Supermarket, Grocery, & C-Store

• Amazon.com Inc. is introducing Amazon Dash Cart, which will be available for use at its grocery store in Woodland Hills, CA, slated to open later this year. Amazon Dash Cart enables users to bypass the checkout line.

• Amazon.com Inc. plans to open a new 820,000 sq. ft. fulfillment center in Pflugerville, TX where employees will work alongside Amazon robotics. The site, which should launch in 2021, is expected to create 1,000 new jobs.

• Couche-Tard Inc. has initiated a process to sell 1,250 convenience stores that are near Speedway gas stations to eliminate antitrust concerns over the possible acquisition of the Speedway chain.

• Gelson’s Markets plans to carry a range of cannabidiol (CBD)-infused health and beauty products under the HempMeds brand.

• Meijer Inc. opened five new supercenters in four states. The 159,000 sq. ft. stores opened their doors in Manitowoc, WI, Sycamore, IL., Bad Axe, MI, and Brimfield and Lorain, OH.

• Publix Super Markets Inc. announced it has begun filling prescriptions for pet medications at its pharmacies in Florida.

• Super Center Concepts Inc. has opened its second The Market by Superior location. The 29,000 sq. ft. store is located in La Mirada, CA.

Retail

• 84 Lumber Co. said it is hiring more than 200 store positions across the country by the end of the third quarter. The company is continuing its plans to open new stores in California, Idaho, and Michigan.

• Alexander Lumber Co. announced that Russ Kathrein is stepping down as President and CEO effective immediately. Bill Cummings has been named as interim CEO.

• Amazon.com Inc. announced a pilot to open neighborhood health care centers for its U.S. warehouse employees and their families, with the clinics located near Amazon fulfillment centers and operations facilities across the country.

• Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. has appointed Neil Lick as Senior VP of Owned Brands.

• BJ’s Wholesale Club Inc. is opening a new location in Chesterfield, MI, on July 31.

• Do it Best Corp. announced new hires: Beth Dreher as a Category Management Director, Amanda Mulkey as an Advertising Services Representative, Lauren Ohnesorge as a Data Analyst, and Bailey Whitehill as an Application Developer. The company also announced these promotions: Rachel Evans as a Category Management Planner, Howard O’Neal as a Product Sales Manager, Pete Partin as a Communications Specialist, Jessica Waggoner as a Merchandising Systems and Pricing Manager, and Donnevin Wolfe as a Sales Support Coordinator.

• E.C. Barton & Co. has named Mark Biggers as its new President.

• McCoy’s Building Supply announced that it has promoted Brandon Bishop to the position of Director of Merchandising.

• McKesson Corp. announced Chris Dimos, currently President of Retail Solutions, will be retiring effective September 1.

• RTW Retailwinds, Inc. has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and expects to close a significant portion, or even all, of its stores.

• Scheels Sports has opened a 250,000 sq. ft. store in Eden Prairie, MN, with an aquarium, ferris wheel, and wildlife taxidermy mountain.

• UFP Industries has named Bryan Hoexum as VP of Independent Retail Sales.

Restaurant

• A federal judge has ruled the foie gras can be served in California restaurants as long as the product is made and shipped from outside the state. Additionally, the product cannot be physically sold in the state, but as long as the sale occurs online or over the phone it is permitted.

• BurgerFi has announced a merger with the company Opes Acquisition and the company plans to go public in the near future.

• Burger King is testing a new whopper in five locations that is said to be made with beef that has lower carbon emissions. The cows that produced the beef had lemon grass mixed into their diet within the last four months of their lives. They believe that this dietary change could reduce methane emissions caused by belching by 33%.

• Chipotle Mexican Grill is testing a new plant-based menu option in Cilantro-Lime Cauliflower Rice. The new item will first be tested in 55 restaurants in Denver and Wisconsin.

• Crave Hot Dogs & Barbecue will be opening a new franchised location in Raleigh, NC.

• Domino’s Pizza Inc has announced that CFO Jeffrey Lawrence will retire once a successor has been found. He has been with the company for 20 years.

• El Pollo Loco is launching its vegan chicken menu option to all of its restaurants.

• FOCUS Brands Inc. is partnering with Givex to create a gift card processing platform that will encompass all of their brands. The company also announced the appointment of Tim Muir to Chief Sales Officer and that Brian Krause has joined the executive team in Muir’s former role of Chief Development Officer.

• Jamba Inc. has launched its new Blackberry Smoothie which is part of their plant-based menu and features a dairy-free oat milk key ingredient.

• Paris Baguette USA Inc. is planning to open two new locations in Portland, OR.

• The Great Greek Grill will be bringing 10 new locations to Cleveland, OH. The first of these locations is expected to open this fall.