Irving, Texas — The Michaels Companies, Inc., North America’s largest arts and crafts retail chain, recently transformed two existing hometown retail locations as part of a larger strategy to reimagine the optimal maker shopping experience. Customers in the North Texas suburbs of McKinney and Plano can expect an entirely new look and feel when they visit their local store. “At Michaels, we are here for the Maker and the launch of our new concept stores is another way we are creating a more immersive and impactful experience for them,” says …
retailers
Portland, Ore. — Built around the concept of “Dwelling Outdoors Together,” Snow Peak has opened a new U.S. headquarters and retail flagship in Portland, Ore. The grand opening will begin on September 11. In 20 years, Snow Peak has grown its U.S. presence from a modest distributorship to a 40-person team with retail locations on both coasts and ambitious plans for growth in the next two decades. The new headquarters and flagship embody the brand’s heritage and commitment to restoring humanity through time in nature. “I first visited the U.S. …
Union, N.J. — Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. has appointed Rick Wilkins as regional vice president for the West region, effective immediately. He will report directly to Gregg Melnick, executive vice president (EVP) and chief stores officer, and will play a key role in the planning and execution of the company’s store optimization strategy. Wilkins will oversee operations for approximately 300 of Bed Bath & Beyond’s retail stores across 20 states, and execute the previously announced store optimization plan as the company continues to enhance its digital-first, omni-always shopping experience online and in-store. He will …
Minneapolis — Target Corporation has named Maurice Cooper senior vice president of marketing. He will oversee Target’s marketing, creating plans that are guest-centric, culturally relevant and inclusive to fuel consumer affinity for Target’s brand and grow its business. He will lead the strategy and execution of brand, category and promotions marketing across paid, owned and shared media, while also overseeing key campaigns such as Holiday. Cooper joins the company Sept. 14 and will report to Rick Gomez, Target’s executive vice president and chief marketing, digital and strategy officer. “Maurice has …
Bed Bath & Beyond Hires Industry Expert to Lead Store Optimization & Real Estate Strategy
by Katie Lee
Union, N.J. — Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. has appointed Wade E. Haddad as senior vice president (SVP), real estate and construction, effective September 2. He joins with over 25 years of real estate experience and will lead the company’s recently announced store optimization strategy, a key part of its previously disclosed comprehensive restructuring plan. In this new role Haddad will be a central part of the team overseeing the comprehensive modernization of the company’s operations, unlocking value from the property portfolio while establishing the optimal network to support new omnichannel …
San Francisco — Driven by a 95% surge in online sales, San Francisco-based Gap Inc. reported a 13% increase in its comparable sales for the fiscal second quarter, which ended Aug. 1. Gap’s decision to make face masks early on in the COVID-19 pandemic paid off, bringing in $130 million in sales, according to the company. Gap has produced face masks for individuals as well as the city of New York, the state of California and Kaiser Permanente. Net sales were down 18% year over year, reflecting a 48% decline …
Columbus, Ohio — Big Lots Inc. has reported net sales of $1.6 billion in its fiscal second quarter, which ended Aug. 1. This figure is 31.3% higher than the second quarter of 2019, which totaled $1.2 billion. Bruce Thorn, president and CEO of the Columbus-based retailer, says the “record-breaking results” were driven by both in-store and online activity. Big Lots also reported net income of $452 million, which includes $341.9 million in earnings due to the sale-leasebacks of several distribution centers. The company’s stock price closed at $55.70 per share …
Pittsburgh — Dick’s Sporting Goods reported a record level of quarterly earnings for its fiscal second quarter, which ended Aug. 1. The company reported $276.8 million in consolidated net income and boosted its earnings per share by 155% relative to the second quarter of 2019. The Pittsburgh-based retailer cited booming e-commerce sales, which rose by 194% year over year, as a key driver in the company’s growth. In addition, Dick’s noted that through the first 3 weeks of the third quarter, same-store sales have already increased by 11% compared to …
Los Angeles — Foot Locker has opened its first West Coast community-based power store in Compton, Calif. The new 12,800-square-foot store — which opened on Aug. 26 — offers an elevated retail experience, including full-family shopping with exclusive product, custom store artwork by local artists, a curbside pickup window and an activation space that will host ongoing community events for the sneaker-obsessed. “As part of our commitment to bring the best localized expression of Foot Locker to consumers, we are excited to expand our power store model to the West Coast …
Arlington, Va. — Discount grocer Lidl US plans to open 50 new stores in nine states on the East Coast by the end of 2021. Arlington, Va.-based Lidl US will invest $500 million and hire 2,000 employees as part of the expansion. The footprints of the new stores will include six in Georgia, one in South Carolina, five in North Carolina, seven in Virginia, 10 in Maryland, six in New York, 10 in New Jersey, one in Delaware and four in Pennsylvania. Germany-based Lidl currently operates 11,000 grocery stores in …