News Briefs

Chewy is offering pet brands access to its customers.

In an email to Chain Store Age, the online pet supplies retailer said that following a successful beta launch, it is enhancing its retail media network called Chewy Ads designed to connect its brand partners to its base of more than 20 million active customers. 

Chewy Ads is a self-service ad offering specifically designed for pet brands. Participating brands have full control over their campaigns through a self-service portal with real-time performance reporting and optimization tools.

As part of the effort, Chewy synthesizes exclusive first-party data and delivers personalized ad placements. Advertisers can also view proprietary lifetime value sales metrics, which include current and forecasted sales based on Chewy's Autoship program that provides savings on automatic, recurring deliveries and represents more than 80% of the e-tailer’s sales.

[READ MORE: Chewy enters brick-and-mortar with first vet care practice]

Channel placements include Sponsored Products and Sponsored Brands on browse and search pages, product detail pages, and deal pages across desktop, mobile web, and the Chewy app, as well as targeted placements on offsite search and social platforms. 

In addition, a dedicated team of retail media specialists offers data-driven insights and tailored recommendations designed to help brands maximize ad performance. According to Chewy, 50% of customers who engage with Chewy Ads are new to the advertised brand. 

On its website, Chewy offers approximately 111,000 pet products from national and private brands, including pet supplements, food, accessories and more.

Forever 21 is running out of gas.

The struggling fast-fashion retailer is considering filing for bankruptcy and is planning to close 200 stores as its efforts to find a buyer for its U.S. leases have come up short, reported Bloomberg. The company currently operates some 350 stores nationwide.

Forever 21 filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in September 2019, with a plan to close some 178 stores. It was later acquired by a group that that included Authentic Brands Group and landlords Simon Property Group and Brookfield Property Partners.

The formerly high-flying company has struggled in recent years, amid increased online competition, particularly from Chinese budget retailers Shein and Temu, and the rising popularity of resale among teen shoppers.

The reports of the second possible bankruptcy come months after CNBC reported that Forever 21 was asking landlords to cut its rent by as much as 50% in some locations in an effort to control costs. 

The World Retail Congress has revealed the latest four inductees into its prestigious Hall of Fame, which is reserved for "retail leaders who have made a lasting impact on the retail industry and are the driving force behind its most iconic companies and brands."

The honorees include Brian Cornell, who has served as chair and CEO of Target Corp. since August 2014. He previously served as CEO of PepsiCo Americas Foods, a division of PepsiCo, Inc.  

"This recognition from World Retail Congress is a testament to the collective efforts of Team Target," Cornell said in a statement. "I am grateful for the opportunity to lead a team who is committed to delivering on that promise and growing our business, so we can bring the magic of Target to even more people — today and for years to come.”

The other honorees include Charlotte Tilbury, MBE, founder, president, chairman, chief creative officer of Charlotte Tilbury Beauty; Patrick Chalhoub, executive chairman at Chalhoub Group; and Demetra Pinsent, CEO Charlotte Tilbury Beauty. 

The four leaders will be honored at the World Retail Congress Hall of Fame ceremony on May 14, 2025, at the National Gallery in London. 

"It is both an honor and a privilege to celebrate the remarkable achievements of these four retail visionaries." said World Retail Congress chairman Ian McGarrigle. "In an industry where the pace of change is relentless, their ability to act swiftly, embrace bold strategies, and implement intelligent solutions has set them apart as true leaders. Their careers exemplify the essence of this year's theme: 'Faster. Bolder. Smarter. Retail's New Growth Drivers.'"

Grubhub has added a major drug store chain to its platform.

The delivery platform has added Walgreens and Duane Reade locations nationwide to its marketplace. Through this collaboration, Grubhub customers will have access to 15,000 items for on-demand delivery including beauty, health and wellness, snacks, personal care, household items, toys, and more from thousands of retail locations.

"We're excited to add Walgreens and Duane Reade to offer customers a robust selection of convenience retailers on Grubhub," said Craig Whitmer, VP of new verticals at Grubhub. "As a Chicago-based company, working with another hometown favorite is particularly special. The addition of these two brands helps us scale our convenience offerings across the country with a strong focus on key markets like Chicago and New York City, and we look forward to delivering even more value and convenience to our shared communities.”

Walgreens and Duane Reade will be part of Grubhub+, Grubhub's loyalty program, which offers members perks like $0 delivery fees and lower service fees on eligible orders, discounted priority delivery, and ongoing member-only exclusive offers.

"Customers today expect to get what they want, when they want it, how they want it," said Sharmila Sudhakar, group VP of digital commerce and omni experience at Walgreens. "The addition of Grubhub to Walgreens' growing roster of delivery partners helps meet that expectation and offers shoppers another simple and trusted same-day solution to get the essentials they need."

[READ MORE: Walgreens' Q1 tops estimates amid cost cuts]

Walgreens operates approximately 8,500 stores throughout the United States and Puerto Rico. The chain is also available on DoorDash and Uber Eats.

Lids Sports Group is promoting new leadership to its C-suite.

The headwear and sports apparel retailer has announced the appointment of Greg Cox as the company’s new chief financial officer. Cox, who has been with Lids for eight years, has held a variety of accounting and finance leadership roles. Most recently, he served as senior VP of finance for the past year, and was previously VP of finance.

In his new position, Cox will oversee the company’s finance, loss prevention, human resources, and information technology departments.

“Greg’s deep understanding of Lids’ operations and financial strategy, combined with his leadership experience, makes him uniquely suited to take on this critical role,” said Bob Durda, president of Lids. “His vision for simplifying and optimizing both customer-facing and internal processes will be key as we continue our focus on enhancing the customer experience and driving business efficiencies.”

Under Cox’s leadership, Lids says it will focus on increasing same-store sales, driving customer traffic and engagement, enhancing inventory investment efficiency, and improving customer service.

[READ MORE: Lids co-founder launches online headwear platform Make My Cap]

“It’s an exciting time at Lids, and I am honored to step into this role,” said Cox. “We have a talented team and a strong business strategy. I look forward to continuing our efforts to improve operations and deliver exceptional results for both our customers and the organization.”

Based in Indianapolis, Lids Sports Group operates more than 2,000 locations across North America, Europe and Australia.

Loblaw Companies Ltd. is expanding its network of stores and doubling down on discounting as part of a planned $10 billion (Canadian dollars) investment during the next five years. 

As part of its plans to invest $2 billion (C) in the Canadian economy this year, the food and pharmacy giant will open 80 new stores under the No Frills, Maxi, Shoppers Drug Mart, Pharmaprix and T&T banners. The openings include approximately 50 “hard discount” stores. In 2024, Loblaw opened three no-frills discount grocery stores under the No Name banner in the Ontario province.

In addition, Loblaw will renovate more than 300 grocery and pharmacy locations. The renovations include adding approximately 100 new Shoppers Drug Mart pharmacy care clinics.

The company also will continue the development of its modernized supply chain, including the initial opening of the 1.2-sq.-ft. foot facility in East Gwillimbury, Ontario.

“From opening one of the largest fully automated distribution centers in North America, to introducing dozens of small format hard discount stores to communities that need them most, this investment will have a positive impact across the country,” said Per Bank, president and CEO, Loblaw Companies Ltd. “As a proudly Canadian owned and operated business, we’ll also work to showcase Canadian-made value and quality across our entire network.”

The company noted it anticipates similar levels of investment during the next five years – with plans to invest more than $10 billion by 2030 – adding to the more than $8 billion it has invested since 2020 to improve and expand its network of stores and modernize its supply chain.

Loblaw operates 2,500 stores across Canada under a variety of banners.