Supermarket, Grocery, & C-Store

• Amazon.com Inc. has opened a new 30,000 sq. ft. Amazon Fresh grocery store in Fairfax, VA. The company has plans for three more stores in northern Virginia.

• Big Y Foods Inc. has plans to build a new 10,000 sq. ft. “downtown format” store called Big Y Express Fresh Market in Springfield, MA, that’s expected to open next year.

• The Kroger Co. announced Erin Rolfes has been promoted to Director of Communications and Media, succeeding Kristal Howard, who is leaving the company.

• The Stop & Shop Supermarket Company LLC is now offering the two FDA-authorized COVID-19 antiviral medicines at its 55 New York pharmacies.

• United Natural Foods Inc. appointed Chris Finck as its new President, Atlantic Region.

Retail

• BlueLinx Holdings Corporation has appointed Joshua Teteak as its new Chief Supply Chain Officer.

• H & M Hennes & Mauritz reported it is introducing a new line of baby clothes that are compostable.

• Lowe’s Companies Inc. announced the appointment of Brandon Sink as Exec VP, CFO. He will succeed David Denton, who is stepping down.

• Lululemon Athletica Inc. announced it will debut a trade-in and resale option for its gently used clothing products later this month, following a successful pilot program.

• Rocky’s Ace Hardware reported it has acquired Handyman Ace Hardware Inc. which operates 9 locations in Ohio.

• Scotch & Soda announced it will open 20 new stores globally during the next six months. The openings will include stores in Washington DC, and Boston, MA, Troy, MI, and San Antonio, TX.

• UFC Gym Franchise Co. reported it will begin opening one new gym location per week. Starting in 2023 or 2024, the company anticipates it will open two to four gyms per week, both domestic and international.

• Walmart Stores Inc. has named John Rainey as its next CFO, effective June 6, 2022. He will succeed Brent Biggs.

Restaurant

• Burger King Worldwide Inc. has been sued in federal court by a customer over the dangers of the chemicals found in the company’s packaging.

• Fat Brands, Inc. has hired Michael Chachula as Chief information Officer.

• Fat Brands, Inc. will be adding more ordering kiosks to their locations and the company is implementing A.I. technology to handle phone calls.

• Huey Magoo’s has opened a new location in Pearl, MS.

• Jeremiah’s Italian Ice has opened a new location in Asheville, NC.

• Lee’s Famous Recipe has opened a new location in Delphos, OH.

• Mountain Mike’s Pizza has opened a new location in Atascadero, CA.

• Slim Chickens has opened a new location in Bentonville, AR.

• Straw Hat Pizza has opened a new location in Fremont, CA.

• Zaxby’s has hired Sharlene Smith as COO.