Corporate Governance

Supermarket giant to open its first restaurant
The Kroger Co. is looking to extend its share of consumers' food dollars — this time, however, it’s aiming for the dollars spent on meals outside the home. The supermarket retailer is opening its first-ever full-service restaurant, which will be located next to Kroger's new Marketplace store in Union, Kentucky. In a nod to the year Kroger was founded, the restaurant will be called Kitchen 1883. It will open in late October.
First Look: Hot online start-up opens NYC store
The maker of what it calls "the world's most comfortable shoes" has set up shop in New York City. Allbirds, the eco-friendly online brand with a fast-growing and devoted following (especially in the Silicon Valley), has opened its second brick-and-mortar location, in Manhattan's SoHo neighborhood. The company opened its first store, on the ground floor of its San Francisco headquarters, in April.

Target ups holiday hiring by 40%

Target Corp. announced a major investment for the holiday shopping season. The discounter said it plans to hire approximately 100,000 employees for the upcoming holiday season, which is up about 40%. Additionally, Target will hire 4,500 workers at the company’s distribution and fulfillment centers to replenish products to stores and fulfill digital sales throughout the season.
RPAI: ‘Irma was kind’

Hurricane Irma packed less of a wallop than originally feared, and shopping centers owners are breathing a sigh of relief. Retail Properties of America reported that its six Florida properties emerged from the ordeal practically unscathed.
Target in new exclusive partnership—with TV duo

Target Corp. is launching a new brand with HGTV's 'Fixer Upper' stars Chip and Joanna Gaines, and it's doing it just in time for the holidays. The retailer announced an exclusive multi-year partnership with Magnolia, the home and lifestyle brand founded by the Gaines, to launch a home and lifestyle goods line called Hearth & Hand. It is Magnolia’s first collaboration with a retailer.
Online footwear startup to try out brick-and-mortar

Birdies has gotten some new seed — seed funding that is The San Francisco startup, known for its stylish and comfortable house slippers, announced it has raised $2 million in seed funding. The round was led by Forerunner Ventures, the investors behind Jet.com and Dollar Shave Club, with participation from Slow Ventures, Graph Ventures, Social Capital and a few strategic individual investors.
Home improvement giants taps Neiman Marcus exec for supply chain post

Lowe’s Cos. has appointed a 20-year retail veteran to lead supply chain field processes Michael West will join Lowe's as senior VP of supply chain field operations, effective Sept. 25. He will report to chief supply chain officer Brent G. Kirby. West joins Lowe's from Neiman Marcus, where he served on the company's leadership team as senior VP, supply chain. He led distribution, transportation and fulfillment for all brands in the Neiman Marcus Group.
Department store retailer steps back from the off-price retail game

Off-price retailing is hot, but Neiman Marcus is emphasizing what it knows best. Neiman Marcus will close 10 of its 37 off-price Last Call stores in order to focus on its full-line luxury department stores. Prior to the news, the retailer has already closed three Last Call outlets this year, including its locations at Allen Premium Outlets, Allen, Texas, and Legacy Place in Dedham, Mass.
Phillips Edison buys Chicagoland center

Phillips Edison & Company has acquired a center anchored by Mariano’s grocery in the Chicago suburb of Hoffman Estates. The 159,443-sq.-ft. Hoffman Village was left two-thirds vacant when Dominick’s closed in 2011, but the emergence of Mariano’s Fresh Market, owned and operated by Roundy’s, returned occupancy back to 94%, according to former owner NewQuest.
Online giant to expand its distribution network in Mexico

Amazon is looking to take advantage of Mexico’s growing e-commerce industry. The online giant is planning to open a 1 million sq. ft. warehouse near Mexico City, according to Reuters. Scheduled to open next year, it would be the company’s third distribution center in the country.
Experiential retailer in store closings

High-end bath, kitchen and appliance retailer PIrch is relying on its California roots for future growth.
On heels of Equifax incident, retailers cite need for uniform data breach law

The National Retail Federation is once again making the case for a new federal law on data breach notifications. Citing the recent breach at the Equifax credit reporting agency, National Retail Federation and other industry associations are telling Congress that any new federal law on data breach notification should apply to all industries that handle consumer data.