Strategy

Officials in New Rochelle, New York, want the right kind of retail partners for an aggressive redevelopment of its downtown, and it’s counting on big data to ferret them out.

The town has engaged Fort Worth-based Buxton to employ its Scout real estate analytics platform to identify restaurants and stores that will best synch with the dining and shopping habits of its residents.

Wegmans Food Markets has appointed a familiar name as its new chief executive.   Danny Wegman announced that he is stepping down as chief executive of the family-owned supermarket company and will be succeeded by his daughter, Colleen Wegman, who will serve as president and CEO.    Danny Wegman will assume the title of chairman.  

U.S. Auto Parts has a new leader at the helm.   Aaron Coleman has been appointed as the company’s CEO and director, effective immediately. He succeeds Shane Evangelist, who served as CEO and a director since 2007. Evangelist recently resigned.  

Two regional grocers beat all the competition in and out of their category in a survey of customer experiences across 20 different industries.   

South Moon Under is on the move.   The on-trend fashion retailer, which carries a variety of contemporary brands, will open its first stores in the South in April, with locations at Ponce City Market, Atlanta, and Avalon, Alpharetta, Georgia. In the fall, the company will open a store at Shops Around Lenox, Atlanta.    

Ashley Stewart has opened its first-ever “concept store,” in Newark, New Jersey.

The 4,500 sq.-ft. location marks a significant milestone for the company as it is the first brick-and-mortar opening since the reinvention of the brand, which has gone through a turnaround under the leadership of CEO James Rhee, http://www.chainstoreage.com/article/unlikely-champion-ashley-stewart.  

Gander Mountain has taken a step toward keeping the brand in business.    The outdoor retailer, which filed for bankruptcy protection on March 13, has filed a stalking horse bid. A joint venture comprised of Gordon Brothers and Hilco Merchant Resources has proposed to purchase substantially all of the retailer’s assets. This stalking horse bid will act as a baseline, in effort to ward off low offers on the chain’s assets.  

The latest move by Walgreens Boots Alliance in its pursuit of the Rite Aid may be a bet that a Trump-appointed FTC chief will finally push the deal through.