August 30 – Dollar General Q2 Beats Street With Eyes On Future
Dollar General, looking beyond the COVID-19 pandemic, asserted that it is in good shape despite tough year-over-year comparisons. From: HomePage News
August 29 – ShopRite Launches New ‘Fresh to Table’ In-Store Experience
A Philadelphia ShopRite store introduces a meal solutions center with a host of fresh, on-trend foods and easy-to-prepare ingredients in a variety of grab-and-go formats. From: Winsight Grocery Business
August 27 – Walmart Finds Value in India’s Innovation, Manufacturing
Walmart has learned lessons on innovation and overcoming challenges from its operations in India that have proved useful to the retailer in other international markets including China and Mexico, Walmart International President and CEO Judith McKenna said. The retailer currently exports more than $3 billion annually in made-in-India goods to 14 global markets and it’s on track to grow that amount to around $10 billion. From: NRF SmartBrief
August 27 – Home Helps Big Lots Overcome in Q2
Big Lots lapped a big one-time benefit in a slightly disappointing second quarter, but the retailer still demonstrated that it’s a growing concern, particularly in home-related merchandise. From: HomePage News
August 27 – Schnucks Deploys Inventory Robots Chainwide
The Midwestern grocery chain is bringing automated aisle-scanners from Simbe Robotics to all of its stores after piloting the devices at higher-volume locations. From: Grocery Dive
August 27 – Rising Freight Costs Cut Into Dollar Stores’ Profits
Dollar Tree and other discount retailers are feeling the pinch from ongoing supply chain challenges related to the pandemic. The deep discount model means rising shipping costs cut into profits because, unlike other retailers, the stores are limited in their ability to raise prices. From: NRF SmartBrief
August 26 – Target Names ex-Google Exec to Lead Media Arm
Target has hired Sarah Travis as the new president of its Roundel media arm, succeeding Kristi Argyilan who exited the company for a post at Bed Bath & Beyond last year. Travis spent 13 years of her career at Google, most recently as managing director of retail. From: NRF SmartBrief
August 26 – Ace Adding Stores, Expanding Capacity
Ace Hardware Corp. announced that it would open a new Retail Support Center in Visalia, CA, even as stated that it would open at least 60 more stores by the end of the year. From: HomePage News
August 26 – Williams-Sonoma Looks Ahead After Second Quarter Gains
CEO Laura Alber said “We do not see any evidence that growth trends are waning, and in fact, we see favorability in the macro environment as more people prioritize their homes and home décor.” From: HomePage News
August 26 – How Dick’s is Driving E-Commerce Profit Growth
Dick’s Sporting Goods reported a 19% increase in same-store sales in the second quarter, buoyed by continued consumer spending on golf clubs, workout wear and other gear. The retailer raised its full-year guidance and outlined its strategy for growing e-commerce profit margins by shipping from stores and encouraging curbside pickup. From: NRF SmartBrief
August 25 – Nordstrom Q2 Sales Short of 2019 But Beat Wall Street Estimates
Sales trends at both Nordstrom’s namesake and Rack businesses improved in the second quarter, Nordstrom stated, as it works to shake off the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. From: HomePage News
August 25 – Moffitt Named CEO of Post Spin-Off Office Depot
The ODP Corp. is separating into two independent, publicly traded companies by means of a tax-free spin-off to shareholders and has announced its leadership for each. From: HomePage News
August 25 – Best Buy Keeps Evolving Through Strong Q2
In the second quarter, Best Buy Co. did better than expected and continues to develop new initiatives to help keep the momentum going. From: HomePage News
August 24 – Walmart Launches Delivery Service for Other Retailers
From groceries to general merchandise, Walmart GoLocal offers alternative to Instacart and Amazon. From: Progressive Grocer
August 24 – Cokley Dunlap Named Bed Bath & Beyond Chief Diversity Officer
Bed Bath & Beyond has appointed Nicole Cokley Dunlap as its chief diversity officer to lead the company’s diversity, equity and inclusion strategy. From: HomePage News
August 24 – Pandemic Shopping Behaviors Becoming Entrenched: New Report
Colin Steward, EVP, business intelligence, for Jacksonville, Fla.-based Acosta, says hoppers have become accustomed to ordering groceries online or through subscription services, with contact-free pickup or delivery options. From: Progressive Grocer
August 24 – Ross Enjoys Q2 Gains As Home Holds Up
Barbara Rentler, Ross CEO said in a conference call that home continues to be a top-performing merchandise category, with trends consistent with what the company saw during the pandemic. From: HomePage News
August 23 – The Running List of Major Retail Deals in 2021
Since June alone, Warby Parker filed for a public listing, Etsy acquired Elo7 and Foot Locker bought up two retailers, among many other deals. From: Retail Dive
August 23 – eMarketer: E-Commerce Will Keep Gaining Worldwide
Retail e-commerce sales, even after the COVID-19 pandemic gains that have occurred over the past 18 months, will continue to grow by double digits through 2023, according to eMarketer. From: HomePage News
August 23 – Target Rolling Out More Disney Shops, Sortation Centers
Target says it will expand its Disney store at Target operations to more than 160 locations across the country, and plans to open four new sortation centers in Houston, Dallas, the Philadelphia area and Lawrenceville, GA. From: HomePage News
August 23 – Lowe’s Promoting New Fall Looks for Home
Lowe’s has Assembled the #FallTogether Collective, a diverse group of 10 creators who will work with Lowe’s customers to help them bring their passion for the season to outdoor spaces. From: HomePage News
August 23 – IKEA to Test Next-Gen Immersive Store Format
IKEA will test a new immersive store format in Shanghai that will give shoppers a chance to mingle with social media influencers and participate in activities including cooking and yoga classes and workshops on creating and repairing home goods. The store’s tech features will include scan-and-go payment technology and mobile food ordering. From: Housewares SmartBrief
August 23 – TravelCenters of America Doesn’t Let COVID-19 Derail Its Transformation Journey
CEO Jonathan Pertchik says the pandemic is slowing some things down, but it’s not hurting the company’s performance because the retailer has so many changes afoot. From: Convenience Store News
August 20 – Macy’s Launching Socially Focused Home Brand After Q2 Gains
Macy’s revealed in a conference call announcing strong second-quarter financials that it is preparing to introduce a new home private label focused on addressing social issues. From: HomePage News
August 20 – Will Amazon Department Stores Spell Trouble for Kohl’s?
Ultimately, content will make or break this Amazon concept, while Kohl’s continues to position itself up and away from Target. From: Retail Wire
August 20 – Publix Perfects Urban Cool in Florida
GreenWise format opens in downtown Tampa. From: Progressive Grocer
August 20 – BJ’s Sees Strong Digital Sales in Q2 as Investment in Pickup Pays Off
Perishables and other groceries were top sellers for the membership retailer during the period against a backdrop of strong inflation. From: Grocery Dive
August 20 – Ace Posts Record Q2 Sales
Ace Hardware Corp. posted record revenues for the second quarter, and the hardware retail cooperative pointed to 2019 to highlight a two-year income gain. From: HomePage News
August 19 – Petco Sales up 19% as Category Demand Remains High
The retailer has been able to sustain the growth it experienced in 2020, reporting that comp sales increased for the 11th consecutive quarter. From: Retail Dive
August 19 – Toys R Us Brand to Open 400 Shop-in-Shops in Macy’s Stores
The department store retailer hopes to lure in millennial parents who shopped at the famed toy store as kids. From: Retail Dive
August 19 – Kohl’s: Q2 Sets Earnings Record for the Period
Kohl’s characterized its second quarter as record-breaking as it beat Wall Street sales and earnings estimates. From: HomePage News
August 19 – Home Operations Lead TJX to Strong Q2
The TJX Cos. continued their comeback in the second quarter, gaining traction as it emerges from a period of store closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with HomeGoods making an especially strong contribution. From: HomePage News
August 18 – Walmart Charters Ships to Ensure Freight Capacity, Inventory for Peak Season
One ship leasing company referred to the charter market as “red hot” as it has signed 40 new charters so far this year. From: Supply Chain Dive
August 18 – How the Container Store’s CEO Embraced Organization
Twenty-year Sephora veteran Satish Malhotra left his disorganized ways behind when he became CEO of the Container Store early this year, and he’s on a mission to help others create similarly tidy homes and offices. He credits the pandemic’s work-from-home trends and the tie-in to the popular Netflix show from organizer Marie Kondo with driving demand for home and office organization. From: Housewares SmartBrief
August 18 – Shinola Collection Launches at Crate & Barrel
Crate & Barrel has joined forces with Shinola to create a new home collection. From: HomePage News
August 18 – Lowe’s Q2 Beats Wall Street Despite Comp Slide
Lowe’s Companies had a good second quarter despite a comparable store sales decline attributable to a comparison with an extra robust period in the 2020 period bolstered by the COVID-19 pandemic. From: HomePage News
August 18 – Target Scores in Q2 As Comps, Earnings Rise
Target was right on in the second quarter, beating Wall Street estimates and continuing gains in the home department. From: HomePage News
August 18 – Nicole Wegman Named to Lead Wegmans Brand
Family-run grocer cites store brand as key differentiator in marketplace. From: Supermarket News
August 18 – Harris Teeter to Sell Hunter Farms Dairy Plant
A Kroger division, Harris Teeter stores will continue to receive facility’s beverage, ice cream brands. From: Supermarket News
August 17 – Walmart Maintains Momentum as COVID’s Retail Impact Wanes
Despite comparisons with the COVID-19 affected period a year past, Walmart posted strong financial results in the second quarter, beating Wall Street estimates on earnings and revenues. From: HomePage News
August 17 – Home Depot Surpasses $40B in Quarterly Sales for the First Time
Though fewer consumers are undertaking home improvement projects compared to 2020, those that are, are tackling larger projects and paying more. From: Retail Dive
August 17 – The Top 100 Convenience Store Chains of 2021
7-Eleven’s acquisition of Speedway solidifies its position as a c-store industry powerhouse. From: Convenience Store News
August 16 – Big Retail Beyond 2021: Home Depot Turns to Next Generation of Home Renovators
This is the fourth installment of an exclusive HomePage News series examining the state of major home and housewares. From: HomePage News
August 16 – Aldi to add over 20,000 U.S Workers in Hiring Push
Gearing up for the upcoming holiday season, Aldi U.S. plans to hire more than 20,000 new store and warehouse employees. From: Supermarket News
August 16 – Albertsons Launches Amazon Prime-Style Membership Program
Grocery delivery subscription service is part of new suite of digital offerings. From: Progressive Grocer
August 16 – Glossier Opens Seattle Store as the First in Brick-and Mortar Push
After shuttering its fleet last year, the DTC beauty brand is back with a permanent location and plans two more this fall and winter. From: Retail Dive
August 16 – Acquisition Boosts Appliance E-tailer 1847 Goedeker in Q2
Online appliance retailer 1847 Goedeker quadrupled its sales on an acquisition in the second quarter while posting. From: HomePage News
August 14 – PCC CEO Steps Down After Short Tenure
Former Kroger executive Suzy Monford was named to the Seattle cooperative’s top post in December and quickly became embroiled in controversy. From: Grocery Dive
August 13 – Dick’s Sporting Goods Set to Open its first Golf Galaxy Performance Center
The sporting goods giant has redesigned its Golf Galaxy store at Shoppers World, in Framingham, Mass., and will reopen it on August 28 under a new banner: Golf Galaxy Performance Center. From: Chain Store Age
August 13 – ABC Carpet and Home Working to Resolve Financial Issues
ABC was hit hard by the pandemic, according to the company, which forced it to shutter its flagship store and an outlet store in Brooklyn for several weeks starting in March 2020. They are now working with investors to help ensure the company’s future. From: Furniture Today
August 12 – Wakefern Tests New E-Commerce Storage Solution
Wakefern has launched a pilot program at its ShopRite banner in Kingston, N.Y., to test an e-commerce locker that stores and dispenses online orders to shoppers who use a barcode to access their purchases. The Kardex Remstar Shuttle XP Vertical Lift Module, created for high-capacity storage in small spaces, also targets reduced order errors and customer wait times and is now being tested with the ShopRite from Home service. From: Supermarket News
August 12 – Kroger Kicks off Pickup Partnership with Google
Shoppers can now use Google Maps to manage their pickup trips at 96 stores in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana. From: Grocery Dive
August 12 – FreshDirect Acquisition Bears Fruit for Ahold Delhaize
The retailer is hoping its decision to buy the New York City e-grocer will juice growth for its Stop & Shop banner. From: Grocery Dive
August 12 – Retailers Find New Homes in Former Macy’s space
Ten new stores and restaurants will open in a former Macy’s store at Tysons Galleria in Virginia, including Arhaus, which opened its doors last week and will be followed by brands including Crate & Barrel, RH and CMX Cinebistro. Developer Brookfield Properties decided that revamping the site, rather than razing it and starting over, was the more sustainable option, senior design executive Mark DeCapri said. From: NRF SmartBrief
August 11 – Grocery Outlet Will Begin Testing E-Commerce
The discount operator, which has resisted online shopping up until now, plans to begin pilots in the next several months, company executives said during an earnings call on Tuesday. From: Grocery Dive
August 11 – Williams Sonoma Teams With Pop Artist fnnch
The new kitchenware collection showcases the popular honey bear look often featured in the unique artist’s works. From: Kitchenware Today
August 11 – The Home Depot Opens 3 New Baltimore DCs
The new distribution centers will help the home improvement retailer reach its goal of same day and next day service to 90% of U.S. consumers. From: Kitchenware Today
August 11 – Amazon to build $125M facility at Newark, N.J., Airport
Amazon has received approval to redevelop two buildings at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey as part of an air cargo campus. The $125 million project comes under a 20-year lease for the space. From: Housewares SmartBrief
August 10 – Lowes Foods Plans New Entertainment-themed Store
Lowes Foods is hatching a new store concept with a food hall-style design and space for customer and community events. From: Supermarket News
August 10 – Party City to Open Four Times More Halloween Pop-ups as in 2020
Party City plans to open 80 to 100 Halloween City pop-up stores this year, the retailer’s President and CEO Bradley Weston told analysts last week. This is fourfold increase from last year’s 25 stores. From: Retail Dive
August 10 – Albertsons Names Sharon McCollam as President, Chief Financial Officer
Former Best Buy executive to succeed retiring CFO Bob Dimond. FROM: Supermarket News
August 9 – “The Book” is Back as Neiman Marcus works to Reinvent Itself Post-Bankruptcy
As it approaches the anniversary of its exit from bankruptcy, Neiman Marcus announced a fall marketing campaign, Reintroduce Yourself”, featuring nearly 100 brands in women’s, men’s, children’s, home and beauty, with more than “40 new luxury and emerging brands” in focus. From: Retail Dive
August 9 – Reinventing Redner’s
After extensive research and trips to grocery stores in California, the company came up with a plan to rebrand and focus on incorporating the kinds of elements that more and more shoppers are looking for: expanded foodservice, innovative meal solutions, gathering spaces and knockout produce departments. From: Progressive Grocers
August 9 – Presidente Supermarkets Grows in Florida
The grocer has confirmed that it’s opening seven new stores in its home state of Florida this year. Privately owned, family-run Presidente Supermarkets currently employs nearly 2,600 Floridians at more than 30 stores. From: Progressive Grocers
August 6 – Walmart Loses One of Highest-Ranking Female Execs to Conn’s
Chandra Holt will leave her role as executive vice president of U.S. e-commerce to become the home retailer’s CEO effective Aug. 9. From: Retail Dive
August 6 – Former Head of Sam’s Club Store Brands to Lead Conn’s Home Plus
Chandra Holt has been appointed CEO, president of Conn’s; the chain launched its first private brand early this year. From: Store Brands Today
August 5 – Costco Sales Jump Nearly 17% in July
U.S. regions seeing the largest sales in July were Texas, the Southeast, and Los Angeles. From: Supermarket News
August 5 – Sprouts Still Lapping Pandemic Gains in Q2
During the second quarter, Sprouts opened one new store resulting in a footprint of 363 stores in 23 states as of July 4th. New stores-openings planned for Q4 2021 may be delayed due to continued difficulties obtaining third party necessary equipment due to ongoing supply chain issues from the pandemic. From: Progressive Grocer
August 5 – Wayfair Posts Q2 Net Revenue of $3.9 Million
“Wayfair delivered $3.9 billion in net revenue in Q2, well above pre-pandemic run-rates, even as we began to lap the early heights of covid related lockdowns in 2020”, said Niraj Shah, Wayfair co-founder and co-chairman. From: Furniture Today
August 5 – Pandemic Shoppers Lift Natural Grocers in Q3
As of August 5, the company has signed leases for four new stores and purchased the property for one new store which will be located in Colorado, Missouri, and Nevada. These new stores are planned to open during fiscal 2021 and beyond. From: Progressive Grocer
August 5 – The Container Store Notches its First Q1 Profit in More than a Decade
The struggling retailer has benefited from the pandemic fueling interest in the home and two Netflix shows fueling interest in organization. From: Retail Dive
August 4 – Claire’s to Drive Store Growth with Analytics
The tween and teen accessories retailer has expanded its partnership with Intalytics to include analytics in support of driving new store growth in Europe. From: Chain Store Age
August 4 – Instacart Names Former Facebook Exec Carolyn Everson President
Carolyn Everson will oversee Instacart’s retail, business development and advertising businesses. From: Winsight Grocery Business
August 4 – Kroger to Bring More Ghost Kitchens to Stores
A newly announced partnership with Kitchen United will bring up to six restaurant brands into select stores, beginning with a Los Angeles Ralphs location later this year. From: Winsight Grocery Business
August 4 – OVC and Housewares Charity Foundation Launch Shopping Event to Help Benefit the Hungry QVC and the Housewares Charity Foundation are teaming up to debut a multimedia housewares shopping event called “Living for Giving”. The event will benefit Feeding America, a national nonprofit that provides food to communities in need through a network of foodbanks across the country. From: HFN Digital
August 4 – Macy’s Wipes Away $1.3B in Debt
The department store is getting its financial house in order but has more work to do if it’s to sustain its recovery, analysts say. From: Retail Dive
August 3 – ALCO Agrees to Sell Its C-stores & Fuel Business to Refuel
The North Carolina-based company owns and operates 28 stores and eight quick-service restaurants. From: Convenience Store News
August 3 – Victoria’s Secret, Bath & Body Works Officially Part Ways
However, the brands remain tied by a settlement with the Oregon Justice Department over their ex-parent’s “culture of silent harassment and fear.” From: Retail Dive
August 3 – Kroger names former Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao to its board
She brings experience across the public and private sectors to the role, including serving on the boards of several Fortune 500 companies. From: Grocery Dive
August 2 – Amazon Physical Stores Show Big Q2 Growth
Amazon Fresh, Amazon Go Grocery, and Amazon Go increased revenue by 10% to $4.2 billion from $3.77 billion a year ago. From: Store Brands
August 2 – Walmart Holds on to Top Spot of Fortune 500, Amazon Leaps to No. 3
The pandemic drove growth at both companies, which were poised in their own ways to take advantage of changes in shopping patterns. From: Retail Dive
August 1 – Shoppers on the Go Led to Softer Sales Growth for Amazon in Q2
Cash flows declined precipitously year over year as Amazon worked to add fulfillment capacity and gain background on one-day delivery. From: Winsight Grocery Business
August 1 – Albertsons Remains Bullish Despite Q1 2021 Sales Decline
CEO Vivek Sankaran says company’s first-quarter results “exceeded” plans across all key metrics, increasing confidence in the balance of 2021. From: Winsight Grocery Business
