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News Briefs

  • 1/28/2025

    BJ’s Wholesale to support growth with automated distribution center

    BJ’s Wholesale Club is building a high-tech supply chain facility to keep pace with store growth.

    The Massachusetts-based discount club chain is constructing its fourth ambient distribution center (storing products that do not require freezing or refrigeration), which will be located in Commercial Point, Ohio. 

    The new facility, expected to open in early 2027, will expand BJ’s supply chain capacity to support its growing store footprint. During the past five years, the company has opened more than 30 stores, with its 250th location slated to open in Louisville, Ky., on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025.

    [READ MORE: BJ's opens 40th club in Florida]

    The more than 500,000-sq.-ft. facility will feature a solution from Swisslog including automated pallet storage, case-handling equipment and mixed-case pallet building. It will serve as a hub to replenish ambient-temperature grocery and general merchandise items in the BJ’s network. 

    The building will sit on a 125-acre site, allowing for future expansion. VanTrust Real Estate is managing the development.

    BJ’s operates eight stores in Ohio. The company has also increased membership by over 35% in the same period, reaching 7.5 million members. 

    “Our business has grown meaningfully over the years, and we continue to invest in our supply chain to better serve members,” said Krystyna Kostka, senior VP, chief supply chain officer at BJ’s Wholesale Club. “With the opening of this new distribution center, we’ll have the agility to support our clubs more efficiently than ever – ensuring members have the products they need, when and where they expect them.”

    Headquartered in Marlborough, Mass., BJ’s Wholesale Club Holdings Inc. currently operates 249 stores and 186 BJ's Gas locations in 21 states.

  • 1/28/2025

    Marco's Pizza opened 70 stores in 2024; more expansion expected

    Marco's Pizza

    A Midwest-based pizza chain is following a strong 2024 by planning to continue its expansion in the new year.

    Marco’s Pizza had a “landmark” 2024, with 85 franchises awarded and 70 new stores opened. The chain hit a new milestone last year, surpassing its 1,200th location, as well as debuting a new store design in Meridian, Idaho that features drive-thru pick-up windows, an elevated waiting area, and advanced technology.

    Also in 2024, Marco’s rolled out its proprietary cloud-based platform to enhance franchisee operations and guest experiences, with 770 new features and enhancements added to the platform since launch.

    In 2025, Marco’s says it is currently focusing on key markets in the Midwest, East Coast, and Sun Belt regions, along with international expansion, building on the momentum of a 50-unit master franchise agreement to develop in Mexico City. Marco’s will also continue to explore options for non-traditional expansion, including ghost kitchens in urban areas.

    “Marco’s leads the charge in growth, innovation, and customer satisfaction,” said Tony Libardi, co-CEO and president of Marco’s Pizza. “As we continue our expansion, we remain focused on bold culinary creations, operational excellence, and franchisee support. 2025 will be a year of momentum as we deliver on our commitment to quality and innovation.”

    [READ MORE: Marco's to open first stores in New Mexico]

    Founded in 1978 and based in Toledo, Ohio, Marco’s operates over 1,200 stores in 35 states with locations in Puerto Rico, the Bahamas and Mexico.

  • 1/28/2025

    Survey: AI widespread among hiring teams, more investments planned

    artificial intelligence

    The next frontier for artificial intelligence use in retail appears to be talent acquisition.

    That’s according to the fourth-annual Hiring Insights Report from AI-focused hiring firm GoodTime, which revealed that 99% of talent acquisition teams now use AI and automation to streamline hiring processes, with 93% planning additional technology investments in 2025​.

    Just under half (47.9%) of talent acquisition teams met their hiring goals in 2024 on average, marking the lowest success rate recorded in the past four years​. Sixty percent of organizations also reported longer time-to-hire last year.

    Healthcare was the only sector to report year-over-year improvements in hiring goal attainment, reaching 56%. The retail and manufacturing sectors faced some of the highest struggles, with hiring goal attainment dipping to 36% — its lowest in three years.

    Of the top-performing hiring teams (who hit 75% or more of their hiring goals in 2024), 48% reported improving the candidate experience, while 40% utilized AI to make hiring more efficient, and 35% decreased the time-to-schedule process.

    [READ MORE: Retailers plan to use AI in 2025 for…]

    “The data makes it clear — talent teams can’t afford to stay stuck in the hiring struggles of 2024,” said Ahryun Moon, CEO and Co-Founder of GoodTime. “The path forward demands bold investments in automation and AI to eliminate bottlenecks and meet hiring goals faster. But efficiency alone isn’t enough. The teams that will win in 2025 are those that balance speed with exceptional, human-centric hiring experiences.”

  • 1/27/2025

    Survey: 26% of Americans used technology more than intended in 2024

    social media icons on phone

    Many Americans hoped to cut back on their technology use last year, but not all were successful.

    Overall, 26% of Americans say that they used technology more than they intended to in 2024, according to a recent survey from Secure Data Recovery Services, which interviewed consumers in the United States, the United Kingdom and Ireland.

    Only 86% of Americans use technology within five minutes or less of waking up, compared to 94% of Brits and Irish. However, for Americans, that number is significantly higher than in the beginning of 2024 when only 61% said they use technology within five minutes or less of waking up. Only 1% of survey respondents on both sides of the pond wait more than an hour before using technology in their day. 

    In early 2024, only 56% were shocked by how much time they spent on their phone. That number is now up to 63%.

    When Secure Data Recovery Services asked questions about their technology use this past year, people in Georgia, Louisiana, Florida, Connecticut and Mississippi were the top states that failed to cut back on technology in 2024. Arkansas, Texas, Missouri, Iowa and Massachusetts were the most successful in doing so.

    [READ MORE: Survey: Social media, streaming use continues to rise]

    When deciding where they need to cut back on their technology use in 2025, Americans, Brits, and Irish are extremely alike, according to the survey. Social media (63%), streaming and videos (29%), and gaming (22%) are  the top three things Americans hope to use technology for less in 2025.

  • 1/27/2025

    Stater Bros. Markets AI-enables store ordering

    Stater Bros.

    A regional Southern California grocer is upgrading its previously manual store ordering process with advanced technology.

    Stater Bros. Markets is implementing the AI-based Afresh store ordering solution chainwide across its produce departments in all of its 169 stores. This rollout follows a successful pilot where the retailer reported what it called significant improvements.

    "With Afresh, our produce managers have a tool that can assist them in placing orders that reduce waste and increase shelf life," said Bertha Luna, Stater Bros. Markets senior VP of retail operations. "The result is fresher produce at affordable prices, which translates into happier and more loyal customers."

    Positive pilot results included reduced overstock, elimination of excess inventory from the backroom, and freshly stocked sales floors. During the pilot, stores also saw improved sales performance while simultaneously reducing waste.

    "We're excited to partner with a stand-out regional grocer like Stater Bros.,” said Dain Charette, chief revenue officer for Afresh. “Our pilot has been an incredible partnership, thanks to our teams' collaboration and Stater Bros.' commitment to innovation and supporting their store associates."

    [READ MORESouthern California grocer Stater Bros. optimizes third-party delivery]

    Based in San Bernardino, Calif., Stater Bros. Markets is the largest privately-owned supermarket chain in Southern California and operates nearly 170 stores. Afresh has announced partnerships with grocers in more than 5,000 store departments across 40 states, including Albertsons, Heinen's, Bashas, Cub Foods and Smart & Final.

  • 1/27/2025

    Krispy Krunchy Chicken to open over 600 locations in 2025

    Krispy Krunchy Chicken

    A fast-growing store-in-store quick service restaurant concept isn’t resting on its laurels after a busy 2024.

    Krispy Krunchy Chicken, which licenses its menu of fried chicken items and assorted sides to convenience stores, truck stops, universities, casinos and big box retailers across the U.S.opened 605 stores in 2024.

    Now operating more than 3,200 locations nationwide, Krispy Krunchy Chicken projects it will open more stores in 2025 than it did in 2024. 

    “We’ve grown on the solid foundation of prioritizing the profitability of our operators through a cohesive brand strategy, strong foundational partnerships and a focus on innovation,” said Jim Norberg, CEO of Krispy Krunchy Chicken. “These efforts have driven a significant increase in interest throughout the industry, and we continue to be sought out as the preferred foodservice offering.”

    To support its continued growth, the company says it will focus on collaboration across sales, operations, marketing, and supply chain to enhance its brand experience. This effort will include launching new products and platforms, as well as new ways of training and executing tasks.

    One major new initiative introduced in 2024 was rolling out third-party delivery with partners including DoorDash, UberEats and Grubhub, consolidated into one menu management tool through the Olo platform, Krispy Krunchy began signing up stores mid-year and ended the year with nearly 500 locations on the platform. 

    [READ MORE: Grubhub integrates digital orders into restaurant POS systems]

    According to Krispy Krunchy Chicken, the Olo platform has lowered commission fees for most operators and has reduced complexity by allowing stores to eliminate multiple tablets from multiple delivery partners.

    Founded in Louisiana in 1989, Krispy Krunchy Chicken operates over 3,200 retail locations across 47 states.

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