Author

Katie Lee

green newsNewsretailers

Target Outlines Bold New Sustainability Strategy

by Katie Lee

Minneapolis — Target Corporation has unveiled Target Forward, the company’s new sustainability strategy that builds on the retailer’s legacy of corporate responsibility and sustainable practices. “As a company and a member of the global community, it’s imperative for both the health of our business and of our planet that we embrace new ways to move forward,” says Brian Cornell, chairman and chief executive officer of Target. “We know sustainability is tied to business resiliency and growth, and that our size and scale can drive change that is good for all. …

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construction and designIndustry Voices

Invitation to Gather

by Katie Lee

— By Joe Pazdan, AIA — Open-air restaurant and music venue thrives through COVID-19.   The restaurant business is notoriously fickle, but the COVID-19 pandemic dealt death-blows to thousands of establishments across the country as they struggled to stay afloat through mandated closures, capacity limits and an overall downturn in patronage. So how did Gather GVL, a live music venue with a courtyard gathering spot bounded by restaurants in repurposed shipping containers, not only survive opening for business during the early days of the pandemic, but continue to thrive during …

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Cover StoryFrom The Magazineretailers

Pet Project

by Katie Lee

— By Katie Lee — How Cincinnati-based boutique retailer, Pet Wants, is both a growing cause and a growing company.   We’ve heard all about the pandemic’s doom-and-gloom effect on retail, but 2020 actually ended up being a boon to the pet industry. As record numbers of people in quarantine opened their homes to four-legged friends, pet stores continued to be essential businesses in high demand. What a pet needs and what a pet wants are embodied in an up-and-coming Cincinnati-based retailer, Pet Wants, a boutique franchise of high-quality pet …

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Newsretailers

Sports Boutique Rally House Opens First Indiana and Oklahoma Stores

by Katie Lee

Greenwood, Ind., and Oklahoma City — Rally House, a family-owned sports and merchandise retailer, has opened its first stores in Indiana and Oklahoma. The Indiana store opened at Greenwood Park Mall in Indianapolis in mid-June (pictured here). The Oklahoma store is located at Penn Square Mall in Oklahoma City. “With locations in Chicago, Dayton and Cincinnati, Indianapolis is a natural fit for our expansion. Indiana has sports in the DNA with so many teams and events hosted here annually,” says CEO Aaron Liebert. “Rally House is a one-stop shop for …

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Newspeoplerestaurants

Ruby Tuesday Names New COO and CFO

by Katie Lee

Maryville, Tenn. — Ruby Tuesday welcomes two new members to the executive team with the promotion of George Evans to chief operating officer and the appointment of Kathy Buckley as chief financial officer. With a combined 55 years of retail and restaurant experience, Evans and Buckley will serve as instrumental leaders on the Ruby Tuesday team. “We are pleased to announce the addition of George and Kathy to the Ruby Tuesday team,” says Shawn Lederman, chief executive officer for Ruby Tuesday. “They both have tremendous experience in the restaurant industry …

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construction and designNewsretailers

Tractor Supply Company Breaks Ground on New Distribution Center in Ohio

by Katie Lee

Brentwood, Tenn. — Tractor Supply Company, the largest rural lifestyle retailer in the United States, has officially begun construction on its new distribution center in Navarre, Ohio. The new facility will create more than 375 new full-time jobs by the end of 2023 and service more than 250 Tractor Supply stores at full capacity. With an initial investment of nearly $70 million, construction is currently scheduled to be completed by fall 2022. “Tractor Supply is excited to break ground on our ninth distribution center,” says Colin Yankee, Tractor Supply’s executive …

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Newspeoplerestaurants

Bloomin’ Brands Promotes SVP, Business Development and Financial Planning

by Katie Lee

Tampa, Fla. — Bloomin’ Brands, Inc. has promoted Mark Graff to senior vice president of business development and financial planning for Bloomin’ Brands. He will lead the company’s business development team, including asset and franchise development, in addition to his existing financial planning responsibilities. He will also join the executive leadership team. Graff has held various finance and investor relations roles with Bloomin’ Brands during his 9 years with the company. Previously, he held positions with Deloitte Consulting and Raymond James & Associates. “Over the past 15 months, we discovered …

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franchise developmentNewsretailers

Batteries Plus Inks Largest Franchise Deal in Company History

by Katie Lee

Raleigh, N.C. — Batteries Plus, the nation’s largest and fastest-growing battery, light bulb, key fob and repair franchise, has inked the largest single signing franchise deal in company history, bringing 8 new locations to the Raleigh-Durham area of North Carolina over the next 3 years. This new agreement will bring the total store count to 16 in the market. The 8-unit agreement is spearheaded by multi-unit developer Tribat, LLC, who came to Batteries Plus inspired by the strength and stability of the brand. With over 30 years of experience in …

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construction and designNewspeople

IMPACT Strategies Promotes CFO and Director of Construction Operations

by Katie Lee

St. Louis — IMPACT Strategies has promoted Teresa Whittaker to chief financial officer and Scott Manning to director of construction operations. As CFO, Whittaker will execute IMPACT’s financial strategic initiatives, develop long term financial goals, and play an integral role in driving the success of IMPACT by monitoring financial performance. In this role, Whittaker will continue to lead IMPACT’s accounting team and HR operations, identify critical trends and develop new company best practices, projections and solutions. Whittaker has been with IMPACT since the company’s inception; she was hired as an …

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energy managementHVAC/RIndustry Voicesrestaurants

Power Trip

by Katie Lee

— By Rick Orman — Why power surges are the hidden threat to restaurant business operations.   The last decade has seen the rapid adoption of digital equipment in quick-service and full-service restaurants. It’s not uncommon to see mobile devices, fully digitalized point-of-sale (POS) systems, network-connected grills and self-service kiosks in restaurants. The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated this digital transformation due to the increased need to offer online ordering, contactless service and customer demand for a high-tech experience. While the use of technology has increased restaurant efficiency and helped create …

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