Mooresville, N.C. — Lowe’s has launched drone delivery, the newest fulfillment method for the retailer that delivers select home improvement items directly to DIY and Pro customers in as fast as 20 minutes. This pilot is now live at Lowe’s store in Matthews, N.C., and adds to same-day fulfillment options for customers, including buy online, pick up in store; curbside pickup and same-day delivery. The launch builds on Wing and DoorDash’s existing drone delivery operations in the Charlotte area, adding Lowe’s to the growing list of brands now available for …
retailers
Harrisburg, Pa. — Ollie’s Bargain Outlet Holdings, Inc., a fast-growing retailer of brand name closeout merchandise and excess inventory, has opened its 700th store, a major milestone in the company’s continued growth and expansion in the Midwest. The new store is located in Maplewood, Minn. “We are thrilled to celebrate the opening of our 700th store in Maplewood, Minn.,” says Eric van der Valk, president and chief executive officer of Ollie’s. “Ollie’s offers real bargains on real brands in a thrilling, fun and quirky environment that is like no other …
Mattoon, Ill. — Rural King, a family-owned retailer dedicated to the rural lifestyle, is opening its first store in the state of New York, located in Elmira. Grand opening festivities will take place Sept. 25-27, 2026. With a legacy spanning more than six decades, Rural King has established itself as a cornerstone of the communities it serves. The new Elmira location at 299 S. Main St. includes updates designed to enhance the shopping experience, including mobile and self-checkout options, while maintaining the personal touch that defines Rural King’s customer service. …
Harris Teeter Plans $253 Million Investment to Enhance Stores & Expand in Charlotte, NC
Matthews, N.C. — Harris Teeter plans to invest approximately $253 million over the next 3 years to refresh and modernize select stores across the Charlotte, N.C., area. The investment also includes the development of three new stores. The investment includes stores throughout the Charlotte metro area, with renovations and enhancements planned for locations such as Fort Mill and Rock Hill, S.C., and Matthews, Waxhaw, Concord and Huntersville, N.C., along with many other communities across the region. In addition, Harris Teeter plans to open three new stores in Fort Mill, S.C., …
Atlanta — RELEX Solutions, a unified, AI-native platform for retail and supply chain planning, is partnering with Dollar General Corporation, a mass merchandising discount retailer, to implement forecasting, replenishment and allocation capabilities across its North American operations. Dollar General operates more than 21,000 stores and 34 distribution centers, managing approximately 18,000 SKUs, and continues to expand its store footprint each year. To coordinate planning across this growing network, the company selected RELEX for a single system that handles forecasting, replenishment and allocation. The AI-driven platform will manage store replenishment, ordering …
New York City — Ernesta, a leading retailer of custom-sized rugs, opened its first West Coast showroom on Sept. 14, in Santa Monica, Calif. Situated in Santa Monica’s tree-lined, upscale shopping corridor known for its mix of home-focused boutiques and design-driven retailers, the new space marks a key milestone in the brand’s retail expansion. The Santa Monica showroom offers a welcoming space to explore Ernesta’s full assortment of wool, natural fiber and performance rugs firsthand. Through one-on-one consultations with Ernesta’s in-store design team, customers receive expert guidance and enhanced local …
Freeport, Me. — L.L.Bean, the legendary outdoor retailer since 1912, has completed a 7-year, $50 million renovation to its Freeport, Me., flagship store. Grand opening celebrations are scheduled to take place Sept. 18 through Oct. 25, 2026. The modern, reimagined flagship stays true to L.L.Bean’s heritage but also offers more retail space (150,000 square feet), new areas to explore and thoughtful features throughout. According to the company website, “Every detail is intended to immerse customers in the outdoor lifestyle and surround them with the products to help them enjoy it.” …
Boise, Idaho — Albertsons® Companies, Inc. has appointed Meg Whitman to the newly created role of executive chair of the company’s board of directors. With Whitman’s appointment, Kim Fennebresque has transitioned from chair to lead independent director, and the board has expanded from 10 to 11 members. Whitman will work to support Susan Morris, CEO of Albertsons Cos., and her entire senior team. “Meg is an ideal leader to join Albertsons’ Board of Directors,” says Fennebresque. “Her appointment underscores the board’s commitment to bring proven technology expertise and transformation leadership …
New York City — Macy’s, Inc. has reported financial results for the second quarter 2026. Overall, the company delivered 2.7% comparable sales growth, exceeding expectations across all key metrics; Macy’s comparable sales rose for the fifth consecutive quarter, led by Reimagine 200 stores; and Bloomingdale’s delivered second consecutive quarter of double-digit comparable sales growth and its highest second-quarter sales volume. “Our second-quarter performance builds on the progress our colleagues have consistently delivered through our Bold New Chapter strategy,” says Tony Spring, chairman and chief executive officer of Macy’s, Inc. “The …
Phoenix — Vestar, one of the leading privately held shopping center owners and operators in the western United States, has named Bill Williams as vice president of technology and systems. Williams joined the company in June 2026 and serves as Vestar’s technology leader, reimagining the firm’s approach to IT and operations. In this new role, Williams is based in Vestar’s Phoenix headquarters and leads the execution of Vestar’s technology strategy. He will develop systems, strengthen security and advance technology-enabled operations to enhance performance across the organization. In his role, Williams …