Lakeland, Fla. — Publix Inc. has launched an initiative to help feed families that purchase 150,000 pounds of produce and 43,500 gallons of leftover milk from Florida farmers. The Lakeland, Fla.-based grocer will then donate the excess items to Feeding America in the coming weeks. Feeding America projects that 17.1 million families in the United States will experience food insecurity during the COVID-19 pandemic. “Like so many others right now, Florida farmers are in a time of need. We are humbled Publix is purchasing additional fresh vegetables from us and …
COVID-19
Carson, Calif. — Clipper Corporation is supplying personal protective equipment (PPE) — face masks and no-touch thermometers — to restaurants, grocery chains, retail stores and foodservice companies in need during the COVID-19 pandemic. Though the core product line of Clipper’s foodservice branch traditionally includes items like hot pans, fry baskets and plates, Lina Hu, the company’s CEO, organized a pivot when she saw the need for PPE. Leveraging a proprietary distribution network, Clipper has turned on a dime, manufacturing millions of masks within just 1 week. First, Clipper provided these …
Baton Rouge, La. — While the majority of its 500 restaurants are open and serving customers through its drive-thrus, Raising Cane’s dine-in only restaurant has shifted operations to make masks instead of its signature chicken fingers. Raising Cane’s crew members have begun sewing 3-ply cloth masks to ease the shortage at local hospitals, donating more than 600 masks after the first week of production. As crew members get more proficient, the numbers are expected to grow significantly in coming weeks. “I can’t tell you how proud I am of our …
Bentonville, Ark. — Walmart recently committed to hiring more than 150,000 new associates by the end of May. Since then, the company has had over 1 million applicants, hiring an average of 5,000 people per day. Walmart reached its goal in less than a month — more than 6 weeks ahead of schedule. Today, the company is committed to hire an additional 50,000 associates. Hiring will be across Walmart’s stores, clubs, fulfillment and distribution centers, but this won’t be a one-size-fits-all approach. Hiring 50,000 new associates will give Walmart the …
New York City — Shake Shack will return a $10 million coronavirus stimulus loan it received through the federal government’s Small Business Administration Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). The New York City-based burger chain said it will return the funds after garnering capital through its investors. Shake Shack received the $10 million loan April 10. Shake Shack operates 189 restaurants and employs about 8,000 workers. SOURCE: ShoppingCenterBusiness.com
Philadelphia — As the country faces stay-at-home orders, business closures and social distancing guidelines due to the spread of COVID-19 across the U.S., Action Services Group found itself facing a unique opportunity to help its customers and Resource Partners. Ted Stouch, founder and owner of Action Services Group, found that with his internal workforce of experienced project managers that specialize in turnkey national rollouts with strict deadlines and a database of over 2,700 Resource Partners across the U.S., Action Services Group was in a position to help slow the spread …
Irving, Texas — Connex is bringing the national conference to you, April 20-22, 2020, virtually at www.national.connexfm.com, and it is free! Register online today for a variety of events including keynote sessions, FM education, roundtables and networking. Topics include: COVID Craziness Can Create Clarity, The Pandemic: You Had a Plan, Right?, FMevolution – How Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality are Changing Maintenance, and many more — including roundtables on grocery and convenience store retail, managing dark stores, and more. “Distance makes us stronger for now — the Connex Community makes …
Manhattan Beach, Calif. — True Religion, a premium jeans retailer based in Manhattan Beach, Calif., filed papers in Delaware bankruptcy court on April 13, 2020. In its filing, the company stated that pandemic-related closure of all its retail location and all the stores of its wholesale buyers had accelerated “existing liquidity constraints.” Due to these factors, True Religion furloughed all nonessential employees and reentered Chapter 11, which it previously entered in July 2017. “While the debtors would have preferred to wait out the current instabilities of the financial markets and …
Greensboro, N.C. — Tanger Outlets has converted several of its outlets centers and parking lots to assist in coronavirus (COVID-19) relief efforts. The Greensboro, N.C.-based retailer has taken up food and supply drives to support families in the communities it serves. Additionally, the company has converted several of its parking lots to help police and EMS workers set up remote staging areas. Tanger is also still running blood drives with the American Red Cross at select locations. Click here for more information on Tanger services. SOURCE: Shopping Center Business …
Euless, Texas — In response to the COVID-19 outbreak, Federal Heath has converted its manufacturing capacity in order to build protective equipment for the medical industry. “We understand the sacrifices and heroic efforts our doctors, nurses, medical staff and first responders are making in order to keep us safe,” says President and CEO Sid Rasnick. “We have teamed up with a health partner to manufacture and supply protective face shields in record time to the medical industry.” The goal is to die-cut, assemble and ship 10,000 or more clear PETG …