September 29 – Spooky Season Kicks Off with New Trends
Grocers aiming to scare up sales during the Halloween selling season are tapping into trends to meet shopper interests and needs. From: Progressive Grocer
September 29 – Kohl’s Hires Former Tuesday Morning Chief Hand To Lead Store Operations
Kohl’s announced the appointment of former Tuesday Morning CEO Fred Hand to the position of senior executive vice president, director of stores. From: HomePage News
September 29 – Amazon Spotlights Economic Contributions as Market Mulls FTC Suit
Amazon, in a blog post, touts the benefits its business brings to the United States economy. From: HomePage News
September 28 – Consumer Confidence Slipped in September
The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index in September slipped to 103, down from an upwardly revised 108.7 in August. From: HomePage News
September 28 – EXCLUSIVE PHOTOS: Kowalski’s Markets Turns 40
The business was founded by Mary Anne and Jim Kowalski in 1983, when they bought a former Red Owl Country Store and put their own touch on the grocery experience. From: Progressive Grocer
September 28 – Ollie’s Continues Midwest Expansion with Iowa Store, Illinois DC
Ollie’s Bargain Outlet Holdings has opened its 500th store in Iowa City, IA, the retailer’s first store in the state. From: HomePage News
September 28 – Justice Department Sues eBay for EPA Violations
The United States Department of Justice has filed a lawsuit against eBay alleging the c-commerce company has sold products that violate U.S. Environmental Protection Agency rules. From: HomePage News
September 28 – True Value Supports Maui School Impacted by Wildfires
The donation includes power tools to facilitate repair efforts, essential lighting and a generous supply of core hardware products. From: Hardware Retailing
September 27 – HSN Debuts on Sling TV
The launch reflects HSN’s continued strategic expansion of its v-commerce operations through partnerships and collaborations with new media and digital platforms, the retailer noted. From: HomePage News
September 27 – Dollar General Literacy Foundation donates $1.7M to Save the Children
The award was featured in the Reader’s Digest October issue and was created in partnership with the media brand to honor a nonprofit making an impact on the major retailer’s hometowns. From: Drug Store News
September 27 – Smart & Final President Retires
Drew, who began his career as a grocery clerk in 1977 and joined Smart & Final in 2010, will depart on Sept. 29. From: Progressive Grocer
September 27 – Online Appliance Sales Help Costco Finish Fiscal Year By Beating Wall Street
Costco beat fourth-quarter sales and earnings estimates with revenues surpassing $240 billion for the year. From: HomePage News
September 27 – Target Closing Nine Stores Because of Retail Crime
The company stated it had invested heavily in strategies to prevent and stop organized retail crime and theft in general as occurred at the stores, adding more security personnel, using third-party guard services, and implementing theft-deterrent tools. From: HomePage News
September 27 – NRF: Store Losses Mount as Retail Crime Escalates
Retailers continue to enhance their loss prevention and asset protection measures, NRF pointed out, but some have had to take more drastic action in response to theft From: HomePage News
September 26 – Amazon Responds to FTC Antitrust Suit
The suit contends Amazon’s actions allow it to stop rivals and sellers from lowering prices, to degrade quality for shoppers, to overcharge sellers, to stifle innovation and to prevent rivals from fairly competing with it. From: HomePage News
September 26 – Study: Employee Training Challenges Worry Retailers
EduMe, a frontline training platform for the retail and hospitality industries, has released a new report that found that 83% of leaders in the two sectors are not confident in their employees’ ability to interact with customers. From: HomePage News
September 26 – Amazon Strikes Deal to Boost AI Capabilities
The partners in the transaction described it as a strategic collaboration that will bring together their respective advanced technology and expertise in safer generative artificial intelligence development. From: HomePage News
September 26 – Dick’s to add 8,600 Seasonal Employees: to Close Stores, DCs on Thanksgiving
Dick’s will kick off its holiday hiring at its “National Signing Day” on Oct. 3, at which it will recruit for all of its store banners nationwide. From: Chain Store Age
September 25 – Ulta Aims to Unlock the Beauty of Experiencing Joy
Ulta Beauty has launched the Joy Project as a long-term company initiative designed to help customers and consumers at large find, embrace and experience happiness in their lives. From: HomePage News
September 25 – Target Gets an Early Jump on Circle Week
Shoppers who have signed up for the free-to-join Target Circle membership program can click on the top deals, adding them to their account for quick purchases when the sale begins. From: HomePage News
September 25 – Retailers See Opportunity in Holiday Peak Season
In its second annual peak season survey, Ware2Go, a UPS company, found that 73% of small and mid-sized merchants expect higher holiday sales compared to previous years. From: HomePage News
September 25 – Eataly names North American CEO, Shares Expansion Plans
The North America CEO position is a newly created role for Eataly as the company embarks on its expansion on that continent, Eataly Group CEO Andrea Cipolloni said in a statement. From: Grocery Dive
September 22 – Costco Traffic Gains Could Foretell Strong Fiscal Year Financials
Placer.ai’s Shira Petrack stated that Costco’s relative visit share within the superstore space has steadily grown as the COVID-19 pandemic has been winding down, with the retailer leading its category in terms of year-over-year visit growth during the recent back-to-school season. From: HomePage News
September 25 – Sprouts Farmers Market Hiring 400 Employees for 4 New Stores
To help sustain this growth, Sprouts has revealed that it will soon open new stores in Visalia, Calif.; Henderson, Nev.; Woodland, Calif.; and Charlotte, N.C. From: Progressive Grocer
September 22 – Aaron’s Makes Executive, Board Appointments
The Aaron’s Co. has appointed Russell Falkenstein, executive vp, COO, lease-to-own and named two new board of director members. From: HomePage News
September 22 – Numerator: Amazon, Walmart Saw Back-to-College Spending Share Gains
The top reasons for choosing a retailer included good selection, cited by 51% of student shoppers and 57% of parent shoppers; and competitive prices, cited by 43% of student shoppers and 60% of parent shoppers. From: HomePage News
September 22 – How Passion for Grocery Is Driving Expansion at Dom’s Kitchen & Market
Slated to open in summer 2024, the River North Dom’s Kitchen & Market is being designed as a community hub, with in-store and carryout dining meeting spaces complemented by e-commerce services. From: Progressive Grocer
September 21 – Gen Z Shoppers Look Forward to AI Benefits
In a research study by e-commerce technology company Rokt and Harris Poll, 88% of Gen Zers globally said they think AI can improve online shopping. From: HomePage News
September 21 – Jungle Scout: Consumers Shifted More Spending Online in Q3
The Amazon selling platform operation stated that online spending gained more than overall spending for a larger number of consumers in the third quarter. From: HomePage News
September 21 – Amazon, Walmart Delve Deeper into Virtual Commerce
Amazon and Walmart have announced new virtual shopping experiences. From: HomePage News
September 20 – NRF: Consumers Scaring Up Higher Halloween Sales
The survey indicated that spending on decorations, which grew in popularity during the pandemic and continues to resonate with consumers, will reach $3.9 billion. From: HomePage News
September 20 – Amazon Invests in Major Seasonal Employment Push
Pay increases for customer fulfillment and transportation employees will bring the average pay for those roles to more than $20.50 per hour, with some locations offering as much as $28 per hour, the company indicated. From: HomePage News
September 20 – How Sam’s Club Prioritizes Innovation During Uncertain Times
In the past several years, Sam’s Club has revamped its business and operations by lowering prices and SKU counts, raising associate pay, introducing new digital technology and redesigning job functions. From: Progressive Grocer
September 20 – Walmart, Best Buy Schedule October Deal Events
The holiday sales event season is shifting into full gear as Walmart and Best Buy have announced major promotional initiatives. From: HomePage News
September 19 – Ikea U.S. Partners with Afterpay for Buy Now, Pay Later Program
Ikea and Afterpay partnered to enable financial freedom and affordability to today’s consumers who prefer to pay overtime, said Ikea. From: HomePage News
September 19 – SpendingPulse: Holiday Set for 3.7% Retail Sales Gain from Omnichannel Approach
Mastercard SpendingPulse measures in-store and online retail sales across all forms of payment and is not adjusted for inflation. From: HomePage News
September 19 – Macy’s Hiring 38,000 for the Holidays
The jobs will include positions at the company’s Macy’s, Bloomingdale’s and Bluemercury stores, and the company’s distribution centers. From: HomePage News
September 19 – Target Kicking Off Holiday Push with Circle Week Deals, New Kitchenware Brand
Target’s 2023 holiday assortment features more than 10,000 new items under its private-label brands including Good & Gather and Threshold. From: HomePage News
September 18 – How Whole Foods Market Remains an Organic Trailblazer
Beyond supporting organic agricultural practices and sourcing organic items, Whole Foods has a farm-to-shelf approach to its commitment. From: Progressive Grocer
September 18 – AlixPartners: Value Critical for Holiday Shoppers
According to a forecast released by AlixPartners, the global consulting firm, holiday season sales in the United States should grow from 3% to 6% year over year. From: HomePage News
September 18 – Dollar Tree Digital Transformation Generates New Family Dollar App
The app launch is part of the corporate Dollar Tree digital transformation, the company noted. From: HomePage News
September 18 – Amazon Fall Prime Day Runs October 10-11
Amazon is calling this sales event Prime Big Deal Days and plans to launch it at 3 a.m.. eastern time on October 10. From: HomePage News
September 18 – Land’s End Interim Takes Permanent CFO Seat
Bernard McCracken is the latest chief accounting officer to be promoted to a public company’s top finance role. From: Retail Dive
September 15 – Nordstrom Shakes Up Executive Suite
The company named Jamie Nordstrom chief merchandising officer, as well as other management changes. From: HomePage News
September 15 – Walmart Teaming with SmartKargo to Speed Third-Party Delivery
SmartKargo and Walmart GoLocal are teaming up to expand next- and two-day delivery offerings for retailers and e-commerce companies. From: HomePage News
September 15 – Amazon Upgrading Search and Discovery Features
Amazon emphasized that it continues trying new search features and upgrading existing functions to find better ways to help consumers across the shopping task. From: HomePage News
September 14 – The Knot: Gen Z Views Marriage Positively
The data indicates that Gen Zers have a positive feeling about marriage but also that they will approach weddings differently than prior generations. From: HomePage News
September 14 – Ikea Rolling Out Two Sustainability Initiatives
The projects align with the company’s goal to increase onsite renewable energy, increase energy efficiency and eliminate the use of fossil fuels across its operations, Ikea noted. From: HomePage News
September 14 – NRF: Retail Sales Keep Gaining Despite Headwinds
NRF’s retail sales were up 3.2% unadjusted year over year on a three-month moving average as of August and up 3.8% for the first eight months of 2023. From: HomePage News
September 13 – Deloitte Forecasts Durable Goods Strength in Modest Holiday Sales Growth
Overall, Deloitte’s retail and consumer products practice projects sales will hit $1.54 to $1.56 trillion in the United States during the November to January holiday timeframe. From: HomePage News
September 13 – Williams-Sonoma Partners with Salesforce to Boost Customer Satisfaction
Salesforce has announced that it will work with Williams-Sonoma to deliver highly targeted and more personalized interaction with shoppers. From: HomePage News
September 13 – Walmart Supporting Employees with AI Tool
Walmart is providing My Assistant as part of a new Me@Campus super app, a one-stop-shop to navigate all aspects of working at the company. From: HomePage News
September 12 – Save A Lot Introduces ‘Hometown Heroes’ Nomination Program
The contest will continue on a quarterly basis through September 2024. From: Progressive Grocer
September 12 – Bain Forecasts Limited Real Dollar Holiday Gains
Total holiday sales will hit $913 billion, Bain forecasts, with roughly the same proportion of store to non-store sales, at 70% and 30%, respectively, as compared to the 2022 season. From: HomePage News
September 12 – Amazon Introduces New Global Supply Chain Initiative for Marketplace Sellers
In its new supply chain endeavor, Amazon will pick up inventory from manufacturing facilities around the world, ship across borders, handle customs clearance and ground transportation, store inventory in bulk, manage replenishment across Amazon and other sales channels, and deliver directly to customers. From: HomePage News
September 12 – Jocelyn Konrad joins Family Dollar
Konrad was previously with Rite Aid for almost 15 years, holding several positions. From: Drug Store News
September 12 – Bron Named Bloomingdale’s CEO with Spring Set to Become Macy’s Chief
Bron has more than 20 years of retail leadership experience, Macy’s indicated, most recently as CEO of Central Group’s Central and Robinson Department Stores in Thailand. From: HomePage News
September 12 – Save A Lot Introduces ‘Hometown Heroes’ Nomination Program
Save A Lot has launched Hometown Heroes, a nomination-based program designed to recognize the people and organizations making a difference in the communities served by the banner’s stores. From: Progressive Grocer
September 11 – NRF: U.S. Economic Growth Slower, Not Stalled
Despite continuing inflation and reduced consumer confidence, retail sales as measured by NRF, which excludes automobile dealers, gasoline stations and restaurants to focus on core retail, rose 3.8% year over year in July. From: HomePage News
September 11 – NFL Stars Help Lowe’s Promote DIY Projects
The creative for the Lowe’s fall campaign includes 15- and 30-second television commercials, in-store signage, digital and radio advertising, in-store audio and social media support, the company noted. From: HomePage News
September 11 – BJ’s Wholesale Club Names Anjana Harve Chief Information Officer, Executive VP
Harve will report to Bob Eddy, chairman and chief executive officer, and serve as a member of BJ’s executive leadership team. From: Supermarket News
September 11 – GenZers, Millennials Take Their Own Approaches to Omnichannel
In the study, The Great Generational Shopping Divide, clear divisions among groups of consumers exist, with the largest divide being generational. From: HomePage News
September 11 – CEO Johnson Assesses Early Stages of Bed Bath & Beyond Rebirth
Already, the new Bed Bath & Beyond has had the opportunity to test new approaches to seasonal promotion for Labor Day with an eye toward the forthcoming holiday season. From: HomePage News
September 8 – The Giant Co. Turns 100 Years Old
The next evolution of the retailer’s operational strategy is leveraging the scale of its Ahold Delhaize partners, Retail Business Services and Peapod Digital Labs, to streamline or improve processes regarding retail media, e-commerce, shrink, team experience, supply chain, merchandising, IT and new stores. From: Progressive Grocer
September 8 – NRF: Port Traffic Suggests Q4 Retailer Optimism
“These are strong numbers and a sign that retailers are optimistic about the holiday season since they don’t import merchandise unless they think they can sell it,” said NRF vp for supply chain and customs policy Jonathan Gold, in announcing the port figures. From: HomePage News
September 8 – Kroger Announces Merger-Related Divestitures as Q2 Adjusted Earnings Beat Street
Kroger Co., still working to complete a merger with Albertsons Cos., reported sales slipped in its second quarter, while adjusted earnings gained to top a Wall Street estimate. From: HomePage News
September 8 – Restoration Hardware Eyes Expansion in Wake of Q2 Sales, Earnings Declines
As part of its expansion, company plans for North America continue to include the debuts of RH Indianapolis and RH Cleveland during this year’s second half Gary Friedman, RH chairman and CEO, noted. From: HomePage News
September 8 – Sprouts Celebrates Opening of 400th Location
As a part of its five-year plan, Sprouts, which carries a wide array of private label products, aims to expand its store count 10% year-over-year. From: Store Brands
September 7 – Martha Stewart, Ubique Group Team Up for Home Office Furniture, Storage Collection
The collection is available at Amazon, Walmart, Target, Wayfair and Staples in its initial rollout at prices ranging from $15 to $289. From: HomePage News
September 7 – Target Building Sortation Network to Speed Customer Delivery
Target anticipates sortation centers will double delivery volume to more than 50 million packages in 2023, with a growing number of items delivered to shoppers the next day. From: HomePage News
September 7 – H-E-B Unveils Largest E-Comm Fulfillment Center
To mark the grand opening, the grocer donated $5,000 to The Ballard House, which provides temporary housing at no cost for individuals and their families who are hospitalized or receiving treatment for a serious medical condition. From: Progressive Grocer
September 7 – C2 Paint Color of the Year Refreshes in ‘Thermal’ Blue
C2 Paint has introduced its Color of the Year for 2024, C2 Thermal #752, a refreshing blue designed to encapsulate elements of air and water and remind people of their interdependence with nature and the importance of sustainability. From: HomePage News
September 7 – New Bed Bath & Beyond Reports Site Traffic, Order Gains Since Shift from Overstock Banner
“Our promotional offers and expanded product assortment are resonating with customers, and they love the refreshed mobile app., states CEO Jonathan Johnson. From: HomePage News
September 6 – Food Lion Helps Remodel 27 Food Banks
The annual event, dubbed The Great Pantry Makeover, helps provide sustainable and impactful solutions to support food pantries in expanding access to nutritional food and addressing food insecurity. From: Progressive Grocer
September 6 – Costco Comps Comps Gain in August
Costco’s strongest August U.S. regional comparable sales results were in the Southeast, Texas and the Midwest From: HomePage News
September 6 – Kirkland’s CEO Cites Improvements Despite Challenging Q2
The second quarter was a difficult one for Kirkland’s, but its CEO, Ann Joyce, said the company is primed to deliver better results with the help of merchandising and marketing improvements. From: HomePage News
September 6 – Do it Best Reports $4.8 Billion in Sales for 2023 Fiscal Year
Since 2021, the company has welcomed nearly 800 new locations to the cooperative. From: Hardware Retailing
September 5 – Holiday Shoppers Looking for Value, Better Shopping Experiences
Consumers will be price conscious as they spend in the holiday season, with 77% of survey respondents intending to prioritize value and seek cost-effective options when making their holiday purchases, according to Celigo. From: HomePage News
September 5 – Conference Board: Consumer Confidence Declines in August
After making gains earlier in the summer, consumer confidence retreated in August, according to The Conference Board, as grocery and fuel prices worried consumers. From: HomePage News
September 5 – West Promoted to Dollar General Executive VP Global Supply
West was Dollar General’s senior vp of distribution and joined the company in 2005 as vp of process improvement overseeing supply chain, finance, merchandising, marketing and store operations initiatives, the company noted. From: HomePage News
September 1 – Brewer Leaves Walgreens, Graham Appointed Interim CEO
Brewer will continue to advise Walgreens while the company conducts a search for a permanent CEO, the company stated. From: HomePage News
