Grocery, Supermarket, & C-Store
• KeHE Distributors, LLC announced a new partnership with CVS Health.
• Sprouts Farmers Markets has appointed Curtis Valentine as CFO of the company, effective Jan. 1, 2024. He will succeed Lawrence “Chip” Molloy, who plans to retire. The grocer also announced it plans to open 35 new stores in 2024.
• United Natural Foods Inc. announced Andre Persaud has been named President and CEO of Retail.
• Wakefern Food Corp. has named Sean McMenamin as its new Chairman. He replaces Joseph Colalillo. Mike Stigers was named as the company’s new President. He replaces Joseph Sheridan.
• Whole Foods Market Inc. reported it will open a new 45,791 sq. ft. location this month in Overland Park, KS. The store will be a relocation of an existing store in the area.
Retail
• American Freight Inc. is opening its first stores in the state of Utah. The retailer will open four locations in Layton, Logan, Orem, and Ogden.
• BJ’s Wholesale Club Holdings Inc. will open its first location in Alabama this month in the city of Madison.
• Boise Cascade LLC announced Troy Little has been promoted to Senior VP, Finance and Commodity Sales, Wood Products. Joanna Barney has been promoted to Senior VP, Building Materials Distribution Western Operations. Jim Wickham has been promoted to Senior VP, Building Materials Distribution Eastern Operations. Nathan Sikes has been promoted to VP, Sales and Marketing, Building Materials Distribution.
• Camping World Holdings, Inc. announced a new partnership with Instacart to offer same-day delivery.
• Guitar Center Inc. announced that Gabriel Dalporto has been named CEO. He replaces Ron Japinga. Ken C. Hicks has been appointed as Chairman. Tim Martin is returning to his role as CFO.
• The Home Depot Inc. announced Ann-Marie Campbell was named Senior Exec VP. Hector Padilla has been named Exec VP of U.S. Store Operations. Chip Devine has been named Senior VP Sales. Tim Wilkerson has been named Senior VP of Home Services.
• Macy’s Inc. announced its Chief Legal Officer, Elisa Garcia, is retiring. Wendy Beadles will take on the role in the interim.
• Sephora USA Inc. has named Deborah Yeh as Global Chief Marketing Officer.
• Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. has named Neal Sample as its new Exec VP and CIO. He succeeds Hsiao Wang.
• Walmart Stores Inc. announced it plans to remodel 1,400 of its store locations.
• Wawa Inc. reportedly plans to open approximately 80 stores across the eastern region of North Carolina over the next decade.
• Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming recently opened its 300th store location.
Restaurants
• Fat Brands is planning to file an IPO for Twin Peaks next year in the second or third quarter.
• Red Robin saw declining revenue after too much focus on discounts and the company is planning to move away from value deals.
• Panera is planning an IPO and is laying off around 300 employees as part of the preparations.
• Papa Johns has seen an increase in sales through third-party delivery apps. The company says that third-party delivery is responsible for 15% of company sales, which is generally higher than competitors.
• Potbelly Corporation has signed a 40-unit franchise agreement with Royal Restaurant Group that will bring the new locations to Ohio and Florida.
• Scooter’s Coffee has named Joe Thornton as CEO.
• T.G.I. Friday’s has named Weldon Spangler as CEO. Spangler becomes the third person to take the title in the last six months.
