Albertsons pharmacies take pet prescription transfers from vets

Supermarket News
Albertsons Companies, Inc. (NYSE: ACI) announced it is introducing time and money-saving solutions for pet parents who are struggling to afford the cost of medications and veterinary services. . . . more

DoorDash, Walgreens partner to deliver COVID medications

Supermarket News
As part of DoorDash’s work to broaden access to COVID-19 vaccines, tests, and treatments, we’re proud to announce a new initiative to provide critical COVID-19 treatments to people living in underserved communities across the U.S. Stepping up to answer the President’s call to action, we’re partnering with Walgreens to facilitate free delivery of prescriptions of Paxlovid, an oral COVID-19 medication that can reduce the risk of hospitalization and death, directly to the doorsteps of vulnerable Americans. . . . more

‘The future is more local and it is more social’: Why Grocers are developing third spaces in stores

Modern Retail
The grocery store isn’t just a place to shop for essentials anymore. Some grocers are now dedicating spaces in the store for community members to gather and socialize — often referred to as ‘third spaces’. . . . more

Boot Barn says its store expansion strategy is paying off

ModernRetail
Boot Barn says it propelled sales forward thanks to store expansion — even as digital channels face headwinds. . . . more

Is it Time for Dynamic Pricing in the Restaurant Industry?

QSR
As food and labor costs are increasing and consumers are reducing their spending, restaurant operators are facing the dilemma of either increasing their prices to maintain profitability or trying to “tough it out” so as not to upset their guests. . . . more

Chipotle’s menu price hikes haven’t fazed high-income households

Restaurant Dive
Chipotle’s dine-in sales increased 22.1% year-over-year during Q3 2022, according to the company’s earnings release. Comparatively, dine-in sales rose 35.9% during Q2 2022. . . . more

Target triples Apple shop-in-shops ahead of holidays

Retail Dive
Target and Apple are deepening their relationship with added shop-in-shops and tech perks tied to the retailer’s loyalty program. . . . more

Report: NYC restaurants with outdoor dining recovered sales faster

Restaurant Dive
Restaurants and neighborhoods that participated in New York City’s Open Streets program, in which streets were closed to accommodate outdoor seeing, performed better than those that did not, according to a New York City Department of Transportation report released Tuesday. . . . more

Aldi U.S. to up the ante in online grocery

Supermarket News
Aldi U.S. aims to get more serious with its website — in a big way. . . . more

Report: Full-service chains surpass pre-pandemic sales

Restaurant Dive
This uptick in sales compared to pre-pandemic levels reflect the growing impact of inflation and rising menu prices on company operations. Full-service meal prices were up 8.8% during the last 12 months compared to an increase of 7.1% for limited service, according to the Consumer Price Index. . . . more

How Halloween became a $10B business for retailers

Retail Dive
Driving through a neighborhood in October, it isn’t uncommon to find houses adorned in larger-than-life skeletons, inflatable characters, animatronics and other items to get into the spooky spirit of the season. . . . more

Americans still like Black Friday

CSA
Americans have not lost their affection for heading to stores on Black Friday. . . . more

Japanese sneaker, streetwear brand Atmos debuts women’s retail concept

CSA
Atmos has opened a space designed to address the underserved market of women's streetwear in the U.S.  . . . more

At Home in expansion mode

CSA
At Home has had a busy October. . . . more

Pep Boys’ shuttering of its auto parts business makes 81 storefronts available

CSA
Manny, Moe, and Jack have bid farewell to their auto parts business, leaving scores of retail spaces vacant for new occupants across the United States. . . . more

COVID is Tough, but Velvet Taco's Growth Plan is Better

QSR
Velvet Taco began 2021 with fewer than 20 locations. In the nearly two years since, the fast casual has not only faced unprecedented inflation, but also an ownership change. . . . more

When grocery giants merge, consumers benefit

Fox Business
The announcement that grocery giant Kroger intends to buy rival Albertsons is already provoking speculation that the Federal Trade Commission will try to block the deal. . . . more

Indoor mini-golf/dining concept Puttshack continues U.S. expansion with new capital

CSA
An entertainment destination that combines tech-driven mini-golf with food and drink and whose creators include the founders of Topgolf has closed a new round of funding to support its U.S. expansion. . . . more

Best Buy launches Mac laptop upgrade program with BNPL provider

CSA
Best Buy Co. Inc. is combining buy now, pay later (BNPL) financing with an upgrade option for select Mac Laptop models. . . . more

Will the Kroger-Albertsons deal get past regulators?

Grocery Dive
Before it can complete its $24.6 billion deal to acquire Albertsons, Kroger will have to successfully navigate an intensive review process by regulators that are closely scrutinizing large mergers, experts say. . . . more

Shifting Population Trends Impact the Restaurant Industry

QSR
More than two years after the pandemic, consumers and restaurant operators are experiencing varying conditions by market with results that can only be described as uneven. . . . more

Mall Do’s & Don’ts: Create a city within a city

CSA
DO…pay attention to what consumers are looking for. They want everything at their fingertips--food, entertainment, luxury goods, fitness, and wellness. They want it 24 hours a day. And they don’t want to commute all over town to get it. So you want to create a city within a city. . . . more

Mall Do’s and Don’ts: Use empty anchors as the foundations for new experiences

CSA
DO…change the experience that’s been in existence for 30 or 40 years and doesn’t work anymore. Create an open, activated plaza experience. Create a sense of place. . . . more

Untuckit boosts store performance with traffic analysis

CSA
A direct-to-consumer apparel brand known for its signature untucked shirts is carefully observing customer behavior in its stores. . . . more

Jack in the Box unveils takeout-only prototype; looks to reduce buildout costs by 20%

CSA
Jack in the Box’s restaurant of the future is designed to meet the continuing demand for drive-thru service and mobile ordering. . . . more

The North Face to open 70-plus stores in North America

CSA
The North Face is expanding its footprint — at home and across the globe. . . . more

El Pollo Loco hires Dunkin’ VP as COO

Restaurant Dive
Maria Hollandsworth, a Dunkin’ regional VP of operations and formerly VP of strategic initiatives and operations services at Jack in the Box, will join El Pollo Loco as chief operating officer on Oct. 31, the company announced Monday. . . . more

At Home introduces app, expands home delivery

CSA
At Home is busily adding to its omnichannel capabilities. . . . more

Placer.ai: Big sales could bolster traffic at centers this holiday season

CSA
Overstocked inventories promise big bargains and strong traffic in shopping centers this holiday season. . . . more

McDonald’s to sell Krispy Kreme doughnuts at 9 locations in latest menu experiment

CNBC Business
McDonald’s will sell Krispy Kreme doughnuts in select restaurants later this month for the first time. . . . more

Largest Phenix Salon Suites Franchisee Continues Expansion, with More Than 50 Open Locations

Franchising.com
Phenix Salon Suites, the nation’s leading salon suite franchise turned international trailblazer, continues to prosper alongside its largest franchise operator, Kevin Davis, who has opened a total of 51 locations with the brand in ten years. . . . more

Survey: Physical stores dominate impulse purchases

CSA
When it comes to making impulse purchases, brick-and-mortar retail — specifically the aisle — trumps online. . . . more

Trader Joe’s expects to open three more stores by yearend

CSA
Trader Joe’s continues to expand its reach across the U.S. . . . more

Do Restaurants Need Cashiers Anymore?

QSR
Trends have accelerated over the last few years. Customers want meals prepared fast and served in a convenient fashion. . . . more

Dunkin’ fans, angered by rewards changes, say brand has lost its identity

Restaurant Dive
Changes to Dunkin’s loyalty program, which have made it more expensive to collect and redeem rewards, have prompted some customers to stop ordering from the coffee chain. . . . more

Is Kohl’s ready for a change?

Retail Dive
Kohl’s has had an eventful year, yet not much has changed. . . . more

Coffee consumers, amid inflation, have new reasons to keep buying: Dunkin' Americas president

Fox Business
Record inflation has been taking a crack at many of America’s businesses and continuing to send prices for scores of products and services sky-high. . . . more

Walgreens beats sales expectations, as it expands its health-care business

CNBC Business
Walgreens Boots Alliance on Thursday exceeded fiscal fourth-quarter sales expectations, as the drugstore chain turns itself into a more health-care focused company. . . . more

Kroger agrees to buy rival grocery company Albertsons for $24.6 billion

CNBC Business
Rival grocers Kroger and Albertsons on Friday announced plans to team up. . . . more

Franchise Interest Soars for Niche Restaurant Concepts

QSR
From taquitos to dumplings to vegan versions of American fast-food classics, a growing number of fast-casual and quick-service concepts are turning to atypical menu items to entice customers and franchisees alike. . . . more

JCPenney begins Black Friday on Nov. 1; closing stores on Thanksgiving

CSA
JCPenney is not wasting any time after Halloween to begin its holiday promotions, and is giving store employees a Turkey Day break. . . . more

First Look: Pacsun unveils new store design

CSA
PacSun is transforming its store environment as it continues to expand its footprint. . . . more

American Family Care Climbs Best-Performing Franchise Ranking

Franchising.com
American Family Care (AFC), the nation’s leading provider of urgent care, occupational medicine and accessible primary care, celebrates its latest ranking in the Franchise Times Top 500. . . . more

Marylou's Opens in Waltham

Boston Restaurant Talk
A local chain of coffee shops whose locations are south of Boston has opened its first outlet in the western suburbs. . . . more

Mace and Grady of KeyPoint Partners negotiate 876 s/f lease to Blank Street Coffee at 1380 Mass. Ave.

NEREJ
KeyPoint Partners negotiated a lease with Blank Street Coffee for an 876 s/f space at 1380 Massachusetts Ave. in Harvard Sq. Vice presidents of retail brokerage at KeyPoint Don Mace and Rob Grady negotiated the lease on behalf of the landlord. 1380 Mass. Ave. directly faces the pedestrian walkway near the entrance to the Harvard T station in Harvard Sq. and is directly across from Harvard Yard. . . . more

Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods, Publix among grocers in American Innovation Index

Supermarket News
Trader Joe’s led a group of food and drug retailers named to Fordham University’ 2022 American Innovation Index. . . . more

Fat Brands opens first co-branded Johnny Rockets, Hurricane Wings restaurant

Restaurant Dive
Fat Brands has opened its first co-branded Johnny Rockets and Hurricane Wings restaurant, the company wrote in an email to Restaurant Dive. . . . more

Puttshack raises $150M in capital to support rapid US growth

Restaurant Dive
Puttshack has raised $150 million in growth capital from funds managed by BlackRock and ongoing support from Promethean Investments, the company announced Tuesday. . . . more

BJ’s opens new headquarters

CSA
BJ’s Wholesale Club Holdings Inc. has completed the move of its headquarters to a new location. . . . more

Forever 21 opening 14 stores across the U.S.

CSA
Forever 21 has already begun a nationwide brick-and-mortar expansion plan — with an emphasis on outlet locations. . . . more

Ulta makes its debut with Tanger Outlets

CSA
Outlet networks that traditionally rely on tourist sales for volume are now mixing in tenants to securemore steady local business. . . . more

Kicco Italian Coffee Is Opening by North Station in Boston

Boston Restaurant Talk
An Italian cafe that should be popular with commuters is on its way to Boston. . . . more

WSJ: Retail real estate is having a big year

CSA
The United States’ retail vacancy rate in the second quarter fell to its lowest level in at least 15 years—6.1%. . . . more

Sports-restaurant concept Tom’s Watch Bar in new funding; expanding nationwide

CSA
A brand known for its “360-degree” viewing room is targeting “ultra-high” traffic locations as it expands nationwide. . . . more

Giant Food incentivizes customers with store-brand rewards

Supermarket News
Giant Food is giving loyalty program members the incentive to trade points for private-label items. . . . more

Wendy’s drive-thru lanes struggle, while Chick-fil-A has the fastest service, report says

CNBC Business
Wendy’s is often credited with pioneering drive-thru ordering, but the burger chain’s drive-thru accuracy and customer satisfaction scores lagged behind its rivals this year, according to a new study. . . . more

KFC is bringing back a fan-favorite menu item

CNN Business
Kentucky Fried Chicken is bringing back a fan favorite after a nearly decade-long hiatus. . . . more

Moody’s Analytics: To survive, malls must share in the risks of their tenants

CSA
American malls must attain average sales per sq. ft. of at least $520 to stay in business—minus the sales of high-volume tenants like Apple and Lululemon. . . . more

Kohl’s joins other retailers in kicking off holiday deals in October

CSA
Early holiday promotions are fast becoming a trend in the retail industry. . . . more

Discount Tire unveils drive-thru store concept

CSA
Discount Tire is aiming to change the traditional tire service and buying experience for customers. . . . more

Trader Joe's finally brings back free samples

CBS Boston
Freebies are back at the grocery store after a long pandemic hiatus. . . . more

Shake Shack Vies for Gen Z by Entering Gaming World

QSR
As brands vie for Gen Z’s ever-fleeting attention, Shake Shack is betting on gaming—specifically, one that targets younger generations whose schedules allow for hours spent simulating idyllic lives. . . . more

Yum! is 'Scanning Categories' for a Potential Acquisition

QSR
Yum! Brands, already the biggest restaurant company in the world, is actively "scanning categories" in the M&A market, said CFO Chris Turner at the 13th Annual U.S. All Stars Conference in London. . . . more

3 ways retailers can drive private brand growth

Supermarket News
Retailers report having strong goals over the next two years for their private brand portfolio, with a current average dollar share of 18.2% and an ambitious goal of 22.6% in the next two years, according to a new report from The Food Industry Association (FMI). . . . more

Who needs another subscription service? Walmart is betting its millions of customers do

CNBC Business
Americans have tons of subscriptions. Even with inflation, Walmart thinks they’re willing to pay for one more. . . . more

18 retailers at risk of bankruptcy as consumers tighten wallets in 2022

Retail Dive
Last year was a great one for many if not most in and connected to the retail industry, except for its restructuring experts. (But don’t worry about them — the bankruptcy lawyers and consultants had a sensational 2020.) . . . more