October 29 – Amazon Forecasts Modest 4th-Quarter Growth
Huge expenses ahead related to labor and supply chain challenges. From: Progressive Grocer
October 29 – Popular Pet Products Private Brand Gets its Own Store
Petco has unveiled a boutique dedicated to its urban-inspired store brand in NYC. From: StoreBrands Today
October 29 – Independent Grocers Attain Record Sales, Profits Amid Pandemic
Retailers focused on bolstering community ties and employee loyalty. From: Progressive Grocer
October 29 – Buehler’s Taps SpartanNash’s Amy McClellan for Board
Veteran grocery executive oversees distributor’s retail fresh merchandising. From: Supermarket News
October 28 – BJ’s Unleashing Holiday Deals as November Begins
As the retailer gets set for the holidays and beyond, BJ’s Wholesale Club has announced the dates for its Black Friday deals as well as a preview of limited-time savings on what it declared will be hot gifts for the season. From: HomePage News
October 28 – At Home, Laila Ali Collaborate on Housewares & Décor In a Housewares and Décor Initiative. At Home has launched an exclusive collection with the athlete, wellness advocate, author and TV personality Laila Ali featuring hundreds of items from wall art to bedding to kitchen and dining for prices as low as $4.99. From: HomePage News
October 28 – eBay Keeps Rolling Through Q3
As it beat Wall Street estimates, eBay enjoyed a solid third quarter during which it advanced initiatives on promoted listings and refurbished goods. From: HomePage News
October 28 – Dollar Tree Adds Same-Day Delivery to 7K Stores
The discount retailer now offers delivery in as little as an hour via Instacart across nearly 13,000 locations. From: Grocery Dive
October 28 – Kroger Launches Private Marketplace to Connect Brands With Consumers
Powered by the grocer’s data science firm 84.51°, the new platform seeks to make buying easier while providing advertisers unmatched flexibility, speed and control of their campaigns. From: Winsight Grocery Business
October 27 – NRF: Holiday 2021 Should Set Records
Despite headwinds including supply chain challenges, labor shortages and inflation, National Retail Federation president Matthew Shay said in a press event introducing the NRF holiday forecast that “very, very strong” momentum based on consumer spending has the potential to shatter previous records in the November/December time frame. From: HomePage News
October 27 – Amazon Opens $40M Robotics Hub to Manufacture Mobile Drive Units
Amazon is banking on automated technology to help meet the needs of a modern-day, fast-paced supply chain. From: Supply Chain Dive
October 27 – Target Enhances Holiday Shopping Services
Target Corp. announced it is enhancing services to aid holiday shoppers, with upgrades to drive-up options, order pickup and same-day delivery with Shipt. From: HomePage News
October 27 – Saks Turns to GXO Fulfillment Center to Meet E-Commerce Demand
The 400,000-square-foot facility is another example of direct-to-consumer retailers outsourcing logistics. From: Supply Chain Dive
October 27 – Wakefern Food Corp. Marks 75 Years in Business
Sales down slightly after pandemic high. From: Progressive Grocer
October 27 – Wegmans to Open Smaller-Format Stores in New Market Areas
Grocer reveals 3 locations planned for 2022. From: Progressive Grocer
October 27 – Aaron’s Comp Gain Boosts Q3 Results
Third-quarter comp gains helped Aaron’s beat Wall Street earnings and revenues estimates. From: HomePage News
October 27 – Shell to Acquire Timewise Stores & Establish Foundation to Grow Company-Owned Network in U.S. The deal includes 248 company-owned sites and 117 supply agreements with independently operated locations. From: Convenience Store News
October 27 – Mountain Express Purchases Brothers Food Mart Chain With Plans to Expand Across the Southeast. The company’s growth plans include North Carolina, Louisiana, Atlanta, Memphis and Dallas. From: Convenience Store News
October 26 – Target to Re-enter Detroit After Nearly 2 Decades
Target will open a small-format store in Midtown Detroit, marking the retailer’s return to a city it left with the closure of its Eight Mile store in August 2003. The new 32,000-square-foot location will be part of a mixed-use apartment and hotel project called City Club Apartments. From: NRF SmartBrief
October 26 – JCPenney Names Former Levi’s, Walmart Exec Rosen CEO
After a long search, JCPenney has announced the appointment of a CEO, Marc Rosen, an executive who has long experience at Levi Strauss & Co. and Walmart. From: HomePage News
October 25 – BJ’s Nabs Top H-E-B Digital Exec to Accelerate Transformation
Warehouse club elevates 2 other execs to key roles. From: Progressive Grocer
October 25 – Walmart Corporate Workers to Return to Office
The retailer announced that its corporate employees will return to the office starting the week of November 8. From: Chain Store Age
October 23 – Target More than Doubles Apple Shop-in-Shops in Time for the Holidays
Just months after its initial rollout, the retailer is expanding the number of dedicated stores from 17 to 36 locations. From: Retail Dive
October 23 – Walmart to Open High-Tech Grocery Distribution Center in South Carolina
Massive new facility will create 400+ supply chain jobs in Spartanburg County. From: Progressive Grocer
October 23 – Instacart Buys Smart Cart Maker Caper AI for $350M
The e-commerce company said its acquisition will help bridge in-store and online shopping for consumers while making it easier for its workers to fulfill orders. From: Grocery Dive
October 22 – Supply Chain Woes Worry Holiday Shoppers
A new oracle Retail consumer research study demonstrates that shoppers are worried about supply chain and delivery delays, fearing they will disrupt the holidays. From: HomePage News
October 22 – Tractor Supply Powers Through Q3
For the third quarter, Tractor Supply Co. beat Wall Street earnings and revenue estimates as it enjoyed double digit comparable store sales growth. From: HomePage News
October 21 – Amazon Touts Seller Benefits at Accelerate Conference
Amazon detailed a new range of seller services offered to participants and would be participants on its platform. From: HomePage News
October 21 – Forever 21 CEO Steps Down
Daniel Kulle has stepped down as CEO of Forever 21, a post he took early last year after the fashion retailer was acquired by Simon Property Group, Authentic Brands Group and Brookfield Property Partners. Kulle joined Forever 21 after 25 years at H&M, where he led North American expansion efforts, overseeing the opening of 600 new stores. From: NRF SmartBrief
October 21 – Holiday Online Sales Will Gain Amid Challenges
Adobe announced that it expects online holiday sales to reach $207 billion and digital sales for 2021 to eclipse $4 billion. From: HomePage News
October 21 – Macy’s Holiday Gift Guide Spotlights Home & Housewares
Macy’s introduces a new gift finder, a tool that helps gift givers connect with home, toy, apparel, and other products. From: HomePage News
October 21 – Lowe’s Offers a Way for Shoppers to Decorate More, Buy More
Lowe’s has doubled its gift zone, expanded its Holiday Living own brand decorations, as part of its “Make More” holiday campaign. From: Store Brands
October 21 – Walgreens Boots Alliance Highlights Expanding Mental Health Resources
Walgreens Boots Alliances is expanding mental health first aid training for more than 27,000 pharmacists and rolling out new services to meet the growing need in communities across Europe and the United Kingdom. From: Drug Store News
October 20 – Market Researcher NPD to be Acquired by Private Equity Firm
The NPD group announced that Hellman & Friedman (H & F) has made a binding offer into an exclusive agreement to acquire NPD. From: HomePage News
October 20 – Holiday Spending Will Gain But Concerns Linger
Results from the Deloitte 36th annual Holiday Retail Survey indicate that consumers will spend an average of $1,463 per household, up 5% from 2020. From: HomePage News
October 20 – Ulta Outlines Strategic Priorities
Ulta Beauty has revealed an update on its strategic proprieties and longer-term financial targets that emphasize establishing the company as a unique, differentiated entity in its retail sector. From: HomePage News
October 20 – Coborn’s Extends Footprint to Michigan with Tadych’s Acquisition
Approximately 800 people work in these six locations and will all be hired by Coborn’s. The stores will continue to operate under the Tadych’s name. From: Progressive Grocer
October 19 – Macy’s, Nordstrom Tout Entertaining Holiday Plans Retailers
Department store retailers seek to entertain as they sell, and Macy’s and Nordstrom are doing just that as the year winds down. From: HomePage News
October 19 – Amazon Adding 150,000 Seasonal Employees to Expanding Workforce
After bringing in tens of thousands of full-time workers, Amazon announced it is hiring 150,000 seasonal workers for the holidays. From: HomePage News
October 19 – Forever 21 Rolls Out Home Collection
Forever 21 announced that it had launched and will seasonally replenish a home collection with items for any room in a home, office, apartment, or dorm. From: HomePage News
October 18 – True Value Announces 2022 Paint Colors of the Year
True Value has unveiled its 2022 paint colors of the year: Elm Street (4F18), a “soothing and timeless grayed green”, and Brilliant Berry 7A6), a” blue-red hue that coordinates well with lots of other colors.” From: Hardware Retailing
October 18 – Wegmans Readies for Opening of First D.C. Store
The new store will occupy the former Fannie Mae headquarters in northwestern D.C.
From: Supermarket News
October 18 – Holiday Shoppers To Start Earlier, Spend More
According to the Annual Holiday Shopping Intentions Survey from ICSC, formerly the International Council of Shopping Centers, holiday sales should reach $923 billion. From: HomePage News
October 18 – Walmart+ Members to Get First Dibs on Black Friday Deals that Will Start in Early November
Members can start shopping online four hours earlier than other shoppers throughout the month of November. From: CNBC
October 18 – Albertsons to Increase Focus on Modernizing Tech Under New CFO
The grocer has considerable work ahead as it looks to move away from using outdated systems and rely more heavily on cloud-based technology, President and CFO Sharon McCollam said during an earnings call Monday. From: Grocery Dive
October 18 – Saks E-commerce Company Preps IPO: WSJ
The department store’s brick-and-mortar and online operations split up in March, and some investors want Macy’s to follow suit. From: Retail Dive
October 18 – Walmart and Target Reassure Customers They’ll be Stocked Amid Global Supply Chain Squeeze
The retail giants outlined proactive measures they have taken to get goods into the country and onto shelves. For their smaller peers, the pressure is tighter. From: Retail Dive
October 18 – Sam’s Club Unveils First Holiday Catalog
The retailer is also holding twice as many shopping events throughout the season so its members can shop early. From: Retail Dive
October 15 – Publix Announces 3 Leadership Promotions
Publix has made key leadership moves to address short- and long-term challenges and opportunities. From: Progressive Grocer
October 15 – Survey: Customers Will Abandon a Poor Log-In Experience
According to “Expectation vs. Reality at the Log Inn,” a new global study from customer identity/access management platform provider Auth0, 86% of surveyed U.S. consumers say that they have abandoned or would abandon their cart or sign-up to online content or apps if the process were too arduous. From: Chain Store Age
October 15 – Amazon Keeps Upgrading Distribution Capabilities Including Spokane Air Hub
Amazon is adding a new air gateway at Spokane International Airport in Spokane, WA as well as facilities in Nevada and other states. From: HomePage News
October 15 – Walgreens Debuts Strategy As It Details Strong Financials
For the fiscal year and fourth quarter 2021, Walgreens Boots Alliance has announced financial results that included a beat on Wall Street sales and earnings predictions, and it revealed a new corporate strategy. From: HomePage News
October 14 – Walmart, Home Depot Commit to Use Night Hours at West Coast Ports to Smooth Cargo Flows
After weeks of negotiations between cargo owners, labor unions, ports and transportation providers, Biden said the port of Los Angeles would follow in the Port of Long Beach’s footsteps and operate on a 24/7 schedule. From: Retail Dive
October 14 – Staples Targets Home Office Workers with New Assortment
The assortment, under the Staples Connect Initiative, come with support guidance and advice including video panels designed to help home workers build and develop their task spaces effectively. From: HomePage News
October 14 – Target Building Bigger LEGO Partnership, Addressing Supply Chain Challenges
Target Corp. has launched a new lifestyle collection with the LEGO Group including a colorful assortment of home goods, apparel, accessories, pet, toys, and gift items. From: HomePage News
October 13 – Ross Completes 2021 Store Expansion Plans with 28 Openings
The recent store additions focused on the Midwest. Ross added stores in Florida, Georgia, Maryland, California, Arizona, Nevada, and Texas as well. From: HomePage News
October 13 – Retailers Optimistic About Center Store Sales in 2021
80% of surveyed retailers expect sales to remain the same or increase this year. From: Supermarket News
October 12 – Chicago Magnificent Mile Development Sign Museum of Ice Cream
The Shops at Tribune tower will cover 50,000 sq. ft. of ground floor space at the base of the 36-story building whose flying buttresses make it one of Chicago’s most prominent landmarks. From: Chain Store Age
October 12 – Facebook Finding New Ways To Reach Holiday Shoppers
Facebook has big selling plans for the holidays including initiatives that will encourage consumers to shop via live events and purchase from Black owned and local companies. From: HomePage News
October 12 – Newegg Introduces In-App Livestream Shopping E-tailer
Newegg Commerce is piloting its first app-based livestreaming platform that allows customers to interact with hosts while securing exclusive real-time deals available on mobile only during livestream. From: HomePage News
October 11 – Meijer to Celebrate Local Artists in Culturally Inspired Product Selection
Meijer is aiming to bring communities together by celebrating diversity with the launch of a special artistic collection of products to be sold in stores across the Midwest in 2023. From: Progressive Grocer
October 11 – Williams-Sonoma Invests in Ethically Sourced Products
Williams-Sonoma has announced new investments in purchases of Nest Ethical Handcraft products and a commitment to double investments in Fair Trade USA programs by 2025. From: HomePage News
October 11 –Special Report: Dissecting Supply Chain Consequences as Holidays Arrive Without Delay
In an example of bipartisan cooperation, Republican and Democratic lawmakers are behind an initial step toward dealing with the supply chain crisis. From: HomePage News
October 11 – Qurate Expands Small Business Spotlight Program
The company will select at least 100 diverse businesses for the program in 2022, adding to the approximately 160 small businesses that will have participated in the program by the end of 2021. From: HomePage News
October 11 – Walmart+ Teams With Amex
Move enables Platinum Card members to take advantage of program’s benefits. From: Progressive Grocer
October 11 – Macy’s Releases New Private Label Home Line
The Oake lifestyle line is the latest private label offering form Macy’s, and features bed and bathroom fabric items. From: Store Brands Today
October 11 – Whole Foods Market Opens Another Tri-State Location
New 38,500-square-foot store in Massapequa, N.Y., features 1,000+ local products. From: Progressive Grocer
October 8 – 7-Eleven Expands Global Footprint to 18th Country
The 7-Eleven brand enters its 18th country with the opening of its first convenience store in Mumbai, India, on October 9. From: CS News
October 8 – Schnucks’ Remodeled Missouri Store Touts Fresh Choices Concept
Renovations include new food hall with local restaurants and apparel section. From: Progressive Grocer
October 8 – Crate & Barrel Launching New Leanne Ford Collection
The first-ever Leanne Ford for Crate & Barrel holiday capsule collection draws on whimsical holiday cheer with bold metallics and unique decor inspired by how she decorates and entertains for the holidays. From: HomePage News
October 8 – Sam’s Club is Making Merry with New Holiday Initiatives
Sam’s Club is introducing events with curated collections of merchandise, such as Holiday Home Prep and Appreciation Gifts to help provide inspiration and make shopping easier. The new events will take place across five weekends in October. From: HomePage News
October 8 – Williams-Sonoma Sets $15 Minimum Wage
The company stated that the increase reflects its continuing commitment to offering competitive pay as part of rewarding and recognizing employees who are critical to the company’s success. From: HomePage News
October 8 – Instacart Acquires Foodservice Tech Company
Acquiring foodservice tech company FoodStorm. From: Progressive Grocer
October 7 – IHA Helps Industry Contact Congress in Support of Shipping Reform Bill
The International Housewares Association has begun a letter-writing campaign to facilitate industry outreach to congressional leaders in support of a new federal bill seeking to curb unfair practices and charges by ocean carriers that have contributed to skyrocketing freight costs and extended delays for U.S.-bound containers. From: HomePage News
October 7 – Home Depot Joins Walmart’s GoLocal Delivery Initiative
Home Depot has signed on as the first retailer to join Walmart’s new delivery as a service business, GoLocal. From: HomePage News
October 7 – Macy’s Launches Holiday Initiatives Across Its Operations
With the holidays looming and supply challenges prompting retailers to emphasize early shopping, Macy’s is launching multiple initiatives such as live shopping events that include home merchandise among other product categories offered. From: HomePage News
October 7 – Costco Makes Strides in September
In September, Costco Warehouse Corp. kept posting strong comparable store sales, and, although down from peak COVID-19 pandemic increases, e-commerce continued almost double-digit advances. From: HomePage News
October 7 – Arhaus is Going Public
On October 4th, the Ohio-based home furnishings retailer filed documents with the SEC outlining its plans for an IPO. A share price and a date for the listing were not announced. From: Design Daily
October 6 – Target Boosting Pay for Peak Holiday Period Work
Hourly Target workers in store, service center and supply chain positions, as well as select headquarters and seasonal employees, will receive an extra $2 per hour for each hour worked during peak periods through the holiday season, the company announced. From: HomePage News
October 6 – Best Buy Reorganizes Membership Programs Under Totaltech
Best Buy is launching a new membership initiative that will include product and services benefits and act as an umbrella for existing programs including Geek Squad Tech Support. From: HomePage News
October 6 – Retailers Expect Strong Holidays Despite Labor, COVID-19 Concerns
Even with all the macro pressures in the marketplace, including COVID-19 and labor shortages, retailers remain optimistic even for what they recognize will be a bumpy 2021 holiday shopping season. From: HomePage News
October 6 – Hy-Vee now has 5 alternative store formats. Here’s how they’re evolving.
From a growing dollar store to a struggling health concept, the grocer has a diverse stable of banners at varying stages of growth and success. From: Grocery Dive
October 6 – Target adds buy now, pay later with Affirm, Sezzle
Target will team with installment loan services Affirm and Sezzle to offer customers buy now, pay later options heading into the holiday shopping season. Offering buy now, pay later options can lift average tickets by as much as 50%, according to RBC Capital Markets, and Target will offer the options on online orders of more than $100. From: CNBC
October 5 – Next-Gen Grocery Pickup Debuts in S.C.
Opie promises to fulfill orders in minutes via a drive-through lane. From: Progressive Grocer
October 5 – Amazon Boosting New York State Operations
As it continues expanding capabilities, Amazon has opened a new fulfillment center in Montgomery, N.Y. and signed leases on properties that will help it expand distributions functions in the Empire State. From: HomePage News
October 5 – Retailers expect Strong Holidays Despite Labor, COVID-19 Concerns
Even with all the macro pressures in the marketplace, including COVID-19 and labor shortages, retailers remain optimistic even for what they realize will be a bumpy 2021 holiday shopping season. From: HomePage News
October 5 – NRF: Biden Tariff Policy Won’t Improve Tough Market Environment
As the market prospects continue to be complicated by macro factors, the National Retail Federation expressed disappointment in the position on China Tariffs just detailed by the Biden Administration. From: HomePage News
October 5 – Craig Herkert’s Return Engagement at Save A Lot
Basket Economics: Supervalu’s former CEO returns to lead the discount division he once dreamed of doubling in size; and other recent financial news. From: Winsight Grocery Business
October 5 – Logistics Firm Aims to Give Non-Amazon Merchants a Lift
Pandion, a logistics startup founded by the former Amazon executive who oversaw the launch of Amazon Air, has raised $30 million in a funding round that included investment firms led by Yahoo co-founder Jerry Yang and former Google CEO Eric Schmidt. Pandion, which is building a network of warehouses to offer speedy delivery for non-Amazon online retailers, has already attracted several high-profile clients, founder Scott Ruffin said. From: CNBC
October 4 – Bed Bath & Beyond Launches 3B, Latest Owned Brand
Bed Bath & Beyond characterized Studio 3B as a curated collection of casual, warm and inviting homeware that provides on-trend décor, bedding, bath and accent furniture as well as dining products in a subtly refined style. From: HomePage News
October 4 – True Value Goes “All In” at Its 2021 Fall Reunion
Retailers in attendance at the Fall Reunion held at McCormick Place in Chicago were eager to meet with vendors face-to-face and see new products, but also valued the opportunity to mingle with other retailers and share ideas. From: Hardware Retailing
October 4 – Amazon Sets early “Black Friday” Promotions in Home and More
Amazon’s early holiday emphasis in the home department includes home décor, kitchen, smart home, crafts, pets, and kids’ rooms as well as organization and cleaning, home improvement, and guest room prep, Amazon stated. From: HomePage News
October 4 – U.S. Convenience Store Sales in 2021 Could Top Pre-Pandemic Levels
Nearly three quarters (74%) of convenience store retailers expect 2021-year end in-store sales to be better than 2020 and 67% expect sales will top sales in 2019, according to a NACS member retailer survey conducted in September 2021. From: Chain Store Age
October 4 – Do it Best Celebrates Record-Breaking Year at Fall Market
In addition to being the first in-person buying opportunity in nearly two years for Do it Best members, the event marked a chance for the co-op and its members to celebrate a record year for sales, which totaled $5.2 billion, up 45 percent over the prior year. From: Hardware Retailing
October 3 – Abel’s Quik Shops Chain Changes Hands as Owners Exit the Industry
Warrenton Oil Co. will expand its presence in Missouri with the acquisition of the 18-store chain. From: CS News
October 2 – Dollar General to Move Into Idaho
New store to expand footprint to 47 states. From: Progressive Grocer
October 2 – Whole Foods Market Names New CEO
Jason Buechel will succeed John Mackey, who is retiring next year. From: Progressive Grocer
October 1 – Bashas’ to Be Acquired by Raley’s
Bashas’ Family of Stores has signed a definitive agreement to be acquired by California-based independent regional grocer Raley’s Holding Co. According to the companies. From: Progressive Grocer
October 1 – Bed Bath & Beyond Stumbles in Q2
Bed Bath & Beyond showed a loss in the second quarter as COVID-19 and marketing missteps hurt it as well as supply chain and cost issues. From: HomePage News
October 1 – Dollar Tree to Pass the Buck with New Pricing Strategy
The company stated that the move is based on positive customer reaction to its new Combo and Dollar Tree Plus store formats. From: HomePage News
October 1 – JCPenney Unveils New Beauty Department Plans
JCPenney Beauty will feature a shop-in-shop experience with flagship partner Thirteen Lune, an inclusive e-commerce site founded by beauty entrepreneur Nyakio Grieco and Patrick Herning, the founder of 11 Honoré, a luxury plus size fashion label. From: HomePage News
