News Briefs

Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc. has appointed a new chief brand officer.

The experiential stuffed animal and character retailer has named Kim Utlaut as senior VP and chief brand officer. Reporting directly to the chief operations officer Chris Hurt, Utlaut’s responsibilities will include overseeing Build-A-Bear’s brand and communications strategy in addition to growing its customer base.

Utlaut joins the retailer from The Coca-Cola Company, where she spent more than 23 years in a variety of roles. Most recently, she served as general manager of franchise leadership since February of 2021. During her tenure at Coca-Cola, Ultaut developed strategic partnerships with organizations such as the NCAA, U.S. Soccer and the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee.

[READ MORE: Build-A-Bear brand effort includes 50 new stores, Roblox]

"Kim's appointment is a testament to management's focus on the ongoing evolution of Build-A-Bear as we drive toward delivering accelerated profitable growth," said Hurt. "Her deep expertise in brand strategy and marketing, along with her innovative vision and passion, is expected to provide valuable insights as we look to continue to build momentum for the brand. We are confident her remarkable background and proven leadership will be valuable as we focus on opportunities to take Build-A-Bear to new heights, bringing even more joy to kids and those young at heart across the globe.”

Headquartered in St. Louis, Build-A-Bear Workshop Inc. operates more than 500 interactive brick-and-mortar experience locations through a variety of formats.

Amazon is bucking a popular retail trend with its holiday promotional schedule.

Although the e-tail giant has already hosted two early holiday events – Prime Big Deal Days (Oct. 8-9) and the ongoing Holiday Beauty Haul (running through Sunday, Nov. 3) – its official Black Friday sales event does not start until Friday, Nov. 29, which is the traditional day-after-Thanksgiving date for Black Friday.

In addition, Amazon will begin its Cyber Monday sale Monday, Dec, 2. During 2023, the online giant began its Black Friday event early on Friday, Nov. 17, followed by its Cyber Monday weekend event which started Saturday, Nov. 25.

[READ MORE: Amazon hosting Black Friday, Cyber Monday sales; runs Beatles ad]

In a corporate blog post, Amazon said it will offer “deep discounts” on products in categories including tech, home goods, clothing and toys. The company also said early Black Friday deals will be available on the Amazon Deals page, and the Alexa voice-activated personal device can track customer deals and proactively notify customers up to 24 hours in advance if there is a deal coming on an eligible item they want.

Customers can make a purchase directly from an Alexa deal notification by saying "Alexa, buy it for me."

Chief Amazon rival Walmart is launching its 2024 Black Friday promotion on Monday, Nov. 11, and other retailers getting an early start on Black Friday and Cyber Monday promotions this year include Best Buy and Tik Tok Shop.

Nearly three-quarters of consumers are planning to take advantage of Black Friday and Cyber Monday this year, according to Slickdeals data; and Mastercard Spending Pulse data indicated U.S. retail sales on Black Friday rose 2.5% year-over-year in 2023.

So much for a comeback.

Esprit U.S. Retail Inc. and Esprit U.S. Distributions have both filed Chapter 7 petitions for liquidation with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in New York’s Southern District, reported Women’s Wear Daily. The move comes after the apparel company, which had been attempting a comeback in the U.S., had started downsizing earlier this year.

Esprit, which defined California cool in the late 1980s and 1990s before losing momentum and falling behind amid mismanagement and changing fashion trends, closed all its U.S. stores more than 10 years ago. In late 2022, the company announced its plans to return to the U.S. retail scene, with the official relaunch planned for mid-2023. 

In February 2023, Esprit, which is owned by Hong Kong-based Esprit Holdings Ltd., signed a lease with Hudson Square Properties in New York City for what would  become the company's new global creative headquarters, in downtown Manhattan. The headquarters will now go dark.

With the exception of several pop-ups, Esprit’s brick-and-mortar strategy, central to its U.S. comeback, never took off. Earlier this year, Esprit’s retail operations in Belgium, Germany and Switzerland, which total about 160 stores, were closed through bankruptcies, according to the WWD report, with some stores still open in other parts of Europe.

Esprit was founded in 1969 by Doug and Susie Tompkins (who previously founded The North Face) and Jane Tise. In 1996, they sold their interest to their Hong Kong partner and the company’s headquarters moved from San Francisco to overseas. 

Marks & Spencer is rolling out a new option to streamline the purchasing process in its clothing stores.

The British apparel and food giant is adding add self-checkouts to fitting rooms in its 180 clothing stores, reported The Telegraph. The move is designed to avoid to prevent shoppers from having to get in line twice during the shopping experience, according to the report. The self-checkouts are expected to be rolled out to about 100 stores by early 2028

"We’d like customers to be able to walk straight into the fitting room with no queue, try on what they’ve chosen, then pay there and just walk out,” Sacha Berendji, M&S’s operations director, told The Telegraph.

Berendji said that initial plan is to add one of the checkouts per changing room area, with the number to increase depending on customer demand. To protect against shoplifting, the stores would have staff “hosting” the changing room areas to make sure customers did not leave without paying, 

The changes are part of a wider overhaul of M&S’s larger stores, the report noted, which include its ranges of clothing, home and food, and individual food halls. 

BJ’s Wholesale Club has announced the opening dates for its next two club locations.

The retailer opened its newest Florida location in West Palm Beach on Friday, Oct. 25. The new stores marks the 39th BJ’s club in the Sunshine State, offering customers a BJ’s Gas location in addition to the chain’s selection of fresh foods, household items, home decor, seasonal items and more.

“We are eager to deliver unbeatable value and convenience to shoppers in Palm Beach County,” said Bryan Cravey, club manager of the new West Palm Beach Store. “Our members in West Palm Beach will love saving up to 25% off grocery store prices every day and enjoy the convenience of a true one-stop shop, as we take care of the families who depend on us.”

[READ MORE: BJ’s beats Street on revenues, profits in Q2]

On Friday, Nov. 1, BJ’s will open a new club in Carmel, Ind., its second in the state. The new club will also feature a BJ’s Gas location.

“We’re looking forward to taking care of the families who depend on us and serving our newest members in the Carmel community,” said Stephen Lucas, club manager of the Carmel store.

Earlier this year, BJ’s announced plans for new stores that are slated to open in 2025, including clubs in Hanover, N.J., Southern Pines, N.C. and Louisville, Ky. In March, BJ’s said it would open 12 new stores in fiscal 2024.

Founded in 1984 and headquartered in Marlborough, Mass., BJ’s currently operates 246 clubs and 181 BJ's Gas locations in 20 states.

After recently announcing its planned entry into Maryland, Zaxbys will soon open its first stores in a neighboring East Coast state.

The Atlanta-based quick-serve chain known for its chicken fingers and wings will open its first locations in New Jersey. Led by GSP Group, the first two of six planned locations are set to open in southern New Jersey in the summer of 2025.

"We started looking into Zaxbys about a year ago," said Premanand Gupta, co-owner of GSP Group and longtime Garden State resident. "We have always been interested in the growing chicken market, and Zaxbys stood out with its exceptional product and strong business model. We're confident that it will quickly become a local favorite."

[READ MORE: Zaxbys to open first stores in Maryland]

The locations for the first two Zaxbys in New Jersey have already been identified with leases signed. GSP Group, which operates other quick-serve franchise stores such as Dunkin’ and Subway, plans to “establish a strong presence in South Jersey before expanding north.”

"We are eager to see Zaxbys expand into New Jersey with such experienced and passionate owners,” said Mike Mettler, chief development officer at Zaxbys. “The GSP Group's strong operational background and commitment to excellence make them the ideal partners to grow our brand in this new market."

Founded in 1990, Zaxbys, operates more than 950 locations in 17 states.