Chuck E. Cheese will hire 5K employees this summer

Restaurant Dive

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

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

Retail Dive

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

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

Retail Dive

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

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

CSA

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

Express narrows loss; to expand smaller-store format

CSA

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

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

Supermarket News

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

American Eagle cuts SKUs, speeds delivery with supply chain transformation

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

Bed Bath & Beyond adds 3 more private labels to lineup

Retail Dive

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

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

CSA

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

Container Store shores up leadership with retail vets

CSA

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

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

CSA

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

Target primes itself for ‘Deal Days’ sales extravaganza

CSA

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

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

Restaurant Dive

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

Downsizing hurts Nordstrom in Q1

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

Off-pricers bounce back in Q1

Retail Dive

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

Anthropologie opens its first hotel pop-up

CSA

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

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

CSA

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

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

CSA

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

Warby Parker Founders Explain Why They Are Adding 35 Stores

StockXpo

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

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

Footwear News

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