Bonchon says 72% of stores planned for 2021 will be fast casual

Restaurant Dive
Korean fried chicken chain Bonchon plans to accelerate openings of its new fast casual model after debuting two such restaurants earlier this year, according to a press release. . . . more

Panera tailors swimwear collection to those who eat soup in hot weather

Restuarant Dive
Panera Bread released a limited-edition swimwear collection that is available via a dedicated e-commerce site and designed for customers who eat soup even in hot weather, the company confirmed in an email.  . . . more

Last call for L Brands

CSA

L Brands is changing its name in connection with the separation of its two businesses. . . . more

Costco sales strong in June; drops senior hours

CSA

Costco Wholesale Corp.’s winning streak continued in June, with the retailer reporting a 16.9% increase in sales and strong e-commerce growth. . . . more

Salt Life expanding in brick-and-mortar

CSA

Salt Life is committed to growing its physical footprint. . . . more

Back-to-school shopping could reach nearly $33B: Deloitte

Retail Dive
Despite an unpredictable back-to-school environment, overall back-to-school spending is expected to increase by 16% year-over-year to $32.5 billion for K-12 students, according to Deloitte's Back-to-School survey emailed to Retail Dive. . . . more

Walmart focuses on renewable energy, inclusion, COVID-19

CSA

Walmart’s environmental, social and governance (ESG) activities include climate action, inclusive hiring and promotions, and COVID-19 remediation. . . . more

Big Y Foods to launch telemedicine service

Supermarket News
Regional grocer Big Y Foods plans to offer telehealth services under a distribution agreement with Bonum Health. . . . more

Top 50 retailers by store count

Supermarket News
The SN Top 50 Retailers report is compiled in partnership between Supermarket News and IGD, a leading UK-based analysis and insight organization for the food and consumer goods industry.  . . . more

Men's Wearhouse, Jos. A. Bank expand contactless fit tech to 650 locations

Retail Dive
Amid a digital push, Tailored Brands is expanding its partnership with Bold Metrics by integrating its artificial intelligence fitting technology into more than 650 Men's Wearhouse and Jos. A. Bank stores, according to a press release emailed to Retail Dive. . . . more

Authentic Brands, co-owner of Brooks Brothers, Forever 21 and others, to go public

CSA

Authentic Brands Group, which has amassed an extensive retail portfolio by acquiring struggling brands, has filed for an initial public offering. . . . more

Save A Lot to remodel all its 1,000 stores

CSA

Save A Lot is ramping up investment in its stores as part of the company’s ongoing modernization efforts. . . . more

Report: Malls are within striking distance of 2019 traffic levels

CSA

Placer.ai’s latest mall index—the sample for which has been doubled to 100 U.S. properties—indicates that traffic in enclosed shopping centers during June was only eight percentage points off June 2019. . . . more

Dollar General makes push into health care

CSA

Dollar General Corp. is looking to become a health care destination for its customers. . . . more

Rothy’s expands store footprint

CSA

A digitally native, eco-friendly footwear company that makes shoes and bags out of recycled and sustainable materials has opened its first Midwest location. . . . more

Albertsons CEO Vivek Sankaran sizes up state of grocery post-pandemic

Supermarket News

Increased consumer digital engagement, e-commerce usage and food-at-home purchases likely won’t shrink back to pre-pandemic levels as COVID-19 abates, Albertsons Cos. President and CEO Vivek Sankaran said this week at the FMI Midsummer Strategic Executive Exchange. . . . more

Report: 47% of diners use at least one loyalty program

Restaurant Dive
Forty-seven percent of diners now use at least one loyalty program, according to a new report from Paytronix and PYMNTS. . . . more

Owner of Fatburger, Johnny Rockets makes $442.5 million acquisition

CSA

Fat Brands is making an acquisition that will more than double its footprint. . . . more

Panera Bread sells Au Bon Pain chain

CSA

A franchisee of more than 400 quick-serve restaurants and convenience stores has assumed the role of franchisor for the first time in its 16-year history. . . . more

Analyst: Gap’s Yeezy brand with Kanye West could total $1 billion in sales next year

CSA

If initial sales are any indication, Gap’s collaboration with rapper-designer Kanye West will more than live up to the hype. . . . more