DivcoWest Brings REI Neighborhood Store to Cambridge Crossing

Boston Real Estate Times
DivcoWest announced it will welcome specialty outdoor retailer REI Co-op to Cambridge Crossing (CX), the new 43-acre neighborhood at the intersection of Cambridge, Somerville, and Boston. . . . more

Footwear Prices Are Going Up — Here’s What to Expect in the Months Ahead

Footwear News

It’s official: Prices are rising, and it’s likely they’ll remain higher than usual in the months to come. . . . more

U.S. online sales forecast revised upward

CSA

E-commerce is on track to surpass 20% of total U.S. retail sales by 2024. . . . more

Alex and Ani files for bankruptcy

CSA

Alex and Ani is looking for a buyer. . . . more

J. Jill rebounds from pandemic doldrums with 42% sales growth

Retail Dive

As it lapped last year's pandemic closures, J. Jill's first-quarter sales grew about 42% year over year to $129.1 million. . . . more

GameStop fills CEO, CFO spots with former Amazon execs

Retail Dive

GameStop filled two of its most important open C-suite positions with Amazon veterans as the company works toward a digital makeover and reported first-quarter sales growth of about 25%. . . . more

Jack in the Box Reveals its Restaurant of the Future

QSR
Before Darin Harris began his tenure as Jack in the Box CEO in June 2020, the construction design team examined how to create the most efficient kitchen possible to maximize volume and develop an engine that enabled the brand to fit on smaller sites. . . . more

Showcase Cinemas North in Worcester has officially closed

Spectrum News
Showcase Cinemas Worcester North is officially closed, according to National Amusements. . . . more

Dunham’s Sports Plans To Open 11 New Stores In Back Half Of 2021

Plain Vanilla Shell

Dunham’s Sports recently announced plans to open 11 new stores in the back half of 2021, bringing the company’s total store count to over 250. . . . more

In the Past Year, Francesca’s Faced COVID, a Bankruptcy and New Ownership — Here’s How Its Business Is Faring Now

Footwear News

Calling the past year unprecedented is no understatement for Francesca’s. . . . more

Chuck E. Cheese will hire 5K employees this summer

Restaurant Dive

Chuck E. Cheese plans to hire 5,000 employees this summer across its 460 locations in 47 states, according to a press release. . . . more

As pandemic wanes, dollar stores regain lost ground, grab new sales

Retail Dive

Dollar stores — those that stayed open as essential retailers — were among the primary beneficiaries of 2020’s topsy-turvy selling environment. Many core and new customers used Dollar General and Family Dollar to stock up and took advantage of their general merchandise assortments to consolidate shopping trips. . . . more

Is the never-ending Sears saga finally reaching its closing chapters?

Retail Dive

In October 2018, one Sears holding company (with a multitude of subsidiaries) went into bankruptcy. As though by some dark science, an identity split occurred in Chapter 11. . . . more

Staples makes $1 billion bid to buy consumer businesses of Office Depot owner

CSA

Will the third time be the charm for Staples? . . . more

Express narrows loss; to expand smaller-store format

CSA

Express Inc. topped first-quarter expectations and said its second-quarter store sales to date are exceeding 2019 levels on a comparable basis. . . . more

Stop & Shop eyes over 1,000 new hires in metro New York

Supermarket News

Stop & Shop aims to fill more than 1,000 part-time jobs across the metropolitan New York area. . . . more

American Eagle cuts SKUs, speeds delivery with supply chain transformation

Retail Dive
American Eagle Outfitters has improved turn times, thanks to its supply chain transformation that has taken place over the last year. Under its new model, the retailer reduced SKU counts to focus on the "the most productive styles," COO Michael Rempell said on the company's earnings call last week. . . . more

Bed Bath & Beyond adds 3 more private labels to lineup

Retail Dive

Bed Bath & Beyond on Wednesday announced its next round of private labels: kitchen and dining ware brand Our Table, home brand Wild Sage, and storage and organization brand Squared Away. . . . more

Dick’s Sporting Goods’ new store openings include second House of Sport

CSA

Dick’s Sporting Goods continues to expand with new formats and new concepts. . . . more

Container Store shores up leadership with retail vets

CSA

The Container Store has expanded its management team, including adding four new titles: CIO; VP of merchandising; senior director of senior director of environmental, social and governance (ESG); and senior director of diversity, equity and inclusion. . . . more

Walmart to take on Amazon with ‘Deals for Days’ promotion

CSA

The question was never if, but when, Walmart would announce its own June sales extravaganza in the wake of Amazon and Target’s scheduled events. . . . more

Target primes itself for ‘Deal Days’ sales extravaganza

CSA

Target is launching a major online promotion that starts one day earlier than Amazon Prime Day. . . . more

Sweetgreen refreshes brand identity to spotlight sustainability, focus on 'real food'

Restaurant Dive

Fast-casual salad chain Sweetgreen unveiled a new brand identity that tries to "reimagine fast food" with a focus on social issues like climate change, according to a press release. . . . more

Downsizing hurts Nordstrom in Q1

Retail Dive
The effect of Nordstrom's decision last year to close 16 full-line stores was felt during its first quarter, when net sales rose 44% from 2020, but fell 13% from 2019. Year over year, full-line store sales rose 37% and off-price Rack sales rose 59%; compared to 2019, sales at each fell 13%. . . . more

Off-pricers bounce back in Q1

Retail Dive

Some U.S. consumers still have some of the government's pandemic relief money left in their pockets; others have needed the federal boost just to pay their bills. Both kinds of shoppers prize a deal, and are heading to off-price stores to find one. . . . more

Anthropologie opens its first hotel pop-up

CSA

Anthropologie is setting up shop — temporarily — at the Jersey shore. . . . more

Big Lots crushes estimates amid strong sales; opening 50 to 60 stores

CSA

Big Lots Inc. reported better-than-expected sales and earnings for its first quarter despite “significant supply chain and freight headwinds.” . . . more

Ulta Beauty sales soar; earnings, revenue exceed pre-pandemic levels

CSA

Ulta Beauty started the year strong as sales jumped 65%, fueled by rising consumer confidence, stimulus checks, the easing of COVID-19 restrictions and returning store shoppers. . . . more

Warby Parker Founders Explain Why They Are Adding 35 Stores

StockXpo

Last year, the pandemic forced many Warby Parker customers to try shopping online for their eyeglasses. Now, as online sales remain elevated, the eyewear brand is doubling down on its bricks-and-mortar strategy. . . . more

3 Reasons Bankruptcies Could Pick Up Later This Year — and What Retailers Are at Risk

Footwear News

Over the past few months, a ramped-up COVID-19 vaccination program, federal fiscal stimulus and pent-up consumer demand have led retailers to see improved foot traffic and sales trends, with an increasing number reporting better-than-expected quarterly financial results. But experts have suggested that not all companies are in the clear — and some might just be on the way to the chopping block later this year. . . . more

Gap turnaround gaining traction

CSA

Gap Inc.’s turnaround efforts appear to be gaining ground based on its first-quarter results. . . . more

Dollar General sales fall; on track to open 1,050 stores

CSA

Dollar General reported better-than-expected first-quarter earnings and sales as stimulus checks gave a boost to revenue. . . . more

American Eagle in store expansion for Aerie, spin-off brand

CSA

American Eagle Outfitters passed the $1 billion mark in first-quarter revenue as business accelerated across its brands. Revenue rose 17% to $1.03 billion in the quarter ended May 1, compared to $0.89 billion in the first quarter of 2019. . . . more

CVS handing out prizes for COVID-19 vaccinations

WHDH
CVS Health is tempting people who are hesitant to get the Covid-19 vaccine with lavish prizes — some of which were forbidden just a year ago. . . . more

Best Buy sales jump with across nearly all categories; momentum continues into Q2

CSA
Best Buy Co. reported a better-than-expected first quarter as consumers continued to spend on electronics for their homes. . . . more

Walmart Marketplace offers new two-day delivery option

CSA

Sellers on the Walmart Marketplace third-party e-commerce platform can analyze, track and fulfill orders with a cloud-based logistics solution. . . . more

Pandemic shopping behaviors that will stick — and those that won’t

Supermarket News
We’ve had more than a year to speculate about what the “next normal” will look like — that is, how will consumer shopping for CPGs change once the pandemic recedes and people are able to more freely go about their lives?. . . more

Nordstrom Reiterates Outlook, But Earnings Fall Short of Expectations

Footwear News

Shares of Nordstrom Inc. are down in after-hours trading after the company posted earnings that fell short of expectations, but the retailer reiterated its outlook for the full year. . . . more

Chuck E. Cheese debuts mobile app and rewards program

Restaurant Dive
Chuck E. Cheese has debuted a new mobile app and rewards program as part of its Summer of Fun event running from Memorial Day through Labor Day, according to a company press release. . . . more

Vietnamese coffee chain has designs on the U.S.

CSA

One of Vietnam's most popular coffee brands is looking to build a brick-and-mortar presence in the United States. . . . more

ShopRite parent puts customer at center of merchandising

CSA

The nation’s largest retailer-owned cooperative is ensuring its merchandising decisions enhance the customer experience. . . . more

Wilson Sporting Goods to open its first stores

CSA
Wilson Sporting Goods Co. is expanding its game, moving from the court to lifestyle apparel — and physical retail. . . . more

An upscale indoor mini golf spot is coming to the Seaport

Boston.com

The Seaport, already home to several high-end clubs, is about to get some upscale golf clubs as well. . . . more

7-Eleven selling 300 stores to three separate buyers

CSA

7-Eleven is selling 293 Speedway and 7-Eleven stores are part of a settlement with the Federal Trade Commission. . . . more

Check out Panera Bread’s new neighborhood bakery-inspired store design

CSA

Panera Bread is moving its in-store bakery ovens to center stage. . . . more

Ross Stores in comeback

CSA
Ross Stores reported Q1 earnings and sales that topped Street estimates with comp sales that beat pre-pandemic levels. . . . more

If you own a mall, you also own a warehouse

CSA

Malls have always existed to bring together a multitude of inventories in support of commerce. They’re in convenient locations, sitting on major roads and highways and maintain parking lots, loading docks, and back-of-house storage as vital parts of their blueprint. . . . more

Tuesday Morning to be relisted

CSA

Tuesday Morning's efforts to get back on track continue with its return to the Nasdaq. . . . more

Foot Locker to eliminate Footaction banner; will close, convert stores

CSA

Foot Locker reported a strong first quarter that beat estimates and said it is repositioning its store fleet to focus on its iconic banners. . . . more

Shake Shack, Fogo de Chao and More: Burlington Mall Adds New Eateries in Sears Space

NBC Boston
The Burlington Mall will soon unveil a major makeover of a former Sears anchor store with some big-name and new-to-the-area restaurants. . . . more

Why Eastbay turned to video to drive engagement during the pandemic

Retail Dive

High school sports wasn't exactly the place to be last year. . . . more

Facebook to launch live shopping on its platform

CSA

Facebook is expanding its “Live Shopping” offering with a new promotion scheduled for Fridays this summer. . . . more

Macy’s Wants to Expand Into Toys, Pets + More New Categories — Why Analysts Think It Might Be Too Ambitious

Footwear News

Amid the COVID-19 health crisis, merchandise like toys, pet care and housewares saw a surge in sales as consumers worked and played from home. And it’s no surprise Macy’s is looking to expand into those categories — but some analysts think the move might be a little too ambitious for the challenged chain. . . . more

Shoe Carnival Beats on Earnings, With Loyalty Program and Store Sales Seeing Big Gains

Footwear News

Shoe Carnival Inc. posted a huge quarterly profit and sales beat as its loyalty program and in-store business made solid gains. . . . more

Rebound at stores energizes Target’s first quarter

Supermarket News
In its fiscal 2021 first quarter, Target Corp. vaulted over pandemic-driven results a year ago, doubling its net and comparable sales growth and topping Wall Street’s earnings-per-share estimate by more than a dollar. . . . more

Where is Macy's going?

Retail Dive

Macy's calmed a lot of investor feathers this week with a first quarter performance that beat most expectations and a plan to rehabilitate its faltering business. . . . more

Largest Orangetheory Fitness Franchisee Acquires 24 More Locations

Plain Vanilla Shell

Honors Holdings was already the largest Orangetheory Fitness franchisee in the system. The company has just acquired 24 more locations across six states, in markets like Las Vegas, New York City, and the Washington, DC metro area. The multi-unit operator now has 102 Orangetheory Fitness locations in its portfolio. . . . more