Supermarket, Grocery, & C-Store

 Ahold-Delhaize has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire New York City online grocer FreshDirect.

 Coborn’s Inc. is utilizing electrostatic cleaning sprayers to disinfect carts after each use in an effort to minimize surface spread of the COVID-19 virus.

 Hy-Vee Inc. said it will be hiring 10,000 new employees to meet the evolving needs of customers who plan to shop differently this holiday season.

 

Retail

 CVS Health has become the first major national retailer to offer touch-free payment with PayPal and Venmo QR codes at brick-and-mortar stores.

 Francesca’s Holdings Corp. plans to close approximately 140 stores by the end of January, and is considering bankruptcy.

 Guitar Center Inc. plans to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection by the end of the year.

 Kohl’s Corporation is experimenting with both self-checkout and self-returns in its stores.

 The TJX Companies Inc. plans to rollout e-commerce for its HomeGoods Inc. division later next year.

 Walmart Stores Inc. announced it is taking space in 42 of its existing regional distribution centers to create pop-up e-commerce distribution centers.

 Walmart Stores Inc. has more than doubled its number of personal shoppers from last year.

 

Restaurant

 Lazy Dog Restaurant & Bar has launched a delivery and takeout only virtual restaurant called Jolene’s Wings & Beer. Lazy Dog has joined a growing number of restaurants that have started virtual wing concepts since the COVID-19 pandemic struck.

 Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises Inc. will be laying off over 1,000 employees who have been furloughed since March due to issues stemming from COVID-19

 Starbucks Coffee is giving a raise to all employees ranging from 5% to 11%. When COVID-19 hit in March the company gave a temporary $3 increase to employees and vowed to donate $10 million to affected employees.