Supermarket, Grocery, & C-Store

• Aldi Inc. has opened a new 564,000 sq. ft. distribution center in Loxley, AL.

• Blarney Castle Oil Co. has acquired Alpena Oil Company Inc. and its 20 grocery and convenience store locations.

• Delek US Holdings, Inc. has opened its first store location in Arkansas.

• The Fresh Market Inc. has named Nathan Baldwin as VP of Merchandising Foodservice.

• Gelsons Markets has promoted John Bagan to President and CEO following the departure of Rob McDougall, who has retired. The retailer has promoted Rich Gillmore to VP of Center Store and Sean Saenz to VP Fresh Foods. It also announced Clare Bogle is now Chief Financial and Administrative Officer, Ron Johnson is now Chief Information and Supply Chain Officer; Tom Frattali is now senior VP of Group Synergies; Paul Kneeland is now Senior VP of Merchandising and Sales; Tim Mahoney is now Senior VP of Operations; and Yvonne Manganaro is now Senior VP of Customer and Team Experience.

• Maverik Inc. recently opened its 400th convenience store location.

• Meijer Inc. has opened its first two Meijer Grocery stores in Michigan.

• The Parker Companies hired Nick Hand as a Brand Manager, Miranda Hendricks as a new Marketing Manager, and Vanessa Lehnen as Manager of Talent Acquisition.

• Publix Super Markets Inc. has named Joey Riddle as VP of its Charlotte Division, replacing Chuck Roskovich, who is retiring.

• Rutter’s Holdings Inc. announced it plans to open 50 new store locations over the next five years and will enter Delaware and Virginia for the first time.

• Schnuck Markets Inc. has named Jada D. Reese as its Chief People Officer.

• SpartanNash Company announced it has hired Ryan Speakes as VP, Fuel Center and Convenience Stores.

• TravelCenters of America Inc. has entered into an agreement with Electrify America to offer electric vehicle charging at select locations.

• Wakefern Food Corp. is piloting a completely autonomous grocery store within its headquarters in Edison, NJ.

• Yesway said it plans to open 28 new store locations in 2023.

Retail

• Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. reported it is closing all its Harmon Discount stores, and an additional 87 Bed Bath & Beyond stores, along with five of its Buybuy Baby stores.

• Central Network Retail Group LLC has acquired Everson’s Hardware in Waconia, MN.

• Crate & Barrel announced it has appointed Mike Brewer to the position of COO.

• Destination XL Group Inc. has appointed Dara Pauker as its new COO.

• Do it Best Corp. has promoted Allison Flatjord to the company’s VP of E-commerce.

• Dollar General Corp. recently opened its 19,000th store, in Joplin, MO. The retailer also announced John Garratt, its President and CFO, will retire in June.

• Francesca’s Holdings Corp. announced it is teaming up with ThredUp Inc. in a new resale venture.

• Levi Strauss & Co. reported it plans to open 100 store locations across Europe.

• Pacific Sunwear of California Inc. has named its President, Brieane Olson, as the company’s new Co-CEO, alongside Mike Relich. The company’s current Co-CEO, Alfred Chang, is stepping down from the role.

• Sam’s Club announced it will open 30 new locations nationwide over the next few years. The company will also open five new supply chain fulfillment and distribution centers in 2023, with the first set to open in Georgia later this year.

• Sleep Number Corporation announced that its Exec VP and CFO David Callen is stepping down from his position.

• Vera Bradley, Inc. has eliminated certain positions announcing the departure of Daren Hull, President; Beatrice Mac Cabe, Chief Creative Officer; and Mary Beth Trypus, Chief Revenue Officer.

Restaurant

• KFC is launching chicken wraps after months of testing in an attempt to draw in younger consumers.

• Rita’s has named Mark Jenkins as VP of Marketing.

• Smoothie King has signed franchise agreements to open 160 locations in 2023.

• Subway late co-founder Peter Buck donated his half of the company to the Peter and Carmen Lucia Buck Foundation Inc. following his passing.