December
30 – Big Lots’ New Deal Could Keep up to 400 Stores Open
Under the transaction, Variety Wholesalers would acquire at
least 200 stores and up to two distribution centers, saving jobs in the
process. From: Retail Dive
December 23 – Party City to Close all Stores in Bankruptcy
The party supplies specialist also announced it will close
its entire footprint, which at the time of its bankruptcy filing consisted of
nearly 700 stores, according to court documents. From: Retail Dive
December 23 – Container Store to Reorganize Under Chapter
11, Nixing Beyond Deal
The Container Store filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy
protection with a lender-backed plan for emerging as a private company,
signaling the end of a proposed investment in The Container Store by Beyond,
Inc.
From: HomePage News
December 23 – Nordstroms Succeed in Taking Company Private
for $6.25B
The board unanimously approved the deal, which also
includes Mexican retail conglomerate El Puerto de Liverpool and gives the
founding family a majority stake. From: Retail Dive
December 20 – 2024 in Retail: Navigating Twists, Turns,
Transformation
Retail took some surprising twists in 2024, as the view
forward from 2023 didn’t reveal how the way forward would have so many twists
and turns. From: HomePage News
December 20 – Do it Best Addresses Retailers, Vendors Concerns
With its purchase of True Value final, Do it
Best presented Town Hall meetings with Do it Best CEO Dan Starr and
recently appointed president of True Value Dent Johnson to keep Do it Best
members and True Value retailers up to date on how the companies are moving
forward. From: Hardware Retailing
December 20 – Amazon Contends Teamsters Misrepresent Job
Action
Contention surrounds a job action by the Teamsters against
Amazon with the union characterizing it as a strike against the company while
Amazon asserts that neither employees at the company nor at its affiliated
independent delivery partners are represented by the Teamsters. From: HomePage News
December 20 – SpartanNash Awards 25 Scholarships
This year, the company set a new record by awarding 25
students with $2,500 scholarships in recognition of outstanding service to
their local communities. From: Drug Store News
December 19 – Numerator: Consumers Still Cost Conscious
Despite November Confidence Uptick
Consumer confidence made marginal gains in November,
according to the Numerator Consumer Sentiment Tracker. From: HomePage News
December 19 – BJ’s partners with Children’s Hospitals to
deliver holiday cheer
BJ’s Charitable Foundation is partnering with children’s
hospitals in communities throughout the East Coast, Midwest and South to
support toy drives, deliver gifts and provide funds for essential needs. From:
Drug Store News
December 19 – Shopping Centers Expect More Super Saturday
Traffic Led by GenZers
As they make their choices, 94% of consumers
responding to the survey from the former International Council of Shopping
Centers said they plan to purchase goods, while 64% said they plan to spend on
experiences such as dining, entertainment and personal services. From: HomePage News
December 19 – Dollar Tree Removes Interim Tag from CEO
Creedon
Creedon joined Dollar Tree in 2022 as COO, and he has taken
on increasing responsibility at the company during the past two years, the
company noted. From: HomePage News
December 18 – Ace Retail Holdings Deploying New
Merchandising/POS Platform
A member of the Ace Hardware co-operative is building on an
existing relationship with an enterprise solutions provider. From: Chain Store Age
December 18 – RH Unveils More
California Shopping and Services Locations
Restoration Hardware, continuing its expansion strategy,
announced the opening of RH Montecito (CA): The Gallery at The Old Firehouse. From:
HomePage News
December 18 – Stop & Shop Names Chief Merchant
Lee Nicholson, currently SVP of procurement at ADUSA
Procurement, will become EVP, chief merchant at Ahold Delhaize
USA brand Stop & Shop, effective at the start of the new year. From: Progressive Grocer
December 18 – J.C. Penney Loss Narrows in Q3 as Sales
Declines Continue
Unlike some rivals that are also in turnaround mode, J.C.
Penney has some breathing room because its landlord-owners have an interest in
keeping its anchor stores open. From: Retail Dive
December 18 – Salesforce: AI Agents Working to Boost
Last-Minute Holiday Sales
Retailers are using a host of new strategies, including AI
agents and buy online, pick up in store (BOPIS), to sustain consumer spending
momentum, the customer relationship management provider indicated. From: HomePage News
December 18 – NYC Food Industry Calls for Exemptions to
Congestion Pricing
A newly formed coalition of more than 100 food
distributors, trade associations, wholesale markets, food banks, restaurateurs
and small businesses, led by Bronx, N.Y.-based Baldor Specialty Foods, is
urging that they be exempted from the plan. From: Progressive Grocer
December 18 – Census Bureau: November Retail Sales in Line
with Holiday Season Projection
Data released by the United States Census Bureau indicated
solid retail sales continued as the holiday season officially got underway in
November, according to the National Retail Federation. From: HomePage News
December 18 – Wegmans Survey Spotlights Customers’ Desire
for Holiday Simplicity
According to the findings, 77% of respondents are
spotlighting traditional holiday recipes, and 78% are finding ways to
simplify their holiday meals and entertaining. From: Progressive Grocer
December 17 – Coresight: Unified Commerce, Latest
Technology Critical to Retail Success in 2025
Coresight Research’s annual year-ahead outlook concludes
that a substantial proportion of retailers will move toward a unified strategy
supporting seamless transitions connecting shopper touch points while
leveraging emergent technology in consumer service and outreach. From: HomePage News
December 17 – Numerator: Gift Cards Are Most Likely
Christmas Gift Purchase This Year
Numerator reported that 80% of Christmas celebrators plan
to purchase gifts, with gift cards topping the list of most likely gift
purchases and home goods coming in fourth. From: HomePage News
December 17 – GC Buying Group
Announces 2025 Retailer Advisory Board
GC Buying Group has announced its 2025 advisory board of
retailers, assembled to provide insight into challenges and opportunities for
GC independent kitchenware retail members and GC vendors.
From: HomePage News
December 17 – NRF: More Consumers Plan to Shop Super
Saturday This Year
NRF has forecasted that holiday spending will
reach record levels, growing between 2.5% and 3.5% from 2023 and totaling
$979.5 billion to $989 billion. From: HomePage News
December 16 Save A Lot Finishing Refreshes in Chicago
Ohio-based owner Yellow Banana recently held a grand
opening for its latest location in the city’s South Shore community. From: Progressive Grocer
December 16 – ISM: Service Sector Continued Expansion in
November with Retail Gaining
Economic activity in the services sector expanded for the
fifth consecutive month in November, according to the Institute for Supply
Management’s Report on Business, with retail in positive territory.
From: HomePage News
December 16 – Placer.ai: Malls Made Significant Traffic
Gains to Start Holiday Season
Indoor mall visits grew by 6.4% year-over-year during
November, while open-air shopping center visits were up 4.8% and outlet mall
visits were up 3.8%, according to Placer.ai. From: HomePage News
December 16 – Costco Goes Greener in Latest Fiscal Year
Sustainability results include initiatives to minimize
water, waste, energy and emissions in warehouses and the launch of Energy Star
benchmarking that helps warehouse sites compare against solar buildings. From:
Progressive Grocer
December 16 – Consumers Still Uneasy
About Finances on Verge of Another Fed Rate Cut
Personal finance services company WalletHub released
results of a consumer survey on the matter indicating continuing personal
financial concern ahead of the potential benefits of such a rate cut.
From: Progressive Grocer
December 13 – Ahold Delhaize USA Names New President of
Food Lion
Ahold Delhaize USA has revealed that Food Lion
executive Greg Finchum, currently EVP, retail operations, will assume the role
of president in May 2025. From: Progressive Grocer
December 13 – Restoration Hardware Turns to Profit in Q3
While Revenues Advance
Although Restoration Hardware third-quarter earnings were a
bit below analyst expectations, the retailer turned to profit in the period
year over year while revenues beat a Wall Street forecast. From: HomePage News
December 13 – Whole Foods debuts 3 new stores in one week
Since introducing its first small-format concept store in
New York City in September, the grocer has opened five full-size locations
across the U.S. From: Grocery Dive
December 13 – Costco Advances Through Q1 With Help from
Home Furnishings, Nonfoods
Home furnishings, gold jewelry, gift cards, sporting goods,
health and beauty aids, luggage, kiosk and hardware all up double digits said
Costco CFO Gary Millerchip. From: HomePage News
December 13 – Ollie’s Posts Q3 Earnings Beat with CEO
Transition Set for Early 2025
Ollie’s recorded a third-quarter earnings gain that topped
Wall Street estimates and confirmed a planned chief executive officer
transition from John Swygert to Eric van der Valk is on track to occur early
next year. From: HomePage News
December 12 – Lowe’s Outlines Plans for More Services,
Stores, Online Sale
Lowes Cos. shared its growth and productivity initiatives
for the year ahead emphasizing e-commerce development, service to the
professional community, more stores merchandised for rural consumers and the
opening of additional locations.
From: HomePage News
December 12 – Paycheck-to-Paycheck
Consumers Splurged During Black Friday Weekend
Brigit found its users spent 12.3% more per person during
the Black Friday weekend, to a $145.33 total per average user, versus
$129.42 per average user in 2023. From: HomePage News
December 12 – Kroger Resetting Strategic Priorities After
Albertsons Merger Deal Ends
Kroger Co. reported it has terminated its merger agreement
with Albertsons and provided an overview of its next steps after Albertsons
announced it had withdrawn from the proposed deal. From: HomePage News
December 11 – November Sales Growth Slowed as Key Shopping
Dates Shifted to December Moderate retail sales
growth continued through November even as two of the holiday season’s busiest
shopping days, including Cyber Monday, shifted into December, according to the
CNBC/NRF Retail Monitor. From: HomePage News
December 11 – Macy’s Speeds
Up Store Closures to Amp up Turnaround
The retailer also said
that for nearly three years an employee hid about $151 million in delivery
expenses but that the fraud didn’t affect sales. From: Retail Dive
December
11 – Sprouts Farmers Market
Named Retailer of the Year
Progressive Grocer bestows the company with highest honor
due in part to its curation and customer experience. From: Progressive Grocer
December 11 – Follett strives to meet Gen Z needs
Follett Higher Education is meeting shopper needs by
updating their store assortment — including adding beauty. From: Drug Store News
December 11 – Ollie’s Buying Up Big Lots Leases; New CEO to
Take Reins in February
Ollie’s Bargain Outlet reported a 7.8% increase in
revenue for its third quarter as it continues to expand its store count — with
the help of former Big Lots locations. From: Progressive Grocer
December 11 – U.S. District Court Rules Against Kroger’s
Acquisition of Albertsons
A United States District Court in Oregon has blocked the
merger of The Kroger Co. and Albertsons Cos., citing the combination’s threat
to grocery sector competition. From: HomePage News
December 11 – Hy-Vee Beefing Up In-Store Retail Media
Hy-Vee has teamed with in-store retail media
platform Grocery TV to power more than 10,000 screens at key shopper
touchpoints. From: Progressive Grocer
December 11 – Macy’s ‘First 50’ Stores Comps Stand Out in
Mixed Q3 Results
Macy’s fell short of analyst expectations for adjusted
earnings in its third quarter while posting a revenue beat with its updated
First 50 stores reporting comparable sales that surpassed those of the rest of
the company. From: HomePage News
December 10 – Walmart Spotlights Tech Investments in
Serving Last Minute Shoppers
Even as it delivers new deals on a range of products,
Walmart pointed out that the company has extended shipping cutoff
dates, giving consumers an extra 48 hours to shop for gifts for delivery.
From: HomePage News
December 10 – IGA buys media company to streamline in-store
promotions
The Independent Grocers Alliance aims to make it easier and
cheaper for independents to serve up in-store promotions. From: Grocery Dive
December 10 – New York Stock Exchange Moves to Delist the
Container Store
The NYSE move follows an announcement by Beyond that a deal
that would have provided a $40 million investment in the company was in
danger because of The Container Store’s failure to secure adequate
financing. From: HomePage News
December 10 – Pantone Serves Up
‘Mocha Mousse’ as 2025 Color of the Year
Mocha Mousse can stand alone or serve as a versatile
foundation, Pantone stated, enhancing a wide range of palettes and
applications, from minimalist to richly detailed designs across all
color-focused industries. From: HomePage News
December 10 – Under New Ownership, Lord & Taylor
Revives Old Logo and comeback dreams
The chief strategy officer at Regal Brands Global, which
now runs the venerable department store, talks to Retail Dive about what comes
next. From: Retail Dive
December 10 – Wayfair Professional Division Reveals Its
2025 Design Trends
Wayfair has released Wayfair Professional’s 2025 Design
Trends, a roundup of the styles expected to shape residential and commercial
interior spaces in the coming year. From: HomePage News
December 9 – ICSC: More Consumers Shopped Thanksgiving
Weekend in 2024
Shopping center organization ICSC reported 207 million
people, (about 79% of all adults) in the United States, shopped during the
five-day period ending on Cyber Monday of this year. From: HomePage News
December 9 – Nordstrom Q3 Comps Advance to Propel Revenue,
Earnings Beat
Pete Nordstrom, company president, said, “Our third-quarter
results demonstrate that our strategic focus on curating a compelling brand
assortment is resonating with customers”. From: HomePage News
December 9 – Investors Challenge Macy’s Again to Change its
Strategy
With investor groups challenging Macy’s to take the
operation in a new direction, the company responded that it is willing to
engage shareholders, but it is confident in the strategy currently under
implementation.
From: HomePage News
December 6 – Kirkland’s Touts Beyond Deal After Narrowing
Q3 Adjusted Loss
Kirkland’s touted opportunities presented by its recent
deal with Beyond while reporting a reduced adjusted loss and positive
comparable store sales in its third quarter. From: HomePage News
December 6 – Ulta Rides Comp Gains
to Beat Q3 Expectations, Rolls Out ‘Wicked’ Collection
Ulta Beauty topped analyst estimates in its third quarter
with a lift from comparable sales gains.
From: HomePage News
December 6 – Dollar Tree Focusing on Retail Fundamentals
Looking at performance by banner, Dollar Tree segment comp
increased 1.8% on a 1.5% increase in traffic and a 0.3% increase in average
ticket. From: Progressive Grocer
December 6 – NRF: Economy Continues
Pointing Toward Successful Holiday Season
NRF Chief Economist Jack Kleinhenz pointed out consumers
now see the economy as improving, citing consumer sentiment readings, and
are supporting the retail sector with continued spending. From: HomePage News
December 6 – Aldi Opened Nearly 120 Stores in 2024
The fast-growing grocery chain highlights some of the
biggest trends of the year, noting that about two out of every five of its
nearly 50 million customers this year were new to the store.
From: Supermarket News
December 5 – Costco Sales Increase
Through Q1 Despite Thanksgiving Timing Shift
Costco reported E-commerce sales in November took
a hit of an estimated 15 percentage points hit because of Thanksgiving
weekend occurring a week later this year than it did in 2023.
From: HomePage News
December 5 – Dollar General Q3 Comps Gain but Softer
Discretionary Spend Hits Earnings
Although Dollar General Corp.’s third-quarter comparable
sales improved year over year, the retailer’s earnings slipped, missing a Wall
Street forecast, as discretionary sales slowed. From: HomePage News
December 4 – Dollar Tree Reports Third Quarter Gains, CFO Transition
Among the other business highlights of the quarter,
according to Dollar Tree, the company’s expansion continued as it opened 249
namesake and six Family Dollar stores. From: HomePage News
December 4 – Qurate Switches Nasdaq Markets in Attempt to
Reach Share Price Compliance
Qurate Retail announced it switched Nasdaq Stock Market
listings after its share price hovered below the exchange’s minimum bid price
since this past spring. From: HomePage News
December 4 – Thanksgiving Weekend
Shopper Total Exceeded NRF Expectations
Department stores led Thanksgiving weekend among physical
and virtual retail destinations, as 42% of consumers tapped the channel. From: HomePage News
December 4 – Numerator: Majority of Cyber Weekend
Purchasers Bought Mostly Online
93% of shoppers said they purchased a gift during their
Cyber Weekend shopping; 67% said more than half or their purchases were gifts,
including 30% who said all their purchases were gifts.
From: HomePage News
December 3 – Black Friday In-Store
Traffic Slips Amid Shift to Extended Holiday Deals
On Black Friday, early afternoon was the most popular time
for in-store visits, with shopper traffic peaking between 2 p.m. and 3 p.m.,
just as was the case in 2023. From: HomePage News
December 3 – Cyber Monday 2024 Sales Set New Record at
$13.3 Billion
Cyber Monday sales, tracked by Adobe Analytics, reached
$13.3 billion versus $12.4 billion on the year-previous occasion, a 7.3%
gain. From: HomePage News
December 2 – Dollar General Makes Leadership Changes Across
Key Roles
Dollar General is making changes in the executive suite
across the business, including operations, administration and store leadership
roles for its namesake and Popshelf banners.
From: HomePage News
December 2 – Dollar Tree, Family Dollar partner with No Kid
Hungry campaign
Dollar Tree and Family Dollar also are supporting the
Mayors Alliance to End Childhood Hunger.
From: Drug Store News
December 2 – Mastercard: Double-Digit Digital Growth Leads
Black Friday Spending Gains
Grocery spending grew during the holidays as consumers
feasted at home in the two weeks leading up to Black Friday although restaurant
spending on Black Friday also was strong. From: HomePage News
