News Briefs

Customers can no longer take a fragrance off the shelf for purchase at Sephora.

The beauty giant has removed all fragrances from its stores shelves and displays, reported CNN.  Tester bottles are out on display, but if customers want to buy a fragrance, they need to ask a store associate to get it for them.  The move comes as retailers are reporting rising levels of retail crime. The type of higher-end fragrances that Sephora sells have long been regarded as high-theft items.

Calling the safety and security of employees and customers its “top priority,” Sephora told CNN that has increased the presence of loss prevention investigators across its stores “to minimize the threats of retail theft and to provide our shoppers with the peace of mind during their experience at Sephora. With that, Out of an abundance of caution, Sephora only displays fragrance testers in-stores."

In May, executives from Sephora rival Ulta Beauty said during the company’s earnings call that fragrance cabinets would be in 70% of the chain this year, with fragrance being one of its targeted theft categories.  During the call, COO Dave Kimbell said Ulta is committed to "ensuring a safe work environment," and is investing in fixtures, training, support structures, increased staffing and security.

Sephora rolled out the fragrance change during the summer, according to the CNN report, which also noted that the fragrance testers have also been targeted for theft.

Thousands of Walgreens pharmacies nationwide will go dark on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 23.

The company, which had a total of 8,701 stores in the U.S. as of Aug. 31, is closing most of its stores on the holiday. An exception is the approximate 700 Walgreens 24-hour locations, nearly all of whic will remain open “to help meet the healthcare needs of our customers,’ Walgreens said. This is the first time in Walgreens' history that its stores will closed on Thanksgiving Day.

In addition, a “small number” of Walgreens distribution centers and other sites will also continue to operate on Thanksgiving Day, including supply chain and centralized teams. 

The move comes on the heels of walkouts in October by some pharmacists at Walgreens and CVS Health stores across the country.  The employees claim that insufficient staffing has made for overwhelming work environments. It also comes under the leadership of new CEO Tim Wentworth, who took the reins Walgreens in October.

“We have consistently heard from our team members—who are the face of Walgreens—that time off is a meaningful way for us to demonstrate we value them,” said Tracey D. Brown, executive VP, president, Walgreens retail and chief customer officer. “We heard them, are committed to listening to their feedback and are dedicated to doing what is right for them. We hope they can enjoy the holiday and spend time with their loved ones.”

Brown added that the company’s change in operations this year is intended to acknowledge “the dedication of our store team members and leadership, pharmacists and pharmacy techs who are working incredibly hard to deliver great customer and patient care.”

  “We’re grateful for all they do each day,” he said.

Subway has appointed Jeff Shepherd as CFO. 

Shepherd succeeds Ben Wells who will retire at the end of the year after a 46-year career. Most recently, Shepherd served as executive VP and CFO of Advance Auto Parts where he set financial strategy for the business and led the company's finance functions. 

Prior to joining Advance in 2017, Shepherd spent seven years at General Motors,  including serving as controller General Motors Europe.  He also held a series of leadership roles with Ernst & Young.

"Jeff has a well-earned reputation for driving strong financial results for global brands, bringing nearly 30 years of financial and accounting experience to our organization," said Subway CEO John Chidsey. "As we welcome Jeff to Subway, we also thank Ben for his significant contributions. Since joining the company in December 2019, Ben has been a key driver of our brand's global financial stability and strategic growth, contributing to 11 consecutive quarters of positive sales results."

Shepherd, who is is based in the company's Shelton, Conn. Headquarters, will work closely with Wells for the remainder of the year to ensure a seamless transition.

Subway has nearly 37,000 locations in more than 100 countries.

The quick-serve restaurant company has appointed Jeff Shepherd as CFO. He succeeds Ben Wells who will retire at the end of the year after a 46-year career.

Most recently, Shepherd served as executive VP and CFO of Advance Auto Parts where he set financial strategy for the business and led the company's finance functions.  Prior to joining Advance in 2017, Shepherd spent seven years at General Motors,  including serving as controller General Motors Europe.  He also held a series of leadership roles with Ernst & Young.

"Jeff has a well-earned reputation for driving strong financial results for global brands, bringing nearly 30 years of financial and accounting experience to our organization," said Subway CEO John Chidsey. "As we welcome Jeff to Subway, we also thank Ben for his significant contributions. Since joining the company in December 2019, Ben has been a key driver of our brand's global financial stability and strategic growth, contributing to 11 consecutive quarters of positive sales results."

Shepherd, who is is based in the company's Shelton, Conn. Headquarters, will work closely with Wells for the remainder of the year to ensure a seamless transition.

Subway has nearly 37,000 locations in more than 100 countries.

Circuit City is plotting its return to physical retail.

The former consumer electronics giant, which closed its last stores in 2009, said it has launched a Series A funding round and plans for strategic alliances with “national companies.”  Circuit City filed for bankruptcy in 2008. Its intellectual property assets were sold to Systemax Inc. which, in 2015, sold the assets to New York retail veteran Ronny Shmoel. He relaunched the company’s website in 2018.

The new “Powered by Circuit City” partnerships will integrate Circuit City’s electronics expertise and global brand awareness with other platforms, both online and in-store, according to the company.  The centerpiece of the collaborations will be an in-store concept  designed to empowering customers of established well-known national companies to explore and purchase a range of electronics, curated by Circuit City. The company said the ventures will amplify its reach, giving shoppers an integrated experience while blending other products with cutting-edge technology. 

The integrations are slated to kick off online and in select locations this year with plans for a more expansive rollout in 2024. Circuit City plans to support the partnerships by offering access to its platform, customer service, private label products and a “white-glove” consumer electronics experience.

"The partnerships are a collaboration of iconic brands, reflecting Circuit City's dedication to innovation and commitment to delivering strategic AI-driven solutions to an even wider customer base,” said CEO Shmoel. 

Amazon is enabling direct shopping via a social media platform popular with Gen Z.

In an email to Chain Store Age, an Amazon spokesperson confirmed that the e-tailer is, for the first time, enabling customers to shop its Snapchat ads and check out with Amazon without leaving the social media app.

“Customers in the U.S. will see real-time pricing, Prime eligibility, delivery estimates, and product details on select Amazon product ads in Snapchat as part of the new experience,” the spokesperson said in the email. “In-app shopping with Amazon is available for select products advertised on Snapchat and sold by Amazon or by independent sellers in Amazon’s store.”

This social media shopping partnership follows Amazon’s recent collaboration with Meta for in-app shopping on Facebook and Instagram. Meta now lets consumers directly link their Facebook and Instagram social media accounts to Amazon in order to see real-time pricing, Prime eligibility, delivery estimates and product details on select Amazon product ads in Facebook and Instagram.

As a result, participating Facebook and Instagram users can make purchases from Amazon by clicking on ads in their social feeds, without having to leave the Facebook or Instagram app.

Main Amazon rival Walmart simulcasts shoppable livestreams on Facebook, allowing Facebook followers of retailers, brands, publishers and influencers receive an alert when they go live on a Walmart live shopping broadcast, giving consumers the ability to watch and shop directly within the social network.

These deals also come as TikTok is looking to challenge Amazon by diving into e-commerce. In September, the company launched its long-anticipated TikTok Shop in the United States. The video-focused social media platform says it has more than 150 million U.S. users. 

Meanwhile, e-commerce giant eBay began letting users share eBay listings directly into Snapchat posts in 2022.

Editor's Note: Official Ghost logo downloaded from Snapchat according to guidelines.