Midvale, Utah — Beyond, Inc., owner of online retail giants Bed Bath & Beyond, Overstock and Zulily, has added and appointed several key leaders to its team, including in merchandising and marketing roles. The new additions include: • Guncha Mehta, joining as chief digital and information officer, Beyond, Inc. • Stacey Shively, joining as chief merchandising officer, Bed Bath & Beyond • Angela Minor, joining as chief marketing officer, Bed Bath & Beyond • Deb Bollom, appointed to chief merchandising officer, Overstock • Steph Whitacre, appointed to senior vice president, …
retailers
Seattle — As part of REI Co-op’s recently released 2023 Impact Report, REI has made significant progress toward reaching its aggressive climate goals, with 2023 emissions coming down 10% compared to 2022 and 6% lower than emissions in its 2019 baseline year. This year marks the first time REI is reporting a decrease in its emissions alongside an increase in revenue over its baseline year. The co-op is achieving its ultimate goal of growing its business while lowering emissions. Also in 2023, REI celebrated its 11th year of powering U.S. …
Bentonville, Ark. — Sam’s Club® has made significant progress in its rollout of technology that resolves a key member concern: waiting in line for receipt verification to exit the club. The retailer’s first-of-its-kind application of artificial intelligence and computer vision technology has been deployed in more than 120 clubs since first unveiling it at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in January 2024. Sam’s Club plans to deploy the exit technology to all of its clubs by the end of 2024. Sam’s Club’s rapid deployment of its exit technology represents the …
New York City — WHP Global (WHP), parent company of Toys”R”Us®, has signed a long term license agreement with leading global retailer WHSmith as the exclusive shop-in-shop partner for Toys”R”Us in the United Kingdom. WHSmith will have the exclusive license for Toys”R”Us shop-in-shops in its High Street stores, including opening 30 new shops this summer. Following the successful launch of Toys”R”Us shop-in-shops in select WHSmith stores last year, this partnership is part of WHP Global’s mission to expand the presence of Toys”R”Us across the UK retail landscape. “We’ve got off …
Kroger, Albertsons to Sell 166 Additional Stores in $2.9B Divestiture Agreement Ahead of Proposed Merger
Cincinnati and Boise, Idaho — Cincinnati-based The Kroger Co. and Boise, Idaho-based Albertsons Cos. Inc. plan to sell an additional 166 grocery stores to C&S Wholesale Grocers in a divestiture package. This marks an amendment to an existing agreement with the buyer, which will now acquire a total of 579 stores in a $2.9 billion deal. The original divestiture package was announced in September of last year, in connection with a proposed merger between Kroger and Albertsons. In February, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) sued to block Kroger’s $24.6 billion …
Birmingham, Ala. — Hibbett, Inc., an athletic-inspired fashion retailer, has entered into a definitive merger agreement in which JD Sports Fashion plc will acquire Hibbett for $1.1 billion. Following the closing of the transaction, Hibbett will join the JD Sports family of athletic footwear and fashion retail brands and will cease to be a publicly traded company. Mike Longo will continue to serve as president and chief executive officer, while Jared Briskin will take on the role of chief operating officer of Hibbett. Hibbett will maintain its corporate headquarters in …
Boston — Wayfair Inc. has set the grand opening date for its very first large-format, brick-and-mortar store on May 23, 2024. The 150,000-square-foot store, located in Edens Plaza in Wilmette, Ill., is a one-stop-shop for all things home — including furniture, home décor, housewares and home improvement products, for any style space or budget. The inaugural Wayfair store also has an onsite restaurant, The Porch. Wayfair is a destination for all things home, in one inspiring place. The Wayfair family of brands includes Wayfair, AllModern, Birch Lane, Joss & Main, …
Columbus, Ohio — Fashion retailer Express Inc. has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and plans to close 107 of its 602 stores. The Columbus, Ohio-based company’s portfolio includes apparel brands such as Bonobos, Express and UpWest Express. As part of the proceedings, 95 stores under the company’s Express banner will be shuttered alongside all 12 of its UpWest Express locations. The closing sales at affected stores are scheduled to begin on April 23, 2024. Express concurrently announced that it has received a non-binding letter of intent from a consortium …
Charlotte, N.C. — Wegmans Food Markets Inc., a Rochester, N.Y.-based grocer, plans to open a 110,000-square-foot store in Charlotte, N.C. Located along North Community House Road, the grocery store will be situated within Ballantyne, Northwood Investors’ 2,000-acre master-planned development on the south side of Charlotte adjacent to the South Carolina border. Wegmans aims to open the new store by the third quarter of 2026. The store will feature all traditional Wegmans departments, including produce, seafood, meat, bakery, deli, cheese and wine and beer. Additional offerings will include Meals2Go and catering, …
Jacksonville, Fla. — Southeastern Grocers Inc. (SEG), parent company and home of Harveys Supermarket and Winn-Dixie grocery stores, has released its 2023 Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) report. The grocer is also donating thousands of reusable bags and supporting local conservation efforts through volunteerism and monetary donations in honor of Earth Month. The annual report details forward-thinking sustainability strategies, including eco-responsible operations, associate and supplier diversity, and continued support of local communities in need. SEG further commits to reducing the environmental impact of plastic waste with donation of 33,500 reusable …