March 29 – West Elm’s New iOS Mobile App Customizes Shopping Experience
The app is available for free in the App Store. West Elm, a Williams-Sonoma banner. From: HomePage News
March 29 – Lands’ End Lays Off 10% of Corporate Workforce
The layoffs came as Lands’ End faced growing losses and declining sales in the fourth quarter. From: Retail Dive
March 29 – Report: Walmart Refiles Vizio Acquisition Document After Talks with Regulators
Reuters reported Walmart, after informal discussions with the United States Federal Trade Commission and the Department of Justice, pulled its previously filed Hart-Scott-Rodino notification and report form on March 27, with plans to refile on March 29. From: HomePage News
March 29 – Meijer Makes $2M Donation to Midwest Food Bank Partners
The focused donations will create a larger impact helping the food banks to better meet the needs of those they serve, resulting in a positive ripple effect in communities across the Midwest. From: Drugstore News
March 29 – Home Depot Reinforces Lead in Rebuilding Home Improvement Channel
Home Depot has been actively expanding its business to become an even more dominant home improvement player. From: HomePage News
March 29 – Dollar General Makes Numerous Leadership Appointments
18 top executives are promoted or join the retailer’s organization. From: Progressive Grocer
March 28 – Walgreens Q2 Beats Wall Street but Retail Comps Lag
Walgreens Boots Alliance beat second-quarter Wall Street sales and earnings despite a decline in retail comps. From: HomePage News
March 28 – Consumer Interest in Refurbished Goods Keeps Gaining
ThredUp reported apparel resale grew 15 times faster than the broader retail clothing sector in 2023, as online resale saw accelerated growth at 23% year-over-year. From: HomePage News
March 28 – Amazon Expanding Palm-Print Identification, Boosting AI Investment
Amazon developed the app using generative AI to create synthetic palm images, which were critical in training machine-learning models. From: HomePage News
March 27 – BJ’s Identifies Locations for Five Coming Wholesale Clubs
BJ’s plans to open 12 news clubs and 15 gas stations during its current fiscal year as it progresses with its previous growth announcement. From: HomePage News
March 27 – Mercari Removes Seller Fees to Facilitate Trading in Used Goods
With the change, Mercari has become the first major resale marketplace simultaneously charging no selling or listing fees and offering a nationwide shipping discount, it asserted. From: HomePage News
March 27 – Amazon Combats Retail Crime as LexisNexis Reports Mounting Fraud Costs
In partnership with brands and law enforcement around the world, Amazon has worked to identify and dismantle counterfeit organizations. From: HomePage News
March 26 – Numerator Research Identifies Most Likely Amazon Shoppers
Numerator has thrown a spotlight on the average Amazon customer in reporting 81% of households across the United States shopped at Amazon at least once in 2023. From: HomePage News
March 26 – Walmart Details New Clean Energy Projects
The new investments add to Walmart’s existing energy portfolio, which consists of more than 600 onsite and offsite renewable energy projects already in operation or under development across ten countries. From: HomePage News
March 26 – Beyond Relaunches Overstock, Promotes Robinson to Chief Customer Officer
With an expanded product selection, the new mandate for Overstock.com is, as the company puts it, “crazy good deals,” including discounts of up to 30% to 70% off. From: HomePage News
March 25 – Martha Stewart’s Latest Partnership is with Tractor Supply Company
The line will initially launch exclusively at Tractor Supply beginning the week of March 25 in 50 select stores and online. From: Chain Store Age
March 25 – Circana: Consumer Spending Focused on Immediate Needs
In February 2024, U.S. retail sales revenue, including discretionary general merchandise and consumer packaged goods, remained flat as units declined 1% versus the same month in 2023, according to Circana. From: HomePage News
March 25 – Lidl US Expands Outdoor Garden Center Concept
Lidl US is expanding its outdoor Garden Center concept to 76 stores across its footprint. From: Progressive Grocer
March 25 – Miniso Opens Times Square Pop Up as Part of Expansion Effort
Although open for only three weeks, Miniso noted, the pop-up has set the highest sales per square-foot record among all the U.S. stores, with overall sales performance ranking in the top three. From: HomePage News
March 25 – Pottery Barn Launches International Collection with Actor Padukon
The collection includes entertaining and serveware pieces, textiles and decorative accessories inspired by Padukone’s love of vintage designs that she has collected for her own home, the brand noted. From: HomePage News
March 22 – Walmart, Target Among Competitors with Amazon Spring Event
The Amazon Big Spring Sale is generating seasonal discount extravaganzas among some big-name rivals. From: Chain Store Age
March 21 – Crate & Barrel Launches Collaboration with Chef Eric Adjepong
The collaboration includes more than 60 pieces of cookware, glassware, serveware, and decor items and draws diverse inspirations, including West African beads, which informed the Didi Ketoa-style plates. From: HomePage News
March 21 – Gibson Introduces Sur La Table Plates, Cookware at Inspired Home Show
Gibson Homewares decided that, among its introductions for The Inspired Home Show, it would provide a bit of fun with new items in its Sur La Table collection. From: HomePage News
March 21 – The Container Store Opens First New York Small-Format Store
The store will have a Custom Spaces Studio showing closet, living and garage examples, as well as a design center. From: Retail Dive
March 21 – Kirkland’s Beats Street Estimates as It Pursues Turnaround
Amy Sullivan, CEO of Kirkland’s Home said that the company is pleased with its direction and sees opportunities to capitalize on and return to profitable growth. From: HomePage News
March 21 – NRF: Moderate Retail Growth Likely as U.S. Economic Growth Slows Somewhat
NRF expects in-store and online sales, included in the total figure, to grow between 7% and 9% year over year to a range of $1.47 trillion to $1.5 trillion, up from 2023 non-store and online sales of $1.38 trillion. From: HomePage News
March 20 – Report: Nordstrom Family May Take Eponymous Retail Operation Private
The Nordstrom family may be moving to take their namesake company private after beating Wall Street in the fourth quarter. From: HomePage News
March 20 – Trader Joe’s to Open 16 New Stores Across the U.S.
Trader Joe’s upcoming store openings include five new locations in California. From: Progressive Grocer
March 20 – Kohl’s Debuts New Home Strategy, Expanded Assortment
The company has expanded select categories in its assortment by 40%, Kohl’s noted, offering newness in areas such as wall art, glassware and ceramic home decor, barware, botanicals and lighting. From: HomePage News
March 20 – Joann Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Protection, Will Go Private
The agreement, which it maintained is supported by a majority of its financial stakeholders and additional industry financing parties, is set to strengthen the company’s financial position. From: HomePage News
March 20 – A Look Inside Wegman’s New Store in Pennsylvania
The new Yardley, PA location is Wegmans’ 111th store overall. From: Progressive Grocer
March 19 – Keynote: Beyond’s Lemonis, Holt Detail Strategy Built on Strong Vendor Relationships
Beyond will consist of a portfolio of e-commerce sites targeted to different consumers at different stages of their lives, Holt said during the keynote presentation. From: HomePage News
March 16 – U.S. gia Winner The Cook’s Shop Puts Housewares to the Test for Customers
The Cook’s Shop was honored for merchandising excellence as the U.S. housewares winner among 32 retailers from around the world at the IHA Global Innovation Awards (gia) gala during the Inspired Home Show. From: HomePage News
March 15 – Wayfair Teams with Celebs; to Open its First Namesake Store
The digitally native home furnishings giant will open its first-ever Wayfair branded store, which will have a large format, in spring 2024, in Wilmette, IL. From: Chain Store Age
March 15 – Michaels Boosts In-Store Experience with Birthday Parties, Classes
Michaels brought its party planning services to the U.S. following a successful pilot in Canadian stores, the retailer said in its announcement. From: Retail Dive
March 15 – Macy’s Nominates Its Ex-Real Estate Leader for Board as Arkhouse Continues Buyout Push Macy’s announced the nomination of Douglas Sesler, founder, and president of Fair Street Partners, to stand for election to the company’s board of directors at its 2024 annual meeting of shareholders. From: HomePage News
March 15 – Sheetz Breaks Ground on First Michigan Store
The Romulus, MI location will be the first of 50 to 60 locations Sheetz plans to open in the Detroit area within the next five to six years. From: CS News
March 15 – Ulta Posts Solid Q4, Readies International Expansion
The company also noted that its partnership with Target Corp. continues to grow with the addition of new brands and new locations. From: HomePage News
March 14 – Amazon Kicking Off First ‘Big Spring Sale’ March 20
Outdoor furniture, lawn and garden essentials, cleaning and organizing products and spring fashion are among the categories to be featured in the spring event, the company stated. From: HomePage News
March 14 – Burlington Adding 100 Stores This Year After 80 Openings in 2023
CEO Michael O’Sullivan pointed out that Burlington had acquired a large number of attractive new store locations in the Bed Bath & Beyond bankruptcy process and that the company has identified and is negotiating with landlords for others. From: HomePage News
March 14 – After Record Q4, Dick’s Plans Greatest Square Footage Expansion Since 2017
After a strong end to 2023, Dick’s is projecting sales growth of up to 1.2% in 2024 and comps of positive 1% to 2%. From: Retail Dive
March 14 – Dollar General Beats Street in Q4 Despite Earnings Decline
Dollar General beat a fourth-quarter Wall Street estimate, although net income declined even as comps edged higher. From: HomePage News
March 14 – Numerator: Consumer Confidence Rose Slightly in February
The market research firm reported its February Consumer Confidence Score came in at 55.7, up 0.4% from January, as shoppers became more comfortable with discretionary spending. From: HomePage News
March 13 – Williams-Sonoma Beats Wall Street Estimate Despite Comp Declines
Although the fourth quarter wasn’t smooth sailing for the company, Williams-Sonoma beat Wall Street earnings and revenue forecasts. From: HomePage News
March 13 – Dollar Tree To Close Nearly 1,000 Family Dollar Stores After Q4 Earnings, Revenue Miss
Dollar Tree noted a portfolio optimization review has identified about 600 Family Dollar stores for closure in the first half of fiscal 2024 and about 370 additional stores for closure as their leases expire. From: HomePage News
March 12 – Retail Monitor Reports Consumer Spending Remains Potent
Retail sales continued to grow in February, building off solid gains from January and driven by improved consumer finances, according to the CNBC/NRF Retail Monitor. From: HomePage News
March 12 – Rite Aid to Combat Food Waste in California via Copia
As the first retail pharmacy chain to partner with Copia, Rite Aid will donate food items leveraging the platform’s redistribution platform to track inventory, prove compliance and record impact in real-time. From: Drugstore News
March 12 – Kohl’s Touts Home Products, Babies“R”Us Partnership After Turning Q4 Profit
In the WHP Global deal, Babies“R”Us shops inside Kohl’s will range from 750 to 2,500 square feet of space featuring baby gear, activity, bath, furniture, feeding and safety products From: HomePage News
March 11 – Wayfair Creates Its Own Community in New Branding Initiative
The company developed the brand campaign to emphasize the many Wayfair customer styles and personalities. From: HomePage News
March 11 – Ross Stores Opens 18 Stores in February and March — More to Come
The off-price apparel retailer opened 11 Ross Dress for Less and seven DD’s Discounts stores in 11 different states in February and March. From: Chain Store Age
March 11 – NRF: Port Traffic Gains as Shipping Adjusts to International Complications
Inbound cargo volume at major container ports in the United States remains on track to show year-over-year increases through the first half of 2024, according to the Global Port Tracker report released by the NRF and Hackett Associates. From: HomePage News
March 11 – BJ’s Touts Traffic Gains in Q4 Earnings Beat, Narrow Revenue Miss
In addition to the financial results, BJ’s has announced it plans to open its first club in Kentucky with the location set for Louisville and an early 2025 debut From: HomePage News
March 8 – Burlington Beats Q4 Earnings, Revenue Estimates
On a 53-week basis, total sales increased 12% to $9.71 billion from the 52-week period in the year earlier. From: HomePage News
March 8 – Costco Q2 Earnings Beat Estimate but Sales Fall Short
Second-quarter sales came up short of Wall Street estimates in Costco’s second quarter, but earnings easily beat forecasts, with strong appliance sales contributing to gains. From: HomePage News
March 8 – Kroger Exceeds Q4 Earning Expectations, Will Fight for Albertsons Merger
In announcing fourth quarter financial results, Rodney McMullen, Kroger chairman and CEO, defended the merger with Albertsons Cos., saying it will be good for households in the United States and for employees as well. From: HomePage News
March 7 – Big Lots Aims for Discount Home Store Leadership After Tough Q4
In a conference call, Bruce Thorn, Big Lots president and CEO, said the company is driving initiatives and leveraging its value heritage to shore up its position as what he termed “America’s discount home store.” From: HomePage News
March 7 – Costco CFO ‘Voice’ Looks Back on 40 years, $1.50 Hot Dogs and Leadership
Costco’s long-time CFO Richard Galanti will step down next week from his role as finance chief. From: Grocery Dive
March 7 – Beyond Acquires Zulily IP as It Prepares Overstock.com Relaunch
As it did with Bed Bath & Beyond, the company has acquired the intellectual property and other brand assets of Zulily, a flash sale pioneer in the e-commerce sector. From: HomePage News
March 7 – Walmart Extends Express Delivery to Early Morning Hours
The Express Delivery service costs $10 on top of the existing delivery charge ($7.95 or $9.95), but there is no markup on item price. From: Chain Store Age
March 6 – Off-Price Rack Drives Nordstrom Q4 Advances as Department Stores Decline
“We delivered on our 2023 guidance and are confident in our expectations for continued sales improvement and sustained profitability in 2024,” said Erik Nordstrom, company CEO. From: HomePage News
March 6 –UNFI Names Giorgio Matteo Tarditi President, CFO
Tarditi succeeds John W. Howard, UNFI’s current CFO, who will leave the company following a transition period. From: Supermarket News
March 6 – Comp Gains Help Ross Exceed Q4 Expectations
For the fourth quarter, Ross Stores beat Wall Street earnings and sales forecasts as comparable sales gained substantially. From: HomePage News
March 6 – Ashley Home Acquires Resident Home Inc.
The furniture chain, an affiliate of Ashley Global Retail, will acquire Resident Home Inc., a digital retailer and wholesaler of mattresses and bedding accessories. From: Chain Store Age
March 5 – Booming U.S Hispanic Market Serves Up Big Housewares Growth Opportunity
Roberto Ruiz, executive VP, research, insights and analytics for TelevisaUnivision said Hispanic consumers contribute $3.2 trillion to the American gross domestic product. From: HomePage News
March 5 – Ikea Expanding Small-Format Plan-and-Order-Point Locations
The opening of the Katy, TX location came shortly after Ikea announced that it would open a new “Plan and Order Point with Pick-up” store in Charlotte, NC, this summer. From: HomePage News
March 5 – Weis Markets Bestows More Than $223K to Children’s Hospitals
The grocer announced that a recent campaign led to a $223,500 donation to seven regional children’s hospitals and pediatric cancer foundations. From: Progressive Grocer
March 5 – Tractor Supply Joins Retail Trend by Upgrading Loyalty Program
In addition, Tractor Supply will offer active military, veterans and first responders special benefits starting later this summer including immediate Preferred status, the company noted. From: HomePage News
March 5 – Target’s Cornell: Q4 Performance Positions Target for Growth
Target is poised to regain momentum in top line growth, traffic gains and market-share expansion, Target Chairman and CEO Brian Cornell said. From: HomePage News
March 4 – NRF: Inflation and Fed Response Will Weigh on 2024 Economy
Overall, consumer spending dipped in January because of a decline in spending on and lower prices for goods, even though there was a rise in services spending and prices for services gained. From: HomePage News
March 4 – Do it Best, United Hardware to Merge
The merger is expected to deliver significant benefits to member-owners, employees and customers through enhanced scale, efficiency, and innovation. From: Hardware Retailing
March 4 – New Bid for Macy’s Ups Buyout Price
Macy’s acknowledged the receipt of a letter from Arkhouse outlining the new buyout bid and said its board would review the offer. From: HomePage News
March 4 – Publix Posts Mixed Q4 Results
Publix comparable stores gained in the fourth quarter even as earnings slipped. From: HomePage News
March 1 – Consumers Show Willingness to Shop Home Decor Online
The report found 75% of Baby Boomers recently bought something in the category online or in-store, with that rate the highest among generational demographic groups. From: HomePage News
March 1 – Aaron’s Posts Q4 Loss, Lower Revenue Despite E-Commerce Progress
“Our management team and board are highly engaged and committed to taking actions that will deliver additional value for our shareholders.” Said Douglas Lindsay, Aaron’s CEO. From: HomePage News
March 1 – Sam’s Club Is Remaking the Warehouse Club Experience with Technology
Applying technology to Sam’s operations is an ongoing effort, and Sam’s has established Clubhouse, a new 37,000-square-foot design think studio set to open this summer. From: HomePage News
