Supermarket, Grocery, & C-Store

• Albertsons Companies, Inc. and The Kroger Co. have released a list of the 579 stores, and its distribution centers that are planned to be divested to C & S Wholesale Grocers Inc.

• DeCicco & Sons plans to open its first location in Connecticut in the summer of 2025. A 20,000 sq. ft. store will open in Greenwich, CT.

• Gelsons Markets announced Ronald Johnson, Paul Kneeland, Tim Mahoney, and Yvonne Manganaro are no longer with the company.

• J & L Enterprises Inc. has closed its location in Chaska, MN, and has gone out of business.

• Kwik Trip Inc. recently opened its second distribution center in DeForest, WI.

• Lowes Foods Inc. will open a new store in Aiken, SC, later this month.

• Publix Super Markets Inc. is planning to open a new 48,387 sq. ft. store in Independence, KY.

• The Raley’s Companies has revealed that its Chief Human Resources Officer, Laura Croff, has retired from the company.

• Tops Markets LLC has appointed George Najm to the role of Specialist Store Planning and Design.

• URM Stores Inc. announced its CEO and President, Ray Sprinkle, will step down effective July 2025.

Retail

• Amazon.com Inc. has hired Rodney Blanton as Director of Category Management for Amazon Go.

• Bealls Inc. has appointed Leana Less as Senior VP of Marketing.

• Big Lots Stores Inc. reported it plans to close between 35 to 40 stores this year.

• Bob’s Stores Inc. reported it is going out of business and closing all of its stores.

• Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc. plans to open two new stores in Las Vegas, NV.

• Cameron Ashley Building Products Inc. has opened a new distribution center in Visalia, CA.

• CVS Health has promoted Michelle LeBlanc to VP Merchandising for Beauty and Personal Care.

• Dixie Plywood & Lumber Co. has appointed Michael Martin as its Representative for Outside Sales for San Antonio, TX.

• House-Hasson Hardware Co. Inc. has acquired The Bostwick-Braun Co.

• Hudson’s Bay Company announced it will acquire The Neiman Marcus Group. The combined company will be called Saks Global, and will be led by Marc Metrick.

• Macy’s Inc. announced that Keith Credendino has been promoted to CIO effective August 4, 2024. He will succeed Laura Miller, who is retiring.

• Mango Inc. recently opened a 2,475 sq. ft. Mango Teen store in London.

• National Vision Holdings, Inc. has appointed Mark Banner as Chief Stores Officer.

• Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. reported it plans to close 2,150 store locations over the next three years.

Restaurant

• Chipotle CFO Jack Hartung will be retiring at the end of March 2025. Adam Rymer, current VP of Finance, will be filling the vacated role.

• GoTo Foods has named Donna Spangler-Josephson as the Chief Brand Officer for Schlotzsky’s.

• MOD Pizza has agreed to be acquired by Elite Restaurant Group. The pizza chain has been struggling and the sale is seen as a way to avoid an impending bankruptcy filing.

• Shake Shack is adding fry themed merchandise to their new merchandise shop.

• Portillo’s is adding dog toys to their merchandise lineup.

• Taco Bell is opening The Cantinas in San Diego starting in August. The Cantinas will offer a weekend getaway for Taco Bell Rewards members that is designed as a retirement leisure lifestyle. Events like aerobics, pickleball and arts and crafts will accompany traditional Taco Bell favorites. The weekend membership will cost $150.