New York City — Cole Haan, an iconic American lifestyle and accessories brand, opened its third New York City location on Jan. 30 as part of the brand’s global store expansion plan. The new store at the corner of 5th Avenue and 19th Street is located in the historic Flatiron District. Today, Cole Haan operates over 500 stores in nearly 100 countries worldwide. Nestled within a 1904 neo-Renaissance landmark building, the 1,622-square-foot retail space represents the evolution of Cole Haan’s premium retail expression. The open floor plan offers an immersive …
retailers
Atlanta — Floor & Decor Holdings, Inc., a leading specialty retailer of hard surface flooring, has appointed Bradley Paulsen as president, effective April 28, 2025, reporting to CEO Tom Taylor. Paulsen currently serves as CEO, North America, for Rentokil Initial plc, a global leader in pest control and hygiene and wellbeing services, and previously held leadership positions at Rexel USA, HD Supply and The Home Depot. “We are thrilled to welcome Brad to the team to help lead the next stage of Floor & Decor’s growth,” says Taylor. “He is …
Hartland, Wis. — Batteries Plus enters 2025 following another record-setting year of growth in 2024. Last year, the growing brand signed 57 new agreements spanning 11 states and opened 30 new stores across 15 states. Highlighting 2024’s growth was a landmark ‘Market Stewardship’ agreement signed in Phoenix. This agreement represents only the second deal of its kind for Batteries Plus, building on the success of the program introduced in 2023. The Market Stewardship program, a hybrid of Master Franchise and Area Development agreements, provides franchisees exclusive rights to an entire …
Seattle — REI Co-op’s president and CEO, Eric Artz, will retire in March as part of a planned succession, marking a new chapter in the co-op’s 87-year history. Mary Beth Laughton, a former REI board director and seasoned retail leader, will join REI as president on Feb. 3, 2025, before assuming full CEO responsibilities on March 31. Laughton has held leadership roles at Nike, Athleta and Sephora. Her experience and personal passion balance strategic vision for the future of retail, innovation and operational rigor, love for the outdoors and appreciation …
Greensboro, N.C. — The board of directors of The Fresh Market, Inc. has appointed Brian Johnson as president and chief executive officer (CEO) effective Feb. 3, 2025, replacing Jason Potter, who has decided to pursue a new opportunity. Johnson has served as chief operating officer (COO) at The Fresh Market since 2020 and brings more than 30 years of experience to the role. In the last 5 years, Johnson has helped oversee the expansion of TFM stores into new markets across the East Coast and Midwestern United States. Previously, Johnson …
— By Caleigh Peterson — How Spice Village improved communication and store operations with two-way radios. With the retail industry facing more challenges than ever before, effective communication is crucial. A study published by the International Journal of Business Communication found that clear communication is correlated with higher sales performance. This is especially evident for the retail industry. To ensure a business runs smoothly, it’s essential for retail owners and managers to find solutions to address these issues. In the bustling heart of Waco, Texas, Spice Village, a sprawling retail …
Sunbury, Pa. — Weis Markets, Inc. has promoted Bob Gleeson to chief operating officer (COO) of the company. As COO, Gleeson will oversee the company’s merchandising, marketing, advertising, store operations, information technology, asset protection and pharmacy departments. He will also have oversight of the supply chain departments including distribution, transportation and manufacturing. He will continue to report to Jonathan H. Weis, chairman, president and CEO of Weis Markets, Inc. Gleeson joined the company in 2018 and was promoted to vice president of fresh merchandising in July 2019. He was promoted …
New York City — Following 15 years of tremendous growth, LILYSILK, the world’s leading silk brand, has opened its highly-anticipated store location in the Meatpacking District in New York City. The doors are now open to the public at 654 Hudson St. LILYSILK’s new store location gives its dedicated consumers a way to experience the brand in real life. Matching the brand’s clean aesthetic, this stunning new location has an elevated, clean interior with green and white accents and serves as a community hub for fans of the brand to …
Fort Lauderdale, Fla. — IT’SUGAR, one of the largest specialty candy retailers in the U.S., has relocated its current location in the Woodfield Mall in Schaumburg, Ill., to an upgraded 5,600-square-foot storefront — nearly double the size of the previous location. The Woodfield Mall location is the fifth IT’SUGAR store in the Chicago market. “IT’SUGAR is more than a candy store,” says Jonathan Schwartz, vice president real estate of IT’SUGAR. “We deliver a candy experience unlike any other, bringing your favorite brands to life with bright colors, hilariously entertaining displays …
Bentonville, Ark. — On Jan. 17, Walmart unveiled its New Home Office campus in Northwest Arkansas, a 350-acre sustainably designed workplace that establishes a new standard for corporate headquarters, one that prioritizes worker well-being, environmental stewardship and public accessibility. The state-of-the art campus represents a multibillion-dollar investment in associate experience environmental leadership and community development, featuring mass timber construction, smart building technology, offices designed to be powered by renewable energy and seamless integration with Downtown Bentonville. The phased opening approach will continue throughout 2025, with the inaugural celebration marking the …