April 30 – Target works toward goal of opening 40 stores this year
Target appears to be on track to reach its goal of opening 30 to 40 stores this year with 12 new locations already operating, including a site along Hollywood’s Walk of Fame in Los Angeles and a small-format store near the University of Georgia campus. This slide show offers a look at the retailer’s newest stores, which Target CEO Brian Cornell says are “becoming more and more of a destination for a consumer who is consolidating the number of places they shop.” From: Winsight Grocery Business
April 30 – CVS to Grow Health Tech Investments with $100M Fund
CVS Health will create a $100 million fund to invest capital and expertise in startups working on tech that would improve access to affordable health care. CVS and its Aetna insurance arm have already invested in upwards of 20 early-stage ventures including the Unite Us tech platform, which matches doctors and social services agencies. From: NRF SmartBrief
April 30 – Convenience Store News Names 2021 Top Women in Convenience
This year’s 74 honorees were selected from a record-setting field of nominations. From: Convenience Store News
April 30 – Best Buy COO Steps Down Following Banner 2020
After 17 change-packed years at the electronics retailer, Mike Mohan is leaving the company and won’t be replaced. From: Retail Dive
April 30 – Wayfair adds Taste of Home Kitchenware to its Lineup
Wayfair is now carrying Taste of Home’s bakeware and cookware line. Options include a nonstick bakeware set; stoneware baking and casserole dishes; nonstick cookware; and nylon and silicone utensils.
From: Housewares SmartBrief
April 29 – LL Bean to Expand Footprint in the U.S. and Canada
L.L. Bean is planning on opening 3 stores in the U.S. and 4 stores in Canada in 2021. From: Chain Store Age
April 29 – Southeastern Grocers Raises More than 461K to Support Children’s Hospitals
The retailer announced that more than $461,900 had been raised via its community donation program, which began on March 31st.
From: Drug Store News
April 29 – Walmart Ramps Up Commitment to Diverse and Minority Suppliers
Early-payment program enables access to reliable funding.
From: Progressive Grocer
April 28 – 7-Eleven Debuts New Brand Tagline: ‘Take It to Eleven!’
A new full-funnel integrated campaign embraces an attitude that makes a big deal out of even the smallest of things. From: Convenience Store News Daily
April 28 – BJ’s Plans Move to Smaller Headquarters
BJ’s Wholesale Club will move to a 190,000-square-foot headquarters in Marlborough, Mass., next year, downsizing from its current 280,000-square-foot space as part of a shift to a hybrid workforce model in which more corporate employees continue working from home. The retailer added about 5,000 employees last year as pandemic-driven demand drove a 17% increase in revenue. From: NRF SmartBrief
April 28 – Target Collaborates with Plant Stylist for the First Time
Hilton Carter for Target, the retailer’s first limited-edition collection with a plant stylist, features modern and approachable styles of live and faux plants and accessories. Online searches for greenery on the retailer’s website increased over 300% over last year. From: Progressive Grocer
April 28 – The Husk of Sears Holdings is Still in Bankruptcy — and $81M in the Hole
After a massively expensive Ch. 11, what’s left of the company doesn’t have enough cash to pay its professionals and outstanding vendor claims.
From: Retail Dive
April 28 – Fresh Market Named Top Grocer in USA Today Poll
The Fresh Market has been named America’s top grocer in USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards, with shoppers recognizing the North Carolina-based supermarket for its selection, service and value. The poll ranked Hy-Vee at No. 2 and Lidl at No. 3, with Market Basket, ALDI, Stew Leonard’s, Publix, Sprouts Farmers Market, Wegmans and Trader Joe’s rounding out the top 10. From: Supermarket News.
April 28 – Williams Sonoma aims to be Carbon Neutral by 2025
To reduce emissions, Laura Alber, President and CEO said the company will focus on efficiency, retrofitting its systems and upgrading to more energy efficient equipment across its offices, stores, and distribution centers.
From: Furniture Today
April 28 – SpartanNash Expands Leadership Team With New VP of Communications
Retailer hires Adrienne Chance, formerly from Borden Dairy.
From: Progressive Grocer
April 27 – Staples Expands Product Assortment Inside Staples Connect Format
An exclusive chair is part of 40 new products to hit the store, aimed at serving consumers working and learning remotely. From: Store Brands Today
April 27 – USA Today Names Fresh Market, Hy-Vee, Lidl Best Supermarkets
Panel of 10Best local experts and contributors nominated favorite American retailers based on value, selection, service. From: Progressive Grocer
April 26 – Wayfair to Hire 1,000 at 3 New Engineering Offices
Online home goods retailer Wayfair will open three new engineering offices this year that will employ 1,000 people, the company said Wednesday. The offices will be located in Austin, Texas, the San Francisco Bay Area and Toronto, and they represent Wayfair’s first corporate offices outside of its Boston and Berlin headquarters. From: Housewares SmartBrief
April 26 – Albertsons Caps Robust 2020 with Another Quarterly Beat
The retailer, whose fiscal year began just as COVID sales trends did, turned heavy demand and digital shifts to higher profits. From: Winsight Grocery Business
April 23 – Target Increases Expertise in Home Category with New Hire
Samara Tuchband joins Target on May 3 as SVP of Merchandising and Home. Tuchband will oversee the merchandising and omnichannel business for the home category, including decorative home, stationery, home textiles, kitchen, storage, and seasonal. From: Progressive Grocer
April 22 – Tractor Supply has Strong Start in Q1; 90 New Stores, 150-200 Remodels on Tap
As of March 27, 2021, the company operated 1,944 Tractor Supply stores in 49 states 177 Petsense stores in 23 states. From: Chain Store Age
April 22 – Amazon bringing Palm-scanning Payment option to Whole Foods Market
The company plans to add Amazon One as a payment option at seven additional Whole Foods stores in the Seattle area during the coming months. Seattle, with plans to expand the service to seven additional stores in the coming months. From: Drugstore News
April 22 – Bed Bath & Beyond Revamps Supply Chain with a Tech Stack and 4 Warehouses
Regional distribution centers are the first step in cutting down store replenishment time from a “non-competitive” 35 days to under 10 days, the COO said. From: Supply Chain Dive
April 22 – Leevers Acquires 17 Save A Lot Stores Around Philadelphia
The family-owned Colorado independent crosses the country to double its size and further diversify as Save A Lot’s wholesale transition quietly continues. From: Winsight Grocery Business
April 22 – Grocery Stores had a Banner Sales Year in 2020
E-commerce as a channel saw the highest growth in sales, followed by cash-and-carry stores and discounters. E-commerce on the whole now accounts for 6.5% of grocery sales globally, the report said. From: Reuters
April 21 – Amazon One Palm Payment Tool Comes to Whole Foods
The technology is now available at the Madison Broadway store in Seattle and will roll out to seven more nearby locations in the coming months. From: Grocery Dive
April 21 – Camping World Brings on Ulta, Walmart Vets
The retailer hired Elizabeth Garry and Jessica Wegner to focus on omnichannel growth and manage customer acquisition and retention, respectively. From: Retail Dive
April 21 – BJ’s Wholesale Club Names CEO, Fills Other C-Level Roles
Changes come 10 days after the unexpected death of previous CEO Lee Delaney. From: Progressive Grocer
April 21 – Leadership Changes Keep Coming at SpartanNash
Company names chief strategy officer. From: Progressive Grocer
April 20 – Michal Lagunionek Named CEO at Lidl U.S. as Johannes Fieber Departs
Johannes Fieber, who stabilized Lidl behind a new approach to real estate and oversaw the Best Market transition, resigns to spend more time with family as board member and Lidl Poland veteran Michal Lagunionek steps in. From: Winsight Grocery Business
April 20 – Kohl’s Tommy Hilfiger Partnership is Another Blow to Macy’s, Malls
The retailer has amassed an impressive roster of brands that are otherwise fleeing department stores. From: Retail Dive
April 20 – Herman Miller and Knoll to Combine in $1.8 Billion Deal
Herman Miller announced Monday that it has reached an agreement to acquire Knoll in a cash-and-stock deal valued at $1.8 billion, in a bid to take advantage of a post-pandemic return to the office. The deal is expected to close by the end of the third quarter of 2021. From: Business of Home
April 19 – U.S. Home Improvement Sales up 12% in March
Home and Garden centers (NAICS 444) have amounted more than $123 billion in 2021. The surge in home improvement sales echoes an increase in overall U.S. retail spending as that figure rose 9.8 percent over retail spending in February. From: Hardware Retailing
April 19 – Save Mart to pilot inventory robots at seven California supermarkets
The grocery chain plans to test the autonomous devices, which scan products on store shelves and flag out-of-stock items, at stores under its Save Mart, Lucky California and FoodMaxx banners. From: Grocery Dive
April 19 – Lord & Taylor Relaunches, Online Only
The Saadia Group bought the 200-year-old department store and its owner, rental site Le Tote, for $12 million at an October bankruptcy auction.
From: Retail Dive
April 19 – ShopRite Debuts Fresh to Table Store-Within-A-Store Concept Brookdale, New Jersey, is latest location. From: Progressive Grocer
April 16 – Facebook Offers New Features for Businesses
Facebook has expanded its Business Suite functionality with various composing, scheduling and posting controls for Instagram and Facebook Stories, features for managing leads and in-advertisement “Call Now” buttons. The social platform is also running a US test within consumer News Feeds that lets users find businesses related to subjects that interest them. From: NRF SmartBrief
April 16 – Albertsons and Google Eye the ‘Winning Customer Experience of the Future’
Google’s Cynthia Horiguchi reveals more about Albertsons Cos. recently announced a partnership with the powerhouse tech company and how together the companies are creating dynamic shopping journeys.
From: Winsight Grocery Business
April 16 – Starbucks, ASU to Team up on Store Innovation
Starbucks and Arizona State University have collaborated to create The ASU-Starbucks Center for the Future of People and the Planet, which will focus on innovation and research. The Tempe, Ariz., center, set to open in December, will aim to find new ways to design and operate Starbucks stores with a focus on environmental sustainability and community-building. From: NRF SmartBrief
April 16 – New Schnuck’s Concept Features Clothing, Food Court
Schnuck Markets is remodeling its 60,000-square-foot store in a suburb of St. Louis to add a food court featuring popular local restaurants and a section offering clothing from St. Louis retailer Arch Apparel. The grocer said renovations at the site should be completed in the summer and will also include expanded options for fresh foods and other upgrades both inside and out. From: NRF SmartBrief
April 16 – New Seasons Taps Kroger, WinCo Vet as New CEO
Nancy Lebold previously oversaw merchandising in California for Kroger’s Food 4 Less banner and worked at WinCo Foods for more than 25 years. From: Grocery Dive
April 16 – Choice Market Is Redefining Convenience in Colorado
Described as a cross between a c-store, grocer and restaurant, the retailer sees 50-store opportunity in western U.S. that will redefine convenient food retailing near downtown Denver with a first-of-its-kind technology-fueled format. From: Progressive Grocer
April 16 – Petco Eyes 50% Sustainable Pet Product Assortment by 2025
Along with the announcement, Petco launched a sustainable shopping destination on its website, where some store brand items are included, and is adding in-aisle signage in a majority of its stores. From: STOREBRANDS
April 16 – Walmart to Pilot Le Madeleine French Bakery, Cafe
Walmart is partnering with a casual restaurant brand known for its “French comfort food.” La Madeleine French Bakery & Café will open in-store locations in 10 Walmart stores throughout Dallas-Fort Worth. The first is expected to open in July. From: Chain Store Age
April 15 – Macy’s Backstage Opening 45 Shop-in-Shops
Betting big on off-price, the department store will operate 10 more spaces than originally planned, along with more freestanding stores.
From: Retail Dive
April 15 – Kroger’s New E-Commerce Ecosystem Delivers Food Retail Disruption
Retailer’s first 2 robotic fulfillment centers begin operations, setting the stage for a period of disruption for grocery and growth for Kroger. From: Progressive Grocer
April 15 – Dollar Tree Fills Key Exec Role
Retail vet Alasdair James to step into newly created position of EVP, merchandising and supply chain.
From: Progressive Grocer
April 14 – SpartanNash Names New Chief Supply Chain Officer as it Eyes Growth
David Petko joins the grocery store operator and wholesaler after more than a decade at C&S Wholesale Grocers. From: Grocery Dive
April 13 – Urban Outfitters taps Nordstrom vet to lead Anthropologie The brand has underperformed namesake Urban Outfitters and Free People, and analysts expect new chief Tricia Smith to make significant changes. From: Retail Dive
April 11 – Giant’s Philadelphia Store a Blueprint for the Future
A new 65,000-square-foot store in Philadelphia, which features an outdoor terrace, restaurants and a beer garden, will help serve as Giant’s urban flagship and offer a blueprint for future growth, CEO and President Nick Bertram says. From bolstering its technology and e-commerce footprint to increasing its focus on local offerings, Bertram discusses the new store and what’s directly ahead for the Ahold Delhaize USA banner. From: NRF SmartBrief
April 11 – Thorntons Readies First Not-For-Profit Store for Grand Opening
The venture with the Louisville Urban League will feature products from local minority-owned businesses. From: Convenience Store News Daily
April 11 – Coborn’s to Reenter Buffalo Market
The retailer will break ground this month on a new store along the Highway 55 and Highway 25 corridor in Buffalo, Minn. From: Winsight Grocery Business
April 11 – Albertsons’ Board Names Chan Galbato Co-Chair
In a move that swaps technology guidance for operations expertise, the board of directors of Albertsons has appointed Chan Galbato as its co-chairman, succeeding Len Laufer. From: Winsight Grocery Business
April 9 – Nordstrom Lightens Financial Burden Taken on Amid Pandemic with $675M Bond Sale
The retailer compromised treasured assets and took on new leverage as COVID-19 created financial turmoil. The new capital helps turn back the clock. From: Retail Dive
April 9 – Disney Exec named Walmart’s First Chief Creative Officer
Jean Batthany, who spent more than four years working to shape the marketing of Walt Disney parks, products and brands, has been named Walmart’s first chief creative officer. In a LinkedIn post, Batthany said she will develop “breakthrough and innovative marketing at all consumer touch points” for the retailer, and added she was happy to join “such an impactful brand with huge scope, scale and heart.” From: NRF SmartBrief
April 9 – Walmart is Losing Hundreds More in-store McDonald’s
The burger chain is pulling out more of its restaurants as the pandemic hurts in-store traffic, The Wall Street Journal reported. From: Grocery Dive
April 9 – BJ’s CEO Lee Delaney Passes Suddenly
Lee Delaney, who was instrumental in the wholesale club’s new momentum, died of presumed natural causes April 8. From: Winsight Grocery Business
April 8 – Amazon to Open 1st Fresh Grocery Store in New York
Site is former Fairway Market in Long Island. From: Progressive Grocer
April 8 – Dollar Tree to Hire Thousands
Dollar Tree Inc. is hiring thousands of full- and part-time associates at Dollar Tree and Family Dollar stores and distribution centers across the United States to support its growth plans. The company’s hiring push comes as it prepares to open 600 new stores, consisting of 400 Dollar Tree stores and 200 Family Dollar stores in 2021. From: Progressive Grocer
April 8 – Costco Upholds Comp-Sales Momentum in March
In the year-to-date period, covering 31 weeks, net sales totaled $111.37 billion, up 15.7% from $96.25 billion a year ago. From: Supermarket News
April 7 – Buc-ee’s Adding Another State to Its Footprint
The operator will break ground this month on a 53,000-square-foot travel center in Richmond, Ky. From: Convenience Store News
April 7 – Raley’s to Transform All Stores to O-N-E Market Concept
Raley’s is set to open its newest O-N-E Market location, emphasizing a nutritious, sustainably sourced and minimally processed assortment, in El Dorado Hills, Calif., later this month. From: Winsight Grocery Business
April 7 – UNFI E-Commerce Solution Connects with Emerging Brands
Community Marketplace by UNFI, a business-to-business digital e-commerce solution for emerging brands looking to expand distribution will allow thousands of emerging products not currently available at UNFI distribution centers to be ordered on UNFI’s Easy Options website and shipped directly to retail customers across the United States.
From: Progressive Grocer
April 7 – Best Buy Tests New Membership Program
The program, called Best Buy Beta, will cost $199.99 per year and will include perks like free shipping, unlimited tech support from the Geek Squad and exclusive membership pricing. From: CNBC
April 7 – Target to Spend over $2B with Black-Owned Companies by 2025
The retailer intends to add products from over 500 Black-owned businesses in several categories and launch resources to help vendors scale their operations. From: Retail Dive
April 7 – Wakefern Taps Digital Marketing Agency for Fresh Online Look
Huge Brooklyn will revamp the retail cooperative’s end-to-end digital experience and develop a roadmap for shopper-focused innovations.
From: Grocery Dive
April 6 – Meijer Donates $1M to Urban League Chapters Across the Midwest
The retailer will be donating $1 million to 19 Urban League chapters across the Midwest that focus on areas of economic impact, health, workforce development and education. From: Drugstore News
April 6 – West Elm Bets Big on Kid’s Rooms
The company is launching West Elm Kids, a new brand offering sustainable home furnishings for babies, kids, and teens. In tandem with the new brand, the retailer is also launching a new digital West Elm Kids experience as a one-stop destination daily inspiration through content, trend shops and room planning tips. From: HFNdigital
April 5 – Iconic Los Angeles Sears Store to Close
The Sears store in Los Angeles’ Boyle Heights neighborhood has been an Art Deco landmark since it opened in 1927 with 1,800 employees, many of whom spoke Spanish to serve the largely Latino neighborhood. The store survived many rounds of downsizing in recent years but is now scheduled to be closed within weeks, store employees said. From: NRF SmartBrief
April 5 – Dom’s Kitchen & Market Brings in $15M Ahead of its First Store Debut
The Chicago grocery startup, which counts veteran supermarket executive Bob Mariano among its founders, has so far raised $25 million from investors. From: Grocery Dive
April 5 – Pro and DIY Sentiments Remain Strong Ahead of Spring Sales
Research firms The Farnsworth Group and the Home Improvement Research institute (HIRI) illuminate the latest impact the pandemic is having on the channel. Farnsworth says DIY activity and pro confidence could be leading indicators for strong home improvement sales.
From: Hardware Retailing
April 5 – Trader Joe’s Enlists App to Assist Autistic Customers
Trader Joe’s has partnered with Magnusmode, a Toronto-based provider of solutions for the autism and disability communities, to offer MagnusCards, a free app that guides autistic and developmentally disabled customers through the grocery shopping experience. From: Supermarket News
April 4 – 8 Big Numbers From Kroger’s Strategy Update
Kroger’s presentation of its newly hatched strategy accompanied a barrage of statistics illustrating the challenges and opportunities before it.
From: Winsight Grocer Business
April 4 – Grocery Outlet’s East Coast Expansion Is On
The West Coast discounter has opened a new store in East Norriton, and preps for a Mt. Airy debut next month. From: Winsight Grocer Business
April 2 – Dollar General Names New Key Executives
Veterans promoted to supply chain, merchandising roles.
From: Progressive Grocer
April 2 – Albertsons, Google Team to Reimagine Grocery Shopping
The multi-year partnership will enhance the omnichannel experience with cutting-edge tech. From: Progressive Grocer
April 2 – Amazon Staffers Could Return to Offices in Coming Months
Amazon expects to transition employees back to offices from remote work in the coming months and expects most staffers to be largely working from offices by fall, the company said in an announcement this week. While some companies have been rethinking the amount of office space they would need after the pandemic, Amazon has added a significant amount of new leased space. From: Housewares SmartBrief
April 1 – Lowe’s Grows Outlet Concept with First Texas Location
Lowe’s will open an outlet store in part of a former full-service Lowe’s location on Friday in Irving, Texas, to sell large kitchen and laundry appliances. The retailer has opened similar stores in markets including Miami and Chicago, and rival appliance retailer Best Buy has 14 appliance and electronics outlet stores. From: NRF SmartBrief
April 1 – Circle K Downsizing, Casey’s General Stores Upsizing
Alimentation Couche-Tard divesting 306 stores. From: Progressive Grocer
April 1 – Michaels Launches Instacart Delivery Pilot in Select Cities
As the COVID-19 pandemic pushes consumers toward delivery, the arts and crafts retailer is joining the furor with a 100-store pilot. From: Retail Dive
April 1 – Produce Marketing Association, United Fresh Produce Association to Merge
The as-of-yet-unnamed trade group will launch with both organizations’ CEOs at the helm on Jan. 1. From: Grocery Dive
April 1 – Kroger Maps its New Digital ‘Ecosystem’
Offering a first look at its Ocado strategy, the grocer outlined plans to double online sales within three years and also improve margins.
From: Grocery Dive
April 1 – H Mart Teams with AutoStore on Micro Fulfillment
Grocer to open automated MFC in New Jersey. From: Progressive Grocer
April 1 – Home Depot, Lowe’s Build on Supply Chain Foundations to Make Quick Work of Omnichannel
When the pandemic arrived around the same time as the home improvement retailers’ busy spring season, they had to pivot to meet demand. From: Supply Chain News
