Retailers’ thoughts are more closely attuned to the needs of students in late summer than at any other time during the year. Back-to-school season represents one of biggest selling opportunities on the industry calendar, as young people prepare for a new school year during which they will need to be equipped with everything from notebooks,
Shopping is now something people can do nearly anytime and anywhere, by using an app on their phone or talking to a smart speaker in their home. Or even, of course, by going to a brick-and-mortar store. So in a world in which shopping is truly ubiquitous, how can retailers stand out in the minds
How excited do you think mass merchandisers and other retailers would be to achieve a 23% lift in revenues? Surprisingly, the apparent answer is, “Not very.” A.T. Kearney’s recently released report “Idle to Agile” polled 270 CEOs, CFOs and COOs of retail and consumer packaged goods companies in 10 countries with sales in excess of
CAMP HILL, Pa. — In the wake of their canceled merger agreement, Albertsons Cos. and Rite Aid Corp. confront very different challenges as they face the future. Albertsons’ board of directors declined to change the terms of its offer to Rite Aid shareholders in the face of mounting opposition from shareholder advisory services and major
WILMINGTON, N.C. — Dollar General Corp. opened its 15,000th store here last month, marking the milestone with a community celebration and donation of $15,000 to five local schools to support literacy and education initiatives. The opening is part of the chain’s aggressive expansion program for 2018, which calls for 900 new store openings, 100 relocations
CINCINNATI — Kroger Co. has made a number of executive appointments recently. Earlier this month the nation’s largest supermarket operator named Valerie Jabbar group vice president of merchandising, effective September 1. She has been president of Kroger’s Ralphs Grocery division — which encompasses 191 stores in Southern California — for the past two years. “Valerie
WEST DES MOINES, Iowa — Hy-Vee Inc., a leader in making its stores a true health and wellness destination, has opened its first HealthMarket here, a concept store envisioned as a one-stop shop for health-conscious shoppers. The 15,700-square-foot store combines several of the initiatives and partnerships Hy-Vee has undertaken in recent years to spur growth
MINNEAPOLIS — Supervalu Inc. has agreed to be acquired by United Natural Foods Inc. (UNFI) for $32.50 per share in cash, or approximately $1.3 billion in cash plus the assumption of outstanding debt and liabilities. The transaction, which has been approved by the boards of directors of both companies, is valued at about $2.9 billion
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Meijer Inc. is continuing its steady expansion drive, opening its newest supercenter last month in Hudsonville, Mich. It is slated to open a new, smaller-format store under a different banner in Grand Rapids late this month. The Hudsonville supercenter measures 155,000 square feet and combines traditional design elements with innovative features.
SEATTLE — Amazon.com and Whole Foods Market have introduced a new grocery pickup service that allows Amazon Prime members to shop Whole Foods’ selection of fresh and organic produce, bakery, dairy, meat and seafood, floral, and everyday staples and pick up their order in as little as 30 minutes, without leaving their car. “Pickup from
BATAVIA, Ill. — Discount supermarket operator Aldi is introducing organic fresh produce, prepared food and other new items as it accelerates a growth plan that includes the addition of about 700 stores in the United States over the next four years. Germany-based Aldi now has 1,800 U.S. stores in 35 states, many of which are
MINNEAPOLIS — While growing e-commerce is a priority at Target Corp., the discount retailer is equally focused on keeping its physical stores relevant and appealing through an aggressive remodeling program. Target intends to make over at least 1,000 of its 1,835 stores by 2020. The program is moving forward in high gear: During the first