Westlake, Ohio — TravelCenters of America Inc. has commenced a company-wide reorganization, which is a key step in the company’s strategic, long term plan to improve its operational efficiency and profitability. The reorganization plan includes significant leadership changes with the addition of new senior vice presidents for a newly created hospitality department — under which the areas of restaurants, gaming and convenience stores will be consolidated — as well as in information technology. TA has also appointed a new senior vice president of corporate development, a new department initially tasked …
retailers
New York City — J.Crew Group, Inc. has filed voluntary petitions for relief under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Virginia. The company has secured commitments for a debtor-in-possession financing facility of $400 million and committed exit financing provided by existing lenders Anchorage Capital Group, L.L.C., GSO Capital Partners and Davidson Kempner Capital Management LP, among others. Subject to court approval, the DIP financing, combined with the company’s projected cash flows, is expected to support its operations during the …
Indianapolis — Simon Property Group has released plans for reopening several of its malls in the first half of May. The openings are based on current state and/or local stay-at-home orders put in place as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Previously scheduled to open May 1, some properties in Georgia and Indiana have been delayed to a May 4 opening. View the reopening schedule here. Indianapolis-based Simon says its protocols have been reviewed and approved by experts in epidemiology and environmental health and safety. The protocols are in effort …
— By Mac McConnell — How to create a consistent luxury shopping experience across locations. Imagine you’re a shopper who just stepped into a luxury goods store. You are greeted by a sharply attired, uber-friendly store employee who hands you a tall glass of chilled sparkling wine and offers to give you a guided tour of the newest inventory. “No thanks for now,” you say, explaining that you’d rather do some browsing first. As you stroll through the aisles, you take in the impressive sights: the finish of …
Union, N.J. — Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. has made four new strategic appointments to its leadership team, each of whom will report directly to President & CEO Mark Tritton. This includes the appointment of Gustavo Arnal as executive vice president, chief financial officer (CFO) and treasurer, effective May 4, 2020. Arnal joins the company following his previous role as Group CFO of Avon, prior to which he held senior positions at Walgreens Boots Alliance and Procter & Gamble. Bed Bath & Beyond’s current CFO and treasurer, Robyn D’Elia, is …
Woonsocket, R.I. — CVS Health joined other pharmacy chains and retailers at the White House on April 27, 2020 to announce the next phase in COVID-19 testing. In addition to the large-scale test sites the company has been operating since March, CVS Health will utilize its expansive community presence to bring testing closer to home while maintaining strict safety standards. “Our industry has been united by the unique role we can play in addressing the pandemic and protecting people’s health,” says Larry J. Merlo, president and CEO, CVS Health. “We all …
Publix Launches Initiative to Purchase Leftover Food from Farmers, Donate to Feeding America
by Katie Lee
Lakeland, Fla. — Publix Inc. has launched an initiative to help feed families that purchase 150,000 pounds of produce and 43,500 gallons of leftover milk from Florida farmers. The Lakeland, Fla.-based grocer will then donate the excess items to Feeding America in the coming weeks. Feeding America projects that 17.1 million families in the United States will experience food insecurity during the COVID-19 pandemic. “Like so many others right now, Florida farmers are in a time of need. We are humbled Publix is purchasing additional fresh vegetables from us and …
Alpharetta, Ga. — Neal Freeman, visionary of LakePoint Sports in Emerson, Ga., will begin construction in May on Fairway Social, a golf and entertainment concept that Freeman is bringing to Alpharetta, Ga. The 11,000-square-foot entertainment destination, Fairway Social, will be located in The Maxwell, a joint development between Mayfair Street Partners, LLC and The Providence Group of Georgia, LLC. A total of 44,000 square feet of retail, restaurant and office at The Maxwell will be complemented with 138 residential units. “We have been actively seeking this unique blend of food, …
Union, N.J. — Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. has appointed John Hartmann as chief operating officer of Bed Bath & Beyond and president of buybuy BABY, effective May 18, 2020. He will report directly to Mark Tritton, president & CEO, and be a key member of a streamlined senior leadership team. Hartmann will lead key areas of the company’s transformation including IT, supply chain and real estate, working across the company’s five strategic growth pillars to accelerate decision-making and enhance connectivity across functions. He will also be responsible for re-engineering …
Bentonville, Ark. — Walmart recently committed to hiring more than 150,000 new associates by the end of May. Since then, the company has had over 1 million applicants, hiring an average of 5,000 people per day. Walmart reached its goal in less than a month — more than 6 weeks ahead of schedule. Today, the company is committed to hire an additional 50,000 associates. Hiring will be across Walmart’s stores, clubs, fulfillment and distribution centers, but this won’t be a one-size-fits-all approach. Hiring 50,000 new associates will give Walmart the …