The Site Selection Process Has Changed

Franchising.com
Site selection, like everything else in the restaurant industry (and world), has completely changed since the start of the pandemic. Gone are the days of building brand-new, massive restaurants adjacent to entertainment centers for the best results. Now, second-generation, smaller sites chosen using state-of-the-art data are the way of the future and leading to higher-volume restaurants. . . . more

Bath & Body Works outlook on profit growth turns negative as inflation wears on

CSA
Bath & Body Works slashed its profit estimates for the year as inflation eats into its business, with management now estimating a decline in income from operations of up to 15.7% compared to last year. . . . more

2 top Kohl’s executives to depart as the retailer gets closer to a sale

CSA
Kohl’s Chief Marketing Officer Greg Revelle will depart the company June 1. Chief Merchandising Officer Doug Howe’s departure is effective immediately, per a Securities and Exchange Commission filing. As the company searches for their replacements, Christie Raymond, who leads customer insights, analytics and engagement, and longtime Kohl’s merchant Ronald Murray will step in, CEO Michelle Gass told analysts Thursday.. . . more

Chicken Salad Chick entering new market; opening 50-plus stores in 2022

CSA.com
Chicken Salad Chick continues its national expansion.The fast-growing, chicken salad restaurant chain has signed a five-unit franchise agreement for New Mexico . . . more

Ear piercing is the next fun retail trend

RetailDive.com
You don’t have to go to the mall anymore to get your ears pierced. While teenagers in the past may have gotten theirs pierced at the mall, the service seems to be one that a number of big-box retailers think holds promise. . . . more

Container Store to open 70-plus stores during next five years

CSA.com
The Container Store is returning to brick-and-mortar growth.With a goal of doubling its sales to $2 billion by fiscal 2027 . . . more

David’s Bridal acquires custom wedding dress startup Anomalie

RetailDive.com
David’s Bridal on Tuesday announced that it has acquired the assets of custom wedding dress company Anomalie . . . more

Target Q1 earnings plunge amid ‘unusually high costs

CSA
Target Corp. racked up its 20th consecutive quarter of sales growth but its bottom line took a big hit as freight and transportation costs came in much higher than expected. . . . more

Retailers pledge to address racial profiling, unfair treatment of store customers

RetailDive.com
In an effort to reduce unfair treatment of customers based on their race, 17 major companies have signed on to “the Mitigate Racial Bias in Retail Charter,” devised this year by the organization Open to All and beauty retailer Sephora. . . . more

Schlotzsky's debuts new prototype with no indoor seating

CSA
Schlotzsky'shas opened a format dedicated entirely to off-premise access.
The fast-casual restaurant franchise opened its first “Design 1000” restaurant, in Oklahoma City. . . . more

Exclusive: Paris Baguette chief development officer talks expansion

CSA
A bakery/café that was founded in 1988 in South Korea, where it operates some 3,600 locations, is ramping up expansion in the United States. . . . more

Warby Parker on track to open 40 stores this year; takes Omicron hit

CSA.com
Warby Parker continues to expand its brick-and-mortar presence.
The digitally native eyewear retailer opened eight new stores, bringing its store count to 169 locations.. . . more

Anthropologie sets up shop — at the Jersey shore

CSA
Anthropologie is beaching it for the summer. The Reeds at Shelter Haven, a luxury boutique hotel in Stone Harbor, N.J., is once again partnering with the apparel and home goods retailer to open Anthropologie at The Reeds. The pop-up will feature a curated selection of beach favorites inspired by the coastal locale.. . . more

PREIT’s Joe Coradino on 21st Century Malls

CSA
When Joe Coradino took the helm of big mall owner PREIT nearly a decade ago, he set a line at an average sales per sq. ft. of at least $500 per center. If a property fell below, it’s future opportunity was evaluated and properties with a weak outlook were disposed. In March of this year, following two years of limited social interaction and month of closed doors a, PREIT’s portfolio-wide sales per sq. ft. average hit $618, a record high for the company. . . . more

Whole Foods Market expanding in NYC

CSA
Whole Foods Market continues to expand in the Big Apple — and in cities in general.
The grocer will open a 54,000-sq.-ft. store in Manhattan’s NoMad (North of Madison Square Park) neighborhood on June 1. . . . more

Framebridge opens second Boston-area store in brick-and-mortar push

BBJ
Like other online retailers that have opened physical stores, Framebridge had lots data about where its customers live to help figure out where it should locate stores.That insight led Framebridge to Boston as one of its first markets in its so-called clicks-to-bricks expansion.. . . more

South American retailer buying majority stake in The Fresh Market for $675 million

CSA

The Fresh Market Holdings is being acquired in a deal that marks its new owner’s entry into the U.S. market. . . . more

Robots in Restaurants—No Longer Just a Fantasy

QSR
Are the days numbered when it comes to blaming order mix-ups on human error? . . more

Wendy's Holds Steady in Face of Historic Inflation

QSR
Inflation and higher prices are hardly a Wendy’s-specific story. . . more

Grocery Outlet posts 10.5% net sales gain for Q1

Supermarket News
After cycling pandemic-related gains a year ago, Grocery Outlet Holding Corp. got back on the sales growth track in the fiscal 2022 first quarter. . . more

Best Buy just launched a $200 home pick-up recycling program. Is it necessary?

Retail Dive

Best Buy wants to keep electronics out of landfills — for a price. . . . more

Canadian retailer Showcase to open 27 U.S. stores by end of summer

CSA

A specialty retailer and product developer that bills itself as “Home of the Hottest Trends” is expanding its U.S. footprint. . . . more

Mango opens NYC flagship; details U.S. expansion through 2024

CSA

Mango is accelerating its U.S. expansion, starting with a Big Apple flagship. . . . more

Five Below to make its outlet center debut

CSA

Five Below is expanding into the outlet channel. . . . more

Walgreens replaced some fridge doors with screens. And some shoppers absolutely hate it

CNN Business
Walgreens and other retailers have swapped out the clear fridge and freezer doors at thousands of stores, instead adding opaque doors with iPad-like screens showing what's inside. Some customers really, really aren't into it. . . more

Why every Costco product is called 'Kirkland Signature'

CNN Business
Costco's Kirkland Signature brand is perhaps America's weirdest private label. You can put Kirkland Signature AA batteries alongside Kirkland Signature cashews in your shopping cart. . . more

Ahold Delhaize U.S. comparable sales rise 4.1% in first quarter

Super Market News

Global food retailer Ahold Delhaize got off to a solid start in fiscal 2022 with first-quarter net and comparable sales gains atop prior-year growth in the United States, its largest business unit. . . . more

Sally Beauty updates mobile app to offer 2-hour delivery with DoorDash

Retail Dive

To better serve online shoppers, Sally Beauty is expanding its DoorDash partnership to provide a two-hour delivery option via its mobile app, CEO Denise Paulonis said during the company’s second quarter earnings call earlier this month, per a Seeking Alpha transcript. . . . more

Best Buy to double outlet store count; four upcoming locations announced

CSA

Best Buy is going after shoppers looking for a bargain. . . . more

Jeff Edison: Why America Loves Grocery

CSA

Convenience, proximity, and resilience. Those are the three great reasons why grocery-anchored centers lift neighborhoods and co-tenants, according to Jeff Edison. . . . more

Clean Juice Signs 200th Store

QSR
Clean Juice, the first and only national USDA-certified organic juice bar franchise, and quick-service restaurant announced the signing of the brand’s 200th unit in less than seven years of franchising. . . . more

Wing Zone, Wavemaker Labs launch automated restaurant pilot

Restaurant Dive
Wavemaker Labs on Tuesday announced the launch of Wing Zone Labs in collaboration with chicken wing concept Wing Zone. . . . more

Ikea to invest more than $3B in stores

Retail Dive

Ingka Group, Ikea’s largest franchisee, on Monday announced it would invest more than 3 billion euros, or about $3.2 billion at press time, in its stores. . . . more

Simon Property Group ‘focused internally’ as short-term leases rise

Retail Dive
Simon Property Group on Monday reported strong momentum in leasing and sales during its first quarter, in an environment and business model with elevated volatility. . . . more

DSW debuts store of the future design

CSA

DSW is reimagining its store design with a new, smaller-size concept that puts the spotlight on its owned brands. . . . more

Water lifestyle brand launching aggressive store expansion

CSA

Bote is looking to make a splash in brick-and-mortar. . . . more

Carl’s, Hardee’s parent investing $500 million in physical, digital transformations

CSA

CKE Restaurants Holdings is investing in a “fresh start.” . . . more

Amazon Go Begins Suburban Expansion

CStore Decisions
Amazon Go’s newest location recently opened in Mill Creek, Wash., outside of Seattle, according to the Seattle Times. The 6,150-square-foot c-store is Amazon Go’s first suburban location and features over 1,300 products. . . more

Shake Shack's Development Dreams Heat Up

QSR

In recent months, a number of quick-service chains re-evaluated their whitespace and came back with more ambitious development benchmarks. . . . more

Starbucks eyes providing a ‘third place’ – in the metaverse

CSA

Starbucks Corp. intends to utilize Web 3.0 technologies to establish a strong foothold in the emerging metaverse. . . . more

Party City loss widens amid elevated costs; ‘headwinds’ to continue

CSA
Party City Holdco Inc. reported a bigger-than-expected first-quarter loss as supply chain and inflationary challenges took a bite out of its bottom line. . . more

Target offers in-store finger nail painting — by a robot

CSA

Target Corp. is testing a new type of beauty service. . . . more

Is QDOBA on the Verge of a Massive Breakthrough?

QSR
Jim Sullivan, chief development officer at QDOBA, says his brand is a sleeping giant. The Mexican fast-casual franchisor lays claim to being the largest of its kind, with 740 units, and yet still has a lot of room for growth. . . more

Subway's Sales Inch Up On The Strength Of Its New Menu

Restaurant Business
Subway had been working on a menu overhaul for two years when its new platform, “Eat Fresh Refresh,” launched last July. It all began with the bread. . . more

90% of new Starbucks stores will have drive-thrus

Retail Dive

Starbucks will accelerate its new store growth, outfitting 90% of new stores with a drive-thru, interim CEO Howard Schultz said Tuesday during an earnings call. . . . more

CycleBar Opens 250th Studio

Franchising.com
CycleBar announced today it has opened its 250th studio. . . . more

Malden’s Gaming District puts its downtown in play

Boston Globe
When James Cobalt first moved to Malden 12 years ago, he was just a guy that liked games and stunts. . . . more

Mace and Grady of KeyPoint Partners handle 7,000 s/f lease to LocalWorks

NEREJ
KeyPoint Partners (KPP) negotiated a lease with LocalWorks at 626 Massachusetts Ave. Vice presidents of leasing Don Mace and Rob Grady represented Cambridge Savings Bank in the transaction. . . . more

Mothers Day Spending Will Reach $32 Billion, Here’s What Moms Want

Forbes
Mother’s Day spending is expected to total $31.7 billion this year, up 13% from 2021 according to the annual consumer survey released by the National Retail Federation (NRF) and Prosper Insights & Analytics. . . . more

Papa John’s plans to open as many as 1,800 more stores by 2025

Restaurant Business
Papa John’s on Thursday raised its projections for global unit growth, saying it expects to open as many as 1,800 net new restaurants worldwide over the next four years as franchisees ramp up development following strong sales growth. . . more

Inside Starbucks' Billion-Dollar Plan to Catch Up After COVID

QSR
Companies spend hundreds of millions to have one of the problems facing Starbucks, CEO Howard Schultz said. . . . more

Sweetgreen's New Restaurant Concept Goes Fully Digital

QSR

Sweetgreen’s path to 1,000 locations is hardly going to roll in a straight line. In March, the fast casual lifted the curtain on its first drive-thru—a boldly designed “sweetlane” build that featured a round observation window and order-ahead capability. . . . more

Burger King Sheds Light on 'Reclaim the Flame' Comeback Plan

QSR

In February, Tom Curtis, Burger King’s president of U.S. and Canada, unveiled quite the turnaround plan for one of the country’s most recognizable burger brands. . . . more

Rite Aid joins ‘buy now, pay later’ trend

CSA
Rite Aid Corp. is offering online shoppers a new way to make installment payments on purchases. . . more

Shipley Do-Nuts chain ramps up expansion

CSA

Shipley Do-Nuts has Georgia on it mind. . . more

Report: High gas prices are affecting restaurant foot traffic

Restaurant Dive

February restaurant visits fell and diners drove shorter distances to visit QSRs and full-service restaurants due to rising gas prices, a report from Placer.ai shows. . . . more

Toast checks into hotels

Restaurant Dive
Toast has added Toast for Hotel Restaurants, a product aimed at helping hotel restaurant operators streamline their operations, increase revenue and process room charges directly from the point-of-sale.. . . more

Dog Haus Signs 15-Unit Deal to Spread The Absolute Würst Across Maryland

Restaurant News Release
Dog Haus is continuing its rapid growth in 2022 as the award-winning concept sets its sights on aggressive expansion in the Old Line State. . . . more

Tire Discounters Continues to Expand

MTD
Cincinnati, Ohio-based Tire Discounters Inc. has acquired Virginia-based Thompson Tire. The deal, which includes seven retail stores and a commercial tire center, gives Tire Discounters 12 outlets in Virginia. . . more

A third of small retailers can’t pay rent as financial struggles spike again

Retail Dive
The share of small retail businesses that couldn’t make rent rose to 34% in April, up six percentage points from February, according to survey data from Alignable. . . more

Old Navy tops lists of consumers’ favorite ‘fitting’ brands

CSA

U.S. retailers took four of the five top spots in a global survey of the best-fitting brands. . . . more

Check out Whole Foods Market’s new skyscraper store

CSA

Whole Foods Market has unveiled its new Chicago location. . . . more

Ghost Kitchens: Here to Stay or Ready to Disappear?

QSR
Over the past two years, the pandemic has made a major impact on the restaurant industry and how it has operated. . . more

Mighty Squirrel Brewing Co. Opens Biergarten at Arsenal Yards in Watertown

NECN

A brewery in Waltham has debuted a new outdoor space in a growing development a few miles to the east. . . . more

Burger King parent earnings beat estimates as revenue climbs 15%

CNBC Business

Restaurant Brands International on Tuesday reported quarterly earnings and revenue that beat analysts’ expectations, fueled by strong same-store sales growth from Burger King’s overseas restaurants. . . . more

Reef pursues ownership stake in pizza concept

Restaurant Dive
Reef Kitchens is seeking an ownership stake in 800 Degrees Go, a joint venture between restaurant chain 800 Degrees and robotics company Piestro, 800 Degrees Go announced Thursday. . . more

How Domino’s plans to get its US business back on track

Restaurant Dive

2022 is shaping up to be a difficult year for Domino’s U.S. business. Same-store sales fell 3.6%, the sharpest drop in years, due to the impact of inflation and a shortage of delivery drivers. . . . more

At Home expands store footprint

CSA

At Home’s national expansion continues — including in New York City. . . . more

Wave goodbye: Lab, offices proposed for Natick Mall’s Neiman Marcus

BBJ
An affiliate of The Bulfinch Cos. Inc. is seeking to add another floor onto the Neiman Marcus store at the Natick Mall and to convert the property into a lab-and-office building. . . . more

Cinnabon, Carvel to Form Ultimate Sweet Treat Concept

QSR

The love for Cinnabon is strong, says Kristen Hartman, president of special category at Focus Brands. . . . more

Bobby Flay's Burger Concept Looks to Disrupt Franchising Segment

QSR

From television shows to cookbooks and restaurants, Bobby Flay’s name has become an international brand. . . . more

Popeyes at 50 Has Never Looked Better

QSR

Brand president Sami Siddiqui likes to say Popeyes is “50 years young.” While that might sound like something people profess at a weekend barbecue, there’s real weight behind it. . . . more

BJ’s Wholesale sets opening date for new concept

CSA

BJ’s Wholesale Club is going smaller — by almost half. . . . more

First Look: Academy Sports + Outdoors opens its first store in two years

CSA

Academy Sports + Outdoors has restarted its expansion. . . . more

Whole Foods closing six stores nationwide, including Massachusetts location

Boston 25
Whole Foods Market is closing six of its stores across the country, including one location in Massachusetts. . . . more

The top 5 casual dining spots in Massachusetts and New Hamsphire

Boston 25

The weekend ahead is looking perfect to get outside and have some fun. . . . more

Bojangles Signs Deals to Open 46 Stores

QSR
Bojangles, one of the nation’s leading franchises famous for its chicken, biscuits and tea, announced today that it achieved significant growth in the first quarter of 2022, signing agreements to add 46 new units to its growing pipeline. . . . more

Beef-A-Roo says it’s ready to franchise nationwide

MyStateLine.com
Rockford’s Beef-A-Roo restaurant chain says it’s ready to take its business model nationwide. . . . more

Dick’s Sporting Goods partners with Out&Back for resale pilot

CSA

Dick’s Sporting Goods is diving into resale. . . . more

Publix debuts 15-minute delivery

CSA

Publix Super Markets Inc. is partnering with a well-known hosted delivery platform to fulfill online orders in 15 minutes in a major market. . . . more

Victoria’s Secret takes its beauty business to Amazon

CSA

Victoria’s Secret & Co. has entered into its first major wholesale deal with another retailer. . . . more

Aldi to eliminate all plastic bags from stores

CSA

Aldi is expanding its elimination of plastic bags across all its stores. . . . more

Gordon Ramsay to open burger restaurant in Boston, will include fries, scratch-made sauces and hand-spun milkshakes

MassLive

Gordon Ramsay is opening his second Boston restaurant, this time focused on burgers. . . . more

Primark in full recovery mode, plans major US expansion

Fashion Network

It also unveiled plans to move into new European markets, to expand further in some of its key European growth markets and to grow its US stores. . . . more

Walmart pumps up fuel discount for Walmart+ members

Supermarket News
With gas prices now averaging over $4 per gallon, Walmart is offering members of its Walmart+ customer benefits program a bigger discount at the pump at more fuel stations. . . more

Report: 41% of independent restaurants operate virtual brands

Restaurant Dive
Forty-one percent of independent restaurants currently operate virtual brands to leverage persistent consumer delivery demand, according to a report commissioned by Grubhub and executed by Technomic, which surveyed 350 independent operators from Jan. 20-28, 2022. . . . more

Old Navy, new problem

Retail Dive
Gap Inc. used to be able to count on Old Navy. . . more

Wegmans entering new market

CSA

Wegmans Food Markets is expanding its New York footprint by moving into a new region. . . . more

Freddy’s signs 64 new restaurant commitments

CSA

Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers continues on the fast track for expansion. . . . more

Chipotle delivers strong Q1; committed to store growth

CSA

Chipotle Mexican Grill reported first-quarter earnings and sales that topped Street estimates despite challenges from inflation and the Omicron variant. . . . more

Burger King offers free fries every week to loyalty members

Retail Dive
Burger King is offering a free order of fries every week to members of its Royal Perks loyalty program between now and Dec. 31, the chain announced on Monday. . . . more

First Look: Check out Facebook’s first physical store

CSA

The company formerly known as Facebook wants to engage with customers about its metaverse hardware in the physical world. . . . more

First Look: Haagen-Dazs’s new shop design

CSA

A bold new color scheme brightens up Haagen-Dazs’s new shop design, something one might naturally expect from an artist named Jade Purple Brown. . . . more

Simon Property, Brookfield reportedly interested in bidding for Kohl’s

CSA

Add two high-profile players to the lineup of parties reportedly interested in Kohl’s Co. . . . more

3 pillars driving the future of store experience

Retail Dive
Everybody loves to talk about the acceleration of digital, but physical spaces still play a central role in the customer experience — especially when it comes to driving loyalty. . . . more

Rite Aid says takeover offer ‘not credible’

CSA

Rite Aid Corp. has closed the door on a takeover bid. . . . more

Tractor Supply targets 75 to 80 new stores in 2022 as Q1 starts strong

CSA
Tractor Supply reported first-quarter earnings and sales that topped analysts estimates. . . more

Lululemon aims to double revenue by 2026; launching two-tier monthly memberships

CSA
Lululemon Athletica is thinking big as it looks to build on the momentum it gained throughout the pandemic. . . more

Mother’s Day spending poised for another record year

CSA

For the second consecutive year, Mother’s Day spending is expected to reach a new high. . . . more

CEO out at Old Navy as Gap Inc. cuts sales guidance

CSA

Gap Inc. has made a big change at the top of one of its brands. . . . more

‘Most interesting store’ in the world opening more locations

CSA

A retail store concept designed to showcase emerging brands is expanding its footprint. . . . more

Graduation events set for comeback, says Party City

CSA

Seventy percent of consumers are planning to participate in or attend in-person graduation ceremonies. . . . more

Chick-fil-A Hopes To Open 7 New York Stores, 1 in Hudson Valley

Hudson Valley Post
The Hudson Valley isn't the only part of New York that's set to get a brand-new Chick-fil-A. . . . more

Potbelly is Poised to Grow to 2,000 Locations

QSR
Potbelly Chief Development Officer Larry Strain sees a future where Potbelly has 2,000 shops in the coming years, with 85 percent of them being franchised locations. . . . more

Wegmans to eliminate plastic shopping bags chainwide this year

Supermarket News

Wegmans Food Markets plans to phase out single-use plastic bags companywide by the end of 2022. . . . more

Panera expands beverage subscription to include all self-serve drinks

Restaurant Dive
Panera is expanding its coffee subscription program to offer 26 self-service drinks, including iced coffee, lemonade and soft drinks, the company wrote in an email to Restaurant Dive. . . . more

Popeyes to open 200-plus units in US and Canada in 2022

Restaurant Dive
Popeyes plans to open over 200 new restaurants in the U.S. and Canada this year, and expects to surpass last year's expansion total of 208 restaurants, the company said in an email to Restaurant Dive. . . . more

Wawa plans to double store footprint

CSA

Wawa Inc. is thinking big. . . . more

Foot Locker’s Champs Sports unveils new store concept

CSA

Champs Sports is betting on experiences to help drive sales. . . . more

Apple retail union organizers want workers to be paid at least $30 per hour

CNBC Business

Workers who hope to organize a union at Apple’s Grand Central Terminal store want workers to be paid a minimum of $30 per hour, according to a website for the group, Fruit Stand Workers United, that was updated on Monday. . . . more

Furniture franchise group owner reportedly in the bidding for Kohls

Furniture Today
There’s a new bidder in the mix for Kohl’s operations, according to an exclusive report from Reuters. . . . more

Raymour & Flanigan expanding into central Pennsylvania

Furniture Today
Top 100 retailer Raymour & Flanigan is expanding its reach into central Pennsylvania soon with three stores. . . . more

At 70, L&L Hawaiian Barbecue looks ahead to economic recovery and expansion plans

Hawaii News Now
L&L Hawaiian Barbecue turns 70 this year. . . . more

Costco ending special COVID shopping hours

Costco
After two years, Costco has decided to end its special shopping hours that had been reserved exclusively for seniors, health care workers and first responders throughout the pandemic. . . . more

Uniqlo to ramp up store expansion in North America

CSA

Japan’s Fast Retailing Co. is looking to expand its footprint more aggressively in North America. . . . more

Grocery prices steadily increase across channels

CSA

A new study reveals exactly how much the cost of grocery items rose in March 2022. . . . more

Benjamin Moore ranked as best paint retailer

CSA

Benjamin Moore took top honors in two categories in the J.D. Power 2022 U.S. Paint Satisfaction Study. . . . more

Capriotti's, Wing Zone Sign Deals for 42 Shops in Q1

QSR
Despite the unforeseen challenges that the pandemic brought on the restaurant industry, Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop (Capriotti’s) and Wing Zone have fired up development efforts since the beginning of 2020, breaking the brands into 15 new states over the past two years. . . . more

Denny's CEO to retire amid growing exodus of restaurant chiefs

Restautant Dive

Denny's CEO John Miller plans to retire later this year, the casual dining chain shared in an SEC 8-K filing on Friday. . . . more

Baskin-Robbins scoops up brand refresh

Restautant Dive
Baskin-Robbins announced Monday it is introducing a new logo, branding and packaging in its first major relaunch for the U.S. and Canada in nearly two decades, according to details emailed to Marketing Dive. . . more

Grocery Outlet goes chainwide with Instacart delivery

Supermarket News
Since making its e-commerce debut with Instacart last fall, Grocery Outlet Holding Corp. has rolled out the online grocery delivery service to almost all of its stores. . . more

Placer.ai: Retail winners of Q1 include Home Depot, Starbucks, Dollar General

CSA

Rising gas prices, Omicron and ongoing supply chain and labor challenges made for tough going for some — but not all — retailers in the first quarter of 2022. . . . more

Rite Aid to close 145 stores; pharmacy sales fuel strong Q4 sales

CSA

Rite Aid reported mixed fourth-quarter results as charges widened its loss, but revenue topped expectations, driven by strong prescription growth. . . . more

Spirit Halloween gets the star treatment with its own movie

CSA

An iconic seasonal retail store is the setting for a new movie. . . . more

Dual grocery-anchored retail center in New Hampshire sells for $104 million

Boston Real Estate Times
JLL Capital Markets announced that it has closed the $104 million sale of The Crossings, a 509,749-square-foot, dominant, regional retail center anchored by Trader Joe’s and Aldi in the coastal community of Newington, New Hampshire. . . . more

With the New Kadrmas Eye Care Lease, Wareham Marketplace is Now Fully Leased

Boston Real Estate Time
KeyPoint Partners negotiated a lease with Kadrmas Eye Care New England at Wareham Marketplace, Wareham, Massachusetts. . . . more

Target is selling used clothing in partnership with ThredUp

Retail Dive

Target is testing a secondhand apparel marketplace, leveraging ThredUp's "resale as a service" platform, the retailer said by email. . . . more

Rite Aid guidance could signal its ability to survive: analyst

Retail Dive

Investors will be closely following Rite Aid's financial guidance for the year, expected on Thursday with the company's fourth quarter and annual earnings release. . . . more

Big Y Foods to debut downtown format

CSA
Big Y Foods is going urban. . . more

FAT Brands’ Quick-Service Division Signing Development Agreements Totaling Over 50 New Stores

Franchinsing.com
FAT (Fresh. Authentic. Tasty.) Brands Inc., parent company of Round Table Pizza, Great American Cookies, Marble Slab Creamery, and 14 other restaurant concepts, announces its Quick-Service Division has signed 20 new development deals following the acquisition of Global Franchise Group in June 2021. . . . more

99 Restaurant & Pub in Saugus Is Closing

Boston Restaurant Talk
A local chain of family-friendly restaurants is closing one of its locations north of Boston. . . . more

Taconic Capital Advisors and Eastern Real Estate partner to acquire 617,000 s/f University Mall

NEREJ
Taconic Capital Advisors and Eastern Real Estate have partnered to acquire University Mall. . . . more

Lululemon rolling out trade-in, resale nationwide

CSA

Lululemon Athletica is taking its pilot trade-in and resale program nationwide as part of its sustainability commitment and as the nation grapples with rising prices. . . . more

Michigan Mall morphs into a business center with retail

CSA

What once was Michigan’s Mall of Monroe, between Detroit and Toledo, was devoid of traffic for years after the departure of anchors like Target and J.C. Penney’s. Now it has found new life as a variegated business center. . . . more

Brookfield hands Chicago’s Water Tower Place back to its lender

CSA

Unable to fill a 300,000-sq.-ft. space left vacant by Macy’s, Brookfield Properties has given up its attempt to save Water Tower Place, the first indoor mall built in Chicago. . . . more

Convenience store sales at pre-pandemic levels; turnover highest since 2012

CSA

In-store convenience-stores sales reach a record high in 2021, although headwinds in labor and turnover continue. . . . more

AMC Increases Footprint In Connecticut, NY & Maryland With Acquisition Of Seven Bow Tie Cinemas

Yahoo! News
The worlds largest exhibitor AMC Theatres has made a deal with Bow Tie Cinemas to snap up and operate seven of Bow Tie’s locations in Connecticut, upstate New York and Annapolis, MD. . . . more

Albertsons finishes year strong as consumers return to stores; review ongoing

CSA

Albertsons Cos. turned in a strong fourth-quarter performance even as its digital growth slowed amid a rebound in store traffic. . . . more

Applebee's wants to be more like McDonald's than Olive Garden

CNN Business
Applebee's used to pitch itself as a place for customers to come, sit, and stay a while. Then the pandemic happened, and Applebee's had to pivot. . . . more

Kmart closing NJ location, only 3 stores left in US

Fox Business
Kmart is shedding another one of its brick-and-mortar department stores, leaving only a handful left in the country. . . . more

IHOP opens International Bank of Pancakes with sunny influencer push

Restaurant Dive
IHOP is promoting the rollout of its first loyalty program with a campaign featuring influencers known for bringing a sense of joy to their professions, per a news release. . . . more

Lowe's CFO to exit

Retail Dive
Lowe's Chief Financial Officer Dave Denton will leave the home improvement retailer to become Pfizer's CFO, effective May 2. . . . more

Scotch & Soda accelerates store growth

CSA

Scotch & Soda growing its store network — in the U.S. and abroad. . . . more

Walgreens expands partnership with Alto US to reduce crime

CSA

Walgreens is focusing on crime prevention as it looks to reduce theft in its stores. . . . more

The seven retailers on “100 Best Companies to Work For” list are …

CSA
A family-owned grocer cracked the top five on Fortune’s 25th annual “100 Best Companies to Work For” list. . . . more

Duck Donuts Keeps Growth Momentum Going Into 2022

QSR
Duck Donuts announced the signing of six franchise agreements for nine shops in the first quarter of 2022, including a new state, Colorado. . . . more

Fazoli’s Sets the Stage to Break More Records

QSR
In a time when so many other restaurants have struggled, Fazoli’s has experienced record-setting growth in recent years. . . . more

How COVID Forever Changed the Future of Fast-Food Design

QSR
Matthew Walls has a confession. For years, CKE Restaurants, the parent company of the well-known Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s quick-service brands, built the restaurants it wanted to build. . . . more

Toys 'R' Us is gone. This discount toy store is filling the void

CNN Business
Toys "R" Us filed for bankruptcy in 2017 and closed all of its stores. That's left an opening for rivals like discount toy chain Five Below to fill the gap. . . . more

Retail bankruptcies to remain low in first half of 2022 as long as …

CSA

The slowdown of retail bankruptcy filings that begin in the first half of 2021 is expected to continue. . . . more

Online grocery sales down 6% in March

CSA

Delivery is fueling online grocery sales. . . . more

Downtown clothing store moves to Salmon Run Mall

NNY 360
During last year’s holiday shopping season, merchant Marylois Queal thought about moving her downtown clothing store, Loft 315, to the Salmon Run Mall. . . . more

Your teenager probably wants to go to Chick-fil-A

Restaurant Business
The Atlanta-based chicken QSR once again topped the semi-annual Taking Stock with Teens spending survey from investment bank Piper Sandler Companies, as it has for several years. . . . more

Dave & Buster's to Buy Main Event for $835 Million

FSR

Dave & Buster's announced Wednesday that it's spending $835 million to acquire fellow eatertainment chain Main Event from Ardent Leisure Group Limited and RedBird Capital Partners. . . . more

Will tax refund season be the highlight for apparel sales this year?

Retail Dive

As rising food and fuel prices squeeze household spending, and as consumers return to dining out and travel, retail's rebound from the pandemic could be short-lived. . . . more

Freddy’s expansion on track; looks to double footprint

CSA

Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers has maintained its strong growth momentum in the first quarter of the new year. . . . more

Teens spending rises; fave brands are …

CSA

The nation’s teenagers aren’t letting their increased concerns about economic uncertainty and the war in Ukraine put a damper on their spending. . . . more

Tropical Smoothie Cafe starts year strong with new store openings

CSA

Tropical Smoothie Cafe continued its 2021 expansion momentum into the first quarter of 2022. . . . more

TJ MAXX opening new store in Massachusetts

WHDH
TJ Maxx is opening a new store in Massachusetts next week. . . . more

A Wildly Popular Israeli Import Debuts Hit Pitas in Seaport

Boston Eater
The feverishly popular Tel Aviv-born Israeli street food chain, Miznon, throws open the doors to its first Boston outpost today (April 6) in Seaport with a pita-stuffed menu that confidently strolls away from classic accompaniments like baba ganoush and hummus. . . . more

Kroger, Bed Bath & Beyond officially launch e-commerce partnership

CSA
Kroger is making select Bed Bath & Beyond products available on its website, with plans for an in-store pilot. . . . more

Regional grocer digitally engages in-store shoppers

CSA

Giant Food is piloting a next-generation, in-store product engagement platform in select Washington, D.C., area stores. . . . more

First Look: Check out Target’s new Times Square store

CSA

Target Corp. has opened a location on one of the busiest blocks in New York City. . . . more

Malls see a big rebound in foot traffic in March

CSA

March was a step in the right direction with regard to foot traffic in the nation’s malls. . . . more

Red Lobster on the hunt for a new CEO

CSA

The chief executive of Red Lobster is leaving after less than a year on the job. . . . more

Walmart Health expands into new market

CSA

Walmart is expanding its freestanding health care concept. . . . more

Chipotle launches burrito-rolling game — online

CSA

Chipotle Mexican Grill is offering a new promotion on the popular Roblox digital gaming platform with “real world” crossover. . . . more

Is Petco positioned for long-term growth?

Retail Dive
Petco's on a roll. . . . more

Business group tells Congress: Retail theft a ‘national crisis’

CSA

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce wants Congress to take action to address the rise of organized retail theft. . . . more

J.C. Penney marks 120th anniversary with omnichannel campaign

CSA

A “Saturday Night Live” star is helping The J.C. Penney Co. Inc. launch its new “Shopping is Back” promotion. . . . more

Wendy's opens metaverse restaurant in Horizon Worlds

Restaurant Dive
Wendy's has launched Wendyverse, a virtual restaurant on Meta's Horizon Worlds platform, per details emailed to Marketing Dive. . . more

Brick by brick: How Lego continues to build a toy empire

Retail Dive

Mention Lego and most people have a story to tell. . . . more

Five Below looks to triple store count by 2030

Retail Dive
In its latest earnings release, discounter Five Below laid out long-term goals to grow its sales and footprint. . . more

Container Store launches new app, loyalty program

CSA
The Container Store is rolling out its new tier-based loyalty program in conjunction with a new mobile app. . . more

The retailer with the best personalization is…

CSA

Two retailers have actually tied for the top spot in the fifth annual Retail Personalization Index. . . . more

Macy’s to invest $584 million in new fulfillment center

CSA

Macy’s, Inc. is investing in its digital future. . . . more

Foxtrot Market expanding, entering new markets

CSA

Foxtrot Market is doubling down on the Washington, D.C., metro area. . . . more

Target Seeks To Entice Workers With Pay Of Up To $24 An Hour

CBS Boston
Workers at Target stores and distribution centers in places like New York, where competition for finding and hiring staff is the fiercest, could see starting wages as high as $24 an hour this year. . . . more

New Balance Opens New $20 Million Factory In Methuen

CBS Boston
New Balance officially opened a new $20 million factory in Methuen Monday. . . . more

4 casual, fast casual drive-thru innovations in Q1

Restaurant Dive

Fast casual and casual dining chains are proving drive-thrus aren't just assets for fast food restaurants. . . . more

Popeyes Unveils New Digital-Centric Design as Growth Ramps Up

QSR
Over the past couple of years, as Popeyes rode its chicken sandwich fame to some of fast food’s top results, the brand kept in touch with guests, brand president Sami Siddiqui says. . . . more

The mall operator that just set a sales per square foot record is…

CSA

PREIT, the mall owner which years ago set a minimum average sales-per-sq.-ft. number as a marker for dispossession, now finds itself with record-high receipts. . . . more

Mayor Wu, North End Restaurant Owners May Have Compromise In Outdoor Dining Fee Dispute

CBS Boston
There may be a potential compromise for outdoor dining in the North End. . . . more

Pet Supplies Plus Multi-Unit Operator Signs Deal for 20 Additional Franchises

Franchising.com
When a business shows consistent strong performance and its owners are having fun, the logical strategy is to continue growing. That’s the philosophy of pet-passionate, entrepreneurial business partners Aaron Young, Chad Bush and Doug DeLozier. . . . more

Burger King rolls out new mobile delivery service

CSA

Burger King is heating up its on-demand delivery offering. . . . more

Report: Walmart to stop selling cigarettes in select stores

CSA

Walmart will no longer sell tobacco products, but only in select markets. . . . more

BJ’s expands same-day grocery delivery options

CSA

BJ’s Wholesale Club Inc. is adding a new partner to its online delivery portfolio. . . . more

Ulta Beauty, PayPal expand in-person returns

CSA

Ulta Beauty and PayPal are both leveraging the same third-party online returns solution. . . . more

First Look: Orangetheory Fitness opens first-of-its kind flagship

CSA

Orangtheory Fitness’s new flagship comes with an added offering. . . . more

Title Boxing Club Restarts Franchise Growth

SGB Media
One year after being acquired by BoxUnion, Title Boxing Club is relaunching its franchise expansion with plans to open more than 300 clubs by 2025 in the U.S. . . . more

Sbarro will open 100-plus units with c-store focus in 2022

Restaurant Dive
Sbarro plans to open more than 100 new restaurants, both company-owned and franchised, this year, the pizza chain announced Thursday. . . . more

Consumer survey finds brick-and-mortar making a comeback — with safety in mind

CSA

Men are helping to lead the resurgence of the IRL (in real life) shopping experience. . . . more

Ahold Delhaize USA expands CPG promotional platform

CSA

CPG brands have new opportunities to send targeted communications to shoppers of Ahold Delhaize USA grocery banners. . . . more

Robotic burger joint comes to Simon mall location

CSA

An automated “restaurant in miniature” is serving up hamburgers at the Newport Centre, a Simon mall in Jersey City, N.J. . . . more

Chico’s targets total revenue of $2.5 billion-plus by 2025

CSA

Chico’s FAS is confident that its turnaround strategy has taken hold. . . . more

CT’s first proposed Wegmans store faces no opposition at first Norwalk hearing

The Hour
Plans to build Connecticut’s first Wegmans grocery store off Connecticut Avenue faced no opposition from local residents at a public hearing this week. . . . more

Panera Steps Into Chicken Sandwich Craze

QSR

Panera announced on Tuesday its entrance into the chicken sandwich game, a significant move that will create more daypart versatility and capture new audiences, the company said. . . . more

Plant-based food sales reach record high of $7.4 billion in 2021

Supermarket News

Sales of plant-based food at retail grew three times faster than total food retail sales in 2021, according to data released Thursday by the Plant Based Foods Association (PBFA), The Good Food Institute (GFI) and wellness-focused data company  SPINS. . . . more

Can brands stay safe in the metaverse?

Retail Dive
As the metaverse makes the leap into reality, marketers are eager to figure out where this new frontier fits into their strategies. . . . more

Inside Macy's plan to scale its budding retail media business

Retail Dive
Macy's is betting bigger on its retail media network at a transitional point for digital marketing that has seen rivals chase similar ambitions. . . . more

J.Jill swings to profit again; expects net store closures

CSA

For the second straight quarter, women’s apparel and accessories retailer J.Jill Inc. went from net loss to net income. . . . more

Petco eyes revenue growth, rural store format

CSA

Petco Health and Wellness Company Inc. is confident that shoppers will keep spending on their pets even amid inflation and other economic challenges. . . . more

Sweetgreen to open at least 35 locations, pilot drive-thru in 2022

CSA

Sweetgreen is diving into one of the restaurant industry’s hottest trends — drive-thru — but with an added tweak. . . . more

GameStop's loss widens in first year of transformation under Ryan Cohen

Retail Dive
GameStop's fourth quarter sales increased 6.2% year to year to just under $2.3 billion while full-year sales rose 18% to $6 billion, the company said in release Thursday. . . . more

Target, Amazon debut sustainable store concepts

Retail Dive
With consumers prioritizing environmental sustainability, Amazon and Target unveiled stores that aim to use less energy than they produce, the retailers announced last week. . . . more

Allbirds opens store in New York's Flatiron District

Retail Dive
As it continues with its brick-and-mortar expansion plan, Allbirds announced Friday that it opened a new 7,100-square foot storefront in the Flatiron District of New York City. . . . more

Foot Locker names new global brands head

CSA

Foot Locker Inc. is tapping a brand expert from the toy industry to run its global brands operation. . . . more

Survey reveals consumer frustration with out-of-stocks

CSA

Consumers see a deteriorating situation with product out-of-stocks. . . . more

First Look: Bristol Farms unveils new store concept

CSA

Bristol Farms has debuted a new grocery market concept complete with a food hall. . . . more

Saugus boards discuss plans for Kowloon

Item Live
Permitting of the 198-unit residential housing project at the Kowloon restaurant site will take approvals from several permit-granting bodies, but the restaurant is planning to stay open throughout construction. . . . more

P.F. Chang’s COO: ‘We’re taking takeout to the cities and the suburbs’

CSA

P.F. Chang’s Bistros generally do about $1 million in takeout business each year. So in 2020, the star Asian food tenant of malls and lifestyle centers decided to open P.F. Chang’s To Go in downtown locations in major metros—just as downtown residents were escaping COVID by moving to, or staying in, the ‘burbs. . . . more

Dick’s Sporting Goods expanding House of Sport store concept

CSA
Dick’s Sporting Goods is bringing its immersive store concept to Minnesota. . . . more

Joanne earnings drop; freight costs jump

CSA

Joann Inc. was challenged by increased freight costs and other supply chain disruptions during its first full year as a public company. . . . more

How Restaurants Can Manage Cash in a Digital World

QSR
According to the Diary of Consumer Payment Choice, an annual research report conducted by the Federal Reserve, cash accounts for 19 percent of all payments in the U.S. During the height of the pandemic, the amount of cash carried by consumers increased by $20, to an average of $74. . . . more

What new ownership could mean for Kohl's

Retail Dive
Kohl's, with a robust loyalty program, off-mall presence and knack for forging winning partnerships, once seemed immune to many of the troubles befalling department stores. . . . more

Amazon bolsters same-day delivery infrastructure in Massachusetts

CSA

Amazon Prime members in the Greater Boston area can now receive orders as fast as three to five hours from when they make their purchases. . . . more

L.L. Bean boosts revenue in record-setting FY ’21, approves bonuses

CSA

L.L. Bean is sharing the good fortune it experienced in fiscal year 2021 with performance bonuses for employees. . . . more

Some new Captain D’s restaurants to have only drive-thru, walk-up windows

Produce Blue Book
Captain D’s, the nation’s leading fast-casual seafood restaurant, announced today it has an impressive slate of new openings underway in the first half of 2022, capitalizing on continued franchise development interest from both new and existing franchisees. . . . more

El Pollo Loco Alters Franchise Plan after Disappointing 2021

QSR

In March 2021, El Pollo Loco officially announced the beginning of its “acceleration agenda”—a three-year strategy envisioning aggressive franchise growth in new markets. . . . more

Chipotle tests Chippy, a tortilla chip-making robot

Retail Dive
Chipotle has teamed with Miso Robotics to create Chippy, an autonomous kitchen assistant that cooks and seasons tortilla chips, the chain announced Wednesday. . . more

After nearly 2 decades of decline, what's next for office supplies stores?

Retail Dive

The pandemic has turned millions of consumers around the country into office managers, fashioning workspaces out of portions of their homes and stocking them with all the things necessary to get their jobs done. . . . more

Amazon opens second Whole Foods store with cashierless technology

CSA

Amazon is expanding the availability of its “Just Walk Out” autonomous checkout experience in its Whole Foods Market grocery chain. . . . more

Men’s Wearhouse parent company names permanent CEOs; new president

CSA

Tailored Brands’ interim leadership team is now permanent. . . . more

Warby Parker to open 40 stores in 2022; posts tough Q4 as loss widens

CSA

Warby Parker reported a challenging fourth quarter as the omicron variant slowed its in-store traffic. . . . more

Giant Food makes online grocery pickup a free service

Supermarket News

Giant Food has dropped its click-and-collect fee to make pickup free for all online grocery orders. . . . more

Macy’s rebrands with customer-focused brand platform

CSA

Macy’s is putting a big new emphasis on personalization, in-store and online. . . . more

KeyPoint Partners Negotiates First Apple Cinemas Movie Site in New York

6 Park News
KeyPoint Partners has negotiated a new lease with Apple Cinemas, its expanding movie theater client, for a premier movie theater location at Pittsford Plaza in Rochester, New York. . . . more

Kmart: And then there were…

CSA

A retailer that once had about 2,400 stores across the United States and is moving closer to being a relic of the past. . . . more

Grocery prices up 11.5% year-over-year

CSA

A new study confirms that prices of everyday goods have risen significantly — but not the same for everyone. . . . more

Citi Trends to continue store growth, remodels in 2022

CSA

Citi Trends remains bullish store growth and upgrading its in-store experience. . . . more

Starbucks to phase out iconic cup; launch pilot EV charging network at its stores

CSA

Starbucks Corp. is doubling down on its commitment to cut its waste and carbon emissions from direct operations in half by 2030 as part of its goal to one day be “resource positive.”. . . more

The Seaport’s Newest Outdoor Shopping Space Will Span an Entire Block

Boston Magazine
The offerings of the Seaport District are about to get even more expansive. Boston-based WS Development announced plans to open a European-inspired retail space in the waterfront district by summer 2022. . . . more

Restaurant Menu Price Inflation Keeps Rising

QSR

Restaurant consumers in February were once again hit with menu price inflation not seen in years. . . . more

Express, ready for a comeback, is opening more stores

Retail Dive

Express reported that Q4 net sales rose 38% year over year to $594.9 million, as comps (stores plus e-commerce) rose 43% from 2020 and 4% from 2019. E-commerce grew 33% year over year and 21% from 2019, on track to reach $1 billion by 2024, per a company press release. . . . more

Walmart adds free Spotify to Walmart+, gives membership free to staff

Retail Dive
Walmart is partnering with Spotify to offer the retailer's Walmart+ members free access to Spotify Premium for six months. . . more

Spending momentum rebounds in February, fueled by older Americans

CSA

Consumer spending resumed its robust pace of expansion in February amid declining COVID-19 case counts. . . . more

Walgreens enables cash bill payments at stores

CSA

Walgreens is expanding its financial services portfolio. . . . more

Ulta Beauty posts strong year as quarterly, annual sales soar

CSA

Ulta Beauty turned in better-than-expected fourth-quarter earnings and revenue as its sales jumped higher consumer confidence, government stimulus payments and the easing of COVD-19 restrictions. . . . more

The pandemic rattled off-price retail in Q4

Retail Dive
Off-price retailers often rise above the challenges that tend to hurt most stores. . . . more

Lego revenue jumped 27% in 2021, as kids and adults continue to build

CNBC Business

Sales of Lego building kits continued to soar in 2021, as kids and adults stayed home to build “Star Wars” and “Harry Potter” models long after the coronavirus lockdown ended. . . . more

Meat dollar sales reach record high in 2021, but volume is down

Supermarket News
Following the record-breaking sales of meat due to the impact of the pandemic in 2020, dollar sales continued to rise in 2021, with an 0.3% increase for a total of $81.8 billion in sales — though those numbers were driven by significant inflation, according to the 2022 Power of Meat report released Tuesday. Tellingly, volume and unit sales fell short of the prior-year record levels, at -5.6% and -4.4%, respectively. . . . more

Petco swings to profit; enhances paid wellness program

CSA

Petco Health & Wellness Co. Inc.’s emphasis on pet health and wellness services is paying off. . . . more

Your new bank account could be at Dollar General

CSA
Dollar General is making big moves in financial services with a banking platform, buy now pay later (BNPL) payment, and a new rewards redemption option. . . . more

Here’s how shopping habits are changing

CSA

Supply chain issues and massive inflation during the past year are directly impacting the way consumers say they shop. . . . more

Mall Deep Dive - 2021 Yearly Review

CSA
The pandemic seems to have reinvigorated consumer demand for the mall experience, with 2021 foot traffic data proving once again that malls still play an important role in the broader retail landscape. But while many malls are thriving, others are struggling to adapt to the significant changes in consumer behavior and expectations in an almost-post-pandemic world. . . . more

Kohl’s says it’s no longer a department store

WHDH
Kohl’s is under intense pressure from Wall Street raiders and up against stiff competition from Amazon, Target and others. Now it’s hoping that overhauling its brand image can beat back those threats. . . . more

Potbelly outlines its big growth goals

Restaurant Business
Since its birth 45 years ago, Chicago-based sandwich chain Potbelly has based its business on a portfolio of largely urban, company-owned stores. . . . more

Burlington continues N.J. expansion, another store planned for 2022

NJ.com
Burlington, the department store chain formerly known as Burlington Coat Factory, has announced it will open a store in Paterson, adding to its recent New Jersey expansion. . . . more

Friendly's opens its first fast casual restaurant

Restaurant Dive
Casual dining chain Friendly's Restaurants is launching a new fast casual concept called Friendly’s Cafe, the company announced Tuesday. . . . more

Dick’s Sporting Goods expects more profit momentum after solid holiday quarter

CNBC Business

Dick’s Sporting Goods on Tuesday reported profits and sales growth in its holiday quarter that topped analysts’ estimates, as the company laps massive gains from the prior year that were fueled by pandemic purchases of outdoor equipment and fitness accessories. . . . more

The future of Best Buy: At-home gyms, e-bikes and outdoor grills

CNN Business
Best Buy built a retail empire selling TVs and laptops. But to keep growing and fend off rivals like Amazon and Walmart, the company needs new ways to attract customers. . . . more

Ross Stores to open 100 new stores in 2022

CSA

Ross Stores is accelerating its physical growth. . . . more

Gymja Warrior Signs 11,345 SF Retail Lease in Peabody, Massachusetts

Rebusiness Online
Boutique fitness operator Gymja Warrior has signed a 11,345-square-foot retail lease at Route One Marketplace in Peabody, a northeastern suburb of Boston. . . . more

Apple Cinemas brings firsts to Warwick

WJAR 10

The Warwick Mall has a movie theater again, and it's not like the old one. . . . more

Nordstrom joins in-house media ranks with Walmart, Target, Best Buy

CSA

An upscale department store retailer is the latest retailer to launch its own media company. . . . more

American Eagle takes marketing into the metaverse

CSA

American Eagle Outfitters Inc. is spreading its wings into Roblox and flying higher with Snapchat as part of its spring campaign. . . . more

REI relaunches lifetime membership program

CSA

REI Co-op is making some major changes to its loyalty offering. . . . more

Muscle-building gym aimed at the 40+ market is going nationwide

CSA

Surely, you’ve seen lots of small-space fitness boutiques that teach barre, biking, and yoga. How about one that teaches 70-year-old men to deadlift 385 pounds? . . . more

Abercrombie & Fitch return to profitability; to open 50 stores

CSA

Abercrombie & Fitch ended a strong year with a drop in net income amid inventory delays and fallout from Omicron. . . . more

Amazon Closing Brick-And-Mortar Bookstores And 4-Star Shops

CBS Boston
Amazon is closing all of its brick-and-mortar bookstores, as well as its 4-star shops and pop up locations, including four locations in Massachusetts. . . . more

Stop & Shop, union agree to 4-year contract that boosts pay, including to $19 an hour for workers who fill online orders

Hartford Courant

Stop & Shop workers, battered by COVID-19 and eager to avoid a second strike in three years, have ratified a four-year contract that delivers a $15 minimum hourly wage a year before Connecticut’s higher wage takes effect and boosts pay significantly for workers who fill online orders for curbside pick-up. . . . more

Domino's CEO Ritch Allison to Retire

QSR

Domino's announced Tuesday that CEO Ritch Allison plans to retire this summer. . . . more

Kohl’s issues better-than-expected outlook as margins withstand supply chain strain

CNBC Business

Kohl’s on Tuesday reported fiscal fourth-quarter sales that came in below analysts’ estimates for the key holiday quarter, but investors lifted shares as the company issued upbeat revenue outlook for 2022 despite ongoing supply chain obstacles that roiled retailers and shrunk inventories. . . . more

Taco Bell's subscription service increased rewards members by 20%

Restaurant Dive
Members of Taco Bell’s subscription service, Taco Lover’s Pass, are three times more likely to visit a Taco Bell restaurant per month, according to data the company emailed to Restaurant Dive. . . . more

Krispy Kreme to open delivery-only shops in US and Mexico

Restaurant Dive

Krispy Kreme is planning to build delivery-only locations in the U.S. and Mexico this year, the company said during its Q4 2021 earnings call. This announcement follows a pilot in the United Kingdom, which grew to include more than 50 "dark shops." . . . more

TJX cruises past pre-pandemic sales levels

Retail Dive

TJX Cos. posted a comparable sales increase of 13% (for open stores only) against the same period two years ago, before COVID-19 disrupted the off-price sector. Net sales, at $13.9 billion in Q4, were up 27% over last year and up 14% from two years ago. . . . more

What happened to Nordstrom Rack?

Retail Dive
Nordstrom didn't invent the bargain basement — its first Rack opened in the cellar of its Seattle flagship store in 1973, more than six decades after Boston department store Filene's innovated that method of unloading excess inventory. . . . more

Target Seeks To Entice Workers With Pay Of Up To $24 An Hour

CBS Boston
Workers at Target stores and distribution centers in places like New York, where competition for finding and hiring staff is the fiercest, could see starting wages as high as $24 an hour this year. . . . more