Chicago — Potbelly Corporation, an iconic neighborhood sandwich shop concept, and RaceTrac, Inc., one of the largest privately held companies in the United States and a leading convenience retailer, have entered into a definitive merger agreement in which RaceTrac will acquire all of the outstanding shares of Potbelly for $17.12 per share, in an all-cash transaction with an equity value of approximately $566 million. The acquisition is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2025, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals. Until the transaction …
retailers
Pittsburgh — DICK’S Sporting Goods, Inc., a leading U.S.-based full-line omnichannel sporting goods retailer, has completed its planned acquisition of Foot Locker, Inc., a leading footwear and apparel retailer. As a combined company, DICK’S will now operate more than 3,200 stores plus e-commerce and digital businesses across 20 countries in North America, Europe, Asia and Australia, plus a licensed store presence in Europe, the Middle East and Asia. DICK’S will continue to operate Foot Locker’s portfolio of brands, including Foot Locker, Kids Foot Locker, Champs Sports, WSS and atmos, under …
Malmö, Sweden — Two years after breaking ground in Sylvia Park, Auckland, Ingka Group, the largest IKEA retailer, has announced that it will open its first store in New Zealand on Dec. 4th, 2025. “The interest and anticipation for IKEA in New Zealand can be felt all the way to Sweden, and we are very humbled by it,” says Tolga Öncu, Ingka retail manager (COO) at IKEA Retail (Ingka Group). “Welcoming a new country to the IKEA family always brings special emotions, and we could not be more excited to …
Oldsmar, Fla. — MarineMax, Inc., the world’s largest recreational boat and yacht retailer, marina operator and superyacht services company, has opened its flagship Yacht Sales and Service Center in Fort Myers, Fla. The 23-acre waterfront property is designed to elevate the customer experience and support Southwest Florida’s boating community. “Our new location in Fort Myers is designed to meet the increasing demand in one of Florida’s top yachting and boating markets,” says Brett McGill, CEO and president of MarineMax. “Covering over 30,000 square feet, the Yacht Sales & Service Center …
Self-Performing Providers Deliver Consistent, Reliable Service
One of the biggest challenges that retailers and restaurants face is finding a reliable, single-source facility repair and maintenance partner who has the scope, expertise and capacity to maintain and repair operationally vital systems in multiple locations. When those store and restaurant operators have locations spread across states and regions with varying building, health, fire and safety codes, the difficulty is only compounded, says Thomas Navarro, vice president of business development for Colt Facility Maintenance. The Dallas-based repair and maintenance organization, also known as a self-performing provider, specializes in servicing …
Bolingbrook, Ill. & Mexico City — Ulta Beauty, the largest beauty retailer in the U.S., is opening its first stores in Mexico, marking the brand’s brick-and-mortar international debut and a milestone in Ulta Beauty’s growth strategy. In partnership with Axo®, Ulta Beauty brings its unique retail experience to a new market. Ulta Beauty’s first store in Mexico opened on Aug. 21 at Antara Fashion Hall in Mexico City, followed by Galerías Metepec on Aug. 30, with further openings scheduled to debut across the region throughout the year. To commemorate this …
Tampa, Fla. — IFCO, a global leader in reusable packaging solutions for fresh food, has opened its newest service center in Mesquite, Texas, near Dallas. A purpose-built facility in North America, the Dallas Service Center advances IFCO’s mission to create smarter, safer and more sustainable supply chains for fresh foods across the region. The opening comes at a pivotal time, as growing demand for reusable packaging solutions, increased fresh food shipments, and rising safety and sustainability standards made expanding IFCO’s service center footprint a strategic imperative. After extensive market analysis and site alignment, IFCO …
Jacksonville, Fla. — Winn-Dixie is celebrating its centennial with nostalgic pricing, special celebrations and a renewed commitment to fighting hunger. For 100 years, the grocer has been more than just a store, it’s been a cornerstone of Southeast communities, serving generations through historic events, natural disasters and everyday moments. This milestone honors the people and places that made it possible. “Reaching 100 years is an extraordinary milestone that belongs to everyone who has been part of Winn-Dixie’s journey — our associates, our customers and the communities we call home,” says …
Charlotte, N.C. — Driven Brands, parent company of Take 5 Oil Change and other automotive services related concepts, is unveiling two senior leadership promotions within its organization. Mo Khalid, former executive vice president and group president of Take 5 Oil Change, has been appointed chief operating officer of Driven Brands, overseeing the Take 5 Oil Change and Franchise Brands segments. In his former role at Take 5 Oil Change, Khalid led the brand’s rapid growth from approximately 850 to over 1,200 locations in under 2 years. In his new role, …
Memphis, Tenn. — AutoZone’s executive vice president, merchandising, marketing and supply chain, Bill Hackney, and its senior vice president, human resources, Rick Smith, will retire in November 2025 (Hackney) and January 2026 (Smith). Both executives have been with AutoZone for 40 years. “I give special thanks to Bill and Rick for their many contributions and exceptional years of service to our customers, their fellow AutoZoners, AutoZone and our industry,” says Phil Daniele, president and chief executive officer. “After working side-by-side with these two leaders for decades, words fall short in …