'Death of an entity': 10 retailers that liquidated this year

Retail Dive
J.C. Penney was one of the lucky ones, if you can call any company in bankruptcy lucky.. . . more

Dick’s Sporting Goods opens Carrie Underwood pop-ups

CSA

Dick’s Sporting Goods is taking its partnership with superstar Carrie Underwood to another level. . . . more

Tiffany, LVMH reportedly in talks to reduce deal value, settle dispute

CSA
Tiffany & Co. and LVMH are discussing new terms for the U.S. jeweler’s acquisition, which could help settle the dispute between the two companies.. . . more

New Balance aligns enterprise operations with customer demand

CSA
A vertical athletic footwear/apparel retailer is maintaining omnichannel harmony with cloud-based ERP technology.. . . more

CVS Health to add 30-minute rapid-result COVID testing

CSA
CVS Health is expanding its commitment to COVID-19 testing.. . . more

Landlords, lenders file suits as retail property values fall as much as 75%

CSA
Banks and landlords that granted retail property owners mortgage and rent payment deferrals during early-pandemic shutdowns are now aggressively seeking payback.. . . more

Bed, Bath & Beyond’s three-year plan includes store remodels, tech investments

CSA

Bed Bath & Beyond will invest $1 billion to $1.5 billion in its business as part of a new three-year strategy to accelerate its onmnichannel transformation and drive sales, margin and cash flow growth.. . . more

Panera Rolls into the Pizza Category with Launch of Three New Flatbread Pizzas

Restaurant News
Today, Panera announces the launch of Flatbread Pizza – a new menu category from Panera, rolling out nationwide this week.. . . more

Tuesday Morning opts to go it alone rather than sell itself in Ch. 11

Retail Dive

Tuesday Morning said it will not seek a sale of its assets in Chapter 11, according to a Monday court filing. . . . more

Rug merchant buys Stamford Town Center for $20.15 million

CSA
In a turnaround of the trend which has mall owners like Brookfield and Simon buying retail chains, the high-end rug merchant Safavieh has purchased the Stamford Town Center mall in Stamford, Conn., from Taubman for $20.15 million.. . . more

Nordstrom Local expanding

CSA
Nordstrom is doubling down on its no-inventory store format in the company’s largest market.. . . more

First Look: Avon goes big with its first brick-and-mortar experience

CSA
The North American branch of Avon has opened its first physical location, in the Koreatown neighborhood Los Angeles.. . . more

This is what the new Burger King and Popeyes drive-thrus will look like

CNN Business
Burger King, Popeyes and Tim Hortons are getting new drive-thrus to boost sales in the coronavirus age.. . . more

Mall landlord PREIT gets default notice from bank

CSA
Mall owner and operator PREIT has received notice of "alleged events of default" from Wells Fargo on a term loan, according to a securities filing from Friday.. . . more

Guitar Center Mulls Restructuring With Creditors Taking Control

Bloomberg
Guitar Center Inc., the largest musical instrument retailer in the U.S., is considering options including bankruptcy to manage its debt load after it skipped bond interest payments this month.. . . more

Dunkin’ Brands in potential blockbuster deal to sell itself

CSA
Dunkin’ Brands Group confirmed it is in talks to be acquired in a move that would take it private.. . . more

One year in: Mark Tritton's turnaround at Bed Bath & Beyond

Retail Dive
Bed Bath & Beyond had been on the decline for years, both in terms of sales and market share, which an activist investor group blamed largely on the missteps of longtime CEO Steven Temares. . . . more

Carter’s to close 25% of stores as leases expire

CSA
Carter’s is closing a big chunk of its store base but it isn’t giving up on new store growth. . . . more

Ross Stores in 30 new store openings

CSA

Ross Stores has completed its 2020 expansion. . . . more

QDOBA Mexican Eats Unveils New Floorplans and Restaurant Concepts, Designed for Growth

Plain Vanilla Shell
QDOBA Mexican Eats® (QDOBA), the largest franchise opportunity in the fast-casual Mexican segment, has introduced new restaurant formats that set the stage for the Brand’s continued growth. QDOBA’s new concepts feature buildouts including mobile-order drive-thrus, walk-up windows, mobile-order pick-up lockers, dedicated curbside pick-up areas, ghost kitchens, and concepts with updated outdoor seating. The new formats come on the heels of a major multi-unit franchise development strategy announced last month that is set to grow the Brand to 2,000 units.. . . more

Verizon deploys voice-activated digital shopping in stores

CSA
Verizon hears what customers are saying, with smart signs located in physical stores.. . . more

Five predictions for retail 2021

CSA
Retailers will invest more in logistics than any other line item in 2021 and mall operators will entirely
reinvent themselves and their business operations. . . . more

Hurley owner Bluestar bids $60M for Justice tween brand

Retail Dive
Bluestar Alliance, whose brand portfolio includes Hurley, bebe, Tahari, Brookstone, Limited Too and Nanette Lepore, is now the stalking horse bidder for Ascena's Justice brand, with a $60 million-plus offer that includes $44 million in cash, according to a company press release.. . . more

AMC warns bankruptcy is on the table as cash runs low

CNBC
AMC has agreed to sell as many as 15 million shares of its stock, but equity in the company could soon be worthless if the largest theater chain in the world files for bankruptcy.. . . more

Gap Inc. announces store closures, off-mall strategy

CSA
Gap Inc. is moving away from the mall. . . . more

Apple expands 'Express' retail store format ahead of holiday season

Plain Vanilla Shell
Apple Inc AAPL.O is expanding a new physical store format as it tries to get iPhone 12 models into customers' hands, its retail chief told Reuters in an interview.. . . more

Grocery Outlet Readies East Coast Invasion

Plain Vanilla Shell
Grocery Outlet, the fast-growing West Coast discounter that has quietly maintained a small pocket of stores on the East Coast, looks poised to begin a significant move to expand the latter front, WGB has learned.. . . more

KPMG: Consumer holiday spending to fall 18%; apparel to take biggest hit

CSA
Consumers plan on buying fewer gifts and spending less this holiday season.. . . more

Retro Fitness Raises New Funding From Arena Capital Partners

Plain Vanilla Shell
Retro Fitness received an investment from Arena Capital Partners.. . . more

J.C. Penney inks deal to sell itself, looks to close it in time for holidays

Retail Dive

J.C. Penney finally has a formal deal on paper and signed with Simon Property Group, Brookfield Asset Management and key lenders that would sell off the department store chain and some 160 real estate assets. . . . more

With new private label, Kohl's stakes strategy on the athleisure boom

Retail Dive
Kohl’s on Tuesday unveiled a strategy centered on what it called "a new vision: to be the most trusted retailer of choice for the active and casual lifestyle.". . . more

Whole Foods rolls out one-hour pickup chainwide

CSA

Amazon Prime members have a new perk. Amazon is offering free, one-hour pickup at all locations of its
Whole Foods Market grocery chain for members of its Amazon Prime paid loyalty program. The service applies to all orders of $35 or more.. . . more

FedEx turns stores into online return centers

CSA
FedEx Corp. is partnering with the Happy Returns online returns platform.. . . more

P.F. Chang's Is Opening New Locations In These Cities

Plain Vanilla Shell
Residents of New York and Chicago will see nearly 20 P.F. Chang's locations pop up in their states in coming months. Don't plan on dining-in, though, because these new spots will all be P.F. Chang's To Go restaurants.. . . more

Life after liquidation: Why some brands thrive after closing shop and others don't

CSA
What's in a name? Or maybe the question today is: How many dollars are in a name?. . . more

Parent company of Winn-Dixie, other grocery banners files for IPO

CSA
Southeastern Grocers is looking to join the public arena.. . . more

Lidl to install hospital grade air filters in all U.S. stores by yearend

CSA
Lidl US is upgrading its ventilation system to help stop the spread of COVID-19.. . . more

True Religion exits bankruptcy — again

CSA
True Religion has emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection for the second time in less than three years. . . . more

Amazon gearing up to expand Amazon Fresh stores

CSA
Amazon is bringing its new grocery store format Amazon Fresh to the suburbs of Chicago.. . . more

J.C. Penney expects to exit bankruptcy ahead of holiday season

CSA
J.C. Penney is inching closer to being acquired by mall giants Simon Property Group and Brookfield Asset Management. But a couple of potential roadblocks remain.. . . more

Stein Mart's IP up for sale

CSA
As Stein Mart winds down its physical business in bankruptcy, its intellectual property is going up for sale. . . . more

Retail sales up in September with impressive year-over-year gains

CSA
Retail spending continued to grow in September led by a strong rebound in apparel.. . . more

Why the Fast-Food Dining Room Could Be a Thing of the Past

Restaurant Business
Is the fast-food dining room dead? Probably not. But the pandemic could well give rise to a new generation of restaurants that ditch indoor seating altogether.. . . more

As Retail Shakeout Continues, Kohl’s Is Upping Its Shoe Game

Footwear News
As the pandemic continues to roil retail, Kohl’s is moving quickly to differentiate itself from rivals. A big focus? Upping its shoe game.. . . more

Store closings slowed down in September and October

CSA
As COVID-19 cases scaled up during the month of May, 1,385 stores taking up 40 million sq. ft. closed for good in the United States.. . . more

Report: Target planning more stores on Long Island

CSA
Target Corp. is reportedly expanding its presence on New York’s Long Island.. . . more

Strong non-store, grocery sales to drive holiday growth

CSA
Retailers should expect e-commerce to deliver the most cheer this holiday season. . . . more

Kelly’s Roast Beef Widens Scope for Expansion, Targeting Providence

Restaurant News
Earlier this year, iconic Boston staple Kelly’s Roast Beef announced the launch of its franchise opportunity, giving hopeful entrepreneurs the chance to open a Kelly’s in their very own communities.. . . more

Nordstrom, Balsam Hill partner for in-store Christmas tree lots

CSA
Nordstrom partnered with Balsam Hill to create Christmas tree lots for holiday shoppers at 21 Nordstrom stores across 13 states, Balsam Hill announced on Tuesday. It's a first-time partnership for both companies.. . . more

5 retail holiday predictions for 2020

Retail Dive

2020 has been full of wild cards. In years past, forecasting for the last quarter of the season seemed, comparatively, like a much more straightforward effort.. . . more

Connecticut’s largest mall will live on, says owner

CSA
Following a Planning and Zoning Board vote that rejected Centennial’s plan to add luxury apartments to its Connecticut Post Mall in Milford, Conn., the fate of the state’s largest mall was in question. But there was no question about it in the mind of Centennial’s founder and CEO Steve Levin.. . . more

Walmart, Target, Sam’s Club, Nordstrom tops in contactless shopping experiences

CSA
Some retailers have adapted to the need to reimagine the customer shopping experience better than others.. . . more

P.F. Chang’s expanding new take-out concept

CSA
P.F. Chang’s is expanding its new format dedicated exclusively to take-out customers.. . . more

Flying Tiger Variety Store Closing UES Shop, All US Locations

Plain Vanilla Shell

The Danish home goods and toy store Flying Tiger Copenhagen is closing all of its U.S. locations, including a shop on the Upper East Side, the company announced this week.. . . more

IHOP Expands Franchisee Portfolio With Addition of Sun Holdings, Inc.

Restaurant News
IHOP® has expanded its franchisee portfolio with the addition of Suncakes, LLC , led by Guillermo Perales, through the acquisition of 41 IHOP restaurants. The restaurants, located in Tennessee, North Carolina, Virginia, and South Carolina, were previously owned and operated by CFRA Holdings and its affiliates and transferred to Suncakes, LLC in July 2020. Financial details of the deal will not be disclosed.. . . more

ICSC sees 1.9% rise in holiday sales

Retail Dive
The main trade group for shopping centers has added its holiday forecasts to the pool, projecting a 1.9% rise in spending to $862.2 billion. . . . more

REI opens two pop-ups dedicated to used gear

CSA
REI Co-op is testing a new retail format  as part of the expansion of its resale business. . . . more

Nordstrom removes BOPIS silos between banners

CSA
Nordstrom is turning its Nordstrom Rack off-price stores into one-stop online order pickup locations for all of its banners.. . . more

Walgreens Q4 sales, earnings top Street; predicts 2021 profit growth

CSA
Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc. reported better-than-expected fourth-quarter earnings and sales even as the pandemic continued to cut into its income. . . . more

Sales rise at convenience stores, but not at the pump

CSA
In-store sales are up at convenience stores, but fuel sales continue to lag.. . . more

Ascena moves to sell Justice tween brand for $35M

Retail Dive
Ascena Retail Group on Tuesday said it has an agreement to sell the intellectual property, e-commerce business and other assets of its Justice tween brand to Premier Brands Justice  for $35 million, according to court documents filed Tuesday with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Virginia.. . . more

Centric Brands exits bankruptcy

Retail Dive
Centric Brands has emerged from bankruptcy after filing for Chapter 11 in May. . . . more

Meijer continues expansion of its small-store grocery concept

CSA
Meijer has opened its third neighborhood market.. . . more

Acme Markets to acquire 27 Kings Food Markets and Balducci’s Food Lover’s Markets

CSA
Acme Markets, a division of Albertsons Cos., is expanding its store footprint via an acquisition.. . . more

Bed Bath & Beyond in deal to sell Christmas Tree Shops

CSA
Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. has struck three separate deals as it continues to streamline its portfolio and shed its non-core businesses. . . . more

Home furnishings retailer Arhaus launches new store concept

CSA
Arhaus has unveiled a new format that specializes in interior design and customization services. . . . more

Tropical Smoothie Cafe Continues Record Results in Q3

Plain Vanilla Shell
Tropical Smoothie Cafe, the franchisor of a leading national fast-casual concept known for its better-for-you-smoothies and food with a tropical twist, today announced continued record-setting results for Q3 with same store sales of +19.5 percent, and year-to-date same store sales of +3.4 percent.. . . more

Holiday sales growth won't reach 2% this year, CBRE says

Retail Dive
As the pandemic's challenges continue, retailers will see modest sales growth of less than 2% year over year this holiday season, compared to 4.1% growth on average over the last decade, according to commercial real estate firm CBRE.. . . more

Winn-Dixie opening four stores in November, with more to come

CSA
Winn-Dixie is expanding its store footprint in its home state.. . . more

City votes down plan; Connecticut’s biggest mall may close

CSA
This mall doesn’t have to die,” Centennial CEO Steven Levin told the Planning and Zoning Board of Milford, Conn. at a meeting last week.. . . more

J.C. Penney kicks off holidays – in time for Prime Day

CSA
Amazon’s annual Prime Day sales event keeps picking up more big-name competition.. . . more

Batteries Plus Soon to Power Up 10 New Stores with Ongoing Development

Plain Vanilla Shell
Batteries Plus, the nation's largest and fastest-growing battery, light bulb, key fob and repair franchise, has announced five new signed franchise agreements, resulting in 10 new stores in development.. . . more

Dollar General launches 'Popshelf,' a new concept store aimed at suburban women

Retail Dive

Dollar General is launching a new concept, dubbed "Popshelf," focused on seasonal, home decor and beauty products, as well as cleaning supplies and party goods. . . . more

Department stores' decade of decline

Retail Dive
The heyday is over. The question for department stores now is whether there will be a new day.. . . more

Levi's expands Red Tab sales to 500 Target stores

CSA
Levi's this week said it is expanding sales of its premium Red Tab merchandise to 500 Target stores by the end of next year and has also returned its budget Denizen line to the mass merchant's racks. The Red Tab effort debuted a little over a year ago in about 50 Target stores.. . . more

Costco posts strong monthly sales — again

CSA
Costco Wholesale Corp.’s pandemic sales surge continued in September amid skyrocketing e-commerce growth.. . . more

Target in holiday partnership with FAO Schwarz; will open NYC pop-up

CSA
Target Corp.’s holiday plans include its largest top toys list ever and a link-up with the country’s most iconic toy retailer.. . . more

Williams-Sonoma making some in-store changes for the holidays

CSA
Williams-Sonoma will be offering some new services this holiday season as it looks to protect the health and safety of its store employees and customers.. . . more

Kroger puts a different spin on ‘ghost kitchens’ by opening two inside its stores

CSA

The Kroger Co. is diving deeper into on-demand delivery via in-store “ghost kitchens.” . . . more

Showcase Cinemas Site Sale Pending: Amazon Mentioned as Possible Tenant

Revere Journal
An agreement has been reached between National Amusements, Inc. (NAI), owner of the Showcase Cinemas de Lux site in Revere, and Northbridge Partners, a Massachusetts based developer and investment firm, for the sale of the  property whose connection to a movie-related business dates all the way back to 1948 when the former Revere Drive-In opened.. . . more

Gen Z spending hits all-time low

Retail Dive

Self-reported teen spending has fallen 9% year over year and 5% since this past spring, to $2,150. . . . more

H&M integrates virtual assistant, live chat with Google services

CSA
In partnership with Nuance Communications, H&M is making its virtual assistant and live chat agents available via Google services like Google Maps and Google Search, Nuance announced on Tuesday.. . . more

Shoppers adjusting behaviors to avoid public restrooms

CSA
Restroom cleanliness is more important than for stores and restaurants.. . . more

Wingstop is Approaching 1,500 Locations Across the Globe

Plain Vanilla Shell

Wingstop, seemingly unfazed by the COVID pandemic, reported preliminary U.S. same-store sales growth of 25.4 percent in Q3 and 43 net openings systemwide.. . . more

Shopkick: Halloween lives on with in-store shopping, trick-or-treating

CSA
This year’s Halloween festivities appear similar to years’ past — from trick-or-treating to shopping in stores —despite the pandemic.. . . more

Rite Aid to acquire Bartell Drugs for $95 million

CSA
Rite Aid is growing its presence in the greater Seattle area.. . . more

17 retailers that could go bankrupt as the COVID-19 era wears on

Retail Dive
Retail bankruptcies may hit a painful high-water mark in 2020. Multiple analysts have noted filings are likely to reach their highest number in a decade. Some weeks during the summer brought multiple filings by major names in the industry. . . . more

Department stores' decade of decline

Retail Dive
The heyday is over. The question for department stores now is whether there will be a new day.. . . more

Blue Nile to Open 50 New Showrooms

Plain Vanilla Shell
At a time when many retailers are downsizing in the wake of COVID-19, Blue Nile is taking the road less traveled and plotting its expansion.. . . more

Why a new digital edition of PlayStation 5 could change GameStop as we know it

CNN Business
Founded in 1984, GameStop is one of the oldest cornerstones of video game retail. But in 2020, it's facing big risks as the industry increasingly turns to digital.. . . more

Ruby Tuesday files for bankruptcy

WCVB
Casual dining chain Ruby Tuesday has filed for bankruptcy, overcome by the financial pressures brought on by the pandemic.. . . more

Ghosts, ghouls and social distancing: A fractured Halloween haunts Party City

Retail Dive
Halloween was a horror show for Party City last year. . . . more

True Religion Apparel to exit bankruptcy

CSA
True Religion Apparel Inc. has gotten the green light for a reorganization plan that keeps more than half of its stores open.. . . more

Macy's shoppers can buy now, pay later

CSA
Macy's is providing the ability to pay in four equal, interest-free installments at online checkout.. . . more

Kroger, Ulta Beauty among participants in new retail holiday

CSA

U.S. retailers, brands, technology vendors, and other companies are preparing for the inaugural 10.10 Shopping Festival.. . . more

Aldi U.S. a leader in use of renewable energy, eco-conscious refrigerants

CSA
Aldi U.S. has been honored for its environmental commitment.. . . more

S&P Global Ratings sees slow recovery ahead for Neiman Marcus

Retail Dive
While Neiman Marcus Group has exited bankruptcy with lower funded debt, it nevertheless "faces a challenging path to recovery from the ongoing secular pressures that the COVID-19 pandemic has amplified," S&P Global Ratings analysts said Thursday.. . . more

Loves Furniture & Mattresses debuts with 16 stores

CSA
Loves Furniture & Mattresses is making a big splash the first time out of the gate.. . . more

Tuesday Morning on the hunt for a buyer

CSA
Tuesday Morning is actively seeking bids for its assets. . . more

Done Deal: New York & Company sold

CSA
New York & Company has begun a new chapter under new owners —as a digital-only company.. . . more

Express threatened with delisting

CSA
Express, its share price falling, is at risk of being delisted from the New York Stock Exchange. . . . more

Study: 11% of U.S. shoppers have signed up for Walmart+

Retail Dive
Eleven percent of Americans subscribed to the new Walmart+ service within the first two weeks of its launch, according to new survey findings from research platform Piplsay.. . . more

Regal Cinemas to shut down all U.S. theaters temporarily as coronavirus pandemic rages

NY Daily News
The curtain is going down at Regal Cinemas — again. . . . more

David’s Bridal lets shoppers say yes to the dress – at home

CSA
The nation’s largest bridal retailer is bringing inventory directly to customers via augmented reality (AR).. . . more

Target adds new product categories to same-day delivery

CSA
Target is not standing idly as Amazon and Walmart continue expanding their same-day shipping capabilities.. . . more

J.Jill Completes Financial Restructuring — What’s Next

Footwear News
J.Jill Inc. has completed its financial restructuring.. . . more

H&M to close 250 stores next year

Retail Dive
With about a quarter of its leases up for renegotiation or exit annually, H&M on Thursday said it plans a net decrease in its brick-and-mortar footprint next year of about 250 stores, according to a company press release.. . . more

MainPlace Mall takes discounts digital with loyalty app

CSA
MainPlace Mall will handle social distancing by dispatching loyal customers to the stores they like for the
discounts they want.. . . more

Dick’s Sporting Goods adding 11 new stores; will open in-store Soccer Shops

CSA
Dick’s Sporting Goods continues to expand its nationwide footprint and add new concepts to its store portfolio.. . . more

American Dream re-opens on October 1 – with retail

CSA
They’re not calling it a grand opening. They didn’t call it that when American Dream first opened last October because the Nickelodeon water park and the retail sections weren’t completed. But both are ready to go now as—17 years after the project had its beginnings the New Jersey Meadowlands—Triple Five’s third mega-mall opens its doors to the public on Thursday.. . . more

Target focuses sustainability efforts on energy, packaging, workers

CSA
Target Corp. met its 2019 goals to improve the health of supply chain workers, reduce its energy footprint, and boost compensation.. . . more

North Carolina mall gets a new life for Christmas

CSA
A May 2019 review of the Randolph Mall in Asheboro, N.C., by “Pawlover”, said, “This mall probably won't last too much longer, which is a bit sad.” Well, Pawlover, cheer up. The mall is making a comeback.. . . more

Here's what Tiffany's renovated Fifth Ave. store looks like

CNN Business
Tiffany & Co. couldn't reopen its flagship location in New York without some dazzle -- a sparkling box lit in its iconic blue.. . . more

Here's what the Taco Bell of the future will look like

CNN Business
Taco Bell's newest restaurant design emphasizes the drive-thru and limits human interaction, making it more suitable for the coronavirus era.. . . more

The 5 worst-timed retail decisions of 2020

Retail Dive
Everyone had big plans for 2020. This was the year of high expectations, where retail companies were strategically set to execute turnaround plans, or were zeroing in on their target audiences, or were energized to open new store concepts.. . . more

Walmart to redesign nearly 1,000 stores

CSA

Walmart has unveiled an airport-inspired, digitally-enabled store design that it plans to start rolling out this
year.. . . more

Tractor Supply plants seeds for seamless personalization

CSA
As first reported by Chain Store Age, Tractor Supply Company will leverage cloud-based technology from Adobe to help support its impressive growth.. . . more