Supermarket, Grocery, & C-Store
• Lowe’s Companies Inc. and The Home Depot announced that they have adopted a nationwide standard for all customers to wear masks or face coverings when shopping in U.S. stores.
• Wawa Inc. intends to offer drive-thru service for the first time at a planned store to open in Westampton, NJ, by the end of the year.
Retail
• The Bartell Drug Company announced it is adding a new buy online, pick-up in-store offering.
• CVS Health, Kohl’s Corporation, Target Corporation, and Walmart Stores Inc. will require customers to wear masks in their stores across the United States.
• The Neiman Marcus Group is bringing its personalized store services online. The company launched a digital hub offering the new virtual experience.
• Party City Holdco Inc. has teamed up with delivery and fulfillment orchestration platform Bringg to offer customers alternative fulfillment models, like curbside pickup and same-day delivery via third-party providers.
• Tailored Brands, Inc. announced that it will eliminate approximately 20% of its corporate positions by the end of the fiscal second quarter. In addition, the company has identified up to 500 retail stores for potential closure.
• Ulta Salon, Cosmetics & Fragrance, Inc. expects to open approximately 30 new stores in fiscal 2020, down from the previously planned 75 stores. Ulta plans to permanently close 19 stores in 2020. Also, the retailer said it will make its entry to Canada in mid-2021.
• Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. has launched on-demand delivery, including food, with last-mile delivery provider DoorDash.
Restaurant
• A coalition of bar owners in Florida has sued Governor Ron DeSantis over his order to shut down bars in the state. This lawsuit follows a similar action that is taking place in Texas.
• Chipotle Mexican Grill has opened 85% of their dining rooms as their same-store sales have dropped by 10%. However, the company’s digital sales have soared during COVID-19, and delivery orders were up by 125%. The company is also testing increasing the prices of menu items ordered through third-party apps. The move only applies to third party apps and is meant to push back against the high commission fees that have plagued restaurants.
• Dickey’s Barbecue Pit has launched its Big Yellow Box catering options. The box is designed for small groups and is part of Dickey’s expanded meal options since the outbreak of COVID-19.
• Portillo’s Hot Dogs has launched their own delivery service to boost sales during COVID-19. The company will still continue its partnership with existing third party services.
