PHILADELPHIA — While the COVID-19 pandemic is by no means a thing of the past, its profound impact over the last 18 months on so many different aspects of life has naturally raised the question of what lies ahead, what comes next for the retail industry and the supplier community that supports it. To explore
KEASBEY, N.J. — Wakefern Food Corp. marked its 75th anniversary during its Annual Meeting last month when executives paid tribute to the family-owned businesses that comprise the cooperative and drive its success. Chairman and chief executive officer Joseph Colalillo, president and chief operating officer Joe Sheridan, and executive vice president Chris Lane addressed Wakefern members,
STAFFORD, Texas — Costco Wholesale Corp. opened its first Houston-area Costco Business Center late last month here. The 148,000-square-foot facility is the 22nd Costco Business Center to open nationwide. The units differ from standard Costco warehouses in that their offerings are geared more toward small businesses, and 70% of the merchandise is different than in
SALISBURY, N.C. — Food Lion has remodeled 87 stores across Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia. “We’re excited to welcome our neighbors in these towns and cities into their fresh, new Food Lion,” said Food Lion president Meg Ham. “Our associates can’t wait to show customers their newly remodeled store and have
Late last month, the editors of Mass Market Retailers hosted a reception and dinner in Chicago. The occasion was to recognize several of the growing number of women who are starting to lead and shape mass market retailing in America. The event was noteworthy for several reasons. For openers, there were the women themselves, leaders
Physician-administered primary care is shaping up as the next big battleground for pharmacy operators, insurers and other providers that want to revamp the nation’s health care system and, in the process, address chronic problems of access, quality and cost. Recent remarks by the leaders of CVS Health and Walgreens Boots Alliance portend the approaching fight
Will supply chain constraints be the Grinch that steals Christmas this year, and maybe Thanksgiving too? A recent survey from the NPD Group found that more than 40% of U.S. consumers said they had already purchased their holiday gifts by October. Among those early holiday shoppers, 42% said they started shopping early because they feared
The grocery retailing industry was already undergoing a slow transformation when the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Although only 3% to 4% of U.S. grocery sales were online in 2019, retailers had been investing heavily in e-commerce capabilities for a few years. As online grocery offerings increased, shoppers started ordering groceries online and choosing between curbside pickup
It’s a privilege to be part of the issue that celebrates Eight Who Made a Difference. WSL Strategic Retail applauds the honorees and how they have chosen to make a difference. The decisions made by these eight leaders impact the retail industry and the millions of shoppers they serve, and today, more than ever, shoppers
NEW YORK — This year’s holiday season should be a happy one for retailers, with a number of forecasts pointing to strong sales gains. Deloitte’s annual holiday retail forecast found that retail sales during the November to January period are likely to increase between 7% and 9%, totaling $1.28 trillion to $1.3 trillion. Deloitte also
EAU CLAIRE, Wis. — Hy-Vee Inc.’s newest store opened here September 28 with many of the amenities that the regional supermarket chain is known for plus new features that modernize the shopping experience. At 92,163 square feet, it’s one of the West Des Moines, Iowa-based chain’s largest stores and one of just four it operates
CHESAPEAKE, Va. — Dollar Tree Inc. will begin adding new price points above $1 at all of its Dollar Tree Plus stores while testing higher price points at more than 100 selected legacy Dollar Tree locations. The moves were prompted both by positive customer response to the retailer’s recent format initiatives and by rising operating