Supermarket, Grocery, & C-Store

• Albertsons LLC announced it plans to sell a more than 17% stake in the company to private equity firm Apollo Global Management.

• McLane Company, Inc. has renewed its multiyear contract with EG America LLC. The extension will allow EG America to use McLane’s 24 grocery distribution centers to service its 1,700 convenience stores in 31 states, except for Cumberland Farms and Fastrac, which self-distribute.

• National Association of Convenience Stores announced that the 2020 NACS Show is moving forward as scheduled. The event is scheduled to take place October 11-14 in Las Vegas.

• Publix Super Markets Inc. announced that its stores will now be open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily for all shoppers. In addition, the pharmacy will return to normal operating hours.

Retail

• Amazon.com Inc. is now accepting federal benefit payments for online grocery orders in Idaho, Missouri, North Carolina, Texas, and Washington, DC. The leading retailer also announced it will open a new 820,000 sq. ft. fulfillment center in Wilmington, DE.

• Apple Inc. said it’s reopening more than 25 stores across the U.S. and 12 stores in Canada this week. Customers will be required to undergo a temperature check and wear a mask before entering their stores.

• The Children’s Place Retail Stores Inc. is beginning to reopen its stores in 10 states. The retailer has already enabled its ship-from-store capabilities in approximately 85% of its U.S. stores.

• Columbia Sportswear Company opened 30 stores in 10 states and is encouraging its customers to use contactless payments like Apple and Google Pay.

• CVS Health is opening more than 50 COVID-19 test sites this week across Arizona, Connecticut, Florida, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania, as part of its commitment to have more than 1,000 sites by the end of May.

• JCPenney Company, Inc. plans to permanently close 242 department stores, or nearly 30% of its locations, as the retailer tries to streamline its business after filing for chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

• L Brands, Inc. announced plans to permanently close approximately 250 Victoria’s Secret stores in the U.S. and Canada in 2020. The company also plans to permanently close 50 Bath & Body Works stores in the U.S. and one in Canada.

• Office Depot Inc. is implementing a three-year restructuring plan that includes closing stores and reducing its headcount by approximately 13,000.

• Pier 1 Imports Inc. announced it will close all its store locations.

• Rite Aid Corporation is partnering with Instacart to enable on-demand delivery of essential healthcare and grocery items from all of its locations.

• Sephora USA Inc. will reopen its stores in phases, starting with more than 70 locations on May 22. All stores will have restricted store capacities and safety precautions will be in place.

• Tapestry Inc. has started to reopen stores and soon expects to have more than 300 Coach, Kate Spade, and Stuart Weitzman stores in North America offering curbside or store pickup service.

• Walmart Stores Inc. announced it will cease operating its Jet.com e-commerce subsidiary at an unspecified date.

Restaurant

• Artichoke Basille’s Pizza will be opening its newest location in Tempe, AZ in June.

• Boston Market Corporation has named Randy Miller as President. Eric Wyatt has transitioned to the role of COO.

• Captain D’s LLC has opened a new location Bonham, TX.

• Darden Restaurants Inc. has reopened 50% of restaurants for dine-in services.

• Hooters reopened 150 restaurants across the U.S. for dine-in services.

• MOOYAH Franchise LLC is opening a new franchised location in Brentwood, TN.

• Slim Chickens has opened a new location in Searcy, AZ.

• Starbucks Corporation is planning to transition more of its stores to pick-up and drive-thru locations while moving away from mall locations.

• TooJay’s Management Corporation has reopened dining rooms in all locations.