retailers

North Brunswick, N.J. — This month, Girl Scouts of Central and Southern New Jersey (GSCSNJ) have unveiled a new Girl Scout DreamLab, a cutting-edge, one-of-a-kind space for girls to discover, create and collaborate. The GSCSNJ team becomes the third council in the nation and the first on the East Coast to open a DreamLab. (Earlier this year, DreamLabs opened in Denver and Gonzales, La.) A DreamLab is a state-of-the-art space designed to empower girls and provide endless opportunities for exploration. From engaging in STEM projects to podcasting, performing on stage …

0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail

Wilton, Conn. — Melissa & Doug, a highly rated preschool brand for wooden and sustainable toys, will open its first-ever retail store this fall. The 1,600-square-foot store is scheduled to open on Oct. 6, 2023, in The Westchester, a premium shopping mall in White Plains, N.Y., just outside New York City and near the Melissa & Doug headquarters in Wilton, Conn. As the company’s first brick-and-mortar location in its 35-year history, the store will feature a wide selection of the brand’s top-selling toys across categories including pretend play sets, learning …

0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail

Bolingbrook, Ill. — Ulta Beauty, Inc. has promoted its chief operating officer, Kecia L. Steelman, to president and chief operating officer. “Kecia is a talented executive with a proven track record of driving operational excellence while fostering a caring and inclusive culture and creating exceptional guest experiences,” says Dave Kimbell, chief executive officer. “Over the last year, Kecia has increased her scope and influence within our organization, and this expanded role recognizes her value to the company and her many contributions to our success, while also demonstrating our ongoing confidence …

0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail

Dodgeville, Wis. — Lands’ End, Inc. has named Bernard McCracken — interim CFO since January 2023 and chief accounting officer since April 2014 — as its new chief financial officer. “Bernie McCracken has been an integral member of our finance organization for over 9 years and has demonstrated the financial acumen, executive leadership and track record to lead our financial organization with excellence,” says Andrew McLean, CEO of Lands’ End. “Having worked closely with Bernie over the past 8 months, I am confident that his appointment best positions Lands’ End …

0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail

Roswell, Ga. — Pure Hockey, a premier destination for hockey equipment, apparel and accessories, has acquired North Georgia Hockey, located in Roswell, Ga., a suburb of Atlanta. This strategic move marks Pure Hockey’s first entry into the Georgia market. The newest Pure Hockey location will officially open later this fall. As a recognized leader in the hockey retail industry, Pure Hockey’s acquisition of North Georgia Hockey represents a significant step in the company’s continued growth trajectory. With this acquisition, Pure Hockey now operates over 70 retail locations across 23 states …

0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail

— Interview with Matt Beall — How Bealls has streamlined its name and its brand identity, all while robustly growing its store count. Spanning more than a century and four generations, Bealls Inc. has been owned and operated by its founding family in Bradenton, Florida, since 1915. This year, the veritable scion of retail is undergoing a significant rebranding of two of its largest chains. The company’s 600 Bealls Outlet and Burkes Outlet locations in 23 states are uniting to become “bealls.” Bealls, Inc. also operates a retail chain that …

0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail

Phoenix — Sprouts Farmers Market, one of the largest and fastest growing specialty retailers of fresh, natural and organic food in the United States, has opened its 400th store. Its newest store opened on Sept. 8 in Haddon Township, N.J. As a part of Sprouts’ 5-year plan, it remains committed to a robust growth strategy, aiming to expand 10% year over year. “Following the unveiling of our 399th store in Rialto, Calif., and now, on the opposite coast, our 400th store celebrates its opening in Haddon Township, N.J.,” says Jack …

0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail

Cincinnati and Boise, Idaho — Kroger Co. and Albertsons Cos. Inc. have agreed to sell 413 stores across 17 states and Washington, D.C., as part of the $24.6 billion merger between the two grocery giants. The buyer is C&S Wholesale Grocers, a New Hampshire-based grocery supply company overseeing brands including Piggly Wiggly and Grand Union. According to multiple news outlets including USA Today and Crain’s, the sales price is roughly $1.9 billion. In addition to the 400-plus grocery stores, C&S will also acquire eight distribution centers and two office properties …

0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail

San Francisco — a.k.a. Brands Holding Corp., a brand accelerator of next-generation fashion brands, has opened the first U.S. Princess Polly store at Westfield Century City in Los Angeles — a major milestone in the brand’s global retail expansion. The Australian-born brand is beloved by Gen Z. The newly unveiled 3,370-square-foot retail space will feature approximately 200 on-trend Princess Polly styles at any given time and will foster an immersive and interactive experience that goes well beyond shopping. Complete with aesthetically pleasing digital displays, a glamorous media wall and personalized …

0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail

Columbus, Ohio — Fashion apparel retailer Express, Inc. has named Stewart Glendinning as its new chief executive officer and a member of the Express board of directors, effective Sept. 15, 2023. Glendinning succeeds Tim Baxter, who has resigned as CEO and as a member of the board. Baxter will be available as needed to support a smooth transition. Glendinning brings to Express more than 20 years of experience in the consumer products industry and a proven record of operating excellence, financial discipline and building high-performing teams to grow iconic brands. …

0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail