Supermarket, Grocery, & C-Store
• The Giant Company plans to add 4,000 new part and full time workers.
• H-E-B is rolling out a number of automated micro-fulfillment centers to support the chain’s curbside pickup and delivery business.
• SpartanNash Company has rolled out its free COVID-19 testing program to six more stores, with 11 in-store pharmacy locations now providing the service.
Retail
• Amazon.com Inc. said it’s hiring another 100,000 employees across the U.S. and Canada to meet the growing demand for online shopping. The company is also planning to open 1,000 small delivery hubs in suburban neighborhoods and cities across the U.S.
• CVS Health is now allowing children 12 years old and older to get tested at the more than 2,000 CVS Pharmacy drive-thru testing locations.
• GameStop Holdings Corp. announced it will now close about 400 to 450 stores worldwide during its current fiscal year, up from its original plan of 350 closures.
• Hudson Yards announced more than 50 shops that make up the enclosed mall in New Jersey have re-opened.
• Kohl’s Corporation is eliminating 15% of its corporate workforce, citing the ongoing business disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Recreational Equipment Inc. recently opened a new store in Pigeon Forge, TN, featuring its new retail format with product rentals, zero-contact bike shop services and buy-online-pickup-in-store capabilities.
Restaurant
• Cracker Barrel Old Country Store is planning to turn one of their restaurants in Indianapolis into a catering only ghost kitchen sometime in early 2021. The company is also fighting against a potential proxy takeover attempt by shareholder Biglari Capital Group.
• Dickey’s Barbecue Pit has been raising money for and donating to first responders since the COVID-19 pandemic initially hit in March. To date, the company has donated 7,500 sandwiches and raised almost $100,000 for local first responders.
• Fat Brands, Inc will be launching a new kiosk system across all of their Fatburger locations that should streamline ordering as they reopen after the shutdown of COVID-19.
• Shake Shack has added curbside pickup to 50 of their restaurants as they recover from the shutdowns caused by COVID-19.
