Supermarket, Grocery, & C-Store
• Choice Market has opened its latest location in Denver, CO, which features the company’s tech-enabled shopping experience.
• Lidl US, LLC announced its President and CEO, Johannes Fieber, is leaving the company and will be replaced by Michal Lagunionek.
• New Seasons Market and its subsidiary New Leaf Community Markets Inc. announced Nancy Lebold has joined the company as CEO.
• Parkland Corporation has completed the acquisition of Conrad & Bischoff Inc.
• Pilot Flying J will host its annual National Hiring Day on April 27, seeking to fill more than 5,000 new positions.
• QuikTrip Corp. recently opened its first store location in Louisiana.
• Royal Farms plans to hire 4,500 new employees before the end of this year.
• Sheetz Inc. has opened its first store in the Columbus, OH, market. The retailer plans to open approximately 50 stores in the Columbus area in the next five years.
• SpartanNash Company announced that Masiar Tayebi joined the company as Exec VP and Chief Strategy Officer.
Retail
• Amazon.com Inc. is piloting a new premium offering that would have its delivery drivers also assemble large items, such as furniture.
• At Home Group Inc. has opened its first ever store in New York City, along with a new location in Clarksville, IN.
• BJ’s Wholesale Club Inc. has promoted Bob Eddy to President and CEO. Additionally, Paul Cichocki has been promoted to Exec VP, Chief Commercial Officer. And Bill Werner has been promoted Exec VP, Strategy and Development.
• Dollar General Corp. is planning to hire up to 20,000 new employees this spring through in-person and virtual hiring events.
• Gap Inc. plans to open 20 to 30 Athleta stores annually across North America. Athleta will launch online in Canada this summer and will open its first Canadian store this fall.
• GameStop Holdings Corp. said that George Sherman will step down from his role as CEO by July 31.
• The Home Depot Inc. recently opened three new distribution centers in South Florida. The company plans to open two additional distribution centers in Miami, FL, in 2022.
• Kohl’s Corporation announced a new partnership with Tommy Hilfiger LLC to carry the brand’s menswear line in more than 600 of its stores in the U.S. and on its website, beginning in the fall.
• Lids Sports Group announced it will open in-store shops in 45 DSW and The Shoe Company locations in Canada, starting in mid-May.
• Macy’s Inc. plans to open 45 in-store Backstage departments this year. The retailer also plans to resume opening freestanding Backstage locations.
• Macy’s Inc. announced Will Coss has joined the company as VP, Executive Producer of Branded Entertainment.
Restaurant
• Arooga’s Grille House & Sports Bar will be opening a new location in Ewing Township, NJ.
• BurgerFi has been warned by the Nasdaq Stock Market that they have fallen out of compliance to be listed on the stock exchange. The company has delayed the release of their financial earnings and the company must submit a plan to regain compliance by June 15th.
• Chick-fil-A Inc. is testing robotic deliveries in Santa Monica, CA.
• Darden Restaurants Inc. and Olive Garden are facing a lawsuit from One Fair Wage Inc. alleging that Olive Garden’s tipping policy is a motivating factor in increased sexual harassment.
• FOCUS Brands Inc. has named Guillermo Cremer as Chief People Officer. Additionally, Joe Guith has been promoted to category president for all brands.
• McDonald’s Corporation has partnered with South Korean pop group BTS for their next Famous Orders Meal. The meal will launch on May 26th and will bring the sweet chili and Cajun sauces to the U.S. for the first time.
• Mountain Mike’s Pizza has opened a new location in Hayward, CA.
• Taco Bell Corp. is testing a new plant-based taco that is made with chickpeas. The company is still partnering with Beyond Meat to develop new menu items.
• The Big Salad will be adding three new locations by the end of 2021.
