News Briefs

A fast-growing pizza chain will test several different last-mile delivery platforms with its franchisees.

Marco’s Pizza is partnering with global mobility technology company Magna to conduct pilots and proofs-of-concept involving purpose-built, dedicated delivery solutions. These will include an electric, autonomous on-road last-mile delivery vehicle which can travel at speeds up to 20 MPH, an electric, autonomous sidewalk delivery robot and a low-speed, electric two-wheel bike.

Over the next several months, Marco’s and Magna will discuss proof-of-concept followed by a kick-off of in-market pilot projects with participating franchisees. These initial projects will provide data and insights into last-mile delivery usage rates, customer acceptance and overall efficiency.

Pizza retailer Domino’s also utilizes electric vehicles and e-bikes for delivery, and has piloted automated delivery vehicles in multiple markets.

"As one of the largest pizza brands, we invest in innovations that drive our franchisees’ businesses forward while meeting the needs of today's modern customer," said Rick Stanbridge, executive VP and CIO for Marco's Pizza. "Our strategic collaboration with Magna exemplifies this forward-thinking approach, and we plan to leverage their expertise to amplify our operations and elevate customer satisfaction."

"As we look at how people and goods will move in the future, we are continuously identifying new applications and technologies to match the needs of the expanded mobility landscape, the last-mile delivery market being one of them,” said Matteo Del Sorbo, executive VP at Magna and global lead for Magna New Mobility.

Headquartered in Toledo, Ohio, Marco's Pizza operates over 1,100 stores in 34 U.S. states with locations in Puerto Rico and the Bahamas.

Last month’s opening of a Target store in the former Sears space at Kings Plaza in Brooklyn has the mall’s owner overjoyed with the switch.

Macerich, which earlier placed Primark, Zara, and Burlington in the vacated space, tracked the early sales of the three-level Target and has projected that the replacement tenants will do eight times the annual sales that Sears did before it left.

“The tremendous success of the new Target, combined with strong performances for Primark, Zara and Burlington, demonstrates the power and promise of Kings Plaza, Brooklyn’s only fully enclosed retail center,” said Eric Bunyan, senior VP of leasing for Macerich’s east region.

Other recent arrivals at the 1.1 million-sq.-ft. mall on Flatbush Avenue in the Mill Basin section of Brooklyn include Shake Shack and Ashley Furniture. Macerch continues to seek out tenants for a 50,000-sq.-ft space on the corner of Flatbush Avenue and Avenue U with high visibility.

While redeveloping the Sears space, Macerich did a complete transformation of the front of the mall, added new lighting to its 10-level parking deck, and installed new furnishings and flooring on the mall’s second level.

Dozens of looters, mostly teenagers, ransacked stores across Philadelphia on Tuesday night, smashing store windows, toppling displays and fleeing with merchandise. 

The disruption started in the early evening, shortly after the conclusion of peaceful protests against a judge’s decision to dismiss all charges against a former Philadelphia police officer in the fatal shooting of 27-year-old Eddie Irizarry during an encounter at a traffic stop in August. 

“This had nothing to do with the protests," Interim Philadelphia Police Commissioner John Stanford said in a press conference on Tuesday night. "What we had tonight was a bunch of criminal opportunists take advantage of a situation to make an attempt to destroy our city."

The looting occurred the same day that Target said it was closing nine stores in key U.S. stores due to theft, organized crime and safety concerns.

The flash mob-style looting began in the Center City area and then moved into other neighborhoods, with more than 100 juveniles and young adults reported to be involved. Police said the effort to steal merchandise was apparently coordinated. As of Wednesday afternoon, 49 people were arrested by the Philadelphia Police Department in connection with the looting.

The targeted businesses included clothing and sneaker shops, high-end stores, wine and spirit stores and drug stores. Foot Locker, Apple, Lululemon and T-Mobile were among the big-name retailers hit. 

Although no injuries were immediately reported,  CBS Philadelphia reported that a security guard was assaulted at the Foot Locker.

 

A longtime Smart & Final executive is leaving.

Chedraui USA, parent company of El Super, Smart & Final and Fiesta Mart stores, said that Scott Drew, president of Smart & Final, is retiring, effective September 29, 2023. 

Drew, who began his career in the industry more than four decades ago as a grocery clerk,  joined Smart & Final in 2010 as senior VP of store operations.  Prior to being named president in 2021, he held various other leadership positions, including COO.

In 2021, Smart & Final was acquired by Grupo Comercial Chedraui, the third largest retailer in Mexico,  from private equity firm Apollo Global Management for approximately $620 million.

“I am grateful for Scott’s tireless service to Smart & Final for more than a decade,” said Carlos Smith, CEO of Chedraui USA. “I wish him and his wife, Kelly, the very best as they embark on this next chapter of their lives.”

Carlos Smith will continue to serve as CEO of Chedraui USA with 

Sean Mahony, senior VP of store operations; Matt Reeve, senior VP of sales & merchandising; and Dan Matarelli, group VP of Chedraui USA marketing will now report directly to Smith.

Chedraui USA is based in Los Angeles and is the fourth largest grocery retailer in California with 377 locations in California, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas. It is a subsidiary of Grupo Comercial Chedraui based in Mexico.

 

A regional grocer is ensuring it has the right products in the right quantities, at the right time, to meet shopper demands.

Harps Food Stores, which operates in six Southern and Southwestern states, is deploying inventory and replenishment optimization solutions from Upshop. The grocery chain plans to utilize Upshop technology to monitor demand signals, forecast quantities accurately, generate precise orders, and ensure optimal product availability.

As part of its Upshop implementation, Harps is rolling out the Magic platform, which will enable the retailer to optimize inventory and ordering for both center store and fresh departments, streamline its merchandising operations, enhance its IT footprint, and consolidate various functions into a single, all-in-one solution spanning the entire store.

Specific workflows Harps intends to optimize include product assortment, which it will be able to dynamically adjust to align with shopper demand; as well as merchandising, via more consistent item placement in stores. The retailer also seeks to extend fresh item shelf life and provide store associates with more time to assist shoppers.

“We are committed to providing our customers with the freshest and most satisfying shopping experience,” said David Ganoung, senior VP / chief marketing officer at Harps Food Stores. “At Harps. Upshop is pivotal in achieving this goal by optimizing our inventory and ensuring that the products our customers want are always available.” 

[Read more: Harps Food Stores rewards loyalty – with a personal touch]

Headquartered in Springdale, Ark., employee-owned Harps Food Stores operates 147 stores in six states including Arkansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Kansas.

Dick’s Sporting Goods is getting ready for the holiday rush.   

The nation’s largest sporting goods retailer plans to hire 8,600 seasonal workers for the upcoming holiday season. Dick’s will kick off its holiday hiring at its "National Signing Day" on Oct. 3, at which it will recruit for all of its store banners nationwide. 

Dick’s 2023 holiday hiring goal is down slightly from last year, when it said it would add up to 9,000 seasonal workers. According to a recent report by global coaching firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas, retailers will add 410,000 seasonal positions this year, the lowest number of jobs added in the final quarter since 2008.  

Similar to last year, Dick’s will again close all of its stores and distribution centers on Thanksgiving Day, which falls on November 23 this year, so that employees can spend the holiday with their families. Stores will re-open re- on Black Friday.

“Our seasonal teammates are key to creating a great holiday shopping experience for our athletes," said Julie Lodge-Jarrett, senior VP, chief people & purpose officer at Dick’s Sporting Goods. "We're looking forward to offering an unparalleled in-store experience with the most in-demand brands and styles and having a knowledgeable and friendly team is critical."

Dick’s is asking interested applicants to apply first online and then visit their local store on National Signing Day (October 3) to be interviewed. Holiday hiring will continue beyond National Signing Day until all positions are filled.