News Briefs

Batteries Plus is continuing its rapid expansion this year.

The specialty battery retailer announced that it signed franchise deals for 20 new locations in the second quarter, with 13 new owners joining the system. The new additions to the development pipeline followed the 17 new franchise agreements that were signed in the first quarter of the year.

To date, Batteries Plus has opened 11 new stores in the first half of 2025, including its first-ever location in Hawaii, bringing the franchise footprint to 48 U.S. states.

"Franchise candidates are more selective than ever as they seek out concepts that are not only relevant, but built for the long run," said Victor Daher, VP of global franchise development for Batteries Plus. "Batteries Plus offers owners a high-demand, tech-forward business with multiple revenue streams and the infrastructure to support sustained growth in both consumer and commercial markets. That model is exactly what's leading to one of our strongest years yet for franchise development."

[READ MORE: EXCLUSIVE Q&A: Batteries Plus takes on tariffs]

Headquartered in Hartland, Wis., Batteries Plus has over 800 locations either open or in development. The retailer offers batteries, specialty light bulbs and phone repair services for the direct-to-consumer and commercial channels. It also offers key programming, replacement and cutting services.

Will uncertain tariffs continue to plague pricing and shopper behavior for the rest of 2025? And how should retail brands react?

To find out, join Placer.ai’s head of analytical research R.J. Hottovy and Chain Store Age’s Al Urbanski for a webinar today, June 16,  at 2:00 p.m., that will also highlight where consumers are shopping and where they’re not. 

Some examples:

• Consumer traffic has shown steady increases at supermarkets and dollar stores. Superstore visits, meanwhile, have tracked steady declines in the first half of the year.
• Costco, especially, has benefitted from a steady stream of high-level traffic. It scored 5%-plus gains in traffic during more than a dozen weeks in the first half of 2025. BJ’s Wholesale Club turned out the same kinds of results in nine over that period.

Hottovy will also discuss how middle-market malls are drawing more traffic during a time when construction starts are low and expanding brands are vying for available space.

Click here to register for the webinar and join R.J. and Al today, June 16,  at 2:00 p.m. EST. Live viewers will have the opportunity to pose their specific questions.

The parent company of Journeys and other footwear brands is teaming up with a denim giant.

[READ MORE: Levi's veteran to join Journeys Group C-suite]

A new quick-service restaurant concept is slated to expand its footprint in a major way.

Diner-style restaurant chain Perkins American Food Co. (formerly known as Perkins Restaurant & Bakery) is expanding its new Perkins Griddle & Go concept into New Jersey. The company has signed multi-unit franchise deals to bring a total of 46 locations to Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth and Ocean counties. 

The first Griddle & Go location is slated to open by October 2025 at the highly-anticipated Netflix Studios campus in Fort Monmouth, N.J.

[READ MORE: Report: Restaurants to add 490,000 summer jobs this year]

Different from Perkins’ standard restaurant design, the Griddle & Go concept features a “streamlined design and an elevated café experience” within a compact footprint, prioritizing convenience. The restaurant incorporates modern digital menus and self-order kiosks, catering to busy customers seeking a quick meal.

In addition to New Jersey, Perkins also signed development deals for Griddle & Go in California, Texas and Canada.

"Franchisees across the country have shown strong interest in Griddle & Go. We signed an impressive number of units in New Jersey, which will be home to our flagship U.S. restaurant,” said Peter Ortiz, chief development officer for Ascent Hospitality Management, the parent company of both Perkins and Huddle House. “We are eager to bring this modern take on Perkins to more markets- new and existing- with the support of our franchise partners.”

Founded in 1958, Perkins operates more than 270 restaurants across the United States.

A new live shopping channel set to launch in time for holiday shopping with the promise of “Black Friday. Every Day” pricing is looking for brands to join its lineup. 

 BLCK, which bills itself as the first live shopping channel built for streaming TV, will air shoppable product shows and interactive deals across Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, Google TV.  All products on BLCK will come with its "Black Friday. Every Day."  badge — meaning shoppers get 10% off the best listed price anywhere online, the company said.

The live commerce network is opening its platform to a select number of “founding” brands ahead of the holiday season. BLCK  said it is positioned to reaches 100 million-plus TV devices through Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, Google TV, Samsung, LG, TCL and more

Every featured product on BLCK will be showcased through five-minute creator-hosted shows, 30–60 second promo ads, and placements in the channel’s 24/7 live TV loop — airing multiple times per day in prime engagement windows.

“We built BLCK for the brands that want more than clicks—they want attention, emotion, and conversion," said George Davison, director of BLCK, which is based in Orlando, Fla. "This is your moment to get in front of millions of shoppers on the biggest screen in the home, just in time for Q4."

BLCK is offering “limited summer enrollement” now through August for brands who want to join the channel, with the choice of three tiers:

BLCK Members: Marketplace listing, streaming discovery, analytics access ($995/year);
 
BLCK VIP:  Includes Members tier plus a full five-minute show and a promotional ad
($5,000 one-time); and

BLCK Diamond: Includes VIP plus featured homepage placement, prime-time air slots,  trending carousel, top-category exposure and social promos across TikTok, IG, and YouTube ( $15,000 one-time).
 

Meijer is dropping prices on school supplies, and giving teachers a year-round in-store discount.

The retailer is offering an assortment of back-to-school basics that include crayons, pencils, folders, glue and more for $1 or less. Some of the items, such as a washable glue stick and 24-count crayons, are available for $0.25.

Meijer is also bringing back its digital “School Supply List’ technology, which allows parents to search for their school's supply lists for each specific teacher, and add items to their cart with a single click.

In addition, for the fifth consecutive year, Meijer is offering teachers 15% off of school and home office equipment. Through Sept. 7, the discount, which is comes in the form of a paper coupon, can also be used on additional categories including kids' apparel and select electronics and hydration products. Meijer will continue to offer a 15% coupon on school supplies and home office products for teachers throughout the school year. Teachers can take advantage of the coupon repeatedly by obtaining a new one any time they shop at Meijer. (The coupons are valid in-store only.)

[READ MORE: Deloitte: Back-to-school spending to hit $30.9 billion]

Meijer operates more than 500 supercenters, grocery stores, neighborhood markets, and express locations throughout the Midwest.