The Wall Street Journal has been pondering about “Amazon’s Next Big Thing”.  Apparently, Amazon is now in talks with big banks, including JPMorgan Chase, about building a checking-account-like product the e-commerce company could offer its customers.  WJS said that “with millions of customers, troves of data, access to cheap capital and seemingly unlimited leeway from its investors to enter new businesses, Amazon is a fearsome competitor.”  We have been watching Amazon with interest, wondering when the US Government will invoke the Sherman Act, to undercut Amazon’s influence on the US and global economy.  The last notable case was in 2001, against Microsoft.  It was settled and Microsoft avoided being broken up.  Other large corporations were not that lucky.

The Financial Post in Canada reported that the "grocerant" trend is catching on in Canada.  Supermarket chains such as Loblaw and Metro are adding more prepared foods and sit-down dining areas in their stores.  Prepared meals on supermarket shelves are nothing new, but the idea to have a dining area within the store may appear novel.  However, a short visit to a Costco store will prove that this too is an old hat…

Sometimes we get amazed.  The National Retail Federation commented that private brands are making a resurgence and proving to be a powerful differentiator. NRF mentions companies like Amazon, Brandless, ALDI and Trader Joe's, who “are using private brands to build relationships with customers in unprecedented ways”.  We just want to clarify that some of the smartest operators have been doing this for decades and we have been advocating the essential importance of exclusive brands for the last 10 years.  Businesses like Aldi and Marks & Spencer have been built around high quality, private brands. So, sorry NRF, you have just discovered some old news…

Fed Chairman, Jerome Powell told lawmakers this week during testimony on Capitol Hill that "US economic outlook remains strong".  The Wall Street Journal reported that US Consumer Sentiment index has reached its second-highest monthly reading since January 2004.  According to the Journal, US households have been upbeat about the economy in recent months, with growth supported by rising incomes and low unemployment. The recent package of tax cuts also has boosted most workers’ take-home pay.  Makes you wonder what has been added to the water in Canberra, because some Australian politicians have begun advocating tax increases, to “balance the books”.  What about spending a bit less?  Business and most people in Australia already pay plenty of tax.

AFR reported that the German supermarket chain is building up its executive team in Australia (and sending them to Germany for training).  So far, two locations have been secured for Kaufland: in Adelaide and in Melbourne.  Kaufland operates large footprint outlets (20,000 sqm).  It should be noted that Kaufland’s parent, Schwarz Group, also owns the discount chain Lidl.  If Lidl starts opening stores in Australia, this will be the next nail in the coffin of the local operators.

Reuters reported that China aims to expand its economy by around 6.5% this year, the same as in 2017.  In the past some experts expressed a view that China needs at least 7% growth for their financial system to function well.  Interesting to see how this stress will be managed.  Combined with US trade friction, China is sailing through increasingly stormy waters.

USA Today reported that Kohl's (a US department store with over 1,000 outlets) will shrink the floor plans of about a dozen of its larger stores, and lease space to German discount grocer ALDI as part of a test to cut costs and drive more traffic to its stores. Kohl's could also extend the test to include other grocers or other types of retailers.  Sounds to us like a better (and less risky) idea David Jones’ plans to have another go at their own grocery department.

The Star Tribune in Minneapolis (US) commented that Best Buy reported its biggest holiday sales season in 14 years, and booked a 9% same-store sales increase in the fourth quarter. The electronics retailer fended off competition from Amazon and other online rivals, as confident consumers snapped up smart home systems, new video games, and other gadgets.  Personalities at the top aside, the US Government seems to have succeeded in unleashing a flurry of economic activity.