News Briefs

Walmart Inc.’s Mexico and Central America business unit is utilizing artificial intelligence to streamline store workflows.

Walmart de México y Centroamérica, the largest retailer in Latin America, is implementing the Quorso Co-Pilot AI workforce management tool across its 2,850 Bodega Aurrera and Walmart Supercenter stores.

"Walmart de México y Centroamérica uses technology to simplify our associates' work and to improve the customer experience," said Walmart Mexico portfolio manager Leonardo Golfin. "Quorso is a valuable partner in our desire for continuous improvement."

The retailer will leverage Quorso technology in an effort to digitize and simplify activities for its store associates and managers. The AI-based solution is designed to analzye terabytes of retail data to create personalized priorities for each field and store leader. 

Utilizing the tool, field leaders can help prioritize what to focus and act on, and then measure their impact.  

"Walmart de México y Centroamérica has a reputation as one of the best operators globally," said Quorso CEO Julian Mills. "We are delighted to partner with them and help them to implement our new technology across their store network."

Walmart Mexico operates in six countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico and Nicaragua. The company operates 3,631 stores and clubs in 696 cities, as well as 31 distribution centers in the region. In Mexico, it operates under the Bodega Aurrera, Walmart Express, Walmart Supercenter and Sam’s Club banners.

[READ MORE: Walmart Mexico bolsters retail media capabilities]

Meijer is looking to bring on construction suppliers across multiple trades as its gears up for a busy 2025 and beyond.

The Michigan-based discounter will host an open call for new construction services companies to be considered for its upcoming 2025 and 2026 construction projects. Qualified companies must be able to perform work within Meijer’s six-state footprint — Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, Illinois, Wisconsin and Kentucky — and specialize in earthwork, landscaping, paving, concrete, roofing, floor painting, metal stud/drywall, fixturing, HVAC, plumbing, fire protection, electrical, traffic signals and other general skilled trades.

Companies of all sizes can apply here from Nov. 1 - 30 for consideration. Interested vendors can register here for a virtual information session on Nov. 13. The session will provide more background on the opportunities and qualifications, and include a Q&A portion for any further questions.

"With many upcoming projects under development, we're excited to continue the expansion of our construction partners and invite companies of all sizes to join our roster," said Roger Whitford, director of construction at Meijer. "We look forward to working alongside these great companies to enhance our customers' in-store experience." 

[READ MORE: Meijer expands footprint with three new stores] 

Once applications are submitted, Meijer will review them to ensure suppliers are qualified. Accepted suppliers will be notified and included in the retailer's communication of future construction project opportunities.  

“We are dedicated to cultivating a supplier base that reflects our current and future needs," said Carla Hendon, director of supplier inclusion & indirect procurement at Meijer. "This open call represents a significant opportunity for companies of all sizes, across multiple trades to collaborate and grow with us." 

Based in Grand Rapids, Mich., Meijer operates more than 500 supercenters, grocery stores, neighborhood markets and express locations throughout the Midwest. 

Delivery service Grubhub has added its first pet retail partner to its marketplace.

More than 14,000 items are available for delivery from more than 1,400 PetSmart locations on Grubhub in all 50 states. Customers can choose from premium pet food, treats, toys and apparel, available for on-demand delivery. The addition of PetSmart marks Grubhub’s first expansion outside of restaurants, convenience and grocery.

"Now with PetSmart, we're giving our customers the ultimate convenience of getting more of what they want delivered right to their door," said Craig Whitmer, VP of new verticals at Grubhub. "Americans are investing in their pets more than ever, and I'm thrilled that customers can cater to their pets' needs where they already order their favorite meals, grocery and convenience items."

[READ MORE: Former Academy, Foot Locker CEO to take reins at PetSmart]

PetSmart is also available as a part of Grubhub+, Grubhub's loyalty program that provides access to unlimited $0 delivery fees on eligible orders. To celebrate the partnership with PetSmart, Grubhub is offering customers $10 off delivery orders of $40 or more for up to 10 orders from now until Dec. 31.

Part of Just Eat Takeaway.com, Grubhub's marketplace features 375,000 merchants in over 4,000 U.S. cities. PetSmart operates nearly 1,700 pet stores in the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico, as well as more than 200 in-store PetSmart PetsHotel dog and cat boarding facilities. 

Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc. has appointed a new chief brand officer.

The experiential stuffed animal and character retailer has named Kim Utlaut as senior VP and chief brand officer. Reporting directly to the chief operations officer Chris Hurt, Utlaut’s responsibilities will include overseeing Build-A-Bear’s brand and communications strategy in addition to growing its customer base.

Utlaut joins the retailer from The Coca-Cola Company, where she spent more than 23 years in a variety of roles. Most recently, she served as general manager of franchise leadership since February of 2021. During her tenure at Coca-Cola, Ultaut developed strategic partnerships with organizations such as the NCAA, U.S. Soccer and the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee.

[READ MORE: Build-A-Bear brand effort includes 50 new stores, Roblox]

"Kim's appointment is a testament to management's focus on the ongoing evolution of Build-A-Bear as we drive toward delivering accelerated profitable growth," said Hurt. "Her deep expertise in brand strategy and marketing, along with her innovative vision and passion, is expected to provide valuable insights as we look to continue to build momentum for the brand. We are confident her remarkable background and proven leadership will be valuable as we focus on opportunities to take Build-A-Bear to new heights, bringing even more joy to kids and those young at heart across the globe.”

Headquartered in St. Louis, Build-A-Bear Workshop Inc. operates more than 500 interactive brick-and-mortar experience locations through a variety of formats.

Amazon is bucking a popular retail trend with its holiday promotional schedule.

Although the e-tail giant has already hosted two early holiday events – Prime Big Deal Days (Oct. 8-9) and the ongoing Holiday Beauty Haul (running through Sunday, Nov. 3) – its official Black Friday sales event does not start until Friday, Nov. 29, which is the traditional day-after-Thanksgiving date for Black Friday.

In addition, Amazon will begin its Cyber Monday sale Monday, Dec, 2. During 2023, the online giant began its Black Friday event early on Friday, Nov. 17, followed by its Cyber Monday weekend event which started Saturday, Nov. 25.

[READ MORE: Amazon hosting Black Friday, Cyber Monday sales; runs Beatles ad]

In a corporate blog post, Amazon said it will offer “deep discounts” on products in categories including tech, home goods, clothing and toys. The company also said early Black Friday deals will be available on the Amazon Deals page, and the Alexa voice-activated personal device can track customer deals and proactively notify customers up to 24 hours in advance if there is a deal coming on an eligible item they want.

Customers can make a purchase directly from an Alexa deal notification by saying "Alexa, buy it for me."

Chief Amazon rival Walmart is launching its 2024 Black Friday promotion on Monday, Nov. 11, and other retailers getting an early start on Black Friday and Cyber Monday promotions this year include Best Buy and Tik Tok Shop.

Nearly three-quarters of consumers are planning to take advantage of Black Friday and Cyber Monday this year, according to Slickdeals data; and Mastercard Spending Pulse data indicated U.S. retail sales on Black Friday rose 2.5% year-over-year in 2023.

So much for a comeback.

Esprit U.S. Retail Inc. and Esprit U.S. Distributions have both filed Chapter 7 petitions for liquidation with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in New York’s Southern District, reported Women’s Wear Daily. The move comes after the apparel company, which had been attempting a comeback in the U.S., had started downsizing earlier this year.

Esprit, which defined California cool in the late 1980s and 1990s before losing momentum and falling behind amid mismanagement and changing fashion trends, closed all its U.S. stores more than 10 years ago. In late 2022, the company announced its plans to return to the U.S. retail scene, with the official relaunch planned for mid-2023. 

In February 2023, Esprit, which is owned by Hong Kong-based Esprit Holdings Ltd., signed a lease with Hudson Square Properties in New York City for what would  become the company's new global creative headquarters, in downtown Manhattan. The headquarters will now go dark.

With the exception of several pop-ups, Esprit’s brick-and-mortar strategy, central to its U.S. comeback, never took off. Earlier this year, Esprit’s retail operations in Belgium, Germany and Switzerland, which total about 160 stores, were closed through bankruptcies, according to the WWD report, with some stores still open in other parts of Europe.

Esprit was founded in 1969 by Doug and Susie Tompkins (who previously founded The North Face) and Jane Tise. In 1996, they sold their interest to their Hong Kong partner and the company’s headquarters moved from San Francisco to overseas.