January 31 – Walmart Enhances Interactivity in New Store Design
With an emphasis on interactivity, Walmart has unveiled a new merchandising format dubbed Time Well Spent meant to keep the company’s customers shopping longer. From: HomePage News
January 31 – Washington AG Hits Amazon on Price Fixing
Washington State’s attorney general’s office has announced that, as a result of a price-fixing investigation that addressed anti-trust issues, Amazon will shut down its Sold by Amazon program across the United States. From: HomePage News
January 31 – Qurate Previews Soft Q4 Sales
In a preview, Qurate Retail is updating its most recent public commentary regarding expected fourth-quarter results as the company, which operates QVC and HSN among other operations, experienced lower-than-anticipated sales in the fourth quarter. From: HomePage News
January 28 – Dollar General Promotes Four Execs
Dollar General is starting the new year with newly promoted executives in store operations, legal and finance departments. From: Chain Store Age
January 28 – Consumer Confidence Slipped in January but Remains Favorable
January experienced decrease in consumer confidence from December, according to the Conference Board. From: HomePage News
January 28 – Decker Appointed Home Depot President, Menear Remains Chairman
The Home Depot has named Edward “Ted” Decker president and CEO and has elected him to the company’s board of directors, all effective March 1. From: HomePage News
January 28 – Tractor Supply Q4 Completes Good Year
A strong comp performance helped Tractor Supply beat Wall Street estimates in the fourth quarter. From: HomePage News
January 27 – Pet Treat Sales Near $10 Billion in U.S.
U.S. retail sales of dog as cat treats were expected to reach $9.7 billion by the end of 2021, after two years of Double-digit increases, according to Packaged Facts’ Pet Treats and Chews in the U.S. report. From: Supermarket News
January 27 – Walmart’s Hazel Expands Capabilities with Acquisitions
Hazel, an independent fintech, launched in partnership with Walmart and Investment firm Ribbit Capital has announced that it is entered into definitive agreements to acquire fintech platforms Even and ONE. From: HomePage News
January 27 – Tan Named Wayfair Chief Tech Officer
Wayfair has appointed Fiona Tan Chief technology officer to succeed Jim Miller on March 1. From: HomePage News
January 27 – QVC Rolls Out Wu Cookware, Small Appliance Collections
In an expansion in its exclusive product lines, QVC has launched J Jason Wu – The Culinary Experience, a collection of crafted cookware and small appliance. From: HomePage News
January 27 – Innovative Retailers Across the World to be Honored at the Inspired Home Show
A record number of innovative and creative home and housewares retailers from across the world will be honored at the annual IHA Global Innovation Awards (gia) program during the Inspired Home Show 2022. From: HomePage News
January 26 –Reasor’s Now Part of Brookshire Grocery Co.
Tyler, Texas-based Brookshire Grocery Co. has completed its acquisition of Tulsa-based Reasor’s LLC. From: Progressive Grocer
January 26 – Williams Sonoma Virtual Wellness Event Features Celebrity Chefs
Williams Sonoma has begun selling tickets for its Virtual Wellness Report, a first-ever event featuring celebrity chefs and other food and health-focused personalities. From: HomePage News
January 26 – Deloitte: Retailers Must Rethink Operations from Forecasting Through Fulfillment
According to the Deloitte 2022 Retail Industry Outlook, the pandemic has created the chance for a long-overdue retail reset that may help move many companies into a more stable and profitable position. From: HomePage News
January 26 – NRF: Returns Gain as Fraud Problem Persists
Retailers expect consumers to return more than $761 billion in merchandise sold last year for an average 16.6% of total U.S. retail sales. From: HomePage News
January 25 – Yamazaki Home Launches Redesigned Website
The updated website has been updated to feature a modern, sophisticated design with improved functionality for the user shopping experience. From HomePage News
January 25 – Investors Express Interest in Buying Kohl’s
Kohl’s Corp. is in demand as bidders and investors clamor to change the shape of the company. From: HomePage News
January 24 – Conn’s Debuts Daytona Store, Looks Forward to More Growth
Conn’s HomePlus has announced its expansion into the Daytona Beach, FL market with a new store in the international Speedway Square at 2500 West International Speedway. From: HomePage News
January 24 – Sam’s Club Plans Kevin Hart SuperBowl Commercial, Supplier Summit
Sam’s Club is debuting its first Super Bowl commercial with the help of comedian Kevin Hart and his Laugh Out Loud Network. From: HomePage News
January 21 – Analysis: AMAZON Style Fashions New In-Store Tech Possibilities
Amazon is moving to establish its second technology-driven revolution, apparent in its launch of the Style physical store format. From: HomePage News
January 21 – Meijer Expanding Diversity Event to Include Service Providers
Meijer will expand its third Supplier Diversity event to include diverse-owned service providers as well as those producing retail-ready products for its shelves. From: HomePage News
January 21 – Walmart Keeps Building E-Commerce Capacity with Mississippi Fulfillment Center
Walmart announced plans to build a million square foot plus fulfillment center in Olive Branch MS to open this spring. From: HomePage News
January 20 – Sendik’s Adds Another Location
Sendik’s Food Markets is expanding its presence in southeast Wisconsin with a new location in Oconomowoc. From: Progressive Grocer
January 20 – Numerator: Consumers Want to Prep Quick, Easy Meals
In its report “Cooking up the Future of Eating” Numerator analyzed how the pandemic has caused potentially lasting shifts in at-home eating behaviors in light of lifestyle changes consumers have made during the pandemic. From: HomePage News
January 20 – ICSC: Big Gain in Average Holiday Spend
International Council of Shopping Centers has released research indicating retail sales grew 17% year-over-year in November and December of 2021. From: HomePage News
January 19 – H-E-B Store President Scott McClelland to Retire
In an email statement, H-E-B President Craig Boyan said McClelland will continue serving on the H-E-B Executive Committee and as an adviser on. From: Supermarket News
January 19 – Frank Curci to replace retiring Scott Grimmett as CEO of Northeast Grocery
Former Tops Markets chief to succeed ex-Price Chopper/Market 32 leader in merged company. From: Supermarket News
January 19 – 7-Eleven Launches Delivery Service Subscription
The 7NOW Gold Pass pays for itself in three orders per month. For $5.95 a month customers can access the service and have delivery fees waived on all delivery orders on a selection of more than 3000 products. From: CSNews
January 19 – Neiman Marcus Names New Supply Chain and Tech Heads
Neiman Marcus Group has made two executive moves as it continues to focus on its digital commerce operations. From: Chain Store Age
January 19 – Best Buy’s Barry Identifies Five Key Retail Trends at NRF Show
Best Buy CEO Corie Barry revealed the five retail trends she believes are critical to Best Buy and the market in which it competes. From: HomePage News
January 19 – Target Launches Spring Housewares, Home Décor
Target is beginning to make its big spring splash with home merchandise arrivals in home décor, furniture, and housewares segments such as tabletop, storage and servingware. From: HomePage News
January 19 – Kohl’s Responds to Criticism from Activist Investor Macellum
Responding to a statement and a letter to shareholders from activist investor Macellum, Kohl’s issued its own statement rejecting critical points made in Macellum correspondence. From: HomePage News
January 19 – Lowe’s Drives Successful Growth Home
Among the lessons of the pandemic was a new definition of home. Homes have always been places of investment, pride and personal reflection, Lowe’s Companies Inc. Chairman and CEO Marvin Ellison said at NRF 2022: Retail’s Big Show, but they quickly became something else — the place for school, office work, recreation, entertainment and sanctuary, too. Lowe’s had to step up its game to be there for customers, and those customers responded, “incredibly well,” Ellison said. The company has not only kept pace amid the challenging times but has also grown exponentially. From: NRF SmartBrief
January 19 – Starbucks to Spend $1.5B on Diverse Suppliers
It’s nearly double the amount the coffee chain spent in 2020. From: Supply Chain Dive
January 19 – Fashion Brand Forever 21 Picks a New Chief
Forever 21 has hired Winnie Park as its new CEO, succeeding former H&M executive Daniel Kulle, who left the company last year. In her previous CEO post, Park led the digital transformation of traditional retailer Paper Source and oversaw its sale to an affiliate of bookstore giant Barnes & Noble. From: NRF SmartBrief
January 18 – Ace Hardware Named Top Omnichannel Customer Service Provider
Incisiv, recently released its Omnichannel Customer Service Index and names Ace Hardware as the top omnichannel customer service provider. From: Hardware Retailing
January 18 – SpartanNash Adds Another Senior
Former Amazon Fresh leader name SVP and chief marketing officer. From: Progressive Grocer
January 18 – Euromonitor: Consumer Priorities Are More Personal
Euromonitor International has released its Top 10 Global Consumer Trends 2022 report which suggests that the year ahead will require adjusting to consumers who have rapidly diversifying preferences and priorities. From: HomePage News
January 18 – New Bid Complicates Office Depot’s Fate
ODP’s Board of Directors has determined to delay a previously announced public company separation to evaluate a potential sale of its consumer business. From: HomePage News
January 18 – Walmart’s Furner Tells NRF Retail Choice Beats Loyalty
New appointed NRF Chair Furner told participants in NRF’s Big Show that retail needs to understand today’s consumers as looking at the range of shopping options available and choosing what suits them best rather than committing to any one store’s selling proposition .From: HomePage News
January 18 – JCP Debuts Private Label Line that Gives Back to the Community
Hope & Wonder launches for Black History Month but will expand throughout the year around holidays and key cultural events, in some cases donating 100% of net profits to an appropriate nonprofit group. From: Store Brands Today
January 14 – Wakefern to Test Frictionless Stores
Retailer co-op working with Trigo to deploy AI-based checkout tech. From: Progressive Grocer
January 14 – Detroit Gets Another New Indie Grocery Store
Grobbel’s to open neighborhood market, as other grocers plan Motor City presence.
From: Progressive Grocer
January 14 – HomeValet Offering Walmart Customers Delivery Option
HomeValet has announced that eligible Walmart InHome customers in select Florida regions will be the first offered its Smart Box and app, available for pre-order this January. From: HomePage News
January 14 – NRF: Holiday Sales Set Record as Consumers Brushed Off Disruptions
The National Retail Federation announced 2021 November/December holiday season sales grew 14.1% to 886.7 billion. From: HomePage News
January 14 – Visa: Consumer Spending Strong but Headwinds Tail
The Visa U.S. Spending Momentum Index had its strongest reading for the month since the index launch, but it’s not all good news as discretionary spending momentum softened. From: HomePage News
January 14 – JC Penney Launches Festive Hope & Wonder Brand
JC Penney is introducing Hope & Wonder, a private label brand that crosses multiple categories including apparel, gifts, accessories, and home products. From: HomePage News
January 13 – Kroger Expanding Autonomous Delivery, Meal Services
To advance its home delivery agenda, The Kroger Co. is expanding a collaboration by testing Nuro’s third-generation all-electric autonomous delivery vehicle. From: HomePage News
January 13 – Newegg Promoting Anniversary Event Discounts
Newegg Commerce has commenced its 21st Anniversary Sale with discounts across its various product categories but with particular emphasis on gamers. From: HomePage News
January 12 – JCPenney Appoints Two New Tech Execs
In moves to boost its digital operation, JCPenney announced that it has appointed Sharmeelee Bala to the post of chief information officer and Katie Mullen to the post of chief digital and transformation officer. From: HomePage News
January 12 – At Home Makes HQ Move as It Plans Store Growth
Construction has begun on a new At Home, headquarters in Dallas, a four-story campus that will include 182,000 square feet of office space and a 78,000 square-foot Design Center featuring a mock store along with photo and video studios. From: HomePage News
January 11 – Big Lots Shares Long-Term Goals as Omicron Hits Q4
Big Lots, in a statement providing a fourth-quarter outlook, also offered a long-range growth plan that includes the addition of 500 stores and a margin plan that details a significant value-creation opportunity over the coming years. From: HomePage News
January 11 – SpartanNash Names New Chief Marketing Officer
Amy McClellan, who most recently served as vice president of fresh merchandising, is charged with helping the company improve its branding and e-commerce business. From: Grocery Dive
January 10 – Saks Digital Wellness Shop Highlights Housewares
Saks is launching a wellness shop on its website and promoting the January 11 introduction with five events on Saks Live running through January 18. examining the state of major home and housewares retailers entering the back half of 2021.From: HomePage News
January 10 – Ralphs and Kitchen United Open 1st Location in L.A.
Kroger banner brings creative approach to on-demand restaurant-quality meals. From: Progressive Grocer
January 7 – Walmart Goes EV in Building Out Last-Mile Delivery Fleet
Retail giant taps GM’s BrightDrop for 5,000 electric vehicles. From: Supermarket News
January 7 – Hy-Vee Selling Home Goods Nationally Via Digital Initiative
In a move to sell beyond its usual confines, Hy-Vee has announced an initiative that will give it the ability to serve shoppers across the United States with a focus on bulk food, pet supplies, and, perhaps surprisingly, home goods. From: HomePage News
January 7 – Walgreens Posts Big Q1 as COVID-19 Impacts Operations
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic helped drive Walgreens, Boots Alliance to a Wall Street beat on earnings and sales in the first fiscal quarter, with a strong retail performance partly attributable to coronavirus testing and vaccinations. From: HomePage News
January 7 – ISM: Service Industries Still Gaining, Retail Included
Economic activity in the services sector, including retail, grew in December for the 19th month in a row. From: HomePage News
January 7 – Grocery Turns in Strong Retail Sales Performance for December
Grocery sales climbed more than 8% in December and more than doubled that growth rate on a two-year stack, according to national retail sales tracker MasterCard SpendingPulse. From: Supermarket News
January 7 – C-store Retailers Report Strong Sales in 2021, Amid Labor, Supply Chain Challenges
Two in three (66%) retailers report their in-store sales were higher in 2021 than in 2020, according to a report by NACS. From: Chain Store Age
January 6 – Schnucks Data Solutions Exec Promoted to Strategy Team
From Henry expands leadership role to execute strategic initiatives. From: Progressive Grocer
January 6 – Macy’s to Close Six Namesake Stores, One Bloomingdale’s Outlet in Q1
The department store plans to close six full Macy’s stores in the first quarter of 2022 and i=one Bloomingdale’s outlet by the end of the quarter. From: Chain Store Age
January 6 – December Proves Festive for Costco
Costco Wholesale Corp. rolled on through its five-week fiscal December when it generated double-digit comparable store sales results. From: HomePage News
January 6 – Kirkland’s Comps Slip in Holiday Season
The company will keep pushing strategic initiatives in the New Year, including a rebranding effort, as it pursues improvement. From: HomePage News
January 6 – At Home Debuts Collection with New Designer Partner Pennington
The collection by designer and author Ty Pennington that includes hundreds of items including furniture, home accents, wall art, textiles, rugs, lighting and kitchen dining items for as little as 4.99. From: HomePage News
January 6 – Target Introduces Brightroom Home Organization Brand
Target has introduced Brightroom, its first dedicated storage and home organization owned brand. From: HomePage News
January 6 – Bed Bath & Beyond Post Q3 Loss
Comparable sales slid 7%, in-store sales down 5%, and digital down 9% versus the year-prior period. From: HomePage News.
January 5 – H-E-B Expands Presence in Houston
The new El Dorado store boasts one of the chain’s biggest curbside pickup sites. From: Supermarket News
January 5 – Report Suggests Economy Growing but Inflation May Ease
Economic activity in the manufacturing sector grew in December, but at a slower rate than November, which some observers believe signals that inflation as it has been affecting U.S. economy lately may have peaked. From: HomePage News
January 5 – Ikea Raising Prices to Cope With Cost Concerns
Ikea subsidiary will raise prices across its global retail network, up an average of 9% on the range of its products. From: HomePage News
January 5 – InHome Delivery Expansion Draws More Consumers
Walmart is expanding its InHome delivery service to 30 million household across the U.S., up from 6 million. From: HomePage News
January 5 – BJ’s Wholesale Club Expands in New York
The Membership warehouse club retailer will open a new location in Commack, N.Y. on Jan. 7. Bringing BJ’s total number of U.S. locations to 224, 12 being on New York’s Long Island. From: Chain Store Age
January 4 – Walmart CFO to Depart
Brett Biggs set to leave company on Jan. 31, 2023. From: Progressive Grocer
January 4 – The Container Store acquires Closet Works for $21.5M
The deal builds on the retailer’s existing custom closets business and is part of an effort to double its sales, according to CEO Satish Malhotra. From: Retail Dive
January 4 – The Revaluing of the Dollar Store Business
The dollar store sector is changing under the influence of inflation and because it has sought a broader clientele, including more affluent customers. From: HomePage News
January 4 – Amazon’s Bezos Reveals Succession Plan
Andy Jassy, who previously led company’s web services, to serve as CEO. From: Progressive Grocer
January 4 – Numerator: Pandemic, Inflation Impact Consumer New Year’s Goal
As the pandemic enters a third year, 48% of resolution makers in the survey said the Covid-19 crisis affected the goals they had set for themselves. From: HomePage News
January 4 – Accenture: Social Commerce Poised for Quick Growth
The $492 billion global social commerce industry is set to grow three times as fast by 2025. From: HomePage News
January 4 – Walmart Expands Organization Solutions with The Home Edit
Walmart is expanding its assortment of home goods by launching an exclusive collaboration with The Home Edit co-founders Clea Shearer and Joanna Teplin, From: HomePage News
January 4 – Instacart Hires Facebook Veteran as Its New CEO
Fidji Simo has made a name for herself as one of the highest-ranking female execs in tech. From: Progressive Grocer
January 4 – Ingles Markets CFO Ronald Freeman to Retire
Southeastern supermarket chain begins search for successor. From: Supermarket News
January 3 – Office Depot Parent Sheds CompuCom Amid Focus on Smaller Businesses
The move is part of an overall plan by ODP to sharpen its focus on small, mid-sized, and enterprise businesses. From: HomePage News
January 3 – Container Store Expands with Closet Works Acquisition
The Container Store has acquired Chicago-based home storage solutions and closet organization company Closet Works for 21.5 million. From: HomePage News
January 3 – Mastercard: U.S. Holiday Spending Up 8.5%
Retail Sales excluding automobiles gained 8.5% year-over-year this holiday season from November 1 through December 24. From: HomePage News
January 3 – Hy-Vee Goes Live with Pair of New Ship-to-Home Websites
Hy-VeeDeals offers groceries in bulk, ShopPetship includes pet care subscription service. From: Supermarket News
