Woonsocket, R.I. — CVS Health Corp. plans to close about 900 stores over the next 3 years, or about 300 stores a year, starting in spring 2022. The pharmacy retailer says the decision to close its stores was in order to focus more on its digital strategy. The store closures equal about 9% of the approximately 10,000 locations that the retailer currently operates. CVS says it will help those who lose their jobs as a result of the store closures to find a different role at another one of the …
Des Moines, Iowa — Carvana, the leading e-commerce platform for buying and selling used cars, continues to expand its presence in the Midwest, debuting in Iowa with as-soon-as-next-day touchless home delivery to Des Moines, Iowa. Customers can shop more than 55,000 used cars for sale, secure financing or use the car loan calculator, purchase, trade in and schedule as-soon-as-next-day vehicle delivery in as little as 5 minutes. Customers can also sell their current vehicle to Carvana and receive a real offer just as quickly, even without purchasing a vehicle. “Des …
New York City — Chico’s FAS, Inc. (Chico’s, White House Black Market and Soma) has been named to Seramount’s 2021 Top 75 Companies for Executive Women list. This is the most definitive list of top workplaces for women who want to advance through the corporate ranks. It celebrates companies that champion women’s advancement, with a focus on succession planning, profit-and-loss role, gender pay parity, support programs and work-life balance programs. Seramount continues to explore ways organizations can move more women into top positions, while highlighting the successes at these trailblazing …
Livonia, Mich. — Pet Supplies Plus, the largest independent pet retailer in North America, has enjoyed consistent year-over-year growth with 97 new store commitments signed year-to-date for 2021. “Entrepreneurs are going all-in to join the pet retail category,” says Chris Rowland, CEO of Pet Supplies Plus. “We provide new and existing owners a full support team and franchise model designed to meet all of their purchasing, marketing, and supply chain needs as well as e-commerce capabilities, delivery from store, an Autoship subscription program, and enhanced reward program. Our model allows …
Salisbury, N.C. — Food Lion has remodeled 87 stores across Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia for $127 million. Additionally, 73 of these stores have received the Energy Star certification from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Department of Energy thanks to energy-efficient equipment, technologies and procedures. The company’s recently unveiled new format offers a wider variety and assortment of goods across all departments; a greater number of natural, gluten-free and organic items; a larger variety of local craft beer and limited reserve wines; a bigger …
Tampa, Fla. — Analysts predict that falling COVID-19 rates and high consumer demand will cause holiday shoppers to show up online and in-person earlier and in numbers much higher than last year. While great news for retailers, the surge in business tempo can challenge operations and facilities managers who are not prepared, according to MaintenX, a leading commercial facility maintenance and repair company. “Repairing and refreshing storefronts and interiors as well as making sure distribution and supply operations facilities are running smoothly should be top priorities for managers right now,” …
Hartland, Wis. — In response to the strong third quarter which saw the signing of 20 new store agreements, bringing the brand’s total signings for the year to 66, Batteries Plus has made substantial additions and promotions to its store development team. Kirtis Hill has been promoted to chief retail growth officer. In this new role, he will be working directly with franchisees to optimize store growth in markets nationwide, while providing leadership to enterprise teams working on high-priority strategic initiatives to drive sales and profitability. “Kirtis’ background in both strategy and …
Lancaster, Texas — Walmart plans to build two new high-tech facilities in the Dallas-Fort Worth area to support the retailer’s growing supply chain network: a 1.5 million-square-foot automated fulfillment center, set to open in 2023, and a 730,000-square-foot automated grocery distribution center, set to open in 2024. When built, the new facilities will be among Walmart’s largest automated fulfillment and distribution centers. The facilities will play a critical role in Walmart’s supply chain to deliver on the retailer’s promise to get customers the items they want when they want them. …
New York City — As part of its continued development of the North American market and in line with its long range plan released in July 2021, The Watches of Switzerland Group is planning its largest expansion plan since its entry into the U.S. in 2017. Focused around building its presence in key markets and becoming the clear leader in the U.S. market, the Group has acquired properties held by three of the country’s leading timepiece retailers, including Ben Bridge at the Mall of America outside Minneapolis-St. Paul, Timeless Luxury …
Lakeland, Fla. — Publix has been named one of the 2021 Best Workplaces in Retail by Fortune, ranking No. 5 of the 15 best large retail workplaces. With more than 1,280 stores across seven states, Publix associates named its resources, culture and giving back as reasons they enjoy working there. “Our company was founded over 90 years ago on philosophies and principles that still guide us today,” says Maria Brous, director of communications at Publix. “We care about the well-being of our associates by providing them with the tools they …
