News Briefs

Circle K is offering legal-age shoppers mobile cashback rebates on beer, wine and spirits, delivered almost instantly after purchase.

The convenience retailer, a subsidiary of Alimentation Couche-Tard, is leveraging the Swiftly alcohol cashback rebate app in more than 4,300 stores across 31 states. The platform automates state-by-state rebate compliance and streamlines the offer submission process for alcohol suppliers. 

This allows Circle K to onboard new campaigns more quickly and operate within the legal framework of each participating state. In addition, Circle K and its supplier partners utilize back-end reporting tools with analytics including redemption rates and product performance by region to support promotional planning and brand-retailer collaboration.

The program also streamlines the rebate experience for shoppers by eliminating traditional mail-in rebates and delivering digital cashback directly to them. Since its initial rollout in May, Circle K says the initiative has improved rebate redemptions and conversion rates in the alcohol category.

"Our customers are looking for convenience and savings, and this program delivers both," said Jeff Lohnes, director of adult beverage for U.S. at Circle K. "By partnering with Swiftly, we’re not only bringing exciting offers to our shoppers but also further enhancing customer loyalty."

Campaigns are supported by in-store signage, digital displays, and a dedicated in-app cashback experience, allowing brands to influence alcohol purchase decisions at the point of sale.

"Together with Circle K, we’re proving that compliant, digital alcohol promotions can be simple, seamless, and powerful," said Henry Kim, co-founder and CEO at Swiftly. "This program enhances the value exchange between brands, retailers, and shoppers — creating stronger loyalty and driving long-term revenue growth."

[READ MORE: Ibotta will provide Instacart customers third-party coupons]

Walgreens Boots Alliance shareholders have overwhelmingly approved the company’s pending acquisition by Sycamore Partners.

According to preliminary results, approximately 96% of votes cast at the “Special Meeting of Shareholders” by all Walgreens’ shareholders were voted in favor of the merger agreement proposal. In addition, approximately 95% of the votes cast at the meeting by unaffiliated shareholders were voted in favor of the proposal. 

In March, Walgreens agreed to be acquired by Sycamore Partners for around $10 billion. The transaction is expected to close in the third of fourth quarter of this year, at which time Walgreen’s common stock will no longer be listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market and it will become a private company

“We appreciate the consideration and overwhelming support from our shareholders in our value-maximizing transaction with Sycamore,” said Tim Wentworth, CEO of Walgreens Boots Alliance. “With Sycamore’s partnership, we will be better positioned to accelerate our turnaround strategy, further enhance the customer, patient and team member experience and become the first choice for pharmacy, retail and health services. We look forward to closing the transaction and entering this next chapter.”

 Under the terms of the agreement with Sycamore, Walgreens shareholders will receive $11.45 per share in cash at closing, and one non-transferable Divested Asset Proceeds Right to receive up to an additional $3.00 in cash per share from the future monetization of WBA’s debt and equity interests in VillageMD, which includes the Village Medical, Summit Health and CityMD businesses.

Walgreens employs approximately 312,000 people, with a presence in eight countries and banners that include Walgreens, Boots, Duane Reade, No7 Beauty Company and Benavides.

A fast-growing pickleball chain has made a new addition to its C-suite as it continues its momentum.

The Picklr has named Abby Olson as its new chief operating officer. In the new position, she will play a “pivotal role” in scaling The Picklr's operations and driving strategic growth, overseeing day-to-day operations, streamlining franchise support systems, fostering cross-functional collaboration across departments, and more.

Olson joins The Picklr from Crumble Cookies, where she served as VP of field operations since July 2023, and spent nearly six-and-a-half years with the company in total. 

She is credited with helping scale Crumbl from fewer than 10 locations to more than 1,100 across two countries. Olson led one of the organization's largest teams, oversaw the opening of up to 16 new locations per week, and drove cross-functional collaboration across supply chain, franchise development, customer experience, international operations, and more.

[READ MORE: Pickleball franchise plots global expansion]

"Abby's entrepreneurial mindset and deep operational knowledge make her the perfect fit for this critical leadership role," said Jorge Barragan, co-founder and CEO of Utah-based company. "Her experience scaling one of the fastest-growing franchise brands in the country is invaluable as we accelerate The Picklr's national and international expansion."

The Picklr operates more than 94 pickleball clubs nationwide, with more than 500 locations in development.

A leading open-air shopping center owner and developer has added to its leadership team.

Charlotte, N.C.-based Big V Property Group announced that Josh Binkley has been named VP of construction, and will oversee the planning, execution, and delivery of capital projects across the company’s national retail portfolio.

Binkley has over two decades of commercial real estate development and construction experience. Most recently, he served as director of construction at U.S Realty Partners, Inc., and previously held roles at Brixmor Property Group, Sunston Two Tree, Douglas Emmett, Kornwasser Shopping Centers, and Simon Property Group.

“We welcome Josh at a particularly apt moment in our company’s 83-year history,” said Kenton McKeehan, president and chief investment officer at Big V. “As we continue to expand our holdings and our redevelopment opportunities, Josh’s experience will be invaluable.”

Binkley will lead a team of project managers and tenant coordinators, ensuring construction initiatives align with Big V’s strategic goals for "asset enhancement, leasing support, and long-term value creation."

[READ MORE: Big V names new investment chief, executive VP of leasing]

“Big V is not just reinventing individual shopping centers; it also is reinventing how retail real estate tenants interact with each other and interact with their guests,” Binkley said. “I’m excited to join such a dynamic company and bring all of my experience to its incredible team.”

Big V operates more than 50 outdoor shopping centers in 14 states totaling 9.5 million sq. ft.

J.McLaughlin has opened its first-ever Cabana Life retail experience.

The sportswear brand opened Cabana Life: Southampton in the tiny vacation town of Southampton on New York’s Long Island. Located next to the J.McLaughlin store  the space was designed in collaboration with renowned Venetian-born designer Alvise Orsini and showcases a curated edit of vintage J.McLaughlin designs, limited-edition summer styles and artisanal pieces by Orsini Glassworks.

Cabana Life features classic blue and white stripes, whitewashed wood, rattan textures and wicker details — reminiscent of a 1950s Venetian lido. The shop, which will host weekly community events, is intended to convey a broader evolution for J.McLaughlin, blending heritage with modern expression and inviting customers to engage with the brand in fresh, immersive ways, the company said.

“With our debut Cabana Life concept in Southampton, we're inviting customers to step directly into the narrative of a perfect seaside holiday,” said Greg Unis, interim CEO of J.McLaughlin. “It's more than just a store. It's a dynamic blend of boutique and clubhouse, a place where people can gather, linger, and truly experience the essence of our brand. This is the first expression of an evolved direction for J.McLaughlin, where storytelling, community, and discovery come together in an even more engaging way."

The merchandise mix combines archival J.McLaughlin pieces, including vintage wicker handbags, silk handkerchiefs and heritage scarves, alongside new arrivals that reflect the brand's modern take on coastal style. The assortment is displayed alongside Orsini's exclusive handblown Murano glasswork, created especially for the collaboration. The limited-edition glass pieces, featuring striped tumblers in jewel tones, coral and emerald-rimmed pitchers and sophisticated cocktail glasses, are available exclusively in the U.S. at J.McLaughlin Cabana Life: Southampton.

Founded in 1977 by brothers Kevin and Jay McLaughlin, J.McLaughlin has than 180 stores nationwide.

Costco Wholesale Corp. got a boost in June as consumers shopped for summer deals and its international division racked up a big increase.

The membership warehouse club retailer reported that its sales rose 8% to $26.44 billion for the retail month of June (the five weeks ended July 6), up from $24.48 billion last year. Costco’s better-performing product categories included candy, food and cooler items, along with meat and produce.

Total company comparable sales rose 5.8%, compared with a 4.3% increase in May. The strongest segment was international (outside of Canada), where comps rose 11.5%. Comp sales increased 4.7% in the U.S., and 6.7% in Canada.

Total company comparable sales excluding the impacts from changes in gasoline prices and foreign exchange rose 6.2%, increasing 5.5% in the U.S., 7.9% in Canada, and 8.2% internationally. 

Costco currently operates 907 warehouses, including 624 in the United States and Puerto Rico, 109 in Canada, 41 in Mexico, 37 in Japan, 29 in the United Kingdom, 20 in Korea, 15 in Australia, 14 in Taiwan, seven in China, five in Spain, two in France, two in Sweden, and one each in Iceland and New Zealand. Costco also operates e-commerce sites in the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Mexico, Korea, Taiwan, Japan and Australia.