August 30 – Food Lion Feeds Helps Nourish College Students
The Sack to Give Back program also kicks off in September to align with Hunger Action Month, a time when Food Lion Feeds supports its relationship with Feeding America. From: Drug Store News
August 30 – Burlington Optimistic About Second Half After Strong Q2
Comparable sales in the quarter gained 2% year over year, the company noted. Net revenue was $2.36 billion versus $2.14 billion in the year-earlier period. From: HomePage News
August 29 – Report Drives Speculation About Big Lots Bankruptcy
Big Lots is looking to maintain the business as it repositions to offer more closeouts, overruns and related bargain merchandise. From: HomePage News
August 29 – Are Shoppers’ Concerns Around Food Inflation Starting to Ease?
The majority of shoppers continue to feel they have “more or less control” over their grocery finances, according to FMI — The Food Industry Association’s latest U.S. Grocery Shopper Trends 2024 report. From: Grocery Dive
August 29 – Best Buy Sees Signs of Market Stabilization After Better-Than-Expected Q2
Best Buy sounded optimistic about its prospects heading toward 2025 after posting better-than-expected second-quarter earnings and revenue despite lower comps. From: HomePage News
August 29 – Dollar General Pushing ‘Back to Basics’ After Q2 Shortfall
Consumables helped Dollar General Corp. drive sales in the second quarter, but company profits narrowed as discretionary categories suffered declining demand, the retailer reported. From: HomePage News
August 28 – Expanded Walmart Marketplace Seller Capabilities Spotlight Recommerce, Beauty
Walmart Marketplace is introducing Resold at Walmart as the company’s first digital destination for cross-category and cross-condition pre-owned items from performance-managed sellers, the company announced. From: HomePage News
August 28 – ODP Advances Gen AI Customer Service Platform for Office Superstores
Staffers can use Gen AI technology to access relevant internal information using natural language and get immediate responses, complete with citations for the information provided, the company noted. From: HomePage News
August 28 – Anniversary Sale, Rack Propel Nordstrom’s Q2 Sales
Strong regular-price sales also helped boost margins, but the retailer raised its guidance only slightly. From: Retail Dive
August 28 – Do it Best Reports Second-Highest Rebate in Company History
Do it Best reported $4.57 billion in sales for the fiscal year ending June 29, 2024, a 30% increase compared to 2019. From: Hardware Retailing
August 28 – Kohl’s Sets Home Categories for Growth After Q2 Earnings Gain Despite Soft Comps
Kohl’s Corp. beat second-quarter earnings estimates, noting it experienced strength in categories it has identified for growth, including Sephora beauty, home decor, gifting and impulse, while weaker consumer spending in its core segments pressured overall sales. From: HomePage News
August 27 – Schnucks Makes 2 Executive Appointments
Kim Gray taking over chief merchant role as Ryan Cuba becomes company’s 1st chief growth officer. From: Progressive Grocer
August 27 – Big Lots Touts Closeout Repositioning in Halloween Promotion
The deal covers hundreds of new Halloween items, including indoor and outdoor décor, costumes for adults, children and pets, pumpkin carving kits, tableware, trick-or-treat essentials and apparel. From: HomePage News
August 27 – Survey: Consumers to Shop, Gather, Grill During Labor Day Weekend
Of those celebrating, 59% plan to shop at grocery stores, and 53% plan to shop at big box stores. From : HomePage News
August 27 – Ikea Expanding San Francisco Area Coverage with New Plan/Order Point Location
The Plan and Order Point is part of Ikea’s strategy to make the brand more accessible, convenient and affordable, the company stated. From: HomePage News
August 27 – Amazon Expands Resale Option to Help FBA Sellers Deal with Returns
At a time when returns have become a challenge for many retailers and vendors, and recommerce is gaining, Amazon is expanding means of dealing with the reverse flow of goods, and the associated costs as well as participate in the growing resale business. From: HomePage News
August 26 – Coresight: Retail Sales Primed for Accelerating Growth into 2025
The market researcher is predicting stronger retail sales growth through the rest of 2024 and into the first half of 2025, with gains generally remaining in the mid-single-digit percentage range over that period. From: HomePage News
August 26 – With New Leaders and a New Plan will Beyond’s ‘Gallery of Brands’ Succeed?
The value in Bed Bath & Beyond and Overstock likely lies in the high brand awareness the two retail banners hold with U.S. shoppers, David Mayer, senior partner for marketing and customer strategy at Lippincott, a brand consultancy, told Retail Dive. From: Retail Div
August 26 – EXCLUSIVE: Jewel-Osco Marks 125th Anniversary in Chicago
The Jewel-Osco banner began in 1899 as a coffee and delivery service and evolved through a series of acquisitions and mergers to dominate the Chicago grocery market alongside competitor Domnick’s Finer Foods. From: Progressive Grocer
August 26 – Ollie’s New Distribution Center Advances Company Growth Plans
“The opening of our first Midwest distribution center enhances our ability to service 150-plus stores, fueling the next phase of our growth” said Eric van der Valk, Ollie’s president, From: HomePage News
August 26 – Tony’s Fresh Market to Debut Remodeled Store Outside of Chicago
The renovated location in Waukegan will provide an expanded variety of fresh and authentic food options. From: Progressive Grocer
August 23 – Amazon Prime Big Deal Days to Return in October
To get on track for the end-of-year holidays, Amazon has announced that it will again launch a major fall promotion focused on its Prime members. From: HomePage News
August 23 – Five Cool Store Operations AI Rollouts from a Hot Summer
Retailers are increasingly “minding the store” with artificial intelligence. From: Chain Store Age
August 23 – Ross Stores Exceeds Q2 Expectations Amid Inflation Pressures
Despite financial pressure on a core shopper coping with the effects of inflation, Ross Stores posted higher than anticipated sales and earnings for the second quarter. From: HomePage News
August 23 – Ace Q2 Comps, Earnings Slip
At a time when home improvement companies are facing consumers who are budgeting closely and making fewer discretionary purchases, Ace Hardware reported lower second-quarter earnings and declining comparable sales. From: HomePage News
August 23 – Numerator: Consumer Confidence Slipped in July
Consumers, in their quest to save money, are shopping for items on sale, at 43%, using coupons/discount codes, at 42%, and cooking at home, at 42%.From: HomePage News
August 22 – Ikea’s Second Mävinn Collection Celebrates Southeast Asia Artisans
The new Mävinn collection focuses on creating global products that can be produced in high volumes to generate more job opportunities. From: HomePage News
August 22 – Williams-Sonoma Boosts Q2 Earnings but Comps Decline Across Banners
William-Sonoma Inc. beat a Wall Street profit estimate in its second quarter, but comparable sales were down across its retail banners, with Pottery Barn taking the biggest comp hit. From: HomePage News
August 22 – Circana: Consumers Took Discretionary Spending ‘Vacation’ in July
Consumers are prioritizing products by need, Circana reported, as financial concerns and competitive product offerings across channels test brand loyalty. From: HomePage News
August 22 – Nordstrom Rack Adds New Store to Lineup
This new location will bolster the off-price retailer’s growing presence in Arizona.
From: Chain Store Age
August 22 – Membership Gains, Comp Sales Lift BJ’s in Q2
Membership and traffic gains propelled BJ’s Wholesale Club through its second quarter with help from an increasing store count. From: HomePage News
August 22 – Urban Outfitters Debuts Pop-Up UO College Shops
Urban Outfitters has unveiled its latest initiative, an exclusive store pop-up series, UO College Shop. From: HomePage News
August 21 – TJX Cites Global Growth Potential as Q2 Sales, Earnings Advance
Comparable sales advanced 4% for the company in the quarter year over year, the company maintained. From: HomePage News
August 21 – Macy’s Expanding Home for Holidays After Q2 Earnings Beat, Comps Decline
Macy’s beat a second-quarter Wall Street earnings estimate, but comparable sales slipped as the company prepares for the upcoming holidays by fortifying its home product assortment. From: HomePage News
August 21 – Target’s Cornell Says Store Traffic Gains Helped Drive Q2 Comp Growth
Target turned in strong second-quarter results as store traffic gains helped propel comparable sales growth. From: HomePage News
August 20 – Wayfair’s First Physical Perigold Store Slated for West Palm Beach
Perigold’s first storefront will open at CityPlace in West Palm Beach, FL, this fall, taking its place in a destination shopping center with curated open-air shopping, dining, art and events in the heart of downtown, Wayfair said. From: HomePage News
August 20 – Lowe’s Preps for DIY Market Recovery After Q2 Comps Slip
Citing a challenging do-it-yourself market facing macroeconomic headwinds, Lowe’s Cos. beat the second-quarter earnings forecast despite a decline in comparable sales during the period. From: HomePage News
August 20 – Giant Co. Elevates Rebecca Lupfer to SVP, Chief Merchant
From: Progressive Grocer
August 20 – Kroger Files Constitutional Challenge vs. FTC in Albertsons Merger Proceedings
Kroger took the position that, in proceeding with its administrative tribunal, in addition to a separate action in federal court, the FTC is violating protections provided by the U.S. Constitution. From: HomePage News
August 20 – Consumers Worry About AI’s Potential Role in Payment Fraud
In the survey, 90% of respondents expressed concern about the rise in fraud, with 51% saying they are extremely concerned and another 39% saying they are somewhat concerned. From: HomePage News
August 19 – Study: Renters Giving a Boost to Home & Housewares
Consumer Edge reported average home product spending per renter significantly outpaced that of homeowners, with renter spend up 10% in the second quarter during which homeowner spend was up just less than 5%. From: HomePage News
August 19 – U.S. Import Volume Rising Ahead of Potential Port Strike
The concerns over labor action and increasing rates are boosting inbound cargo volume at major ports in the United States to near record levels as retailers prepare to serve consumers in the holiday season. From: HomePage News
August 19 – 7-Eleven Parent Company Gets Takeover Bid from Couche-Tard From: Progressive Grocer
August 19 – Bloomingdale’s To Showcase Italian Culinary Experience in New Promotion
As part of “From Italy, With Love,” the Macy’s banner will unveil Il Mercato, an Italian pantry, on the main floor of its flagship 59th Street Store in New York City. From: HomePage News
August 16 – Google Popup College Tour Focused on ‘Lens’ Product Search Tool
The “Shop with Google” popup will become a place where the company can inform students about working with Google Lens. From: HomePage News
August 16 – Ollie’s Study Affirms the Thrill of Bargain Hunting
59% of consumers said they will brag about deals discovered, with 51% doing so to friends, 40% to partners and 27% to extended family members. From: HomePage News
August 16 – Retail Executive Moves at Omni, Walgreens, Target & More
This summer has brought a wave of retail leadership moves, including Pier1.com operator Omni Retail Enterprises, Walgreens Boots Alliance, ODP Corp., Target, CVS Health and Dollar General. From: HomePage News
August 15 – Census Bureau Records ‘Measured’ Retail Sales Growth in July
NRF Chief Economist Jack Kleinhenz noted that consumers continued to increase their spending in July even as growth of the economy was moderating. From: HomePage News
August 15 – Walmart Q2 Gains Fueled by E-Commerce, Advertising
Comparable sales increased by 4.3% year over year without the impact of fuel price volatility, with Walmart U.S. up 4.2% and Sam’s Club up 5.2%, the company reported. From: HomePage News
August 15 – The Fresh Market, NielsenIQ Form New Partnership
The Fresh Market has entered into a new cooperation agreement with NielsenIQ (NIQ)to support the specialty food retailer as it continues to grow and redefine the grocery experience. From: Progressive Grocer
August 15 – Survey: Retail Employees Rate Returns Fraud, Policy Abuse as Top Concerns
Respondents expressed the belief the main reason consumers engage in returns fraud is because the current economic climate is prompting shoppers to exploit return policies as a way to improve their financial situation. From: HomePage News
August 15 – Ikea College Bus Tour Showcases Dorm Living Products
As it reconfigures its presence in the United States to reach consumers in new ways, Ikea has literally rolled out a new off-to-college promotion that acts as a mobile showroom. From: HomePage News
August 14 – Ace To Invest $1 Billion on New Format To ‘Elevate’ Customer Experience
The Elevate3 store model will showcase the best and most exclusive brands Ace offers in a unique, immersive shopping environment, the company noted. From: HomePage News
August 14 – Sprouts Farmers Market Unveils New Stores on Both Coasts
Fast-growing retailer on track to add 35 locations by the end of the fiscal year. From: Progressive Grocer
August 14 – HomePage News Ranks Top 50 Housewares Retailers of 2024
The top housewares retailers are the most deeply invested in e-commerce and the unification of digital with brick-and-mortar stores. From: HomePage News
August 14 – Amazon Retitles Recommerce Site as Latest Summer Initiative
Amazon Resale inventory will change frequently, with one result being that it will have something of a treasure hunt proposition. From: HomePage News
August 14 – How Hy-Vee is Evolving its Alternative Store Formats
Hy-Vee’s Fast & Fresh format has exploded, with its store count growing roughly 135% in less than three years. From: Grocery Dive
August 13 – Kitchen Switchen Launches as a Recommerce Community for Cooks
Kitchen Switchen is the brainchild of Brittney and Emma Valentine and their mom, Amy Powers, who share a love for cooking, entertaining and all things kitchen, the company noted. From: HomePage News
August 13 – Sally Beauty Q3 Sales, Earnings Beat Wall Street Estimates
Comps advanced in the third quarter at Sally Beauty as sales and earnings beat a Wall Street estimate. From: HomePage News
August 13 – Home Depot Posts Q2 Beat Despite Macroeconomic Drag, Cautious Consumers
In a conference call, Billy Bastek, Home Depot executive vice president of merchandising, said appliances was one of the stronger categories in the quarter. From: HomePage News
August 12 – Costco Rides E-Commerce Gains to Solid July Comps
Costco Wholesale Corp. reported net and comparable sales gains highlighted by strong e-commerce results for its fiscal July period. From: HomePage News
August 12 – Party City Taps Turnaround Vet as CEO
In a statement, Party City Board Chairman Bob Hull said the turnaround will be defined by Barry Litwin’s “expertise in fostering business growth and transformation as well as his people-focused leadership style.” From: Retail Dive
August 12 – ODP Corp. Hit in Q2 by Lower Office Depot Comps
The ODP Corp. posted second-quarter sales and earnings below expectations, reflecting fewer retail locations in operation and cautious spending by businesses and consumers. From: HomePage News
August 12 – Big Lots Promotes Closeout Deals During Bargain Hunting Week
Big Lots is reemphasizing its closeout product assortment in a series of new value initiatives for its National Bargain Hunting Week promotion, August 12 to 18. From: HomePage News
August 12 – How Target Made Grocery a $24B Business
The retailer shifted from the mindset of “selling food to celebrating food,” John Conlin, Target’s senior vice president of merchandising for food and beverage said. From: Grocery Dive
August 9 – Early Back-To-School Spending Drove July Retail Gains
According to the CNBC/NRF Retail Monitor, shoppers purchasing for return to classes, to take advantage of promotional deals and for other reasons spent at elevated rates through July. From: HomePage News
August 9 – Crate & Barrel, CB2 Showcasing Designer Initiatives
“CB2 has long worked with some of the world’s leading designers, but that’s largely been unsung, so we are incredibly proud to introduce the designer collective and share our well-honed network with our customers,” stated CB2 President Ryan Turf. From: HomePage News
August 8 – Qurate Retail Struggled Through Rough Q2
Sales and earnings slipped in Qurate Retail’s second quarter as QVC and HSN combined sales declined. From: HomePage News
August 8 – Ace Hardware Launches New Experiential Store Concept
ELEVATE3 Ace is a new experiential store concept that will roll out at new and existing stores over the next five years. From: Hardware Retailing
August 8 – CVS Q2 Beats on Earnings but Front-Store Sales Slide
CVS Health beat an analyst consensus estimate on second quarter earnings but fell short on revenue as front-store sales slipped. From: HomePage News
August 7 – ISM: Retail Slowed but Services Sector Grew in July
Steve Miller, chair of the ISM Services Business Survey Committee, noted that the services registered 51.4%, 2.6 percentage points higher than June’s 48.8%. From: HomePage News
August 7 – Survey Shows Consumers Are Buying into Private-Label Value
Product categories with the highest private-label share were office at 38.7%, home and garden at 32.5%, tools and home improvement at 29% and household at 26.7%. From: HomePage News
August 7 – Container Store Q1 Falls Short as Comp Sales Plummet
The Container Store fell short of Wall Street first-quarter estimates, especially in its general merchandise business, as the retailer recorded double-digit negative comparable sales. From: HomePage News
August 6 – Big Lots Prepares More Store Closings in Credit Agreement
As an expansion of its efforts to “aggressively address underperforming stores,” Big Lots is increasing its store closure range from 150 to 315 stores. From: HomePage News
August 6 – Consumers Still Appreciate In-Store Back-to-School Shopping
Discount stores remain the most popular retailer type for back-to-school shopping, favored by seven in 10 survey respondents. From: HomePage News
August 6 – Wayfair Launches Collaboration with Olympic Gold Medalist Johnson East
Johnson East appears in a new installment of the company’s “House to Home” video series, which profiles families redecorating to personalize their homes. From: HomePage News
August 5 – Mercari Links U.S. Users with Japan-Based Sellers, Opens L.A. Storefront
U.S. shoppers can now explore Mercari x Japan and browse an expansive selection of rare and hard-to-find items as part of a recommerce product offering that will open direct access to inventory from millions of Mercari Japan sellers. From: HomePage News
August 5 – Williams-Sonoma Ranked as Time’s Top Retailer Among Midsize Companies
Time’s 2024 America’s Best Midsize Companies ranks Williams-Sonoma as the top retailer. From: HomePage News
August 5 – NRF: Retail Could Benefit if Slowing Economy Leads to Rate Cut
Even as key elements continue gaining in the United States, the economy appears to have slowed enough for the U.S. Federal Reserve to lower interest rates later this year. From: HomePage News
August 2 – Family Dollar Takes Steps to Sharpen Merchandising
The alliance of Family Dollar and First Insight is expected to further Family Dollar’s commitment to value while advancing its position as a one-stop shop for family essentials and serving its customers with the right products at the right time. From: Progressive Grocer
August 2 – Lidl Working to Enhance Consumer Experience
The grocer continues expanding in key markets such as New York as it sharpens its focus on meet the needs of shopper. From: Store Brands
August 2 – Amazon Makes Q2 Headway with Gains Across Key Divisions
Amazon beat Wall Street earnings estimates for the second quarter in what the company reported was an all-around solid quarter. From: HomePage News
August 1 – Consumers Rank Easy Returns as Top Shopping Consideration
An easy returns process is very important to 51% of consumers, nShirt reported, and somewhat important to 37% of consumers. From: HomePage News
August 1 – Wegmans to Open 1st Supermarket in Connecticut
According to the company, Wegmans Norwalk is a 92,000 square-foot supermarket that will feature an abundance of choice, the best ingredients, thousands of organic options, and restaurant quality. From: Progressive Grocer
August 1 – eBay Posts Solid Q2 with Contributions from AI, Elton John
eBay launched Rocket Man Resale, a partnership with John, who provided personal items available exclusively on eBay via auction and fixed-priced listings with all proceeds benefiting the Elton John AIDS Foundation. From: HomePage News
August 1 – ‘The Original Foxtrot’ is Reopening, Welcoming Teams back After it ‘Lost its Way’
Foxtrot plans to reopen 10 stores, starting with the locations in Old Town and Gold Coast, the report said, as the company attempts a comeback as a smaller chain. From: Supermarket News
August 1 – Wayfair Eyes Home Furnishings Turnaround After Q2 Earnings, Revenue Miss
To position itself for anticipated improving prospects, Wayfair launched a brand refresh earlier this year, opened its first large-format namesake brick-and-mortar store (pictured above) in Wilmette, IL. From: HomePage News
