Bentonville, Ark. — The board of directors at Walmart Inc. has elected new leaders to its executive council. The company’s incoming president and chief executive officer, John Furner, also shared additional changes designed to help fuel innovation and drive the new era of retail. “Over my 32 years with Walmart, I’ve seen that our people are our greatest competitive advantage. These internal promotions reflect our culture of opportunity and the depth of our leadership bench,” Furner says. “These leadership changes also mark a key step in how we organize for …
retailers
Las Vegas — Phenix Salon Suites closed 2025 with continued development across the U.S. and internationally, reinforcing the strength of its business model as it enters a new phase of growth in 2026. During 2025, the brand opened 26 new locations, including one international location in York, UK, while signing a strong number of new, strategic franchise agreements across both new and existing markets. These additions further expanded Phenix’s footprint across Texas, Florida, California, New York and New Jersey. Looking forward, Phenix plans to open more than 30 new locations …
Saks Global Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy, Secures $1.75 Billion Financing Commitment
New York City — Saks Global Holdings LLC, the owner of luxury retailers such as Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman, has filed for voluntary Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas. The company secured a financing commitment of approximately $1.75 billion, comprising $1.5 billion from an ad hoc group of the company’s senior secured bondholders and roughly $240 million of incremental liquidity from its asset-based lenders. Saks Global says the financing package will strengthen its balance sheet and position …
Batavia, Ill. — Aldi, a German discount, small-format grocer, plans to open 180 new stores across 31 states this year. By the end of the year, Aldi will operate approximately 2,800 U.S. grocery stores, including its first Maine location in Portland and 10 new stores in the metro Phoenix area. The grocer has operated stores in the United States for 50 years and has gained a loyal following in recent years as the demand for discount grocery items increases in the face of inflation. The company disclosed that 17 million …
Los Angeles — Global fashion retailer REVOLVE Group, Inc. has marked the official opening of its new store at The Grove in Los Angeles. REVOLVE is bringing its immersive retail experience to a prime location in Los Angeles with a new retail concept representing the next evolution of the brand’s commitment to immersive, elevated retail. Spanning 8,450 square feet, the two-story retail concept is designed to inspire discovery and connection. A strong, symmetrical entry sequence establishes an immediate sense of arrival, anchored by a sculptural spiral stair that serves as …
Brentwood, Tenn. — Tractor Supply Company, the largest rural lifestyle retailer in the United States, has opened its 2,400th store location in Aiken, S.C. The new Aiken store, which opened on Jan. 9, was one of four Tractor Supply locations to host a grand opening within the first 2 weeks of 2026, setting the pace for the retailer’s expansion plans to open 100 new stores by the end of the year. Situated on the north side of town on Show Jump Circle, the new Aiken store features a 3,000-square-foot Garden …
Disaster Preparedness, Future-Proofing Systems: Facility Maintenance Strategies for Severe Weather
For retail and restaurant operators, severe weather is a recurring operational risk. Hurricanes, flooding, extreme heat and high-wind events are happening more frequently and with greater intensity. As a result, disaster preparedness in the retail and restaurant industry has shifted to a proactive facility maintenance discipline focused on resilience, continuity and speed of recovery. From a facility maintenance perspective, preparedness today means having a current, practiced and flexible plan. Plans must be testable and able to be executed quickly when conditions deteriorate. As Thomas Navarro, vice president of business development …
Burlington, N.J. — America’s Tire, a leading retailer of tires and wheels, has opened its first location in the state of New Jersey. The new tire store is located at 2501 Mount Holly Rd. in Burlington. (America’s Tire operates under the name Discount Tire in most of the U.S.) As a service to drivers, America’s Tire offers customers free tire repair and air pressure checks at its new Burlington location and reminds New Jersey drivers of tire safety tips, including the importance of properly inflated tires. “Our doors are officially …
Bethesda, Md. — Total Wine & More has named Ryan Ross as its next chief executive officer. He will join the company from Neiman Marcus on Jan. 12, 2026. Ross has more than 25 years of experience in retail, e-commerce and lifestyle brands. He most recently served as president of Neiman Marcus Brand and head of NMG Customer Insights and previously held leadership roles at Williams Sonoma and HSN. He is recognized for driving growth, elevating customer experience and building high-performing teams. “Ryan’s proven leadership and innovative mindset will lead …
Fremont, Calif. — MINISO, a global lifestyle brand, will open its largest Bay Area store on Jan. 17, 2026 at Pacific Commons Shopping Center in Fremont, Calif. Spanning more than 12,000 square feet, the new location represents a major milestone in MINISO’s Northern California expansion. Managed by Phoenix-based Vestar, Pacific Commons Shopping Center is conveniently located off the I-880 Freeway at Auto Mall Parkway. The new MINISO store is situated at the intersection of Boscell Road and Curie Street, next to T.J. Maxx and across from Costco. “The opening of …