In Other Business News

Supermarket, Grocery, & C-Store

• 7-Eleven Inc. announced it plans to close 444 underperforming stores in North America.

• Choice Market is closing all its stores and going out of business.

• Dawn Food Products Inc. has promoted John Schmitz to the newly created position of COO, Americas.

• H-E-B reported it will open 2 new stores in Texas. A 101,000 sq. ft. location will open in Manor, TX, in late 2025. A 140,000 sq. ft. store will open in Forney, TX, in early 2026.

• Kimberton Whole Foods will open a new 14,000 sq. ft. location in Chester County, PA, in the spring of 2026.

• King Kullen Grocery Co. Inc. has hired Christoper Mansfield as its new General Counsel.

• National Association of Convenience Stores announced that its President and CEO, Henry Armour, will step down at the end of 2025. Brian Hannasch was named the company’s next Chairman.

• Peck’s Markets has joined the co-op Allegiance Retail Services, LLC.

•  Publix Super Markets Inc. has promoted Dave Taulbee to VP of Facilities, and John Fisher to VP of Industrial Maintenance and Industrial Operations Purchasing, effective January 1. Robert McGarrity will retire at the end of 2024. The company also announced that Dave Bornmann, Senior VP of Product Business Development, will retire on January 1. He will be succeeded by Brad Oliver. Lee Revis will be promoted to take over the role of VP Product Business Development.

• Save-A-Lot Holdings, Inc. has launched its first loyalty program.

• Sodexo Inc. is opening four new grocery stores at college campuses across the country.

• SpartanNash Company has plans to acquire Fresh Encounter Inc.

• Stinker Stores has launched a new mobile and online ordering platform.

• United Natural Foods Inc. has laid off close to 300 corporate employees.

• VP Racing Fuels recently opened its first gas station in Maryland.

• Wakefern Food Corp. has named Mark Van Buskirk as Group VP of Fresh.

• Wegmans Food Markets Inc. has partnered with DoorDash to offer another delivery option for customers.

• Whole Foods Market Inc. opened a new 42,560 sq. ft. store in Hyannis, MA. It replaces its supermarket down the street.

• Yesway plans to six new stores in New Mexico by the end of the year.

Retail

• The Aaron’s Company Inc. has been acquired and will now be a private company.

• Batteries Plus LLC has plans to open 16 new locations in GA, MA, MI, OH and TX.

• Builders FirstSource Inc. has acquired Douglas Lumber Kitchens & Home Centers in Smithfield, RI.

• Celine Inc. announced its Creative Director, Hedi Slimane, has left the company. Michael Rider has been named to replace him.

• Edible Brands has appointed Somia Farid Silber as its new CEO.

• Everlane announced Alfred Chang has been hired as its new CEO.

• Genesco Inc. has appointed Cassandra Harris as Senior VP of Finance and CFO. She will succeed Thomas George, who is retiring.

• National Association of Home Builders has recently named Ken Wingert its new Chief Advocacy Officer.

• The Orvis Co. Inc. announced plans to lay off 112 employees, close some of its retail stores and discontinue its catalog.

• Primark USA will open its first store in Manhattan, NY. The 75,000 sq. ft. location will open in 2026.

• Signet Jewelers Limited has announced Virginia Drosos is planning to retire as CEO, effective Nov. 4, 2024. J.K. Symancyk has been appointed to succeed her.

• True Value Company has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and will be acquired by Do it Best Corp.

• Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. has hired Jason Stenta as Senior VP and Chief Commercial Officer. The retailer also announced the appointment of Ramita Tandon as Chief Biopharma Services Officer.

• Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. announced it will close 1,200 stores over the next three years, with 500 of those stores closing in 2025.

• Walmart Stores Inc. has promoted Seth Dallaire to the newly created position of Chief Growth Officer.

Restaurant

• Applebee’s franchisee, Louisiana Apple has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

• Chick-fil-A is planning to open its first location in Singapore late next year. This will be the company’s first location in the Asia market.

• Domino’s Pizza has promoted Kate Trumbull to Executive VP and Global Chief Marketing Officer.

• Mountain Mike’s Pizza has signed a 10-unit franchise agreement to bring the brand to Florida with the first location opening next year. This will be their first east coast restaurant.

• Slim Chickens has named Christina Vaughan as COO.

• Starbucks is pulling back on discounts and promotions. New CEO Brian Niccol wants to push the company as a premium coffee experience. This move is in direct opposition to other restaurants who are creating and pushing value meals to drive up traffic.

• Panera Bread has reached a settlement in the first wrongful death lawsuit filed against the company over its Charged Lemonade product.

• Perkins is planning to open a fast casual concept called Griddle & Go. The first location will open in Canada at the end of the month and a second location is due to open in Texas sometime in the future.

• Restaurant Brands International is being sued by shareholders and a pension fund over their acquisition of Carrols Restaurant Group. The lawsuit alleges that RBI coerced Carrols by using their majority shareholder control to limit Carrols growth prospects and strongarm the company into a sale.

• Taco John’s has named Kevin Flaherty as Chief Marketing Officer.