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.

Angela Aman, who has served as CFO and treasurer of Brixmor Property Group since 2016, has been promoted to the additional position of president by this owner-operator of 365 open-air retail centers.

In addition to her ongoing responsibilities, she will now oversee the company’s reinvestment function. Aman is a 20-year retail real estate veteran who previously served as CFO of Retail Properties of American Inc. and Starwood Retail Partners.

Brixmor also promoted its longtime leasing chief and chief revenue officer Brian Finnegan to senior executive VP and chief operating officer. He will now oversee the company's construction and property management functions as well as tenant relationships.

“Angela and Brian are extremely talented, proven leaders and team players who have been critical to our success. I am excited they have agreed to take on these additional leadership responsibilities,” said Brixmor CEO James Taylor in a press release announcing the promotions.

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.