May 30 – What’s New About Lidl’s New CEO
Michal Lagunionek, among other newly arriving U.S. execs, brings a strong track record and new support to a job that’s only still beginning, sources say. From: Winsight Grocery Business
May 28 – Burlington Stores Ramps Up Merchandising Capabilities
The off-price retail company recently signed a lease to double the square footage of its buying office in the city as part of a planned investment to build out its merchandising structure. From: HFN Digital
May 28 – Dollar Tree Maintains Sales Gains
Same-store sales for Dollar Tree increased 4.7%. For fiscal 2021, Dollar Tree is reiterating its plan to open 600 new stores and to renovate 1,250 Family Dollar stores. From: Store Brands Today
May 28 – New Amazon CEO to Take Over for Bezos on July 5
Amazon founder Jeff Bezos has chosen July 5 as the day he will resign as CEO and transition to executive chair. Andy Jassy will become CEO on that day, which is the same date as Amazon’s 1994 incorporation. From: CNN
May 28 – Ulta Posts Record Quarterly Results as CEO Mary Dillon Prepares to Step Down
The executive’s last quarter at the helm saw sales and comps surge 65% from 2020. Both metrics also increased over 2019 figures. From: Retail Dive
May 27 – Gap, Walmart Team up to Unveil New Home Essentials Brand
As the home improvement sector continues to see growth, the two retailers inked a multi-year partnership to launch over 400 products, dubbed Gap Home. From: Retail Dive
May 27 – Bed Bath & Beyond, DoorDash Ink Same-Day Delivery Partnership
Same-day delivery services will be provided via DoorDash’s white-label fulfillment offering, DoorDash Drive, which expands BB&B’s same-day delivery offering to more than 3,000 new additional zip codes.
From: Store Brands Today
May 27 – Best Buy Comes Roaring Out of the Pandemic Era With 37% Sales Growth
Stimulus and home renovations drove “extraordinarily high” demand at the retailer, which is preparing for permanent changes in shopping habits. From: Retail Dive
May 27 – Anne Klein Debuts Home Collection with Macy’s
As Anne Klein expands into a new category, the department store seeks to bounce back from the COVID-19 pandemic. From: Retail Dive
May 26 – Amazon Acquires MGM in $8.45B Deal
Amazon is purchasing MGM Holdings under a definitive agreement worth $8.45 billion that will provide Prime Video with more than 17,000 shows and 4,000 films. Discovery leader David Zaslav said the deal validates his company’s $43 billion merger with WarnerMedia last week.
From: Housewares SmartBrief
May 26 – Home Department a Q1 Winner for Ross Stores
The home goods department was the top earner for Ross Stores in the first quarter, CEO Barbara Rentler reports. While traffic was down over the previous year, more products per cart helped storewide sales jump 19%. From: HFN
May 26 – Downsizing Hurts Nordstrom in Q1
Last year’s move to shutter 16 full-line stores hampered sales over 2019. Meanwhile, some analysts question a key aspect of its new digital strategy. From: Retail Dive
May 25 – Target Stresses Value in New Tagline, Campaign
Mother, with Essence, created a campaign for Target that features a new tagline, “What we value most, shouldn’t cost more,” and is running across TV, digital, social, audio, print, display and out of home. An anthem spot will debut today during the season’s final episode of “This Is Us,” and videos are running in English and Spanish in 30-, 15- and 6-second versions.
From: NRF SmartBrief
May 25 – Hy-Vee’s Newest Supermarket Sells Much More than Food
Hy-Vee has opened its 12th full-line supermarket in Minnesota’s Twin Cities this week, a market CEO Randy Edeker says will be the retailer’s largest by 2025. The new 77,000-square-foot store’s features include a liquor store with an area for wine tastings, a casual dining area, and non-food options including a DSW shop, a cigar humidor, and a fragrance department.
From: NRF SmartBrief
May 25 – Wakefern Taps Dunnhumby to Power Category Management and Merchandising
New platform to increase engagement and sales, boost consumer loyalty. From: Progressive Grocer
May 25 – Raley’s O-N-E Market the Next Step in Retailer’s Transformation
The concept reflects the company’s passion for healthy food and exceptional customer service, says Chief Customer Experience Officer Deirdre Zimmerman. From: Supermarket News
May 25 – New ShopRite Store Ups the Ante on Retailing Excellence
Wall Township, New Jersey location offers a range of enticing features. From: Progressive Grocer
May 24 – Lidl’s New CEO Reveals Recommitment to US
Lidl’s recent appointment of Michal Lagunionek as its US CEO is evidence of the grocer’s renewed focus on growth in the US, food industry experts say. Lagunionek, the first Lidl CEO to also serve on the management board of parent company Schwarz Group, was CEO of Lidl’s Polish division from 2006 to 2016 and will replace Johannes Fieber, who resigned after three years as US chief. From: Winsight Grocery Business
May 24 – Amazon Prime Now Is Shutting Down
E-retailer’s ultra-fast shopping experience moving exclusively onto its app and website. From: Progressive Grocer
May 23 – Meijer Opens Three New Supercenters
Meijer CEO Rick Keyes touted the success of the chain’s Shop & Scan technology in promising a state-of-the-art, one-stop shopping experience. From: Winsight Grocery Business
May 21 – Seeking a Post-Bankruptcy Rebound, Tuesday Morning Adds Former Burlington Execs to C-suite The off-price retailer brought in Fred Hand as CEO and Marc Katz as interm CFO as it tries to stabalize and grow in the sector. From: Retail Dive
May 21 – TJX, Ross Rev up for the Return of Treasure Hunters
Ross Stores and TJX Companies, the parent of T.J. Maxx and Marshalls, both beat analysts’ forecasts for first-quarter growth, as consumers started spending again on fashions, luggage, and other back-to-normal-life purchases. The retailers expect the growth to continue as shoppers release pent-up demand for the treasure hunt-style shopping they haven’t been able to indulge in during the pandemic. From: NRF SmartBrief
May 21 – Whole Foods to Open 41 Stores With 9 in California
The Amazon-owned grocer is planning several new locations in San Francisco and Los Angeles, along with three each in New York City and Washington, D.C. From Grocery Dive
May 20 – Google to Open First Physical Store in New York this Summer
Google said it will sell Pixel smartphones, Pixelbooks and Fitbit fitness trackers, along with Nest smart home devices at the retail outlet.
From Reuters
May 20 – Petco Posts “Record” Q1, raises Full-year Outlook
Riding on the boom the pet sector has experienced in the last year, Petco reported “record” Q1 sales and the tenth consecutive quarter of growth at the retailer. From: Retail Dive
May 20 – Kohl’s off to Strong Start in 2021 as Earnings Crush Estimates
Store sales more than doubled during the quarter, while digital sales rose 14% year-over-year. From: Chain Store Age
May 20 – Saks Will Call Corporate Workers Back to the Office
The New York City offices of Saks, Saks Fifth Avenue’s separate e-commerce arm, will once again become the hub of the retailer’s corporate activity this September and all staffers will be required to be fully vaccinated, CEO Marc Metrick said. Employees will have greater flexibility in the future but maintaining the brand’s corporate culture means the office will be the main workspace for the 500 staffers based there, Metrick said.
From: NRF SmartBrief
May 20 – How The Container Store is Organizing for Growth
The Container Store is working on a smaller store format to debut next year and considering options for in-store shops to keep the momentum going after a year of strong sales fueled by home organizing trends, new CEO Satish Malhotra said. Stores will also put a greater focus on demonstrations and staff expertise to increase service offerings. From: NRF SmartBrief
May 20 – In Growth Mode, BJ’s Announces 6 New Stores and Q1 Financial Results
The warehouse club chin plans to open new stores in Seabrook N.H, Port Charlotte, Fla., Commack N.Y., South Fayette, Pa, Ross Township Pa., and Lansing, Mich. BJ’s also announced a 1.9% increase in sales year-over-year from 2020. From: Progressive Grocer
May 20 – Weis Markets expands Footprint in Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley
The regional retailer has opened a 63,000 square-foot store in the Westgate Mall in Bethlehem and a 68,000 square-foot store in Lower Macungie. From: Supermarket News
May 19 – Walmart Gets Back to its Low-price Strategy
Walmart increased the number of discounts it offered by 30% in the first quarter compared to the same period last year, and the retailer is betting on its signature rollbacks to appeal to shoppers as inflation grows, Walmart US CEO John Furner said. The retailer expects to gain a competitive edge with the return to its “Everyday Low Prices” strategy after a year that often-included limiting quantities on popular items to keep shelves stocked. From: NRF SmartBrief
May 19 – Amazon Go Grocery Is Gone
E-commerce giant streamlines banner names by folding Amazon Go Grocery into Amazon Fresh. From: Progressive Grocer
May 19 – Target Sales Jump 23% as Exclusive Brands, Curbside Pick Up Draw in Shoppers
Target’s first-quarter sales rose 23%, as investments made in exclusive brands and services like curbside pickup strengthened customer loyalty and kept them coming back. From: CNBC
May 19 – Ace Hardware Posts Record Q1 Financial Results
After confirming the record-breaking fiscal year 2020 financial results, Ace Hardware is continuing to reach new heights by posting record first-quarter revenues in 2021. From: Hardware Retailing
May 19 – TJX Experiences No Let-up in Home Sales
For the quarter that ended May 1st, HomeGoods’ 2.1 billion in sales nearly tripled from the year-ago quarter and climbed 53.4% compared to the same quarter in 2019. From: HFN Digital
May 19 – Home Depot Outpaces Lowe’s in Q1
Even with restrictions easing, the retailers reported double-digit sales gains as consumers continue to take on home improvement projects.
From: Retail Dive
May 19 – 7-Eleven Inks Deals to Sell 293 Stores to Three Buyers
Anabi Oil, Jacksons Food Stores and CrossAmerica will pick up the sites as part of 7-Eleven’s settlement with the Federal Trade Commission.
From: Convenience Store News
May 19 – REI Adds OXO Line for Outdoor Enthusiasts
REI is adding a 10-item OXO Outdoor line to stores and online, with more to come after an evaluation of sales. The line includes camping items such as a pot scrubber, cast iron grill brush, French press and grill turner.
From: Housewares SmartBrief
May 18 – Camping World Debuting Exclusive Thomasville Recreation Furniture Brand
Thomasville Recreation, a private brand of camping and recreation furniture, will be a U.S.-only brand offering designer trends and innovations for customers looking for premium choices.
From: Storebrands Today
May 18 – Macy’s to Enter Pet, Wellness, Toy, Home Categories
Macy’s is growing its investment in new merchandise categories including pet care, health and wellness, toys and home goods in a bid to boost return shopper visits and attract new customers, the retailer said Tuesday. The department store attracted 4.6 million new shoppers in the first quarter, and 47% of them made their first Macy’s purchases online.
From: NRF SmartBrief
May 18 – Walmart Posts Strong Start to Fiscal 2021
General merchandise was up in the low 20% range as sales were aided by stimulus spending and a strong push in home improvement projects at home, apparel, sporting goods, and outdoor living.
From: Storebrands Today
May 18 – CVS Names First Beauty Inclusivity Consultant
CVS has named beauty influencer Nyma Tang as its first beauty inclusivity consultant, reflecting an ongoing shift in the retailer’s approach to beauty marketing. Tang first joined with CVS as part of the retailer’s 2018 Beauty Mark initiative, through which CVS vowed not to retouch features including skin color and weight in marketing materials. From: NRF SmartBrief
May 17 – Amazon to Surpass 1 Million Workers in U.S.
Company to add at least 75K employees to U.S. workforce of 950K.
From: Progressive Grocer
May 17 – U.S Home Improvement Sales Up 33% From 2020
U.S. home improvement sales stood at $43.2 billion in April, down slightly from $43.4 billion in March, new data from the U.S. Census Bureau shows. Sales for the sector are roughly 33 percent higher than one year ago, showing continued economic strength for the industry.
From: Hardware Retailing
May 15 – Stater Bros. to Open 5th Location in Ontario, California
New store will anchor a shopping center developed by Lewis Retail Centers. From: Progressive Grocer
May 14 – Meijer Opens New Stores In Ohio, Indiana
Meijer has expanded its store count by three as the Michigan-based retailer opened new locations in Ohio and Indiana. From: Kitchenware Today
May 14 – Ollie’s Opens 400th Location
Ollie’s Bargain Outlet is celebrating its 400th store with the grand opening of its Springfield, Vt., location. From: Kitchenware Today
May 14 – Shopify, Pinterest Build a Global Channel
Shopify and Pinterest first teamed four years ago in a relationship to help Shopify’s merchants find fans on the social site. Now the companies are expanding the Shopify Pinterest channel into 27 additional countries, including Brazil, Australia and major markets in Europe. From: Forbes
May 14 – Dillard’s surprises with 73% sales spike
Vaccinations, stimulus and warm weather drove up margins, profits and the top line, a sign of major recovery from last year’s declines.
From: Retail Dive
May 14 – Smart & Final to be Acquired by Bodega Latina Smart & Final, headquartered in Commerce, California, operates more than 250 grocery warehouse stores under the Smart & Final and Smart & Final Extra! banners in the nation’s southwest region and jointly runs 16 stores in northwestern Mexico. From: Progressive Grocer
May 14 – Whole Foods Announces Growth Plans, Organizational Changes
40 new stores are in the pipeline, following the opening of several locations in 2020. From: Progressive Grocer
May 13 – Bed, Bath & Beyond Builds Out Merchandising Team
Stacy Shively has joined as senior vice president and general merchandise manager for home. she’ll help accelerate Bed Bath & Beyond’s merchandising strategy around categories like bed, bath, dining, organization and seasonal, according to a company press release.
From: Retail Dive
May 13 – Sally Beauty hires new digital exec from H-E-B
Ellery Fisher, formerly vice president of e-commerce at H-E-B, joins Sally Beauty Supply to oversee the retailer’s e-commerce and digital operations. From: Storebrands Today
May 12 – Ahold Delhaize’s US Identical Sales Move Forward Modestly in Q1
The grocery company has seen its U.S. operations grow behind the strength of Food Lion, its fastest-growing stateside banner, as it crosses the one-year mark of the pandemic. From: Grocery Dive
May 12 – UNFI Names Matt Whitney Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer
Whitney will lead the wholesaler’s Professional Services, and e-commerce business units. UNFI launched the Community Marketplace web store in April. From: Winsight Grocery Business
May 12 – Online Sales Lift Ahold Delhaize in Q1
FreshDirect acquisition supercharges the surge. From: Progressive Grocer
May 11 – CVS, Rite Aid Up the Ante in Same-Day Delivery
CVS CarePass members get free Shipt delivery of prescriptions, Rite Aid taps DoorDash for non-Rx deliveries. From: Supermarket News
May 11 – Macy’s Reveals Herald Square Revitalization Plan
The project involves a $235 million private investment in the neighborhood surrounding the store, including Herald Square’s infrastructure, with upgraded subway access and improved transit connections. The company will also build a commercial office tower above the store. From: Retail Dive
May 11 – Paper Source to be Acquired in Chapter 11 by Owner of Barnes & Noble
Paper Source has named Elliott Investment Management as the successful bidder in a process for the specialty retailer to sell itself in Chapter 11. From: Retail Dive
May 10 – More Philadelphia Stores on the way for Giant Company
Four new locations including the largest ever Giant Heirloom Market are to open by 2023. The new stores are expected to create about 700 new jobs. From: Supermarket News
May 10 – Bed, Bath & Beyond Introduces Simply Essential Private Label
The new brand carries more than 1,200 products in the bed, bath, home decor, storage and organization, and kitchen and dining categories.
From: Retail Dive
May 7 – The Container Store, Instacart Team On Same-Day Delivery
The Container Store and Instacart are teaming to offer same-day delivery services from the storage and organization specialty retailer’s 93 locations. From: Kitchenware Today
May 7 – Costco Sees April Sales Climb More than 30%
Comparable-club sales lap year-ago decrease from pandemic-related shutdowns. From: Supermarket News
May 7 – Ebay Hires Walmart Vet in New Role
Stefanie Jay will join the company as its chief business and strategy officer as the company looks to sustain its success. From: Retail Dive
May 7 – Safeway Expands Northern California Footprint With New San Jose Store
Inside Safeway’s newly opened San Jose, Calif., store, its 14th location in the city and its second new store to open in the area within the past year. From: Winsight Gocery Business
May 6 – Wayfair CEO Sees Growth Potential Post-Pandemic
The retailer, which has largely benefited over the past year by operating both online and in an in-demand category, reported 49% revenue gains in Q1. From: Retail Dive
May 6 – J.C. Penney Cuts 650 Jobs Under New Owners
The layoffs came out of the retailer’s corporate, field and store teams. Since its acquisition by Simon & Brookfield, J. Penney has continued trying to adapt to a difficult department store sector, which has suffered from online, off-price and direct-to-consumer competition along with changing consumer preferences. From: Retail Dive
May 6 – Conn’s Opens First Florida Distribution Center
Home electronics and appliance retailer Conn’s celebrated entering its 15th state with the opening of its new distribution center in central Florida. From Kitchenware Today
May 6 – Ollie’s Names Retail Vet van der Valk COO
Ollie’s Bargain Outlet has named Eric van der Valk as its executive vice president and chief operating officer, effective May 3.
From Kitchenware Today
May 6 – Foxtrot Hires former Whole Foods Exclusive Brands Leader to run Private Brands
Mitch Madoff, formerly vice president of exclusive brands at Whole Foods Market, has joined Chicago-based Foxtrot as senior vice president of private label and supply chain. From: STOREBRANDS
May 6 – Tuesday Morning Taps Burlington Stores Exec as CEO
The retailer has named Fred Hand, as CEO and a member of the board, effective May 17.From: Chain Store Age
May 6 – At Home Acquired for $2.8 Billion
At Home Group has been acquired by private equity firm Hellman & Friedman in an all-cash transaction valued at $2.8 billion, including the assumption of debt. The transaction is expected to close during the third quarter of the calendar year 2021. From: Chain Store Age
May 6 – Southeastern Grocers Unveils Winn-Dixie Store in Florida as Part of Continued Expansion
New store opened this week in Viera as part of retailer’s growing presence in the state. From: Progressive Grocer
May 5 – Office Depot to Split Retail, Business Entities
Office Depot owner ODP Corp. will split the company into two separate entities in a deal expected to be completed in 2022. Staples is continuing to pursue an acquisition of Office Depot, and the split will create one company for the retail consumer and small business divisions and another for the Business Solutions Division and independent regional distributors.
From NRF SmartBrief
May 5 – Gap Inc. to Sell Intermix to Private Equity Firm
The boutique opened in New York nearly 30 years ago and was acquired by the conglomerate in 2012, but as a retailer of other brands, it never quite fit. From: Retail Dive
May 5 – FreshDirect Co-founder David McInerney Steps Down as CEO
Parent Ahold Delhaize taps Farhan Siddiqi as online grocer’s interim chief executive. From: Supermarket News
May 4 – The Running List of Major Retail Deals in 2021
Affirm has completed its acquisition of returns payment platform returned just a few weeks after announcing the deal. From: Retail Dive
May 4 – Raley’s Opens 3rd Store Under “Healthy” Banner
O-N-E Market locations focus on organics, nutrition, and education. The 42,000-square-foot store is newest Raley’s O-N-E Market location, and the first in the state of Nevada. It opened for business in the Mount Rose area of Reno on May 1. From: Progressive Grocer
May 4 – CVS Health Q1 Profit Sales Top Estimates
Total revenues rose 3.5% to $69.10 billion, above estimates of $68.36 billion, driven by growth across all its segments. From: Chain Store Age
May 4 – Publix Sales Edge up in First Quarter, Reflecting Last Year’s Q1 Surge
Smaller sales gains for Southeastern retailer as it cycles the beginning of a growth spurt driven by COVID-19 panic-buying in 2020.
From Supermarket News
May 4 – Uber Steps Up Grocery Delivery Service With New Gopuff Partnership
Uber Eats users in 95 U.S. cities can order household essentials through the app. From: Progressive Grocer
May 3 – Lowe’s Launches Curated Home Decor Series
The initiative, which kicks off with interior designer Iris Apfel, aims to make stylish pieces available to consumers at accessible price points.
From: Retail Dive
May 3 – 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
May 3 – Best Buy Won’t Replace Departing COO Mike Mohan
Best Buy said President and Chief Operating Officer Mike Mohan will leave the company in July after serving in various roles since joining Best Buy in 2004. The electronics retailer won’t replace Mohan, instead opting to split his responsibilities among other top executives, CEO Corie Barry said.
From: Star Tribune
May 3 – Amazon Net Sales up 44% on the Year, Joined by Tech Advancements
The retailer reported online sales up big for Q1, but brick-and-mortar sales were down. It also announced an expansion of some tech innovations such as a Whole Foods test of shoppers paying with a palm scan.
From: Store Brands Today
May 3 – Kroger to Test Deliveries by Drone
Under a partnership with Drone Express, a division of TELEGRID Technologies, Kroger will be able to deliver products not just to a street address but also on the spot, such as bringing picnic supplies to a park, sunscreen to the beach or condiments to a backyard cookout, the Cincinnati-based grocer said Monday. From: Supermarket News
May 3 – Lowe’s Launches Exclusive Paint Line to Celebrate 100 Years in Business
The retailer announced last week that it acquired the Stainmaster brand and has debuted “The Centennial Color Palette” that is being featured with a special product curation from fashion icon Iris Apfel, who also turns 100 years old this year. From: STOREBRANDS
May 3 – 7-Eleven Aims to Open More than 100 Restaurants this Year
“Today’s opportunity is in the QSR space,” Chief Operating Officer Chris Tanco said while announcing the chain’s latest Evolution Store, which will house two eateries. From: Grocery Dive
May 3 – Weis Markets to Invest $135M in Its Growth
The retailer has 8 remodels, 8 fuel centers planned for 2021.
From: Progressive Grocer
May 1 – 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
