May 31 – Bed Bath & Beyond Rolls Out Everhome Brand
In another expansion of its “owned-brand” range, Bed Bath & Beyond is officially launching Everhome, which it characterizes as a casually sophisticated collection of furniture and furnishings, bedding, bath linens and accessories, decor, outdoor decor and tabletop, and storage and organization now available in-stores, on the retailer’s app and online. From: HomePage News
May 31 – Dollar General Reports Strong Q1 Against Headwinds
Even as it works to mitigate supply chain and inflation issues, Dollar General Corp. posted a first quarter earnings and sales beat on Wall Street estimates. From: HomePage News
May 31 – Dollar Tree Posts Solid Q1, Talks Investment Strategy
For the first quarter, Dollar Tree beat Wall Street estimates and, while introducing its financial results, laid out its investment strategy for the future. From: HomePage News
May 27 – Hy-Vee Supports Local Businesses With Grant Awards
At this year’s OpportUNITY Inclusive Business Summit, Hy-Vee, Inc. awarded grants to three local minority- and women-owned businesses. From: Progressive Grocer
May 27 – Costco Earnings, Comps Gain Even as It Manages Costs
Even as it tried to mitigate price increases for members necessitated by inflationary pressures, Costco continued to produce earnings and comparable store gains in the third quarter. From: HomePage News
May 27 – Big Lots Takes a Q1 Tumble
An April slowdown dropped Big Lots to a loss in the first quarter as comparable sales fell into negative territory year over year. From: Home Page News
May 27 – Ulta Enjoys Strong Q1
As it faced fewer COVID-19 pandemic restrictions year over year, Ulta enjoyed double-digit comp gains and a big Wall Street analyst beat on earnings. From: HomePage News
May 26 – Dollar General Q1 Sales Rise, Comps Flat
First quarter net sales at Dollar General were up more than 4% as new stores were cited as the key driver of growth. From: STOREBRANDS
May 26 – Dollar Tree Solidly on Growth Path in Q1
Dollar Tree, Inc. is successfully stretching its own dollars, reporting increases mostly across the board for the first quarter of its fiscal year. From: Progressive Grocer
May 26 – NPD: Cautious Consumers Require ‘Persuasive Promotions’
While general merchandise retail sales revenue is up year over year by 2% through mid-May and 22% above pre-pandemic levels in 2019, consumers have already begun to make fewer purchases than a year ago, according to NPD. From: Home Page News
May 26 – Stores Drove Macy’s Q1 Sales, Earnings Gains
Macy’s posted solid gains in the first quarter beating analyst sales and earnings estimates and posting double-digit comparable sales gains. From: HomePage News
May 25 – Big Lots Celebrity Ads Tout Outdoor Living Product Deals
Actress Wendi McLendon-Covey of “The Goldbergs” television series and “Bridesmaids” film appears in new ads that demonstrate how consumers can purchase from Big Lots to create a patio and backyard space envied by their neighbors, the company noted. From: HomePage News
May 25 – Pottery Barn, West Elm Lift Williams-Sonoma Q1
Williams-Sonoma comparable sales advanced 9.5%, with the namesake banner down 2.2%, Pottery Barn up 14.6%, Pottery Barn Kids and Teen down 3.1% and West Elm up 12.8% in the quarter year over year. From: HomePage News
May 25 – Kohl’s Making Store Investments to Boost Omnichannel Capabilities
Services such as in-store, drive-up and self-pickup, as well as Amazon Returns, help Kohl’s provide the convenience customers expect from a retailer today and going forward, the company maintained. From: HomePage News
May 25 – Kroger Launches Ocado ‘Spoke’ Facility in Central Ohio
Ninth ancillary fulfillment center extends online grocery delivery reach in home state. From: Supermarket News
May 24 – Petco Q1 tops estimates as pet category continues to surge
Petco Health & Wellness Co.’s momentum continued in the first quarter as the company delivered its 14th consecutive quarter of comparable sales growth. From: Chain Store Age
May 24 – Nordstrom Raises Full-year Outlook as First-quarter Sales Top Expectations
CEO Erik Nordstrom said the company has been able to capitalize on demand from people who are shopping for “long-awaited occasions.” From: CNBC
May 24 – Kinney Drugs Named Business of the Year
Kinney Drugs and its employees were honored for consistently giving back by supporting and raising money for local events and charities, but also for the pharmacy chain’s quick and meaningful actions during the height of the pandemic. From: Drug Store News
May 23 – Camping World acquires RV dealer
America’s largest retailer of recreational vehicles (RVs) and related products and services has reached an agreement to acquire Richardson’s RV Centers. From: Chain Store Age
May 23 – Wegmans to Open Its First D.C. Store July 13
Wegmans Food Markets is getting ready for its Washington, D.C., debut. The Rochester, N.Y.-based grocery retailer announced July 13 as the opening date for its store on Wisconsin Avenue at City Ridge in Northwest Washington, D.C.—following on the heels of a store opening in Carlyle, Va., on May 11. From: Winsight Grocery Business
May 23 – Crate & Barrel HQ Adds Demo Kitchen
Located at the company’s headquarters in Northbrook, IL, CrateKitchen will open its doors to customers and a diverse range of influencers and chefs through virtual gatherings, styling sessions, product demos and a shoppable kitchen tour designed to support the ways people use their food prep space. From: HomePage News
May 23 – Ulta Introducing Media Network, UB Media
Ulta Beauty has announced the launch of its retail media network, UB Media, which will offer brands addressable advertising that leverages its Ultamate Rewards members. From: HomePage News
May 23 – Ace Hardware Sees Record-Breaking Q1 2022
Ace Hardware added 50 new domestic stores in Q1 2022 and canceled 11 stores, bringing the domestic store count to 4,790. From: Hardware Retailing
May 20 – Ross Falls Short in Q1 on Late Downturn
Barbara Rentler, Ross CEO, said, in a company conference call, that the performance at the company’s DD’s Discount stores trailed results at Ross stores as the impact of last year’s stimulus and current higher inflation had an outsized effect on lower-income consumers. From: HomePage News
May 20 – BJ’s Makes Q1 Progress Amid Dynamic Market Conditions
Although general merchandise sales slipped as consumers spent more on groceries and everyday needs, BJ’s had solid financial gains in the first quarter. From: HomePage News
May 19 – TJX Q1 Earnings Exceed Estimates but HomeGoods Comps Slip
Sales and earnings at The TJX Corp. gained year over year but only earnings surpassed Wall Street estimates in the first quarter as HomeGoods comparable sales slipped based primarily, the company stated, on difficult comparisons. From: HomePage News
May 19 – Weather Dampens Lowe’s Q1 Comps, Street Beat Shines as Silver Lining
In the first quarter, Lowe’s Cos. saw its comparable sales turn down in the consumer business but gain substantially on a two-year basis. From: HomePage News
May 18 – Container Store Beats Wall Street Q4 Earnings Estimate
The Container Store’s fourth-quarter sales and earnings lagged year over year but were better on a two-year basis. From: HomePage News
May 17 – Walmart Q1 Earnings Come Up Short As Macro Turmoil Erodes Profit
Despite a stronger than expected sales gain in the first fiscal quarter, Walmart missed a Wall Street analyst consensus estimate on income as inflation, a temporary labor imbalance and supply chain costs took dollars off the bottom line. From: HomePage News
May 17 – Target’s Tabitha Brown Exclusive to Spotlight Housewares
Target Corp. is advancing its partnership with actress, author, and social media personality Tabitha Brown to include four limited-time-only collections rolling out over the next year. From: HomePage News
May 17 – Home Depot Q1 Reaches New Heights
For the first quarter of fiscal 2022, The Home Depot reported net earnings of $4.23 billion, or $4.09 per diluted share, versus $4.15 billion, or $3.86 per diluted share, in the year-previous period.
From: HomePage News
May 16 – CEO Patel Leaves Belk; Hendricks Named Interim Chief
After he held the office for a little less than a year, Belk announced that CEO Nir Patel has left the company to pursue other interests and that President Don Hendricks has been appointed interim CEO. From: HomePage News.
May 16 – RH Opens Newest Gallery at San Francisco’s Pier 70
The Gallery at the Historic Bethlehem Steel Building, Restoration Hardware’s newest retail project, has opened in San Francisco as a prominent addition to the city’s Pier 70 and gateway to what was once one of the country’s most storied shipyards. From: HomePage News
May 13 – Dillard’s Busts Wall Street Earnings Estimate As Comp Jumps
In the first quarter, Dillard’s clobbered a Wall Street earnings estimate as comparable sales jumped over 20%. From: HomePage News
May 13 – Dollar Tree Adds Two Former Dollar General Execs
Dollar Tree has announced a pair of executive leadership additions. From: HomePage News
May 13 – Newegg, Klarna Advancing New Virtual Retail Enticements
Newegg and Klarna are among the companies that are developing and refining new, tech-enhanced approaches to shopping, and getting recognized for innovation, taking advantage of the online universe to entice shoppers afresh. From: HomePage News
May 12 – Crate & Barrel Promotes Three Execs To Drive Future Development
Crate & Barrel Holdings has promoted three executives: Alicia Waters, who previously served as chief marketing officer, to executive vp for Crate & Barrel and Crate & Kids; Sebastian Brauer, who previously served as vp of product design and development, to senior vp for product design, development and metaverse; and Joan King, who previously served as senior vp of e-commerce and international, to executive vice vp of digital and international growth, the company announced. From: HomePage News
May 12 – Aylward Named JCPenney Chief Marketing Officer
JCPenney has appointed John Aylward chief marketing officer, effective June 6. From: HomePage News
May 12 – Tuesday Morning Shores Up Finances While Dealing with Tough Q3, Outlook
Net loss was $18.2 million, or 21 cents per diluted share, versus $37.1 million, or 55 cents per diluted share, in the year-prior period. From: HomePage News
May 12 – Has Best Buy Found an Outlet for Future Growth?
Outlet stores are a strong strategy for minimizing risk during economic uncertainty when consumer spending is more focused on value spending. From: Retail Wire
May 11 – Grocery Outlet Sees ‘Better-Than-Expected’ Q1 Due to Economic Woes
Deep discounter accordingly raises net sales and earnings guidance. From: Progressive Grocer
May 11 – Shareholders Reelect Kohl’s Board Despite Macellum Challenge
With its annual meeting concluded, Kohl’s Corp. announced that based on a preliminary vote count conducted by its proxy solicitor that the company’s shareholders have voted to reelect all 13 of its nominees to the board of directors. From: HomePage News
May 11 – March Sets Import Record As Retailers Buy Ahead of Inflation
Ports in the United States covered by Global Port Tracker handled a record 2.34 million Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units – one 20-foot container or its equivalent – in March, the latest month for which final numbers are available. From: HomePage News
May 10 – Wayfair’s Earnings Miss May Portend Trouble for Fellow ‘Disruptor’ Brands
Through a special arrangement, presented here for discussion, is a summary of Steve Dennis’ s recent Forbes article. Steve is President & Founder of SageBerry Consulting and a senior Forbes Contributor. He is the author of Remarkable Retail: How to Win and Keep Customers in the Age of Disruption. From: Retail Wire
May 10 – SpartanNash Rapidly Scales Digital Offering With DoorDash
New partnership to enable grocery delivery from 100+ company-owned banners and 2,100 independent retailers. From: Progressive Grocer
May 9 – Qurate Q1 Earnings Slide As It Restructures
Qurate Retail is working to build a turnaround even as its first-quarter sales revenue and earnings slipped. From: HomePage News
May 9 – Pennsylvania Facility Now Part of Ahold Delhaize’s Self-Distributed Network
Distribution center serves Giant Food and The Giant Co. stores. From: Progressive Grocer
May 6 – Walmart, Target Lauded for Diversity Efforts
DiversityInc’s Top 50 also includes Hershey, Kellogg, and other food retail industry companies. From: Progressive Grocer
May 6 – Crate & Barrel Debuts Lawson-Fenning, Ford Designs
In a double designer debut, Crate & Barrel has introduced a new collection of home furnishings and tabletop merchandise slated for its CB2 stores and an extension of its Leanne Ford line under its namesake banner. From: HomePage News
May 6 – Global Developments Pressure Wayfair in Q1
Wayfair announced that it had a first-quarter loss as it adjusts to an environment where the COVID-19 pandemic is a lesser factor and other macroeconomic and political developments are pressuring operations. From: HomePage News
May 6 – ALDI and Lidl Thrive While Others See Dip in Q1 2022
The two discount retailers with large private brand assortments have seen increased traffic so far in 2022. From: StoreBrands Today
May 6 – Sally Beauty Comes Up Short in Q2
In the second quarter, Sally Beauty came up short of Wall Street sales and earnings estimates as supply chain, inflation and stimulus factors weighed. From: HomePage News
May 5 – Wayfair’s Net Loss Nears $320M as CFO Prepares to Exit
Michael Fleisher held the chief finance spot for eight years and will be succeeded by Kate Gulliver, who is the retailer’s chief people officer. From: Retail Dive
May 5 – Target Reshapes Leadership, Adds Guest Experience Officer
In what the retailer characterized as a reorganization that would help it differentiate the customer experience, Target Corp. announced changes to its leadership team, including appointing Cara Sylvester executive vice president and chief guest experience officer to a new role at the company.
From: HomePage News
May 5 – Dollar General Freshens Personal Care Assortment
The exclusive collection includes a variety of items ranging from bath and shower products to skin care items. From: StoreBrands Today
May 5 – Walgreens Fills Out Executive Team for Retail
The company named a new chief marketing officer, chief merchant and chief product officer, all of whom will report to Chief Customer Officer Tracey Brown. From: Retail Dive
May 5 – Office Depot Parent Beat Analyst Expections in Q1
For the first quarter, ODP Corp, which operates the Office Depot and OfficeMax superstore chains, posted earnings and revenues that surpassed Wall Street expectations. From: HomePage News
May 5 – eBay Q1 Tops Wall Street Estimates
EBay struggled ahead through its first quarter but still managed to do a bit better than financial analysts anticipate as it works to create new support for sellers. From: HomePage News
May 5 – Sprouts Lowers its Outlook for the Year as Unit Sales Decline
CEO Jack Sinclair said the company sees ways to boost baskets amid rising gas and food prices, but analysts aren’t sold on the plan. From: Grocery Dive
May 5 – Bath & Body Works CEO Steps Down
Andrew Meslow will exit his roles as CEO and board member at Bath & Body Works due to unspecified health issues. Meslow held various executive roles at Bath & Body Works for more than 10 years before being named chief of Bath & Body Works when it operated under parent company L Brands.
From: NRF SmartBrief
May 5 – Ingles Markets Reports Higher Sales, Income
Retailer posts gains for the quarter and the first half of fiscal year. From: Progressive Grocer
May 4 – Macy’s Continues Rollout of Smaller Department Stores
Macy’s is stepping up its focus on smaller retail units, with plans to add 10 off-mall locations this year in an attempt to reach customers close to where they do their daily errands. A variety of other businesses have also been exploring opportunities in open-air shopping centers, and Brixmor Property Group CEO Jim Taylor notes that “the common denominator is that they want to have a physical presence near where their customer lives.” From: NRF SmartBrief
May 4 – First ‘Home by H-E-B’ Department Showcases Wide Selection
H-E-B has opened a 122,000-square-foot store in New Braunfels, TX, the first company location to feature a Home by H-E-B department featuring everything from furniture to kitchenware.
From: HomePage News
May 4 – Publix Makes Strides, Splits Stock
Publix adjusted earnings and comparable store sales advanced in the first quarter, the period that closed shortly before the company announced a stock split. From: HomePage News
May 4 – CVS Boosts 2022 Outlook on Strong Q1 Sales Growth
CVS Health reported an 11.2% year-over-year increase in first-quarter sales, fueled in part by continued demand for COVID-19 vaccines and at-home tests, spurring the retailer to raise its full-year guidance. Same-store sales, including digital business, grew 10.7% from the same period last year, and stores generated higher sales of both prescription drugs and over-the-counter remedies. From: NRF SmartBrief
May 3 – Amazon Fresh Grows from Concept to Competitor
Burgeoning supermarket chain showcases Amazon’s flair for innovation — and has traditional grocers watching closely. From: Supermarket News
May 3 – Retailers Are Getting Serious About Sustainability Investment
Sustainability was the subject of several retail initiatives launched the past few weeks, and Earth Day tends to prompt eco-excitement. From: HomePage News
May 3 – Pottery Barn, West Elm Launch Collection for Kids, Teens
Williams-Sonoma is rolling out a new collection developed with interior designer Sarah Sherman Samuel across its Pottery Barn Kids, Pottery Barn Teen and West Elm Kids banners.
From: HomePage News
May 3 – Home Depot Funds Partnership Incubator with $150 Million
To incubate useful new ideas emerging outside the company, The Home Depot has created a venture capital fund focused on identifying, financing and partnering with growing early-stage companies to accelerate emerging technologies that can improve its customer experience and shape home improvement’s future. From: HomePage News
May 3 – Does resale make sense for Dick’s Sporting Goods?
Dick’s Sporting Goods is piloting an in-store buy-back program for select outdoor hard and soft goods. From: Retail Wire
May 3 – Sherwin-Williams Deploys Private Fleet to Ease Supplier Transportation Snarls
The paint maker is also prioritizing certain products and formulations “to make the most of the raw materials that are available to us,” said CEO John Morikis. From: Supply Chain Dive
May 2 – Bed Bath & Beyond’s Decision Day Gets Back-to-Campus Early
In an initiative to get ahead of a season, Bed Bath & Beyond has kicked off this year’s Back-to-College efforts with promotions designed for collegiate kids and their parents transitioning to an on- or off-campus residence. From: HomePage News
May 2 – Kohl’s Chair Asks Shareholders to Reject Investor’s Board Nominees
As it continues a proxy fight with activist investor Macellum Advisors, Kohl’s Corp. has issued a letter to shareholders on behalf of incoming chair Peter Boneparth in connection with the company’s May 11 annual meeting and its board of directors’ election. From: HomePage News
May 2 – At Home Adds Stores in New York, Massachusetts
At Home opened three new home décor stores in April, bringing the retailer’s store count to 246 including a second New York City location. From: HomePage News
May 2 – BJ’s Prepares to Open New ‘Innovation Lab’
BJ’s Market, which will open on Friday, is about half the size of a typical company store and will serve as a testing ground for new items, demonstrations, displays and convenience initiatives.
From: Grocery Dive
May 2 – Whole Foods Market Unveils Location in Chicago Skyscraper
Relocated store wows shoppers in a 65K+-square-foot setting. From: Progressive Grocer
