Supermarket, Grocery, & C-Store
• 7-Eleven Inc. is now offering same-day delivery thru Shipt.
• Casey’s General Stores Inc. announced Katrina Lindsey joined the company as Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary.
• Ingles Markets Inc. announced that Patricia Jackson has taken the role of CFO, succeeding Ronald Freeman who retired.
• Piggly Wiggly has entered the Northeast with the opening of a new store location in Watertown, NY.
• Publix Super Markets Inc. announced that Bridgid O’Connor has been promoted to VP of Real Estate Strategy, succeeding Bob Balcerak who is retiring.
• Sprouts Farmers Markets reported Nicholas Konat is joining the company as President and COO.
• Whole Foods Market Inc. has opened its first store with cashierless technology. The new 21,500 sq. ft. store is in Washington, DC.
Retail
• The Aaron’s Company Inc. has entered into an agreement to acquire BrandsMart USA. Upon closing of the transaction, the BrandsMart business will report to Aaron’s President, Steve Olsen. It will continue to be headquartered in Ft. Lauderdale, FL.
• Abercrombie & Fitch Co. announced it plans to open 50 new stores and close 30 stores this year.
• Allbirds reported it plans to open 17 new store locations this year, mostly in the USA.
• Amazon.com Inc. plans to close 68 stores, including its Amazon Books locations and Amazon 4-star locations, as well as some Amazon Pop Up sites.
• Bath & Body Works announced that Andrew Meslow will step down as CEO, effective May 12. Sarah E. Nash will assume the role of Interim CEO until a permanent replacement is found.
• Dollar Tree Stores Inc. reported it plans to open 590 new stores and to renovate 800 Family Dollar stores in fiscal 2022. The new stores are expected to consist of 190 Dollar Tree stores and 400 Family Dollar stores.
• Floor & Decor Outlets of America announced that it plans to open 32 new warehouse stores in 2022 and has even bigger expansion plans for the next 8 to 10 years with the opening of as many as 500 new locations.
• Floor & Decor Outlets of America announced the promotion of Ersan Sayman to Exec VP of Merchandising.
• It’Sugar has named Rob Trujillo as its new VP of Stores.
• Lowe’s Companies Inc. announced it is partnering with Instacart to test same-day delivery in as fast as one hour in select markets.
• Nation’s Best Holdings LLC announced it has acquired Weiss Do it Best Lumber of Perryville, AK.
• Pet Supplies ‘Plus’ Inc. has acquired Wag N’ Wash, an emerging natural pet food, self-wash, and grooming franchise with more than 15 locations.
• Target Corporation announced that it will pilot a drive-up return process at stores in select markets this fall. It will also test the ordering and pick-up of Starbucks drinks for drive-up customers.
• Target Corporation announced it plans to open at least 250 additional small Ulta Beauty shops inside its stores this year.
• Target Corporation reported it will open 30 new stores and remodel 200 existing locations in 2022.
• Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. announced it will be launching same-day delivery nationwide via Shipt.
• Walmart Stores Inc. announced Creighton Kiper has been named as VP of Merchandising, Beauty.
Restaurant
• Chipotle Mexican Grill has opened a new corporate support center in Columbus, OH.
• Church’s Chicken has hired Bill Mitchell as VP of Restaurant Operations.
• Crave Hot Dogs & Barbecue has opened a new franchised location in Conyers, GA and a new location in Pittsburgh, PA.
• Dickey’s Barbecue Pit has signed a franchise agreement to open a new location in Holland, TX this May.
• Domino’s CEO Ritch Allison will be retiring on April 30th. Current COO and President Russell Weiner will take over as CEO on May 1st. The company also hired Sandeep Reddy as CFO.
• DoorDash is acquiring contactless ordering company Bbot.
• Farmer Boys has opened a new location in Chino, CA.
• Jet’s Pizza has plans to open 30 new locations this year across Utah, Kansas, New Mexico, Washington, and Nevada.
• Krystal will be opening a new franchised location in Calera, AL later this year.
• Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken has hired Dan Sokolik as VP of Marketing.
• Mountain Mike’s Pizza has opened a new location in Klamath Falls, CA. The company has also opened a new location in Klamath Falls, OR.
• Shipley Do-Nuts has plans to open 20 locations in Texas starting this spring.
• Steak ‘n Shake has permanently removed table-service at all restaurants. All restaurants will now use mobile devise or kiosks to place orders inside the restaurant.
• Taco Bell and franchisee Diversified Restaurant Group are opening a Taco Bell Cantina in Kansas City, MO.
• Taziki’s Café will be opening 4 locations this year in Nashville, TN.
• The Halal Guys will be opening a new location this month in Pittsburgh, PA.
• Wendy’s has purchased 93 franchise-operated locations in Florida for $128 million.
