Supermarket, Grocery, & C-Store

Free Trial• Chevron Corp. is acquiring Hess Corp.

• Coborn’s Inc. has appointed Kris Roberts its next Senior VP of Center Store Merchandising. She will take on the role when Senior VP of Center Store Merchandising, Andy Knoblauch, retires on March 1, 2024.

• The Giant Company has named Rebecca Lupfer as its new CFO. The grocer promoted Dave Lessard to the role of Senior VP of Operations, Customer Experience and Perishable Distribution.

• Heritage Grocers Group recently opened a new 18,000 sq. ft. El Rancho Supermercado store in Dallas, TX.

• Publix Super Markets Inc. will open 4 new locations in the next month in FL, NC, SC, and TN.

• ShopRite Supermarkets Inc. will close five supermarkets in the Albany, NY, area, due to low sales. The closures are expected to happen in Colonie, Slingerlands, Albany, North Greenbush, and Niskayuna, NY, early December.

• Trader Joe’s Co. opened a new 12,000 sq. ft. store in Lakewood Ranch, FL, this week.

 

Retail

• Academy Sports & Outdoors announced that it has promoted Sam Johnson to President. He succeeds Michael Mullican who is stepping down. The retailer also announced Eric Friederich has been promoted to Senior VP of Retail Operations.

• American Eagle Outfitters Inc. reported that its COO, Michael Rempell, will leave the company in early fiscal 2024. Sarah Clarke has been named Exec VP, Chief Supply Chain Officer. Valerie van Ogtrop has joined the company as Exec VP Brand Operations.

• Asics America has named Koichiro Kodama as its new President and CEO.

• David’s Bridal announced Bob Walker has been promoted to COO. Kelly Cook has been promoted to President, Brand, Technology and Finance. Rob Cooper has been promoted to CFO. Nancy Viall has been promoted to President, Merchandising and Supply Chain. Andrea Dauphinee has been promoted to Chief Human Resources Officer.

• HomeGoods Inc. is no longer offering online shopping.

• Scheels Sports reported it will open a new 240,000 sq. ft. store location in Cedar Park, TX, in fall 2026.

• Uniqlo recently opened two new store locations in Long Island, NY.

• Z Gallerie Inc. has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

 

Restaurant

• Bloomin’ Brands has drawn interest from activist investor Starboard Value L.P. The company has outlined a plan to improve the company after similar efforts at Darden Restaurants.

• KFC has added new chicken wrap items to their menu as the company continues its efforts to target younger consumers.

• McDonalds is running a Free Fries Friday promotion to help offset declining traffic and boost digital sales.

• P.F. Chang’s has named Eduardo Luz as CEO and President.

• Pret a Manger has made a new franchisee deal and plans to revive their U.S. stores with plans to expand to 300 locations by

• Taco Bell has succeeded in removing all trademarks for Taco Tuesday. Taco Johns gave up their 49-state trademark four months ago and Gregory’s Restaurant and Bar in New Jersey held the last trademark. Gregory’s just relinquished the trademark that it held for over 30 years and now Taco Bell and all other restaurants are free to use Taco Tuesday promotions.

• The Cheesecake Factory has acquired a 37-acre site in Charlestown, IN, that will be developed into the company’s 3rd bakery facility.

• The National Labor Relations Board has issued a new joint employer rule that will make it more likely that franchisors will be liable for worker’s rights violations that occur with their franchisees.