dishwashing ...

Unfortunately that matches with the timing from my dude in Cathedral City...

I've noticed several sizes (batches) of Suavitel softener at Dollar Tree...some look like they were the laaaast "sold for $1" shrunken size, others are bigger (that are more in keeping with the $1.25 price). I think Colgate-Palmolive is especially skilled at doing this (also the pump sizes...