News Briefs

The Home Depot Inc. is widening the range of advertisers that can target its shoppers and partnering with Yahoo to improve ad relevance.

Home Depot initially launched a retail media network in 2018 and then upgraded it to the new Orange Apron Media offering in March 2024. According to the retailer, its retail media network has become the largest home improvement offering of its kind, providing suppliers with managed service and self-service media buying opportunities on owned and offsite media channels. 

[READ MORE: EXCLUSIVE: Home Depot builds retail media network around DIY needs]

The retailer has focused Orange Apron Media on seamlessly integrating retail media offerings into its partner advertisers’ digital strategies through owned and offsite channels, and digital screen testing in select stores.

Home Depot has started working with non-endemic brands (companies that do not sell products via the retailer) across categories like financial services, home security, insurance, automotive, and travel to help them understand lifestyle insights of its customers for more precise targeting without needing to be on the shelf. 

Orange Apron integrates with Yahoo ConnectID

In September 2024, Home Depot partnered with retail media technology provider Pentaleap Inc. to deliver ads that align more closely with shopper needs by highlighting the right products at the right time. 

The retailer is now integrating Orange Apron Media with Yahoo ConnectID, a Yahoo Demand Side Platform (DSP) solution which enables ad tech platforms to recognize and match users across the open web in a secure manner that protects consumer privacy. As a result, Home Depot says Orange Apron advertisers will be better able to get access to the right shoppers at the right time, without relying on cookies or third-party shortcuts, to deliver more relevant ads.

A platform designed to empower parents with instant access to vetted experts and support is teaming up with Target.

Tot Squad has acquired Gugu Guru’s concierge training program, “Gugu Concierge,” giving the platform access to proprietary training content and tools designed to certify “registry consultants” and elevate the in-store and online experience for families nationwide. 

Tot Squad said the acquisition will support its growing partnership with Target as the two brands roll out a “first-of-its-kind” Baby Concierge program. As of August 1st, Tot Squad’s trained experts will guide Target customers online through registry creation and product recommendations, answering all of their questions about baby gear essentials and services.  

Also, in mid-September, 15 Target stores across Los Angeles and Minneapolis  will roll out out the “Target Baby Concierge Program,” according to Tot Squad.

“At Tot Squad, we believe every parent deserves peace of mind when preparing for their baby,” said Jen Saxton, CEO of Tot Squad. “By bringing the pioneering Gugu Concierge training into our fold, we’re able to offer a robust certification program for registry consultants, ensuring that parents get trusted advice and a stress-free registry experience.”

Gugu Guru was launched in 2015 as a platform for helping expectant parents navigate the overwhelming world of baby products powered by its innovative and proprietary registry quiz. From 2015-2022, the company helped thousands of parents build personalized registries based on their unique lifestyles, i

"We launched Gugu Concierge to simplify the baby registry journey for parents with personalized, expert support,” said Monica Banks, founder of Gugu Guru. “I’m thrilled that Tot Squad and Target will build on that original vision and continue this program, while Gugu Guru continues on its new journey to help mom-founded brands find the right creators to support their growing businesses.”

[READ MORE: Survey: Most Buybuy Baby shoppers will switch to Target — across all categories]

 Tot Squad also has been partnering with Walmart since 2022.

Publix reported robust sales and earnings for its second quarter.

The grocer reported net earnings of $1.4 billion for the quarter ended June 28, compared to $972 million in the year-ago period. Earnings per share for the quarter increased to $0.42 per share, up from $0.29 per share in the prior year. Adjusted earnings would have been $0.32 per share, compared to $0.29 per share in 2024.

Sales rose 7.3% to $15.6 billion. Comparable store sales for the period increased 6%. Publix’s sales for the six months ended June 28 were $31.4 billion, a 6.2% increase over last year.

Effective Aug. 1, Publix’s stock price increased from $20.20 per share to $21.15 per share. (The grocer's stock is not publicly traded and is made available for sale only to current Publix associates and members of its board of directors.)

“Next month, we will celebrate Publix’s 95th anniversary,” said Publix CEO Kevin Murphy. “I’m proud our associates continue to deliver on the vision our founder had when he started this special company.”

[READ MORE: Grocery spending remains steady, consumers to cut back elsewhere]

Based in Lakeland, Fla., Publix is the largest employee-owned company in the U.S. with more than 260,000 associates. It currently operates 1,413 stores in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia and Kentucky.

[READ MORE: Maka Mia Pizza opens robotic pizza kiosks]

A quick-serve sandwich giant is celebrating the release of "Happy Gilmore 2" with a new pop-up experience.

Subway has transformed its store at 1801 W. Pico Blvd. in Santa Monica, Calif., into a "Happy Place" – the main character’s surreal and serene dream world. Created in close partnership with Netflix, Subway's Happy Place will let fans of the golf comedy relive iconic scenes from the new movie, play mini-golf on a course inspired by the film's most memorable shots, enjoy cast appearances and more on Aug. 8 from 12 to 7 p.m.

The exterior of the store has been revamped with greenery to mimic the golf course atmosphere. In addition to the immersive experience, guests can also relax with beer on tap in Subway's country-club-style beer garden.

Earlier this month, Subway and Netflix teamed up for a limited-time promotional “Happy Gilmore Meal” combo including a sandwich, chips, and a drink with one of four limited-edition cups featuring different characters from the movie franchise. Subway says it sold 1.6 million of the meals at restaurants across the United States and Canada.

Admission for the one day “Happy Place” activation is free, but guests are encouraged to make a reservation and secure their spot in line at SubwayHappyPlace.com/events.

[READ MORE: Subway taps former Burger King exec as CEO]

Subway operates nearly 37,000 restaurants around the world, owned and operated by a network of thousands of Subway franchisees.

The longtime leader of NACS (National Association of Convenience Stores) is stepping down.

NACS has named Frank Gleeson, former president and CEO of Aramark Northern Europe and 2018-2019 NACS chairman, as president and CEO, effective Jan. 2. He succeeds Henry Armour, who has served in the position since July 2005. Armour will provide support to Gleeson and continue to lead international activities at NACS for several years.

Most recently, Gleeson served as chairman of the National Oil Reserve Agency in Ireland. Prior to that, from 2014 to 2017, he was president and CEO of Aramark Northern Europe, where he oversaw a team of over 20,000 employees across 2,800-plus locations in the United Kingdom, Ireland and EMEA (Europe, the Middle East and Africa).

 Prior to Aramark, Gleeson was retail director at Topaz Energy Group, the largest importer, distributor and retailer of transportation fuel in Ireland with over 330 convenience stores and service stations, 60 distribution depots and four import terminals.

He also served as VP of retail at Statoil Ireland (now Equinor), where he led the development of the first American-style convenience store in Ireland. Most recently, he served as chairman of the National Oil Reserve Agency in Ireland.

Gleeson also has been extremely active in NACS and other trade associations. He previously served on the NACS International Board for 19 years and was on the NACS board for 11 years, including his term as 2018-19 NACS chairman.