News Briefs

Staples' cleaning and janitorial supplies subsidiary is launching a joint promotion with the National Service Alliance.

Staples Business Advantage and National Service Alliance (NSA), which serves as a group purchasing organization for contract cleaning businesses, are teaming up to offer new incentives for joining NSA that they say will result in no out-of-pocket expense for new members.

The promotion will also offer additional discounts on top of NSA's savings. The NSA negotiates contracts and builds relationships with distributor and manufacturer partners.

"Staples Business Advantage is proud to partner with over 160 NSA members, helping them serve their customers by providing them with an industry-leading supply chain, solutions for cost and labor savings and an assortment of over 18,000 janitorial and cleaning supplies," said Mike Cusick, VP, Staples Business Advantage facility solutions. "This new promotion offers contract cleaning companies the perfect opportunity to learn how partnering with Staples Business Advantage and the NSA can impact their business."

[READ MORE: Staples teams with HP for large-format color printing]

Headquartered in Framingham, Mass., Staples Inc. operates nearly 1,000 stores, with a Staples retail store located within 10 miles of more than half of the U.S. population. Staples Business Advantage is one of the largest distributors of cleaning and janitorial supplies in the U.S. The company operates in North America through e-commerce and direct sales.

Whole Foods Market is expanding its presence in Florida.

The organic grocer will open its new 42,024-sq.-ft. store located in Boynton Beach in Palm Beach County on Dec. 10. The store is the anchor to SJC Ventures’ Boynton Beach Marketplace, a 69,204-sq.-ft. shopping center.

The Boynton Whole Foods will feature over 1,500 local products from 240 Florida-based suppliers. The new location will feature a full-service seafood counter with sustainable options, a specialty cheese department, a curated grocery section, and a prepared foods department with a hot bar, salad bar, and fresh sushi.

The first 300 customers in line on Dec. 10 will receive a custom tote bag and Secret Saver coupon featuring offers up to $100 off.

[READ MORE: Amazon testing small-format grocery store in Chicago]

“This will be a fantastic addition to the Boynton Beach area and we are thrilled to bring a tenant such as Whole Foods Market to the community,” said Jeff Garrison, principal at SJC Ventures at the time of the lease signing in 2022. “Our firm seeks to find regional sites that fit the demographic of specialty grocery stores like Whole Foods Market, and Boynton Beach certainly matches that.”

Part of Amazon’s Worldwide Grocery Stores, Whole Foods Market serves customers in more than 530 stores across the United States, Canada, and the U.K. 

SJC Ventures has acquired and developed more than 60 retail, mixed-use, multifamily and office projects throughout the continental U.S. since 2007.

Von Maur Department Stores continues its national growth strategy.

The century-old, family-owned retailer, recognized by Newsweek as America’s “Best Department Store” for three consecutive years, has opened a location at South Hills Village in Pittsburgh. The 118,000-sq.-ft. store is Von Maur’s first in Pennsylvania.

Von Maur will enter another new state — North Dakota — in spring 2025, opening a store at West Acres Mall in Fargo. The company is also in the midst of an extensive, multi-phased, $100 million renovation of its existing stores over the next five years. 

[READ MORE: Von Maur Department Stores launches five-year renovation plan]

The two-level Von Maur features the company's signature residential ambiance, plush furnishings, an open-floor plan and music from the store's grand piano. In addition to products from top brands, it also offers an interest-free charge card, a robust rewards program  and complimentary services such as gift wrapping and shipping.

"Today is a special day as we officially open our doors at South Hills Village and share with Pittsburgh what makes Von Maur special," said Jim von Maur, president and fourth-generation leader of Von Maur Department Stores. "The people of Pittsburgh value hard work, loyalty and service — qualities that are at the core of our company. We’re excited to bring our signature customer service and exceptional shopping experience to Pittsburgh and to becoming a part of this vibrant community."

Founded in 1872 in downtown Davenport, Iowa, Von Maur currently operates 38 department stores in 16 states.

Duluth Trading Co. wants to reach out to its customers on a more individualized basis, whatever the channel.

The Wisconsin-based lifestyle brand of men’s and women’s workwear, casual wear, outdoor apparel and accessories is leveraging marketing automation technology from Listrak to enable more advanced digital connections with consumers.

"Being able to connect and communicate with our Duluth customers is always a top priority for us," said Garth Weber, senior VP, chief brand and marketing officer at Duluth Trading Company. "We’re excited to be able to achieve this on a more personalized, individual basis through cross-channel and cross-platform marketing in partnership with Listrak."

Duluth Trading selected Listrak following a competitive review process based on its platform, overall ease of use and strategic support. The retailer will leverage Listrak technology to support personalized communications with customers across all channels, including email and mobile marketing.

[READ MORE: Duluth Trading Co. launches 'Duluth Heroes' discount program]

"We are honored to work with Duluth Trading Company to deliver timely and relevant customer communications to its deeply loyal and expansive customer base," said Ross Kramer, Listrak CEO. "We’re proud to partner with the future-focused marketing team at Duluth Trading as they continue to create and execute on a powerful vision for the future.  By leveraging Listrak, Duluth Trading will transform the way they engage with their customers, ensuring each interaction is as personalized and powerful as their iconic products."

Based in Mount Horeb, Wis., Duluth Trading Co. operates 65 Duluth Trading store locations nationwide and an e-commerce site.

Big Lots Inc. is adding to the perks of its Big Reward loyalty program with a new mobile app.

The closeout retailer is launching a new app, available for current and new Big Reward members, offering features such as in-store rewards access, a personalized dashboard for tracking earnings, and exclusive notifications for special offers. 

The app, available for iOS and Android devices as of Friday, Nov. 8, also provides users with one-touch shopping, profile and credit card management, and weekly exclusive deals. In addition, "Rewards Ready" notifications inform users about new rewards. 

According to Big Lots, new features have been seamlessly integrated as an update its existing app to help ensure a smooth transition for current users.

"With the introduction of the Big Lots app, our Big Reward customers will have an enhanced and more personalized shopping experience," said Bruce Millard, senior VP of marketing and e-commerce at Big Lots. "We aim to make it easier for our customers to access their rewards, stay informed about the best deals, and manage their profiles and credit cards all in one place as they shop in-store and online for bargains to brag about."

Big Lots filed for bankruptcy protection in early September 2024 as part of a deal to to sell "substantially all" of its stores and business operations to private equity firm Nexus Capital Management. 

The retailer has since rolled out other digital offerings such as an affiliate program that offers select social media creators and publishers the chance to share limited-time closeout opportunities, bargains and promotions with their communities and earn a commission on referral sales to its e-commerce site.

[READ MORE: Big Lots offers 'influential' social media creators chance to earn commissions]

Sprouts Farmers Market is entering a new state in the Rockies.

The fresh, natural and organic foods grocer will open a location in Cheyenne, Wyo. on Friday, Nov. 22. The new store in Wyoming’s capital and largest city marks Sprouts’ first location in the state as it continues to expand its footprint.

“Access to fresh, healthy food is a vital component of any community’s quality of life, and I’m happy to welcome Sprouts to Cheyenne,” said Cheyenne Mayor Patrick Collins. “Sprouts adds another grocery option for our residents and will create around 100 jobs, further bolstering our local economy.”

In late August, Sprouts said it planned to open 21 stores before the end of the year, in line with the grocers’ goal of opening 35 new locations during its current fiscal year.

Sprouts plans to continue opening new stores throughout November, with locations opening in Palm Springs, Calif. on Nov. 8, in Studio City, Calif. on Nov. 15, and in Georgetown, Texas on Nov. 22.

[READ MORE: Harmons, Sprouts, Rosauers enhance e-commerce with Instacart]

A ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place at the new Cheyenne store at 6:45 a.m. The first 100 shoppers on Friday and Saturday will receive a free reusable goodie bag filled with special products and samples. The first 400 guests on opening day will receive a free long stem rose courtesy of Falcon Farms Floral. Giveaways and music throughout the weekend will also add to the festivities.

Phoenix-based Sprouts employs approximately 31,000 team members and operates more than 400 stores in 23 states.