Retail on pace for the most bankruptcies and store closures ever in one year, BDO says

Retail Dive
The pandemic — with its temporary store closures, social distancing requirements, e-commerce boom and supply chain disruption — in the first six months of this year fueled uncertainty for retailers and accelerated existing trends, according to BDO's biannual bankruptcy update.. . . more

Sycamore Partners reportedly bids on Ann Taylor and other Ascena assets

Retail Dive
Private equity firm Sycamore Partners has offered to buy key assets of bankrupt Ascena Retail Group, Bloomberg reported on Friday, citing unnamed sources.. . . more

Syracuse mall asks tenants to leave, shuts for good

CSA
Gov. Andrew Cuomo stalled the opening of malls in New York, requiring that air filtration systems be upgraded before they could allow customers in, but ShoppingTown Mall in DeWitt, N.Y., could only let in the rain.. . . more

Great Clips goes nationwide

CSA
Great Clips now has a location in all 50 states.. . . more

Dick’s Sporting Goods pledges to remove single-use plastic bags

CSA
As part of a new initiative to eliminate single-use plastic bags from the wastestream, Dick’s Sporting Goods is joining an industry consortium.. . . more

Johnny Rockets Gives FAT Brands the Muscle it's Been Looking For

Plain Vanilla Shell

FAT Brands is quite familiar with the brand acquisition game. . . . more

Inside Levi’s new ‘NextGen’ retail store

Plain Vanilla Shell
Store and curbside pick-ups, line-queuing tools, in-store personal shopping appointments and contactless returns: welcome to the new Levi’s experiential store.. . . more

Bed Bath & Beyond introduces same-day delivery

CSA
A leading home goods retailer is expanding its array of omnichannel shopping services ahead of the holidays.. . . more

Big Lots upbeat about third quarter; early read on holiday ‘encouraging’

CSA

Big Lots gave an optimistic update on expected results for its third quarter fueled by strong sales.. . . more

Allbirds raises new funding to support store expansion, new product categories

CSA
The pandemic hasn’t put a dent in Allbirds ability to raise cash.. . . more

Target won't be left out of this year's Prime Day

CNN Business
Target isn't letting Amazon hog the sales spotlight during Prime Day. The big-box store is once again bringing back its own version of the event.. . . more

CDC classifies in-store Black Friday shopping as 'higher-risk'

CSA
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention wants shoppers to avoid crowded stores on Black Friday.. . . more

An inside look at Wegmans’ leadership strategy

Plain Vanilla Shell
This has been a mostly dismal year for the retail industry, with many prominent stores and independently-run businesses either closing or barely hanging on. If there was one bright story in this environment, it would be the long-anticipated arrival of the Wegmans supermarket chain into the Westchester market, with its first local store opening in Harrison on Aug. 5.. . . more

Edible® Reaches Significant Growth With 63 New Signed Agreements

Plain Vanilla Shell
Edible continues its momentum for 2020 with the addition of 63 new franchise agreements, 22 signing in August alone. By continuing to bring joy and comfort to its customers, the brand has attracted new entrepreneurs who are inspired by the brand’s resiliency and impressive growth.. . . more

T-Mobile opens first Vermont stores

Plain Vanilla Shell
Vermont Business Magazine Wireless carrier T-Mobile brings 5G service to more parts of Vermont as it opens its first two stores in the state. And, the "Un-carrier" partners with Green Mountain Transit to provide Wi-Fi for riders.. . . more

Amazon's Prime Day highlights the huge stakes ahead for retail

CNN Business
Amazon has fired the starting gun for a hugely important shopping season, with retailers racing to make up as many lost sales as possible between now and the end of the year.. . . more

Party City to open 91% fewer Halloween pop-ups this year

Retail Dive
Party City plans to open just 25 pop-up stores under its Halloween City banner this year as it navigates a holiday disrupted by the pandemic, according to a press release issued Tuesday. . . . more

Rite Aid Q2 loss narrows, sales top Street; gives upbeat forecast

CSA
Rite Aid Corp. narrowed its quarterly loss as sales continued to rise during the pandemic.. . . more

Neiman Marcus Group reportedly in major headcount reduction

CSA
The Neiman Marcus Group is starting to cut back on staff as it prepares to emerge from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.. . . more

Gap revamps rewards program across core brands

CSA
Gap Inc. is introducing a new corporate loyalty program that will be individually branded for its four major store banners.. . . more

Target reveals holiday hiring plans – with focus on online orders, safety

CSA
Target Corp. laid out its holiday staffing plans for a holiday season that it said “will be unlike any other.”. . . more

Bed Bath & Beyond closing these 63 stores by yearend

CSA
Bed Bath & Beyond has unveiled the first group of stores that it plans to shutter as part of its ongoing restructuring efforts.. . . more

AutoZone Q4 Same Store Sales Increase 21.8%

Plain Vanilla Shell
During the quarter ended Aug. 29, 2020, AutoZone opened 49 new stores in the U.S... . . . more

Is JCPenney Actually Worth More Than $10 Billion? Why A Group of Shareholders Thinks So

Footwear News
A group of J. C. Penney Company Inc. shareholders are arguing that the retailer could be worth much more than it valued itself in bankruptcy court.. . . more

Costco is missing out on an exploding grocery trend

CNN Business
Curbside pickup is exploding in the pandemic as more people choose to order online and scoop up their groceries outside the store without leaving their car. But you won't find that option at a Costco store anytime soon.. . . more

Inside the store: Amazon Fresh

Retail Dive
After a few weeks of operating on an invite-only basis, the Amazon Fresh grocery store in Woodland Hills, California, opened to the general public on Thursday.. . . more

Half of holiday shoppers plan to use curbside or contactless pickup: survey

Retail Dive
More consumers plan to shop on Cyber Monday compared to Black Friday, according to a survey conducted by BlackFriday.com and Survey Gizmo.. . . more

New furniture store concept to debut

CSA
Loves Furniture & Mattresses has announced its first locations.. . . more

Giant Eagle eyes fast, accurate curbside fulfillment

CSA
A Midwest/Mid-Atlantic supermarket retailer is equipping its curbside pickup program with mobile location services. . . more

It’Sugar files for bankruptcy as rent default notices pile up

CSA
Even the nation’s largest candy store retailer isn’t immune to the pandemic.. . . more

Chuck E. Cheese will destroy stockpile of 7 billion prize tickets

Cleveland.com
Remember that feeling when you hit the bullseye in Skee-Ball and the machine starts spewing out a seemingly endless stream of prize tickets? Now imagine 7 billion of those tickets.. . . more

Dealing With the New Normal

CStore Decisions 
The c-store industry was never for the faint of heart. The competition is aggressive, customers have extremely high standards, and any challenges encountered have to be overcome — and fast.. . . more

Halloween Candy Sales Are Up Double Digits in 2020

CStore Decisions 
For the latest four weeks ending Sept. 6, 2020, versus the same period in 2019, total Halloween chocolate and candy sales are up 13%, according to new data from the National Confectioners Association (NCA). This growth is driven by Halloween chocolate, which is up a massive 25.3%.. . . more

Quality Oil Acquires 23 Four Brothers C-Stores

Plain Vanilla Shell
Quality Oil plans to rebrand the Four Brothers stores, the report said. The company will convert the 23 locations into Quality Marts, the company said.. . . more

Ralph Lauren to cut workforce by 15%

CSA
Ralph Lauren on Tuesday said it will simplify its organization and cut its global workforce by the end of its current fiscal year, to achieve savings of between $180 million and $200 million in gross annualized pre-tax expenses.. . . more

Amazon's stock is getting beat by a warehouse chain this year. And it's not Costco

CSA
For years, Costco and Sam's Club have dominated warehouse club retail, where members pay an annual fee to buy large quantities of goods at low prices. But a much smaller warehouse chain has gained steam as shoppers load up on groceries in the pandemic: BJ's Wholesale Club.. . . more

Ascena clears hurdle into final stretch of Ch. 11 reorganization

CSA
Ascena's plan to reorganize in bankruptcy is set for a vote by creditors after a key milestone in the Chapter 11 process.. . . more

Sizzler, one of America's first steakhouse chains, files for bankruptcy

CNN Business
Sizzler USA, one of the country's first casual restaurant chains, has filed for bankruptcy.. . . more

Party City to open only 25 Halloween pop-ups

CSA
With the COVID-19 pandemic putting a crimp in Halloween celebrations, Party City Holdco has scaled back its own plans.. . . more

Lowe’s rolling out pickup lockers chainwide

CSA
Lowe’s Companies is expanding a new self-service option for customers picking up online orders at its stores.. . . more

Pottery Barn aims to extend life of products through Renewed line

CSA
Pottery Barn on Friday announced that it teamed up with The Renewal Workshop to launch "Pottery Barn Renewed," a new line that represents the retailer's "first step towards becoming a circular business." The tie-up marks The Renewal Workshop's first line with a major home furnishing retailer, the company said.. . . more

Holiday sales to rise 1.0% to 2.6% but over a longer period than in years past

CSA
The traditional November to December holiday shopping season is meaningless this year — and perhaps forever. . . more

7-Eleven in new hiring blitz

CSA
7-Eleven has hired more than 50,000 employees since March — with more to come.. . . more

Walmart expands fashion focus with new private label clothing line

CSA
Walmart has made another move to boost its fashion credibility and expand its portfolio of exclusive brands. . . . more

DSW expands unlikely in-store, digital partnership with Hy-Vee

CSA
Designer Brands Inc., parent of DSW Designer Shoe Warehouse, is moving forward with its “shop-in-shop” pilot with Hy-Vee.. . . more

First Look: UPS Store gets design makeover — first big change in 20 years

CSA

The nation’s largest shipping, postal, print and business services chain has gotten a makeover.. . . more

Wayback Burgers Continues to Expand, Innovate, and Give Back

CSA
Wayback Burgers, America’s favorite hometown burger joint, and one of the nation’s fastest-growing burger franchises, is reflecting on the first half of 2020 and looking forward to continued expansion and innovation in the later part of the year.. . . more

Emerging from the pandemic, PREIT signs new tenants at six malls

CSA
Shopping centers and malls continue to work their ways out of the confines of COVID-19 with gains in traffic and new tenants coming on-stream.. . . more

Ann Taylor parent sells Catherines for $40.8 million

CSA
Ascena Retail Group Inc., whose banners include Ann Taylor, Loft and Lane Bryant, is selling its plus-size Catherines brand for more than double what it was originally offered.. . . more

A long-awaited moment of truth for GameStop

CSA
GameStop may have unlocked a 1-up in a tumultuous 2020. . . . more

Herman Miller to unveil new store concept that leverages work-from-home trend

CSA
Herman Miller is expanding its retail presence. . . . more

Choice Market Secures Growth Capital for Expansion Across the U.S.

Restaurant News
Choice Market, an omnichannel convenience store operator based in Denver, has recently secured growth financing to help fuel its next phase of growth throughout the U.S.. . . more

New York City’s first COVID-related supplies store opens

CSA
Shoppers and businesses in Manhattan have a new place to stock up on sanitizing and personal protection items. . . more

Bed Bath & Beyond takes next step into personalization

CSA
Bed Bath & Beyond is obtaining a better omnichannel view of the customer with Google Cloud.. . . more

Owners optimistic about plan to save Connecticut’s largest mall

CSA
With 1.3 million sq. ft. of gross leasing area and minus two anchors with the departures of Sears and J.C. Penney, The Connecticut Post Mall in Milford is encountering the same questionable future being faced by so many massive, enclosed shopping centers built in the Seventies and Eighties.. . . more

Tractor Supply hits 1,900 store mark

CSA
Tractor Supply Company isn’t slowing down its growth amid the pandemic.. . . more

Centennial hatches plan to let people shop their malls like they shop Amazon

CSA
Back in March and April, when the COVID-19 pandemic began putting malls out of business, Centennial executives hunkered down in a series of defensive planning meetings to weather the crisis.. . . more

Flywheel Files For Bankruptcy, To Close Locations

Plain Vanilla Shell
Flywheel Sports Inc., the cycling studio, has reportedly filed for Chapter 7 liquidation with a plan to close its remaining 28 locations.. . . more

Squisito Pizza & Pasta: Please don't call it just a pizzeria

Plain Vanilla Shell
There are some ironies in the story of Maryland-based Squisito Pizza & Pasta. First, there's the fact that the brand's founder, Gennaro DiMeo, opted to specialize in New York-style pizza despite coming to the U.S. at age 15 from his birthplace of Naples, Italy.. . . more

Dressbarn to offer contactless returns

Retail Dive
Happy Returns will facilitate Dressbarn's return processes, including providing software and reverse logistics for the apparel retailer. . . . more

A case for radical retail reinvention

Retail Dive
In a case of cinematically bad timing, three of the largest retail projects to hit the New York City metro area opened less than a year before a historic pandemic shut everything down.. . . more

CVS offers special access to Apple Fitness+

CSA
CVS Health is developing integrated subscription plans for the new Apple Fitness+ digital fitness experience.. . . more

Hobby Lobby to raise minimum wage to $17 per hour

CSA
Hobby Lobby Stores is poised to become one of the highest-paying U.S. retailers when it comes to starting wages for full-time workers. . . . more

New York Sports Club owner files for bankruptcy, with gyms hit by pandemic

CNBC
New York Sports Club owner Town Sports International filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy Monday, with many gyms nationwide still shut by the coronavirus pandemic.. . . more

Batteries Plus Poised for Expansion Due to Essential Demand for Batteries, Lights and Repairs

Plain Vanilla Shell
As a result of the ongoing pandemic and the ever-increasing demand for essential products that fill consumer's immediate needs, one national specialty retailer is experiencing unprecedented growth.. . . more

PetSmart to offer same-day delivery through DoorDash

Retail Dive
PetSmart will offer on-demand, same-day delivery through DoorDash at more than 1,400 of its locations across the U.S., according to a company press release emailed to Retail Dive.. . . more

J.Jill in agreement to avoid bankruptcy; will restructure out of court

CSA
J.Jill has managed to avoid taking a trip bankruptcy court.. . . more

Leases for 280 Stein Mart stores are on the market

CSA
A&G Real Estate Partners announced it has begun marketing leases for 280 Stein Mart locations being closed in connection with the company’s bankruptcy filing.. . . more

First Look: Apple’s most ambitious store yet floats on the water

CSA

Apple has opened a store that sits on the waters of Marina Bay in Singapore.. . . more

Connecticut’s largest mall’s fate rests on zoning board’s decision

CSA
The Connecticut Post Mall in Milford, Conn., lost its Sears and J.C. Penney and wants to fill those empty spaces with luxury apartments that owner Centennial thinks would fill a need in the community and save the property.. . . more

Chewy has already added more customers this year than in all of 2019

Retail Dive
Chewy on Thursday reported that second quarter net sales grew 47% to $1.69 billion, with auto-ship sales delivering $1.16 billion or 68.3% of that, according to a 10-Q filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.. . . more

Owner of Boston Sports Clubs files for bankruptcy protection

WCVB
The owner of Boston Sports Clubs filed for bankruptcy protection, adding to the frustrations of its customer base amid the coronavirus pandemic.. . . more

Boston’s Iconic Pop-Up Village to Open with New Stores for Fall and Holiday Shopping at Seaport

Boston Real Estate Times
The Current in Seaport will support an entrepreneurial collection of seven businesses beginning this September. The retail incubator will house these brands beginning this fall through the holiday season.. . . more

Kroger posts strong Q2 as digital sales jump 127%

CSA
The Kroger Co. reported better-than-expected second-quarter earnings and sales amid surging digital growth.. . . more

Papa John’s Announces Significant Development Deal to Expand in Philadelphia Area

Restaurant News
Papa John’s International, Inc. (NASDAQ: PZZA) today announced the signing of its largest traditional store development agreement in North America in over 20 years, accelerating growth of the Papa John’s brand in the Philadelphia area.. . . more

GNC strengthens order management capability

CSA
A leading vitamins and supplements retailer is compressing delivery times and optimizing order orchestration and fulfillment.. . . more

Lululemon to expand holiday pop-ups to 70 to ease pandemic pressure

Retail Dive
For the holiday season, Lululemon will expand its 50 pop-ups to 70, adding some near existing stores, and has developed omnichannel and communications options, to promote social distancing requirements due to the pandemic, according to a conference call transcript from Motley Fool.. . . more

Macy’s and Kohl’s Are Starting to See Their Store Traffic Recover in Hard-Hit Coronavirus States

Footwear News
Things are starting to look up for some department stores that had experienced plummeting traffic as the coronavirus pandemic made its way across the United States over the past six months.. . . more

Century 21 Goes Bankrupt

Plain Vanilla Shell
Century 21 Stores has gone bankrupt.. . . more

Home Depot cancels Black Friday

CNN Business
Black Friday as you know it is gone this year at Home Depot.. . . more

GameStop is closing hundreds more stores

CNN Business
GameStop is closing about 100 more stores than it originally planned, with the struggling retailer warning of more closures next year.. . . more

Whole Foods to offer pickup from nearly all of its stores by end of month

CSA
Whole Foods Market plans to offer grocery pickup from 480 stores by the end of this month, a company spokesperson said. . . . more

First Look: Michaels unveils new concept stores

CSA
The Michaels Companies has debuted an enhanced shopping experience complete with a new layout, “inspiration hubs” and an innovative checkout design.. . . more

American Eagle swings to Q2 loss but Aerie continues to soar; closing 40 to 50 stores

CSA
American Eagle Outfitters Inc. reported smaller-than-expected second-quarter losses and sales that beat expectations, boosted by intimates brand Aerie.. . . more

LVMH pulls out of mega-deal to buy Tiffany; U.S. jeweler fires back

CSA
The biggest-ever deal in luxury retail is off — at least “as it stands” now.. . . more

Simon and Brookfield reportedly in $800 million deal to acquire J.C. Penney

CSA
Two mall owners have come to the rescue of embattled J.C. Penney.. . . more

The Paper Store emerges from bankruptcy

Retail Dive
Gift retailer The Paper Store exited Chapter 11 Tuesday, after filing for bankruptcy less than 50 days ago.
. . . more

Kohl’s launches new loyalty program

CSA
Kohl’s Corp. is rolling out a new, more personalized loyalty program in time for the holidays.. . . more

Neiman Marcus reorg plan approved; to exit Chapter 11 by end of September

CSA
Neiman Marcus Group has received court approval of its Chapter 11 reorganization plan.. . . more

Coldwater Creek assets acquired by Hong Kong-based company

CSA
Coldwater Creek will be revived – online and in print.. . . more

San Francisco is going to get a new mall—from Ikea

CSA
One sees more stories about old malls closing during the COVID-19 pandemic, not new ones opening.. . . more

Lululemon Q2 tops expectations; ‘cautiously optimistic’ about remainder of year

CSA
Lululemon reported a better-than-expected second quarter as consumers flocked to its website and its stores reopened. . . . more

Texas chains Luby's and Fuddruckers will be up for sale in liquidation plan

CNN Business
Luby's, known for its namesake cafeterias that sell comfort food and the burger chain Fuddruckers, is planning to put its restaurants up for sale.. . . more

Costco Opens in Multiple Markets in U.S. and Canada

Plain Vanilla Shell
Ever on an upward trajectory, Costco is continuing to expand its hold on the retail landscape with new locations popping up in the United States and Canada.. . . more

Levin Leichtman Acquires Tropical Smoothie Café

Plain Vanilla Shell

Levin Leichtman Capital Partners, a private equity firm in Los Angeles, announced Tuesday that it has acquired Tropical Smoothie Café.. . . more

Jobs in these industries won't come back even after the pandemic is over

CNN Business
The pandemic has shaken up the US workforce.. . . more

What's in a flagship?

Retail Dive
Gap closing stores isn’t really news. The apparel retailer has been closing hundreds as it works to build back its brand, grow its e-commerce and get away from the mall. The company just announced yet more will shut down this year and next.. . . more

Midwest sporting goods retailer brings checkout to the customer

CSA
Scheels is equipping store associates with a mobile POS/CRM solution.. . . more

Michaels ups holiday hiring

CSA
The Michaels Companies is one of the first retailers to announce its hiring plans for a holiday season that is likely to be far different than years past.. . . more

9 retailers that are avoiding the industry's shakeout and opening stores

CNBC
The coronavirus pandemic has upended the retail industry and pushed dozens of companies into bankruptcy.. . . more

J. Jill sales plummet 49%

Retail Dive
J. Jill on Thursday reported that second quarter net sales fell 49% to $92.6 million from $180.7 million in the year-ago period, with direct-to-consumer sales reaching 71.6% of that, compared to 42.6% last year.. . . more

The Paper Store emerges from bankruptcy

Retail Dive
Gift retailer The Paper Store exited Chapter 11 Tuesday, after filing for bankruptcy less than 50 days ago.
. . . more

Dick’s Sporting Goods sets store openings for September

CSA
Dick’s Sporting Goods keeps expanding its nationwide footprint.. . . more

Walmart’s holiday plans include letting kids try out toys — virtually

CSA
Walmart’s annual hottest toys list is out and it’s an indication of how the pandemic has upended so many retail traditions.. . . more

Check out Burger King’s ‘touchless’ – and smaller restaurants of the future

CSA
Burger King unveiled two futuristic restaurant designs that offer a “touchless” experience, complete with conveyor belts that deliver orders to customers.. . . more

Retail to open at American Dream on October 1

CSA
H&M, Primark, and Zara will finally open their stores at American Dream—Triple Five’s long-stalled New Jersey mega-mall—on Oct. 1.. . . more

Five Below Q2 tops Street; plans 110 to 120 new stores, 45 remodels

CSA
Five Below isn’t letting the pandemic get in the way of its store expansion.. . . more

The Backroom: When malls buy their tenants

Retail Dive
It started in April. Retailers, pummeled by a health crisis that forced an unexpected wave of store closures, started looking for creative ways to tighten their belts. On the list of costs retailers were struggling to address: rent. . . . more

Back-to-school shoppers are showing up after all, study shows

Retail Dive
The back-to-school season isn't going to be as strong as it was last year, when August store visits rose 5.1% at Target, 3.7% at Best Buy and 2.5% at Walmart. But recent footfall analysis from Placer.ai suggests it is nevertheless set to come to the aid of retailers.. . . more

A&W Restaurants Posts Third Straight Month of Double-Digit Comp-Sales Growth

Restaurant News
Sales at franchised A&W restaurants soared 12% in July, the third straight month of double-digit same-store sales growth. By comparison, year-over-year average weekly sales at U.S. limited-service burger chains increased only 1.7%, according to Cardlytics.. . . more

Retail's pandemic imperative: Reinventing the front end

CSA
The coronavirus pandemic is fundamentally changing the way people shop; not just now, but for the foreseeable future. And as with any seismic shift, opportunity abounds.. . . more

At Home reports its best-ever quarterly comps, profitability

CSA
At Home reported a strong second quarter as consumers continued to spend time and money on decorating
and organizing their homes – a trend the retailer sees persisting for some time to come. . . . more

Macy’s to test smaller stores in non-mall locations; expects drawn-out holiday

CSA
Macy’s is looking at different locations to grow its brand. It’s also preparing for a holiday season that will be different from years past.. . . more

Target dives even deeper into grocery with big expansion of its private brand

CSA
Target Corp. is adding hundreds of new products to its private-label food brand, Good & Gather. It’s also adding a premium line extension.. . . more

Rent collections tick up at Kimco properties

CSA
Kimco, one of the largest owners of grocery-anchored and open-air shopping centers in the United States, announced that traffic, occupancy rates, and rent collections continued trending upward in August.. . . more

Jordan’s Furniture enhances online, customer support experiences

CSA
Jordon’s Furniture is deploying an artificial intelligence-enabled live engagement platform to support digital service and sales.. . . more

Build-A-Bear Workshop Q2 online sales sizzle

CSA
Build-A-Bear Workshop swung to a wider quarterly loss as its stores remained dark for a good part of the period.. . . more

Old Navy to pay store employees who serve as poll workers on Election Day

CSA
Old Navy is encouraging its store workforce to play an active role in the upcoming election.. . . more

Done Deal: Brooks Brothers acquired

CSA
The nation’s oldest apparel company has new owners.. . . more

Check out Whole Food Market’s first permanent online-only physical store

CSA
Whole Foods Market has opened a new location in Brooklyn, New York, but the public is not invited.
. . . more

Walmart takes wraps off membership program

CSA
Walmart is taking on Amazon - again. . . . more

Golden Gate Capital Sells Red Lobster

Plain Vanilla Shell
Golden Gate Capital announced Monday it’s agreed to sell its remaining equity stake in Red Lobster to a consortium of existing brand investor Thai Union and Red Lobster management.. . . more

David's Bridal partners with Affirm for monthly payment plans

Retail Dive
On Wednesday, David's Bridal and Affirm announced a partnership to provide customers with monthly installment payments on their purchases, according to a press release emailed to Retail Dive.. . . more

Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf to expand in New York metro area

CSA

Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf has returned to New York City.. . . more

Rite Aid’s former CEO to lead Walgreens ops

CSA
Walgreens Boots Alliance has tapped the former chief executive of Rite Aid to head its U.S. operations. . . more

Speed Mart: The Small Chain With Big Ideas

CStore Decisions
Crossville, Tenn.-based Speed Mart President Viral Patel has been working in convenience stores since he was a teenager, shortly after emigrating from India. Now, he and his extended family operate seven Speed Mart stores across middle Tennessee that employ family and nearly 30 others.. . . more

Dollar General Ramps Up Remodeling Amid Record Sales

Plain Vanilla Shell
Remodeling efforts that emphasize food and consumables are working so well at Dollar General that the retailer plans to accelerate the program.. . . more

Penney’s lenders to make bid for chain

CSA
It’s close to crunch time for embattled J.C. Penney.. . . more