Author

Katie Lee

Minneapolis — Target Corporation has revealed the next evolution of its new store strategy and store design. The new store design and larger store format recently debuted in a new location outside Houston. The new larger-format stores optimize additional space and new design elements and, at nearly 150,000 square feet, the locations are more than 20,000 square feet larger than the chain average. While the retailer will continue to open stores of all sizes, it will focus on this larger footprint in the next few years. Starting in 2023, more …

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Berlin and New York — ALDI U.S. and Spryker Systems have been working together to develop a new online food & grocery shopping experience for the U.S. market, offering grocery delivery or curbside pickup for ALDI U.S. shoppers. The new digital commerce platform is currently being tested with a select group of U.S. customers and is planned to be rolled out nationally in a phased approach. “Our partnership with Spryker will allow our shoppers another way to access the incredible value they expect from ALDI,” says Scott Patton, ALDI’s vice …

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St. Louis — Panera Bread has opened the first of its new updated urban store format in New York, the newest of several new formats targeted at more densely populated and non-traditional trade areas. With digital sales at Panera now representing 50% of total system sales, Panera now offers a portfolio of store formats designed to cater to the needs of an increasingly digital and off-premise guest. “At Panera, our innovation has always been rooted in the guest and associate experience, how we can reduce friction, drive convenience and bring …

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— By Katie Lee — To meet today’s retail consumers where they are, Macy’s offers a new smaller store format, expanded digital conveniences, and sustainable operations.   Macy’s, the venerable New York-based department store chain we all know and love, is more than its storied 150-year history, more than its omnipresence in malls all over America, more than its countless Christmas tree lightings and Thanksgiving Day parades in New York and The Miracle on 34th Street movie. It’s a steady leader during unsteady times, an agent of change in a …

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— By Cindy Price — Superpowers your business can’t ignore: customer service and customer experience.   Are you aware that your business possesses superpowers? It’s true. Like Dorothy and the ruby slippers, you’ve had them all along. So what are these superpowers? Customer Service and Customer Experience. The two are direct contributors to your business’s success — and reputation. Attracting and retaining customers is always your goal. What helps you reach it are these unique to you superpowers. Although linked together, customer service and customer experience also possess notable differences. …

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Columbus, Ohio — Big Lots, Inc., one of America’s largest home discount retailers, has appointed two new members of its leadership team. Off-price retail industry veteran Margarita Giannantonio has been named executive vice president and chief merchandising officer, while retail industry brand and performance marketing leader John Alpaugh has joined Big Lots as senior vice president and chief marketing officer. “We’ve worked diligently to find the right thought and people leaders for these two roles, and Margarita and John emerged clearly from our searches as the right leaders to take …

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Minneapolis — Steele Brands, a Minnesota-based company developing healthy lifestyle brands including Crisp & Green, Stalk & Spade and Paco & Lime, has named restaurant industry leader Kelly C. Baltes as chief executive officer of its brand development company, Steele Brands Management. Baltes has over 28 years of restaurant industry leadership experience in both founder-led and private-equity brands. In his most recent role as president of Maggiano’s Little Italy, Baltes provided strategic and operational guidance to refresh the brand experience, improve guest metrics and develop the business model to unlock …

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San Francisco — Levi Strauss & Co. has made leadership changes in its executive team with the appointment of Michelle Gass to the new position of president, LS&Co., reporting to Chip Bergh, president & CEO. Gass will be responsible for leading the Levi’s® brand and the company’s global digital and commercial operations. Gass will begin her role with the company on January 2 and is expected to join the LS&Co. board of directors on her start date. “We are delighted that an executive with Michelle’s background, experience and stature is …

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Portland, Ore. — Killer Burger, a growing better burger concept, has strengthened its leadership team with the appointment of Matt Distler as head of operations, effective immediately. In this role, Distler will spearhead the company’s strategic operations and oversee the operations team as they continue to focus on delivering the best possible experience to Killer Burger’s guests. Distler joins Killer Burger with more than 20 years of experience in growing best-in-class teams and a strong understanding of how to enhance successful brands through developing and empowering engaged teams and individuals. …

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Annapolis, Md. — Fort Worth, Texas-based Trademark Property Company, a mixed-use investor, developer and operator, has completed the initial renovation of Annapolis Town Center, a combined 2 million-square-foot mixed-use property located near the intersection of John Hanson Highway and West Street. These enhancements — such as additional green and community spaces — have driven leasing momentum, leading to 122,000 square feet of new leases with a mixture of retail, food and beverage, and fitness tenants. “One of our guiding principles is to have vision and see beyond, and that is …

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