Supermarket, Grocery, C-Store
• Buc-ee’s Ltd. plans to open a new 74,000 sq. ft. location in Virginia. It will open in 2027 and be the first Buc-ee’s location in the state.
• EG America LLC announced it will sell 26 of its Minit Mart convenience stores during the first quarter of the year.
• Gordon Food Service Inc. has opened six new store locations this week in the greater Houston, TX, area.
• PCC Community Markets announced a partnership with DoorDash to offer on-demand grocery delivery from all its 15 locations in and around Seattle, WA.
• Rutter’s Holdings Inc. has launched online ordering for its rewards members.
Retail
• 84 Lumber Co. announced that it has promoted Dave Rumbaugh to VP of Logistics and Purchasing. He is replacing Mitchell Feldman, who will be retiring from the company.
• BJ’s Wholesale Club Holdings Inc. reported it plans to open five new locations, including its first in Alabama, in Madison. The retailer has plans to open stores in Mt. Juliet, TN, Johnson City, NY, Lewis Center, OH, and North Jacksonville, FL. All new locations will include a BJ’s gas station.
• Five Below Inc. has promoted Kenneth Bull, CFO and Treasurer, to the role of COO. He will continue to serve as CFO while Five Below conducts a search for a new CFO.
• Gap Inc. announced that Mary Beth Laughton, President and CEO of Athleta, has left the company. The retailer eliminated the role of Chief Growth Officer, which was held by Asheesh Saksena. The company also announced that Sheila Peters, Chief People Officer, will leave the company at the end of the year.
• Gap Inc. reported it plans to close 50 to 55 Gap and Banana Republic stores and open 30 to 35 Athleta and Old Navy stores in fiscal 2023.
• H & M Group is partnering with ThredUp Inc. to offer resale clothing.
• LL Flooring Holdings, Inc. reported that it has appointed Terry Blanchard as Interim CFO, until a permanent CFO is appointed.
• Mango Inc. reported it plans to open 30 new stores in the U.S. by 2024.
• Nordstrom Inc. reported it plans to open two new Nordstrom Rack stores in fall 2023. A 26,000 sq. ft. location is planned for Natomas, CA, and a 35,000 sq. ft. store is planned for San Antonio, TX.
• Recreational Equipment Inc. announced it will open a 25,000 sq. ft. store at University Town Center in Sarasota, FL, in fall 2023.
• Rite Aid Corporation announced its Chief Retail Officer, Andre Persaud, has left the company.
• Spahn & Rose Lumber Co. announced that it has hired Tom Ford for the newly created position of VP of Supply Chain & Information Technology.
• Ulta Salon, Cosmetics & Fragrance, Inc. plans to open 25 to 30 new stores and remodel or relocate 20 to 30 locations in 2023.
• Zara plans to open at least 30 new stores in the United States between 2023 to 2025, in Los Angeles, CA, Miami, FL, Chicago, IL, Boston, MA, New York City, NY, Las Vegas, NV, and Austin and Dallas, TX.
Restaurant
• Black Bear Diner has opened a new location in San Antonio, TX.
• Bojangles announced that Cathy Chase has been promoted to VP of People and Culture and Stacey McCray has been promoted to VP of Communications.
• Chipotle Chief Development Officer Tabassum Zalotrawala is stepping down from her position.
• Krystal has launched a new Big Burger in select locations.
• McDonald’s has hired Tabassum Zalotrawala as Senior VP and U.S. Chief Development Officer.
• Papa Johns is being sued by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission for alleged disability discrimination. The incident in question occurred in 2020 when a legally blind employee was denied his request for a service dog on site and was fired.
• Popeyes franchisee Premier Cajun Kings has declared bankruptcy citing pandemic issues and the passing of their owner.
