Menomonee Falls, Wis. — Kohl’s has formed a new partnership with WHP Global, the owner of the Babies“R”Us® brand, to bring baby gear, furniture, activity and more to Kohl’s stores — broadening the retailer’s reach with younger customers. The first Babies“R”Us shops will open in Kohl’s this August, with plans to roll out to approximately 200 stores in fall 2024. “Evolving our assortment and bringing more relevant product to the millions of customers we serve is a core focus as we continue to deliver on Kohl’s broader growth strategy,” says …
retailers
New Hartford, N.Y. — PAR Technology Corporation, a global foodservice technology company and provider of unified commerce for enterprise restaurant brands, has closed two transactions that expand its cloud-based unified commerce software offerings into convenience stores and fuel retailers, as well as international markets. PAR has entered into an agreement to acquire TASK Group for cash and PAR common stock at an implied value of approximately $206 million assuming an all-cash transaction, and has completed its acquisition of Stuzo Holdings, LLC for approximately $190 million paid in cash and stock. …
Chicago — Tanishq, a revered jewelry brand under the Tata Group, will open its first Chicago store, marking a significant milestone in its international expansion strategy. Having previously established a presence in New Jersey and Texas, this new store is located opposite Fox Valley Mall in Aurora, Ill. “Having already captured the imagination of the discerning consumer in New Jersey and Texas, Tanishq is excited to be entering another iconic American city with a diverse customer base who can now enjoy our unrivalled offering right at their doorstep,” says Kuruvilla …
Wawa Breaks Ground on First Georgia Stores; Plans 26 Stores in Southern/Coastal Georgia Markets
Wawa, Pa. — Wawa, a privately held, family-owned chain of more than 1,040 convenience retail stores currently operating in six states and Washington, D.C., has officially started construction on its first two Georgia stores. The new stores will be located in Brunswick and Jesup, Ga. “It’s official — Wawa is coming to Georgia, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to share details of our exciting growth plans with our newest soon-to-be neighbors!” says Robert Yeatts, senior director of store operations for Wawa. “Our two groundbreaking events gave us the opportunity …
Batavia, Ill. — ALDI, one of the fastest-growing grocers in the U.S., plans to add 800 stores nationwide by the end of 2028 through a combination of new openings and store conversions. As a key part of its 5-year plan, ALDI also has completed its acquisition of Southeastern Grocers and its Winn-Dixie and Harveys Supermarket banners, which will drive significant growth in the Southeast region over the next few years. “Our growth is fueled by our customers, and they are asking for more ALDI stores in their neighborhoods nationwide,” says …
Phoenix — Dogtopia, a leading dog wellness franchise, has unveiled its latest store design, which entails a smaller footprint and more playroom space than the company’s previous store layout. While utilizing smart planning and space-saving efficiencies, the new design only requires 4,000 to 5,000 square feet, and delivers 20% more play area than the former model. Along with the super-efficient footprint, the new design includes savings in overall buildout, such as standardized millwork and graphics for a faster construction schedule, leading to a 15% savings in cost per square foot. …
Austin, Texas — Whole Foods Market is introducing a new, quick-shop store format designed to provide customers in urban neighborhoods a quick, convenient shopping experience. The new format, called Whole Foods Market Daily Shop, will initially launch on the Upper East Side in Manhattan with additional locations in New York City to follow. The first store, located at 1175 Third Ave., is expected to open this year. Following the New York City launch, Whole Foods Market plans to bring the format to other cities across the country. Ranging between 7,000 …
Minneapolis — Target Corporation plans to continue to invest in its guest experience and long term growth through various strategies, including through the building of more than 300 new stores and enhancing and/or remodeling existing locations. “For years, Target has consistently built for the long term, investing in the assets, capabilities and team that have differentiated our business, enabled us to deliver for guests in any environment and driven strong growth,” says Brian Cornell, chair and CEO, Target. “Today, with that same long-term view, we’re making strategic investments that expand …
Woodcliff Lake, N.J. — Party City, a specialty retailer and leader in the party goods industry, is accelerating the introduction of its new store format from early success in pilot stores. The new store design is an evolution of the retailer’s latest format, which provides a reinvented balloon shopping experience and dedicated mini-shops — instead of a traditional aisle format — called ‘birthday worlds’ within the store. “With this introduction, we have moved away from the traditional aisle experience and have developed two birthday worlds within each store,” explains Dion …
Cincinnati — JSI Store Fixtures, an LSI Industries Inc. company, has shipped its first order of refrigerated retail displays featuring environmentally friendly R290 refrigerant this month. JSI’s standalone refrigeration systems are a mainstay in the U.S. grocery market. The new R290 is a propane-based system that provides customers with an alternative product that is a non-toxic, zero ozone-depleting refrigerant with a Global Warming Potential (GWP) of 3, compared to common HFC Refrigerant having a GWP rating greater than 1,400. “Interest in this product is very high and we anticipate continued …