Grand Rapids, Mich. — Meijer, a retailer that operates one of the largest fleets in Michigan with 250 semitrucks and the first in North America to implement the Environmental Protection Agency’s 2010 near-zero emissions standards in 2009, is once again leading the retail industry by deploying two of the first all-electric semitrucks outside of California. The Grand Rapids, Mich.-based retailer is also the first nationwide to track the performance of the Freightliner eCascadia semitrucks in a cold weather environment as part of a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy. …
retailers
Bentonville, Ark. — Walmart’s new drone delivery service is expanding. In partnership with DroneUp, Walmart will offer drone delivery in six states by the end of the year, including Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Texas, Utah and Virginia. In total, there will be 34 stores making drone delivery available in 23 cities nationwide by year end. “Drone delivery makes it possible for our customers to shop those last-minute or forgotten items with ease, in a package that’s frankly really cool. Being on the forefront of that innovation at Walmart is something we’re …
Tel Aviv, Israel, and Munich, Germany — Trigo, an Israel-based computer vision company that builds systems for autonomous checkout and retail analytics, has rolled out Germany’s first fully-autonomous cashierless supermarket in partnership with German grocery giant REWE Group. The new “Pick&Go” supermarket in the Bavarian capital Munich allows customers to walk in, select their items off the shelves, and leave without having to pay at checkout. Unlike self-checkout devices such as stationary or mobile scanners and digital carts, Pick&Go shoppers only scan once on their phones when they enter the …
Hampton, N.H. — On Dec. 12, 2022, Planet Fitness, Inc. appointed Edward Hymes as its new president and chief operating officer, reporting directly to CEO Chris Rondeau. Hymes will join the brand in January and be responsible for driving both the day-to-day business and longer-term strategic growth of the company, with overall leadership and accountability of U.S. and international franchise operations and development, equipment sales and corporate stores, in addition to both the technology and legal functions. “Edward is a seasoned executive with over 30 years of experience including identifying, …
New York City — Newmark Retail has secured three new leases on behalf of fashion retailer Express, Inc., totaling more than 18,000 square feet for two Express Edit stores and for the first UpWest store in Manhattan. Newmark’s vice chairmen Jeremy Ezra and Ariel Schuster, along with director Michael Paster, represented the tenant on all three transactions. “By launching Express Edit concepts in two of the most vibrant shopping neighborhoods and introducing UpWest, an entirely new option to feed the appetites of New York shoppers, Express will be reintroduced to …
New York City — On Dec. 9, leading sports retailer Lids unveiled its newest retail concept, Lids Hat Drop, with the first store located in Jamaica, Queens, N.Y. The concept is the brick & mortar iteration of Lids’ successful LidsHatDrop.com platform that launched earlier this year. The Lids Hat Drop store will operate similarly to its e-commerce counterpart, offering exclusive and limited-edition releases, including notable athlete and celebrity collaborations that stay true to the neighborhood, while also working with designers and influencers to build new collections. Consumers at the Lids …
Oakbrook Terrace, Ill. — Spotless Brands, a leading car wash platform in the United States, has hired four new executives in an effort to further develop the brand’s growth strategies. George Alexandris has joined the senior leadership team in the role of senior vice president of development and construction; Jake Harrison will take on the role of vice president of market development; DeeDee Hanc joins Spotless as senior vice president of human resources; and Fahad Chaudhary is now the senior vice president, corporate controller – finance. With two new additions …
Grand Rapids, Mich. — Meijer has selected Jan. 26, 2023 as the opening day for its first two Meijer Grocery stores in Orion Township and Macomb Township, both in Michigan. “By opening Meijer Grocery stores, we’re introducing a new way for our customers to shop that provides convenience, value and the great quality our customers have always come to expect from Meijer,” says Rick Keyes, president & CEO of Meijer. “Our customers’ needs are always evolving, and we’re committed to meeting them where they are. That’s why we’re excited to …
Brentwood, Tenn. — Tractor Supply Company, the largest rural lifestyle retailer in the United States, has completed the 500th store in its Project Fusion initiative, a remodel effort that creates a more contemporary customer experience. The store is located in Thompson’s Station, Tenn. Project Fusion outfits new stores and retrofits existing Tractor Supply stores with an improved layout for convenient and accessible shopping, including a Customer Service Hub with upgraded digital tools and an expanded assortment of apparel, tools, hardware, pet food, animal feed and more. As part of the …
Minneapolis — Winmark Corporation, North America’s leading franchisor of sustainable resale brands, has opened the 500th store of its industry-leading teen and young adult resale concept, Plato’s Closet®. The landmark new store opened on December 1, 2022, in Windsor, Ontario. “500 Plato’s Closet locations is a huge accomplishment and a testament to our collective efforts with our franchise partners, their employees, and the team at Winmark to achieve this milestone. To see the impact that this brand has had on our franchise partners and their communities is inspiring,” says Renae …