Toronto — Hudson’s Bay Company ULC will liquidate its remaining six Hudson’s Bay stores and one Saks Fifth Avenue location. At this time, the company believes that a viable bid for the current six-store model is unlikely, and therefore will begin liquidation sales in these stores on April 25. The remaining locations will join the 73 other Hudson’s Bay, 13 Saks OFF 5TH and two Saks Fifth Avenue locations already undergoing liquidation sales following the company’s filing under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act (CCAA). Should a buyer bid be accepted, …
retailers
— By Jaime Bettencourt — The human side of ‘smart stores’ in 2025. Technology is powering personalized store experiences that outperform e-commerce convenience. Capital One research reports that brick-and-mortar stores capture 80% of impulse purchases, a clear signal that physical retail remains unmatched for discovery and engagement. 2025’s winning retailers won’t just add screens and apps. Instead, they’ll enhance what algorithms can’t replicate: personalized discovery, human connection and sensory engagement. By focusing on these uniquely human elements, tomorrow’s retail innovations will make shopping more intuitive and digital. Making “Chance” Encounters …
Ontario, Calif. — Heritage Grocers Group, the largest Hispanic and ethnic food retailer in the country, has appointed Frank Ingraffia to the role of chief transformation officer (CTO). Ingraffia, CEO of Tony’s Fresh Market chain, takes on the Heritage CTO role in addition to his current duties and will work amongst the company’s offices in Chicago; Ontario, Calif.; and Dallas. He will report directly to Heritage Grocers Group’s chairman and CEO, Suzy Monford. As chief transformation officer, Ingraffia will lead Heritage’s transformation office which was created last December as the …
Jacksonville, Fla. — On April 17, Walmart opened a new 1 million-square-foot distribution center in Jacksonville, Fla. The facility receives and processes items for delivery to 18 Sam’s Club locations across Florida, Georgia and South Carolina as well as seven clubs in Puerto Rico. Located just 10 minutes from the Port of Jacksonville, the facility also stores and sorts imported goods for delivery to four distribution centers across the Southeast. “We’re proud to create a new slate of jobs in our community,” says Frank Herrera, general manager of the new …
Bolingbrook, Ill. — Ulta Beauty, Inc. has appointed Lauren Brindley as chief merchandising and digital officer, effective June 3, 2025. Brindley succeeds Monica Arnaudo who will retire in June. In her new role, Brindley will have executive responsibility for Ulta Beauty’s merchandising, e-commerce, wellness and marketplace strategies, while also leading the company’s assortment brand building strategy. “Providing our guests with the best beauty and wellness assortment while building strong, strategic partnerships with our brands is critical to Ulta Beauty’s future growth,” says Kecia Steelman, president and chief executive officer. “I’m …
Bentonville, Ark. — Sam’s Club, a division of Walmart, plans to remodel all 600 of its existing membership-based stores nationwide. As part of its long term strategy, Sam’s Club will also open 30 new locations over the next several years while building a pipeline to begin opening 15 new clubs annually. This marks the first expansion since 2017 after Sam’s Club closed 62 locations in 2018. The stores will be modeled after the Grapevine, Texas, location, which opened in December 2024. The new locations will span 160,000 square feet and …
Atlanta — Dick Sullivan, executive chairman and chief executive officer of PGA TOUR Superstore (PGATSS), will retire from his day-to-day CEO role with the company later this summer. A global search for a new CEO has begun, and Sullivan will remain CEO until a new leader is in place and then continue as executive chairman of the company into the future. PGATSS currently operates 76 stores in 28 states and a successful online business with robust expansion plans, including 16 more stores by the end of 2026. The company achieved …
New York City — Vince Holding Corp., a global contemporary retailer, has promoted Yuji Okumura, the company’s interim CFO since March 2025 and controller since September 2020, to the position of chief financial officer, effective April 14, 2025. “Yuji’s tenure with our company, his leadership and strong financial expertise are the attributes that we need as we begin our next chapter,” says Brendan Hoffman, chief executive officer of VNCE. “His financial discipline and insight will be invaluable as we continue to navigate a dynamic macroeconomic and consumer environment.” Okumura has …
Reynoldsburg, Ohio — Victoria’s Secret & Co. (VS&Co.) has named new brand presidents for Victoria’s Secret, PINK and Beauty. This new leadership team brings together strong industry experience, creative vision and operational expertise. All three brand presidents will report directly to Hillary Super, chief executive officer of VS&Co. “This is an exceptional team of product and creative leaders whose vision and operational expertise will drive new levels of growth, innovation and impact for our company,” says Super. “They are joining highly skilled and experienced teams across our brands. With their …
Fargo, N.D. — Von Maur Department Stores opened its newest location at West Acres Mall in Fargo, N.D., on April 5, 2025. The 90,000-square-foot store is the company’s first in North Dakota and its 39th overall. The store opening continues the family-owned company’s national growth strategy. This past fall, Von Maur opened its first location in Pennsylvania at South Hills Village in Pittsburgh. The company is also undergoing a multi-phased, $100 million renovation of its existing stores over the next several years. “We are thrilled to officially open our doors …