Supermarket, Grocery, & C-Store

• Costco Wholesale Corp. announced it is now offering two versions of an at-home coronavirus test kits online. The more expensive version includes the test being monitored by a video observer and faster results.

• Hy-Vee Inc. is installing a new sterilization system for its shopping carts at over 200 stores.

• The Kroger Co. has begun offering customers rapid antibody COVID-19 testing at 220 pharmacies by the end of November, and eventually plans to roll out the service to all of its pharmacies.

• Vallarta Supermarkets is now offering home delivery of its La Cocina menu of prepared food through Postmates food delivery service.

Retail

• Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. will remodel about 450 stores over the next three years.

• Carter’s Inc. will close about 25% of its stores, 200 or so locations, as the leases come up for renewal.

• CVS Health announced plans to expand COVID-19 testing services to include rapid-result testing at nearly 1,000 sites by the end of the year.

• Kohl’s Corporation announced it is testing out a new shop-in-shop called the Wellness Market, which will carry products like dish soap and baby wipes. It will initially launch online, as well as in 50 Kohl’s stores.

• Target Corporation is implementing contactless in-store payment options and pre-trip shopping reservations for the holiday season.

• Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc. is now offering COVID-19 tests for those 3 years old and older, expanding from its previous testing age cutoff of 18.

Restaurant

• Denny’s is encouraging franchisees to stay open later by offering incentives like discounted royalties and deferred payments. The chain hopes that longer operating hours will boost sales following the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Dine Brands Global, Inc. announced plans to close 99 IHOP Restaurants during the next six months and 15 Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar locations.

• Dog Haus International LLC has reopened their West Covina location after having to temporarily close it due to COVID-19.

• Panera Bread is adding flatbread pizza to their permanent menu and will be adding more options next year. The new item was created after pizza restaurants have seen sales skyrocket during the pandemic.

• Restaurant Brands International will begin installing new drive-thru systems across their brands later this year. The new drive-thru menus will feature options for contactless payment and will make purchasing suggestions based on the weather and time of day. The company has seen an increase in drive-thru sales with COVID-19.