Seattle — Veeve Inc., a leading retail technology startup, has formed an agreement with Albertsons Companies that will make Veeve Smart Carts available to customers at a few dozen stores across the country. Once launched later this year, consumers will be able to use the smart carts to skip the checkout line with a fast, convenient and contactless way to shop. Veeve Smart Carts feature a touch screen that provides a running total for in-cart items and a built-in scale for easy produce purchase. The tech-enhanced carts will also integrate …
News
Menomonee Falls, Wis. — Kohl’s plans to increase its investment in brick-and-mortar with the addition of 100 new, smaller-format locations over the next 4 years in previously untapped markets. This expansion follows the pilot of 20 stores featuring the company’s smaller-format design, which averages around 35,000 square feet versus the traditional 80,000-square-foot iteration. In June, the Menomonee Falls, Wis.-based company will be opening a smaller-format shop in Bonney Lake, Wash., and in the fall, stores are set to open in San Angelo, Texas; Morgantown, W.Va.; Tacoma, Wash.; and Lenox, Mass. …
North Beach, Fla. — Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop will debut a new location in North Beach (Miami), Fla., on May 30. It is expected to be the first of 12 new locations to open in the area. The North Beach location is owned by the local Roca family of entrepreneurs. During the pandemic, the Rocas had all five nuclear family members together in Miami from different corners of the country. It was during this unexpected time that they decided to band together to bring their favorite food brand from Las Vegas …
La Habra, Calif. — Howard’s, Southern California’s premier independent appliance retailer, has added Joy Banducci and Daryl Massy to its senior leadership team. Banducci joins the company as chief financial officer & technology officer, and Massy as senior vice president & chief merchant. “Banducci brings more than 20 years of experience in finance, systems, IT and project management/operations,” says John Riddle, CEO of Howard’s. She comes to the company from Swann Communications where she served as CFO. Swann Communications is a global leader in smart home security systems that partners …
Los Angeles — FAT (Fresh. Authentic. Tasty.) Brands Inc. has agreed to acquire the franchised chain of stores known as Nestlé® Toll House® Café by Chip® from Crest Foods, Inc. and rebrand the stores as Great American Cookies. The acquisition is expected to increase FAT Brands’ foothold as a leader in the dessert category within the cookie and ice cream spaces, joining its existing Great American Cookies and Marble Slab Creamery brands. Crest Foods currently franchises approximately 85 Nestlé® Toll House® Café by Chip® cafés across the U.S. This acquisition …
North Hampton, N.H. — Mill 77 Holdings LLC is expanding its Mill 77 Exchange brand, enlarging its New England footprint with a new flagship store in North Hampton, N.H. This new location, a former Staples building, spans 20,000 square feet and is the brand’s largest location yet. This addition is the fifth location of the Mill 77 Brand of home furniture and décor. “There’s no doubt that our new flagship store in New Hampshire is the look and feel of our future,” says founder Gary Bergeron. “Today’s customer is looking …
Athens, Ga. — Zaxby’s, the premium quick-service restaurant brand founded in Athens, Ga., has hired industry franchising veteran Mike Mettler as its new chief development officer, while Mike Nettles, interim chief digital & technology officer, has been elevated to the position long term. “Franchising growth requires four things. A strong business model, a solid culture, passionate franchise owners and strategic areas to develop — Zaxby’s has them all,” says Mettler. Adds Nettles: “Zaxby’s has had a great ride thus far, but digital accessibility will be our ‘secret sauce’ for the …
Seattle — REI Co-op has made two additions to its senior leadership team. Sylvia Wilks joined REI on May 23 as the company’s first senior vice president, chief supply chain officer. Minnie Alexander will begin her role as vice president, general counsel and corporate secretary on May 31. “Sylvia and Minnie join our team from customer-centric organizations that are deeply focused on creating best-in-class experiences. Their talent will help REI deliver on our promise to inspire and enable a life outside for everyone by serving our members, employees and broader …
Corte Madera, Calif. — RH has opened RH San Francisco, The Gallery at the Historic Bethlehem Steel Building, the crown jewel of Pier 70 and gateway to what was once one of the country’s most storied shipyards. RH San Francisco continues the brand’s foray into hospitality with The Palm Court Restaurant, a new live-fire concept set within an atrium of glass and steel with Medjool date palms and featuring two wine bars at its dual entrances — plus a landscaped Rooftop Park with views of the city skyline, Bay and …
San Francisco — On May 20, Ghirardelli Chocolate Company reopened its flagship Chocolate Experience Store, located in San Francisco’s Ghirardelli Square. The space is designed to elevate the customer experience and provides new and exciting ways to celebrate the true craftmanship of chocolate making. “We are thrilled to unveil the Chocolate Experience Store to our community of chocolate lovers and hometown of San Francisco,” says Justin Reese, vice president of retail and e-commerce at Ghirardelli Chocolate Company. “Our premium chocolate, the historic architecture and the stunning views, have made Ghirardelli …