Supermarket, Grocery, & C-Store

• Earth Fare Healthy Supermarkets has promoted Mitch Orland to the role of Senior VP of Merchandising and Procurement.

• Longo Brothers Fruit Markets Inc. has promoted Deborah Craven to its new President. Anthony Longo will continue as CEO and Executive Chairman. Mike Longo is the company’s new COO.

• Outpost Natural Foods Cooperative announced that it has selected Ray Simpkins as its next General Manager. He succeeds outgoing General Manager Pam Mehnert, who retires next month.

• Rouses Enterprises LLC announced Ron Bonacci has been hired as VP Advertising and Marketing and Brian Bosworth as VP Center Store.

• Stew Leonard’s reported it plans to open a supermarket in Clifton, NJ, in 2024.

Retail

• Amazon.com Inc. is opening a fulfillment center in Windsor, CT, equipped with advanced robotics technology. The 3.8 million square foot facility will employ more than 2,000 employees.

• BJ’s Wholesale Club Holdings Inc. has appointed President and CEO Robert Eddy as Chairman, effective June 15, 2023. He will succeed Chris Baldwin.

• Chanel USA will open its largest boutique in the U.S. in a new building on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, CA. The four-floor, 30,000 sq. ft. location opens this week.

• Christmas Tree Shops Inc. has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The company plans to close 10 of its store locations, with store closing sales to be completed by the end of June.

• Floor & Decor Holdings, Inc. recently opened its 200th store location. The retailer plans to open 32 to 35 new locations during this fiscal year.

• Foot Locker Inc. has named Blanca Gonzalez as Senior VP and General Manager of its WSS banner.

• Jo-Ann Stores Inc. announced that Wade Miquelon has retired as President and CEO. Chris DiTullio, Exec VP and Chief Customer Officer, and Scott Sekella, Exec VP and CFO, will lead the company until a permanent replacement is found.

• PPG Industries, Inc. announced that Christine Camsuzou has been appointed VP, Procurement and Chief Procurement Officer.

• Signet Jewelers Limited is rolling out a jewelry rental offer in select Zales stores in partnership with Rocksbox, a jewelry rental platform.

• The Timberland Company reported it is launching its first-ever U.S. membership program. The company also recently opened a 3,524 sq. ft. flagship in New York City’s SoHo neighborhood.

• US LBM Holdings, LLC announced that it has named Andrew Campbell as the company’s new Exec VP and CIO.

• Walmart Stores Inc. has promoted Latriece Watkins as Exec VP, Chief Merchandising Officer for Walmart US. She succeeds Charles Redfield, who stepped down from the role.

• Warby Parker Inc. reported it plans to open 40 new store locations this year.

• Wilson Sporting Goods Co. has opened its first store on the West Coast. The 4,500 sq. ft. location is in Santa Monica, CA.

• Your Building Centers Inc. announced that Tim Leupold has been promoted to President and CEO.

Restaurant

• Chick-fil-A expanded their grocery offerings with the nationwide launch of four bottled salad dressings.

• Fat Brands has continued their international expansion with a 22-unit development deal in Iraq.

• Krispy Kreme has closed 29 locations and converted some of them into distribution hubs for their grocery and convenience store business. This is part of the company’s new strategy to increase access to their doughnuts instead of focusing on traditional bakeries.

• Noodles & Company has lowered their prices after experiencing pushback from their most recent increase. The company raised prices by 5% in February and the negative feedback they received has caused the company to shift gears and lower prices as well as offer more value menu deals.

• Steak n Shake has closed 11 franchised and two company operated locations. The closings are part of the company’s strategy to sell corporate locations to single-unit franchisees.

• Sweetgreen has opened their first ever fully automated Infinite Kitchen in Naperville, IL. The company is planning to open a second location later this year.

• The Cheesecake Factory is launching a loyalty program in June that will offer free cheesecake and exclusive access to restaurant reservations.

• The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill has appointed Angelo Freites as VP Operations.

• Wendy’s has announced an extended partnership with Google Cloud that will create a new A.I. solution called Wendy’s FreshAI. The new system will be used at the drive-thru and the first test will commence in June. The company is also planning to put more emphasis on late night with more of their restaurants open until midnight or later.