September 30 – Walmart Insists Distribution Can Handle the Holidays
The Walmart supply chain has been challenged, the company admitted in a blog post, but the company has been able to deal with congestion and inflation so that it is ready for the holiday season. From: HomePage News
September 30 – Qurate Names Veteran Supply Chain Exec Barnhart COO\
Qurate Retail Group named Scott Barnhart chief operating officer, effective immediately. From: HomePage News
September 30 – Rite Aid Points to Progress after Weak Q2
The second quarter saw Rite Aid losses increase and sales come up short of last year’s period, although a bit ahead of Wall Street projections. From: HomePage News
September 29 – Walmart Opens First Next Generation Fulfillment Center
While it continues to expand its distribution system, Walmart has opened a 1.1 million-square-foot Next Generation fulfillment center in Joliet, IL. From: HomePage News
September 29 – Bed Bath & Beyond Adjusting Inventory but Misses Q2 Estimates
Bed Bath & Beyond missed Wall Street estimates for the second quarter as sales slid and losses mounted. From: HomePage News
September 28 – UNFI Records quarterly Results as it Steps up Investments in Automation
The grocery wholesaler plans to install robotic equipment from Symbotic in four distribution centers and has recently made progress filling open jobs in its facilities, the company said this week. From: Grocery Dive
September 28 – Macy’s Launches Marketplace To Advance Omnichannel Strategy
Macy’s aims to advance its omnichannel strategy with the launch of a digital marketplace on macys.com which will provide shoppers with a curated assortment of new brands, merchandise categories and products from third-party merchants and brand partners. From: HomePage News
September 27 – Amazon Cited As Top Smart Home Vendor
A new report from Guidehouse Insights examines the competitive landscape for the smart home and cites Amazon as the top vendor in the sector. From: HomePage News
September 27 – Trader Joe’s Workers in New York City File for Union Vote
If the vote is successful, the store in Brooklyn’s Williamsburg neighborhood would become the chain’s third location to unionize as part of Trader Joe’s United. From: Grocery Dive
September 27 – Schnucks to Acquire Fricks
Schnuck Markets plans to buy independent grocer Fricks Market and transition one of its two Missouri stores to the recently launched Schnucks Fresh format. From: Supermarket News
September 27 – Walmart Launches Into the Metaverse with Roblox
In time for the holidays, Walmart is launching two new immersive experiences on the metaverse mega-platform, Roblox. From: HomePage News
September 27 – BJ’s Wholesale Club Readies First Store in Hoosier State
The membership club retailer’s first Indiana location will open at the end of September in metro Indianapolis. From: Store Brands Today
September 27 – Former Advanced Auto Parts Exec Creedon Named Dollar Tree COO
Dollar Tree has announced that Michael Creedon will join the organization as COO. From: HomePage News
September 27 – PetSmart Debuts Designer Pet Furniture, Decor Collection
The exclusive new assortment from designers Nate Berkus and Jeremiah Brent includes a broad product selection designed for various pets. From: Store Brands Today
September 26 – Walmart Jumps into the Metaverse with Roblox
Walmart will debut metaverse experiences Walmart Land and Walmart’s Universe of Play on Roblox today, the latest moves in the retailer’s effort to connect with shoppers across digital channels and court younger consumers. The metaverse experiences will feature games, events and virtual merchandise that replicates the goods Walmart shoppers can find online and in stores. From: NRF SmartBrief
September 26 – Another Activist Investor Pushes Kohl’s for Leadership Change
Activist investor Ancora Holdings Group is making a pitch for new leadership at Kohl’s Corp. after Macellum Advisors failed in a proxy suit to take over the company’s board. From: HomePage News
September 26 – Circle K to Enter South Africa Through Master Franchise Agreement
Millat Convenience Ltd will open the first franchised site in the Gauteng province in late October. From: Convenience Store News
September 26 – Sur La Table Launches 50th Anniversary Web, Product Initiatives
Sur La Table has launched a unique content center Lid & Ladle by Sur La Table and a limited-edition commemorative product collection in celebration of the banner’s 50th Anniversary. From: HomePage News
September 26 – Macy’s, Dick’s to create about 50K seasonal jobs
Macy’s aims to recruit about 41,000 seasonal full- and part-time employees this year for its namesake, Bloomingdale’s and Bluemercury stores, call centers and warehouses. Dick’s Sporting Goods also announced plans Monday to hire about 9,000 holiday staffers, on par with 2020 seasonal hiring goals. From: NRF SmartBrief
September 26 – Dollar Tree Hires New COO in Ongoing C-suite Revamp
Michael Creedon, who has led U.S. store operations for Advance Auto Parts, will play a key role as the dollar retailer tries to become more competitive. From: Retail Dive
September 26 – FedEx CEO Says Ground Contractors Ready to Deliver for the Holidays
Interest in a peak season program signals delivery providers are willing to ramp up capacity, despite concerns that some may sit out Black Friday. From: Supply Chain Dive
September 26 – Meet the Startup Grocer Aiming to Fix Time-Consuming Meal-Prep
Founded by a Walmart and Shipt veteran, Marcellus Foods will open next spring in Salt Lake City with prepped ingredients and the personalized recipes that tie them together. From: Grocery Dive
September 23 – Tuesday Morning Posts Losses But Expects Brighter Future with Pier 1
Before it announced a fourth quarter and full year loss, Tuesday Morning revealed that it had closed a strategic transaction to secure $35 million in convertible debt financing that could reshape how the company is positioned in the marketplace and raise the profile of the Pier 1 brand at the same time. From: HomePage News
September 23 – Kohl’s Board Unanimously Backs CEO
The retailer is standing behind Chief Executive Officer Michelle Gass amid pressure from an activist investor to replace her and the board’s chair. From: Retail Dive
September 23 – Costco Closes Fiscal Year Beating Key Wall Street Estimates
In the fourth quarter, Costco posted double-digit company comps as earnings and total sales beat an analyst estimate. From: HomePage News
September 23 – Nordstrom Lays off over 200 Workers at Supply Chain Facility
The retailer has been working to make its supply chain faster and more productive as it looks to offset costs and meet pick-up demand. From: Retail Dive
September 22 – Meijer Seeks Vendors For Frederik’s By Meijer Assortment
Following its launch in the fall of 2021, the retailer is searching for new products from suppliers located in six midwestern states. From: Store Brands Today
September 22 – Hedge Fund Pushes to Oust Kohl’s CEO, Board Chair
Ancora Holdings, among investors that last year forced changes to the retailer’s board, says CEO Michelle Gass “is no longer well-positioned to lead.” From: Retail Dive
September 22 – Kroger Shopper Strategy Emphasizes Convenience for Food
Senior VP Yael Cosset, pointed out that the food-at-home trend persists, bolstered by the desire to share cooking skills learned during the COVID-19 pandemic. From: HomePage News
September 22 – Target Plans 100K Seasonal Hires as it Looks to Start Discounts Sooner
The retailer is also bringing back its Target Deal Days, which will take place Oct. 6 to Oct. 8, and include “hundreds of thousands” of discounts across the company’s assortment. From: Retail Dive
September 22 – Walmart Getting an Early Jump on the Holidays
More than 80% of customers who plan to shop at Walmart this holiday season are doing so because of low prices, the company maintained. From: HomePage News
September 21 – Amazon Faces Uphill Battle as it Rolls out Fresh Chain, Say experts
A key obstacle for the e-commerce giant is that it is trying to build a base of physical grocery stores even as its chief rivals have been investing heavily to bolster their positions, analysts said Tuesday during Groceryshop. From: Grocery Dive
September 21 – Supply Chain Scrutiny Increases Even with Improvement
The Institute for Supply Management Services Purchasing Managers’ Index for August saw a slight movement into more positive economic territory. From: HomePage News
September 21 – Ralph Lauren to open 250 Stores in the Next 3 Years
Bob Ranftl, Regional CEO of North America said that “contrary to popular belief given the retailer’s range and appeal, Ralph Lauren is “still significantly underpenetrated in many cities in North America.” From: Retail Dive
September 21 – Macy’s Expanding Sustainability Initiatives
To reduce waste, Macy’s private brand team has embraced technology that allows it to scale back on the number of physical samples required from suppliers without impacting fit, color and other design considerations. From: HomePage News
September 20 – Halloween Spending to Surpass 2021 Levels
The NRF predicts that consumers will spend $10.6 billion on Halloween this year, up from $10.1 billion last year. From: Retail Dive
September 20 – Lowe’s Enhancing Operations with Virtual Initiative
In the coming weeks, Lowe’s will open up part of its virtual 3D product catalog – used to populate its digital twin – to Omniverse users, giving them the chance to create new applications for retail and beyond. From: HomePage News
September 20 – Market Basket Named as Top Inflationary-Times Grocer
New England supermarket chain bests Aldi, Dollar General, Walmart in special dunnhumby ranking. From: Supermarket News
September 20 – Walgreens to Acquire Specialty Pharmacy for $1.37B
Walgreens Boots Alliance will spend $1.37 billion to buy the 30% of Shields Health Solutions that it doesn’t already own, in a deal expected to close by the end of the year. Walgreens invested $970 million last year to acquire a majority stake in the company, which provides specialty pharmacy services to health services partners that serve about 1,000 US hospitals. From: NRF SmartBrief
September 20 – Lord & Taylor Shakes Up Positioning with New Emphasis on Home
The company is expanding beyond clothing to also feature home, accessories, travel, and beauty assortments among others. From: HomePage News
September 20 – Whole Foods CEO Wants to Bring Back ‘The Theater of Retail’
During a keynote at the Groceryshop conference, Jason Buechel said the chain wants to continue being an innovator in store experiences while also upholding its specialty roots. From: Grocery Dive
September 20 – Walmart, Qurate Retail Launch New Livestream Initiatives
Firework, a video e-commerce specialist, announced that it has signed a partnership agreement with Walmart Connect, Walmart’s closed loop omnichannel media business, to launch livestream and premium shoppable video content. From: HomePage News
September 20 – Gap Inc. to Eliminate 500 Corporate Jobs
The retailer recently ended its partnership with the Yeezy brand and reported widening sales declines. From: Retail Dive
September 19 – Two Publix VPs to Retire, Another Appointed
Publix said Monday that Vice President of Finance Gino DiGrazia plans to retire at the end of this year after 30 years’ service at the company, while Vice President of Benefits Administration and Assistant Secretary Linda Kane, a 28-year Publix veteran, aims to follow suit early next year. From: Supermarket News
September 19 – Do it Best Announces Executive Leadership Transitions
Effective October 31, Do it Best will see several executive leadership transitions. Executive vice president of operations Steve Markley will retire, and Dent Johnson will move into the role of executive vice president of operations. Nick Talarico will serve as the executive vice president of sales and marketing and Jason Stofleth will become the vice president of merchandising. From: Hardware Retailing
September 19 – Big Lots DoorDash Deal Expands Delivery Options
Big Lots merchandise is available on DashPass, DoorDash’s membership program that offers members unlimited free delivery and reduced service fees. From: HomePage News
September 19 – Study: Holiday Shoppers Planning Around Rising Prices
The top spending concern for consumers this holiday season are the prices of goods being too high followed by shipping costs and out-of-stock items or low inventory. From: HomePage News
September 19 – JCPenney Beauty Rollout Takes Off
In October, JCPenney will begin expanding its beauty boutiques from the base of 10 brick-and-mortar pilot locations to 300 stores by early next year and 600 stores by spring 2023. From: HomePage News
September 16 – Albertsons Brings Essential Services to Older Residents, Families in Affordable Housing. Albertsons said the partnership aims to address accessibility barriers that these residents can face with getting food and healthcare from its banners’ brick-and-mortar stores. From: Grocery Dive
September 16 – NRF: Consumers Keep Driving Retail Sales
Sales increased 7.5% year over year for the first eight months of 2022, keeping results on track with NRF’s forecast for retail revenue growth of between 6% and 8% versus 2021. From: HomePage News
September 16 – FedEx Ramps up Cost-Cutting Measures after Earnings Fall Below Expectations. Global volume declined in Q1, a trend the delivery giant expects to continue throughout the rest of its fiscal year. From: Supply Chain Dive
September 16 – Nordstrom Rack Rollout Continues with Pacific Northwest Stores
The new stores will operate in Union Gap and Olympia, WA, and Salem, OR. From: HomePage News
September 16 – Rusty Lantern Markets Adds Four C-stores to Northeast Network
The retailer acquires the Mallard Mart convenience store chain. From: Convenience Store News
September 16 – Bed Bath & Beyond Reveals Initial Store Closures
All of the 56 stores announced in the initial closing’s initiative are under the Bed Bath & Beyond banner. From: HomePage News
September 15 – Howie Named Williams-Sonoma CFO After Whalen Moves to Expedia
Williams-Sonoma has promoted Jeff Howie to CFO after his predecessor left the company for Expedia. From: HomePage News
September 15 – Giant Food Brings On New SVP of Operations
Diane Hicks has been part of the Ahold Delhaize family for several years. From: Progressive Grocer
September 14 – Crate & Barrel 60th Anniversary Features Reimagined Housewares
Crate & Barrel is celebrating 60 years in operation through in-store celebrations and behind-the-scenes looks at the company’s beginnings. From: HomePage News
September 14 – Patagonia Founder Transfers Ownership: ‘Earth is Now our Only Shareholder’
From here on out, “every dollar that is not reinvested back into Patagonia will be distributed as dividends to protect the planet,” the company said. From: Retail Dive
September 14 – Perigold Celebrates Fifth Anniversary with New Marketing
Perigold, which features brands that usually are in the realm of interior designers, is celebrating its fifth anniversary with a new marketing campaign that highlights its vision to ‘unlock extraordinary’ and offer access and the opportunity to shop luxury home furnishings. From: HomePage News
September 14 – Amazon Cancels, Delays Dozens of Warehouses as it Looks to Rightsize Capacity
The e-commerce giant is slowing its network expansion after excess capacity and less productive facilities saw billions of dollars in added costs. From: Supply Chain Dive
September 14 – Walmart Offers Marketplace Sellers Upgraded Toolkit.
As it approaches the holidays, Walmart has launched an initiative developed to boost marketplace sellers in everyday practice, Mike Greenberg, head of marketplace, Walmart Connect, pointed out in a blog post. From: HomePage News
September 14 – Kimberly-Clark Appoints Former 3M Exec as Chief Supply Chain Officer
Tamera Fenske will help manage global procurement, manufacturing, logistics, transportation, safety, and sustainability. From: Supply Chain Dive
September 13 – Zulily Moves to Help Moms Even More
Zulily is putting even more emphasis on moms as the core customer, and it’s doing so based on a mom’s definition of value, the Qurate Retail Group banner stated. From: HomePage News
September 13 – Off-Price Retailers Shift Tactics as Inventory Gluts Squeeze the Industry
Markdowns by large retailers have created a domino effect, placing new pressures on the model of stores like Burlington and Ross. From: Supply Chain Dive
September 13 – Amazon Rolling Out Thursday Night Football Promos, New Fresh Stores
Amazon is launching a promotion to raise the profile of its Thursday Night Football exclusive streaming gamecast and link merchandise sales to it, even as it furthers other established initiatives including the rollout of its Amazon Fresh stores. From: HomePage News
September 12 – Tuesday Morning Lands Debt Financing To Initiate Turnaround Plan
Tuesday Morning Corp. has entered into an agreement to secure $32 million in convertible debt financing to help initiate a plan to turnaround the off-price retailer. From: HomePage News
September 12 – Target Partners with FAO Schwarz on Exclusive, Multiyear Deal
The retailer’s stores will feature a dedicated space for the toy company, with demonstrations at select stores throughout the holiday season. From: Retail Dive
September 12 – Global Port Tracker: Import Volume Diminishing
Import volumes at the nation’s major container ports are slipping below last year’s levels and will remain there for the rest of 2022 with inflation and related developments having an effect, the monthly Global Port Tracker report concluded. Form: HomePage News
September 12 – J.C. Penney Puts a New Foot Forward with Frye and Co.
J.C. Penney has teamed with strategic partner Authentic Brands Group to roll out an exclusive collection of Western-style boots, bags and fashion under the Frye and Co. brand, one of more than 50 names in Authentic Brands’ portfolio. The line will include “lifestyle apparel” such as Fair Isle sweaters and boho midi dresses. From: NRF SmartBrief
September 9 – Wayfair Aims for Profitability Against Revenue Headwinds
In a second-quarter conference call that also shed some light on the company’s approach to 2023, Niraj Shah, Wayfair’s co-founder, co-chairman and CEO, said the company expects traction in its efforts, despite a macro-environment that makes revenue gains problematic. From: HomePage News
September 9 – Lowe’s Expands Same-Day Instacart Delivery
Under the arrangement, consumers will be able to order 30,000 Lowe’s items for delivery in as little as one hour. From: HomePage News
September 9 – RH Earnings Slip but Beat Wall Street
Sales gained but Restoration Hardware earnings slipped in the second quarter as market conditions took a toll. From: HomePage News
September 9 – Kroger Q2 Exceeds Wall Street Expectations
Among the quarter’s highlights, Kroger indicated a 34% year-over-year increase in delivery sales. From: HomePage News
September 9 – BJ’s Grows Its Footprint in Michigan
Newest club store marks 5th location in Great Lakes State. From: Progressive Grocer
September 8 – Cornell Commits to Three More Years as Target CEO
Gretchen McCarthy, senior vp, global inventory management, will succeed Valdez in his position. From: HomePage News
September 8 – Wegmans, Target, Sheetz Best Large Retail Employers
The list is one developed by Fortune based on a proprietary methodology that analyzed the survey responses from more than 72,000 employees of companies in the retail industry. From: HomePage News
September 8 – Qurate Boosts Streaming with Sriraman Appointment, YouTube TV Expansion
In her newly established role, Sriraman will lead Qurate Retail Group’s streaming commerce business, which includes the QVC+ and HSN+ streaming experience, as well as the QVC and HSN expanding presence on digital livestreaming TV, and other initiatives. From: HomePage News
September 7 – QVC Appoints Bowe Chief Merchandising Officer
Stacy Bowe has been named chief merchandising officer of QVC US and will develop and lead QVC’s merchandising strategy across all product categories. From: HomePage News
September 7 – ISM: Manufacturing Sector Remains in Growth Territory
Economic activity in the manufacturing sector grew in August, with the overall economy in the United States achieving a 27th consecutive month of growth. From: HomePage News
September 7 – Survey: Online Shopper Frustration Lingers
When it comes to online shopping, problems consumers cite as ongoing include customer service shortfalls, at 48%, website navigation, at 32%, and search deficiencies at 29%. From: HomePage News
September 7 – Lowe’s Chief Marketing Officer Exits as Company Realigns Structure
Marisa Thalberg, Lowe’s chief brand and marketing officer, has exited the company as part of a broader reorganization effort. From: Retail Dive
September 6 – Hy-Vee Provides Further Information on Dual CEOs’ Responsibilities
New CEOs Jeremy Gosch and Aaron Wiese will have portfolios that overlap in a few areas even as they control distinct parts of the company. From: Grocery Dive
September 6 – Crossen Named Bed Bath & Beyond Interim CFO After Arnal’s Death
Crossen was the company’s senior vice president, finance, and chief accounting officer. From: HomePage News
September 6 – Meijer Rolling Out Grocery Store Format
Although they won’t altogether step back from general merchandise, the key Meijer Grocery departments will be, Meijer stated, Fresh Produce, Fresh Meat Counter, Bakery, Full-Service Deli, Dry Grocery, Pharmacy, Health & Beauty Care, Baby, Pets and Consumables, and Card and Party/Floral. From: HomePage News
September 6 – Williams-Sonoma Scares Up Early Halloween Launches
Williams-Sonoma has launched its Halloween seasonal assortments across the company’s entire portfolio banners: Williams Sonoma, West Elm, Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn Kids and Mark & Graham. From: HomePage News
September 6 – Raley’s CFO Ken Mueller Killed in Plane Crash
Ken Mueller, senior vice president and chief financial officer for Western grocer Raley’s, died in a plane crash in Northern California over the weekend. From: Supermarket News
September 6 – Kohl’s gets $2B bid for Real Estate
The retailer has reportedly discussed a leaseback deal with a private equity firm following a breakdown in acquisition talks earlier this year. From: Retail Dive
September 2 – Dollar General Makes Additional Leadership Changes
Dollar General announced several leadership updates on Tuesday, including naming a new chief strategy officer, Donny Lau, and three new appointments within its store operations division. From: Retail Dive
September 2 – Meijer Grocery is coming in 2023
The retailer operates supercenters and a few neighborhood grocery stores. Now it’s planning to open supermarkets, starting in its home state of Michigan. From: Grocery Dive
September 1 – Bed Bath & Beyond’s Supply Chain a Critical Component of Turnaround Plan
Interim CEO Sue Gove said the ailing retailer wants to increase its speed in getting product to stores and customers. From: Supply Chain Dive
September 1 – Costco Reports Higher Sales Across the Board
The membership warehouse club has revealed that its net sales climbed 15.3% to top $70.8 billion during its fourth quarter ending Aug. 28, which also marked the end of its fiscal year. From: Progressive Grocer
September 1 – Amazon Offers Sellers Long-Term Inventory Storage With New Service
Amazon Warehousing & Distribution allows the company to capture more value from its fulfillment network, which has grappled with excess capacity this year. From: Supply Chain Dive
September 1 – Chewy, Petco: Premium Pet Foods Grow Despite Inflation
Pet product retailers Chewy and Petco say dog and cat owners are continuing to spend on premium pet foods and pamper their furry family members with human-grade meals and treats. Pet health and wellness products and services are also in high demand, while inflation has taken a bite out of spending on other goods including pet beds, leashes and toys, the companies said. From: NRF SmartBrief
