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 Industry Roundup |
Apparel & Accessories
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Researchers make 'easily splittable' composite fiber spunbond nonwoven to reduce energy consumption of hydroentangling; nonwoven is comprised of polyamide fibers, shows improved filtration, thermal-wet comfort for clothing: study
Journal of Materials Research and Technology (03/14)
Sporting goods retailer Intersport Sweden joins CanopyStyle; apparel sector can 'step up to ensure that the forest-derived textiles, like viscose and lyocell, don’t come from vital forests,' says Intersport production & sustainability coordinator
Canopy Planet (CanopyStyle) (03/14)
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Auto Parts & Accessories
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Honda recalls 500,000 vehicles in US, Canada because surface coating on front seat belt buckles can deteriorate over time, cause button to shrink and not latch properly; dealers to replace front seat buckle release buttons or buckle assemblies if needed
Alabama Media Group (03/15)
Ronal Group making first light-alloy wheels made of 100% secondary aluminum for the new all-electric MINI Cooper SE Convertible; using recycled material cuts CO2 emissions in production by up to 75%
Contify Automotive News (03/14)
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Books & Bookselling
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Organizations representing book publishers, booksellers, authors form coalition to protect copyrights, oppose legislation across country that it fears could drive down e-book prices, including proposed legislation in Connecticut, Kentucky
Canadian Press DataFile (03/15)
HarperCollins Children's Books secures global rights from Lumistella to publish 11 books tied to Elf on the Shelf over next five years, starting with three titles in September 2023; William Morrow Cookbooks imprint will publish cookbook in fall 2024
Publisher's Weekly (03/15)
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Consumer Electronics
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Smart building technology provider Smart Spaces uses HID's Mobile Access, building management systems to introduce employee badge in Apple Wallet, offering secure, seamless building entry for employees at 22 Bishopsgate in City of London
HID Global Corp. (03/14)
Canon introduces FPA-5550iX i-line stepper semiconductor lithography system with large exposure field at a high resolution for producing full-frame CMOS sensors, XR devices; new system can make small displays for head-mounted displays
Canon Inc. (03/13)
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Groceries
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Dollar Tree stores to stop selling eggs amid record high prices; company does not anticipate being able to bring eggs back until later this fall
Reuters (03/15)
Kroger partners with autonomous trucking company Gatik at robot-powered fulfillment center in southern Dallas; trucks will increase same-day pick-up slots and delivery frequency, allow for longer online grocery order cutoff times
Dallas Morning News (TX) (03/15)
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Home Improvement / Hardware Stores
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Home Depot names Billy Bastek as head of merchandising; Bastek most recently served as SVP of hardlines, responsible for merchandising and marketing strategies for the hardware and garden departments
Retail Dive (03/15)
CIBC Chopping Block (March 9): Lumber prices volatile over the week, with W. SPF down 4.0% week-over-week to US$357/mbf, and SYP 2x4 flat at US$481/mbf; in SYP, demand from treaters and big box stores was solid, while housing end-markets remained subdued
CIBC World Markets Inc. (03/14)
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Kitchenware / Cookware / Bakeware
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Farberware introduces Eco Advantage, a new eco-friendly cookware collection, available in two colors--Gray and Aqua; collection features long-lasting, scratch resistant ceramic nonstick that is free of PFAS, PFOA, PTFE, lead or cadmium
PR Newswire (03/14)
Home appliance brand Beko's survey in Europe reveals most desired features in modern kitchens are aesthetics, quality and functionality, despite trend of cheaper, trendier items; advanced kitchen technology, sleek and modern designs among envied features
PR Newswire (03/13)
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Private-Label Products
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Euromonitor: Consumer trends in Latin America include search for relaxation, return of social events, Gen Z placing importance on sustainably-produced items, budgeting consumers spurring companies to offer smaller pack sizes and more private-label options
Euromonitor International Ltd. (03/14)
Tesco requires suppliers of its online and Booker wholesale operations to pay new fulfillment charge of £0.12 per unit on branded goods and £0.05 per unit on own-label products, per The Grocer; however 'smallest suppliers' will not be subject to the fee
Reuters (03/13)
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Shoes & Footwear
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Novamont to contribute biobased, compostable and recyclable polymer in partnership with OrthoLite to create OrthoLite Cirql foam, a circular foam material for footwear
Business Wire (03/13)
Adidas CEO Bjorn Gulden hosts first earnings call, highlights include: DTC to decelerate; touts Adidas' innovation over Nike's; Yeezy business is not returning; basketball is critical to brand's US business; Adidas will 'again be the best sports brand'
Business Insider (03/09)
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Omnichannel
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BJ’s Wholesale Club hits record US$1B in adjusted EBITDA in FY2022; company credits robust membership base, continued focus on value, growing digital presence for success
Supermarket News (03/13)
Omnichannel e-commerce platform MySize to launch MySizeID apparel sizing solution, which it boasts is first solution to help maximize apparel comfort for dogs, cats, reduce returns; brands offering pet apparel include Urban Outfitters and Ralph Lauren
PR Newswire (03/10)
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Payment Systems
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Federal appeals court upholds US$5.6B antitrust class-action settlement against Visa, MasterCard after over 12 million retailers accused companies of improperly fixing credit and debit card fees
Reuters (03/15)
Meijer becomes first retailer nationwide to support SNAP benefits on Flashfood app, which allows customers to purchase surplus close-dated food at a deep discount; SNAP capability will be available at all Midwest locations
Meijer Inc. (03/14)
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Retailing
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Inditex reports 23% increase in store sales last year despite closing 10% of its stores; Inditex sales per sqm are today 16% higher than in 2019
Business Insider (03/15)
Walmart unveils inclusive uniforms for workers, including maternity vests, wheelchair user vests; new selection comes after Walmart introduced customizable uniforms for workers in 2019
Business Insider (03/15)
H&M reports smaller-than-expected increase in sales of 3%, the latest sign it is struggling to compete with Zara-owner Inditex, which saw sales increase 13.5%
Reuters (03/15)
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Retail group
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Inditex is planning to open at least 10 new Zara stores across the US by 2025; at least a dozen other locations will be revamped, enlarged
Business Insider (03/15)
DoorDash to offer on-demand delivery of party supplies from Party City locations nationwide
DoorDash Inc. (03/15)
Macy’s launches expanded Reebok assortment, now available in stores and online; products include enhanced activewear and lifestyle offerings for men, women, children, including exclusive products and collections, extended sizes
Macy's Inc. (03/14)
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Food Retail
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Supermarket
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Beverage company Reed's agrees to new distribution partnership with Loblaw; distribution channel gives Reed's access to 500 Loblaws stores across Canada, as well as showcases for Reed's and Virgil's sodas in a new craft soda section
EquityBites (03/15)
DoorDash partners with PCC Community Markets for on-demand, same-day grocery delivery from 15 PCC stores
DoorDash Inc. (03/14)
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Convenience Store
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Seven & I Holdings to close 20% of its Ito-Yokado supermarket stores in Japan as part of business restructuring plan, which includes a focus of efforts on the Tokyo metropolitan area
MarketLine (03/10)
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Groceries
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Grocery e-commerce solutions provider Mercatus appoints Rhonda Bosch as COO, Steve Benteau as chief technology officer
Business Wire (03/10)
Loblaw says food prices have increased 25% faster than profit margins on food products, company has made more money off financial services, apparel and pharmacy sales than food; comments come amid claims of greedflation by Canadian Parliament
Supermarket News (03/09)
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Drug Retail
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Drugstore Chain
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US sues Rite Aid for ignoring glaring ‘red flags’ in opioid prescriptions from May 2014 through June 2019
MedCityNews.com (03/14)
Walgreens launches 2022 ESG report, highlights include: administered approximately 36 million COVID-19 vaccinations during FY2022; reduced carbon emissions 21.2% against goal to reduce them 30% by 2030; multiple diversity awards
Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc. (03/10)
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Hypermarkets & Super Centers
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Club Store
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BJ’s Wholesale Club to deploy Simbe’s business intelligence solution Tally chainwide; AI-powered solution aims to provide greater visibility into club conditions and deeper insights, improving operational efficiencies, enhancing member experience
BJ's Wholesale Club Holdings Inc. (03/14)
BJ’s Wholesale Club to add five new locations in 2023, including first expansion into Alabama, marking the company's 20th state of operation
BJ's Wholesale Club Holdings Inc. (03/09)
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Mass Merchandise Retailers
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Walmart CFO says company is focusing on infrastructure, e-commerce investments as it anticipates a future in which increasingly more of its shoppers migrate online; Walmart invested US$7.2B in supply chain, omnichannel, technology in FY2022
CFO Dive (03/09)
Target employees express concerns in interviews, on social media about additional work, potential complications arising from new drive-up returns service; guest service, drive-up workers are already 'overloaded,' some commenters fear for worker safety
Business Insider (03/09)
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Internet Retail
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Online Media & Digital Apps
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Colorado-based Bron Tapes launches ecommerce website to provide more purchasing options and customer portal access to new and existing customers
PR Newswire (03/15)
FedEx Express integrates WhatsApp notifications into FedEx Delivery Manager International for consumers in the UAE; move to enable increased transparency and traceability through mobile devices to enhance the last-mile delivery experience
Mid-East.Info (03/13)
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Online Selling / Shopping
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UK-based DS Smith bolsters its Ely corrugated display production facility with new EFI Nozomi C18000 printer to unlock new opportunities for point-of-sale, retail marketing, e-commerce customers; 1.8m-wide digital printer prints directly onto board
Packaging News (UK) (03/15)
Grove Collaborative debuts Grove Wellness, an online health and wellness hub offering curated range of high-quality, affordable products chosen by health experts; offering will prioritize ingredient transparency, NSF certification, sustainable packaging
Grove Collaborative Inc. (03/14)
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General Retailing
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Department Store
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Kohl’s Recognized by Ethisphere as One of the 2023 World’s Most Ethical Companies
Business Wire (03/13)
JCPenney India Receives 'Great Place to Work' Certification for Exceptional Workplace Culture
NewsVoir (India) (03/13)
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Dollar Stores / Deep Discounters
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Nordstrom outlines three priorities to improve its bottom line in 2023: further optimize supply chain; increase inventory productivity; improve Nordstrom Rack's performance
Supply Chain Dive (03/13)
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Consumers
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Consumer Economics
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US Consumer Price Index increased 0.4% in February on a seasonally adjusted basis after rising 0.5% in January, as increase in index for shelter accounted for over 70% of monthly increase; all items index increased 6.0% year-over-year: BLS
U.S. Dept. of Labor (DOL) (03/15)
European study finds that printed books play a powerful role in fighting digital exclusion and that printed books must be included as part of a balanced information diet; physical bookstores, libraries are important centers of culture in local communities
Confederation of European Paper Industries (CEPI) (03/15)
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Consumer Lifestyle
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Seventy percent of US consumers now perceive environmental responsibility as 'more important' when it comes to food brands, compared to more than 50% two years ago; over 90% see eco-friendliness as a key decision criteria in their food purchases: report
Green Queen (03/10)
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Consumer Behavior / Attitudes
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Subaru ranks #1 for customer satisfaction with dealer service in J.D. Power 2023 US. Customer Service Index; survey based on responses from 64,248 verified registered owners and lessees of 2020-2022 model-year vehicles
Subaru Corp. (03/15)
Study finds 68% of US drivers are apprehensive of fully self-driving technology, up from 55% in 2022, although no vehicle currently exists with the technology; advanced driver assist systems appeal to 60% of drivers: AAA
American Automobile Association (AAA) (03/14)
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Consumer Health & Wellness
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Global pulse generator implant market estimated to be US$277.2B by 2032, register CAGR growth of 9.8% during forecast period; growth driven by increase in chronic diseases, better reimbursements and performance, rising awareness, technological advancement
EIN Presswire (03/14)
February survey finds 35% of people in US had noticed or been affected by health care staff shortages, up from 25% in November; of the 84% of Americans who have tried to get health care in past six months, 73% say they experienced delays, challenges
The Courier-Times (03/10)
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Population / Demographics
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Stanford economist says remote work could help solve some of America's biggest problems, such as climate crisis, mental health, falling birth rate and housing affordability; share of work from home was over 60% in 2020, expected to stabilize around 25%
Business Insider (03/15)
Most of Wisconsin 's 17 million acres of forests are owned by private families, but family forest owners are getting older and how they pass on their land will affect future of forests and how they are managed
Post-Crescent (Appleton, WI) (03/14)
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Stock
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Latest: Mar, 15 2023
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Latest Value |
Prev |
Chg |
YOY Chg |
| Watchlist |
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Albertsons Cos. Inc. (ACI)
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19.73
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19.64
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0.46%
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-44.55%
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Amazon Com (AMZN)
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96.20
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94.88
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1.39%
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-34.72%
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Bed Bath & Beyond (BBBY)
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1.03
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1.15
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-10.43%
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-94.95%
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Costco Wholesale (COST)
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485.66
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481.92
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0.78%
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-10.45%
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Cvs Caremark (CVS)
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75.40
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75.56
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-0.21%
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-29.52%
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Dollar General (DG)
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218.56
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215.51
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1.42%
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2.01%
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Dollar Tree (DLTR)
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140.31
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141.49
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-0.83%
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-7.12%
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Home Depot (HD)
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287.97
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285.57
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0.84%
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-12.35%
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Kroger Company (KR)
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48.29
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47.18
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2.35%
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-14.06%
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Lowes Companies (LOW)
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198.59
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196.83
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0.89%
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-14.06%
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Target (TGT)
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159.13
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158.37
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0.48%
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-26.11%
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Tesco plc (TSCO) :LON
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254.80
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255.00
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-0.08%
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-8.00%
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Wal Mart Stores (WMT)
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139.64
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138.10
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1.12%
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-4.21%
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Walgreen (WBA)
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33.54
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33.29
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0.75%
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-30.37%
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Retail & Omnichannel
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