News Briefs

As it continues to rapidly grow its store footprint, Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers has added to its C-suite.

Erin Walter has been promoted to chief marketing officer of the quick-serve chain. Walter will oversee all aspects of the company’s marketing initiatives, working closely with the executive team to drive brand awareness, guest engagement and overall business growth.

Walter has more than 20 years of experience in the restaurant franchising industry. In 2021, she was appointed VP of brand marketing at Freddy's. Prior to joining the chain, she held several roles at Global Franchise Group over a span of 13 years, including most recently as director of marketing for Round Table Pizza.

[READ MORE: Freddy's adds 15 stores to pipeline; to enter new East Coast state]

"Erin's talent and dedication have greatly benefited our team. Her strategic vision and creativity have been crucial to our success, and I am confident she'll excel as CMO," said Chris Dull, Freddy's president & CEO. "Her exceptional ability to inspire and collaborate, combined with her deep understanding of our brand, will be instrumental in taking Freddy's to new heights. Erin's commitment to excellence and her forward-thinking approach make her the perfect fit for this role, and I am excited to see the positive impact she will continue to make."

Founded in 2002 and based in Wichita, Kans., Freddy’s operates over 550 locations across 36 states nationwide.

A shopping platform that offers cash back and rewards is launching a new advertising offering that leverages AI to enhance campaigns.

Rakuten is rolling out Programmatic Loyalty, an advertising solution that leverages AI and its first-party data to deliver campaigns with a guaranteed return on ad spend (ROAS). 

Utilizing Programmatic Loyalty, brands and retailers can build and execute campaigns on the Rakuten platform in three steps, designed and optimized using automation, data and personalization strategies:

1. Define campaign gross merchandizing value (GMV) based on budget and guaranteed ROAS.
2. Consistent fixed commission rates are provided throughout each month-long campaign.
3. Advertisers can leverage data and AI to dynamically adjust personalized incentives and placements to drive higher GMV, such as flexing cash back rates, targeting different audiences and purchasing media inventory.

"Programmatic Loyalty is revolutionizing the way in which retailers approach their affiliate investments," says Julie Van Ullen, chief revenue officer at Rakuten Rewards. "We trust our technology, data and in-house expertise enough to take a bold stance and deliver a goal-based solution for retailers. That's something no other rewards platform can offer."

According to Rakuten, participating brands have seen substantial year-over-year increases in shoppers, trips and average order value (AOV).

[READ MORE: Rakuten to launch membership program for designer shoppers]

An extreme-value closeout retailer is getting ready to close all of its 92 locations.

Nashville-based Bargain Hunt is holding going-out-of-business sales at its stores across 10 states. The sale is being managed by Hilco Consumer – Retail in a joint venture with Gordon Brothers.  

Essex Technology Group, which operates as Bargain Hunt, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on Monday, Feb. 3, reported Bloomberg, and listed assets of $10 million to $ 50 million and liabilities of between $50 million and $100 million in its petition.

Stores are set to close by the end of February 2025. Shoppers can save up to 40% off the lowest ticketed prices storewide, including apparel & shoes, toys, lawn & garden supplies, pet products, home decor and more. Store fixtures and equipment are also up for sale.

"Stores are stocked, and new merchandise continues to arrive at deeply discounted prices," said Ian Fredericks, CEO of Hilco Consumer – Retail. "We recommend shopping immediately for the best selection as this sale won't last long.”

[READ MORE: Big Lots leases available for sale nationwide]

Founded in 2004, Bargain Hunt operates stores in Tennessee, Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina , Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi and Arkansas.

Walmart's latest acquisition is a shopping mall.

In late January, CBL Properties said that it had closed on the sale of Monroeville Mall and Annex in Monroeville, Penn. for $34.0 million, all cash. Although CBL did not say who bought the center, which is on a 186-acre site, in its statement, Walmart confirmed to CNBC that it bought the mall, which is located outside of Pittsburgh. (The news of the deal was first reported by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.)

In the CNBC report, Walmart said it “is very interested in being part of any future redevelopment of this site."

Texas-based Cypress Equities said it has been hired to manage and redevelop the property. Similar to CBL, it did not name the buyer in its statement.

Tenants at the two-level mall include Macy’s, H&M, Bath & Body Works, American Eagle, Lenscrafters, Victoria's Secret, Lids and more. The mall is also home to a Cinemark movie theatre. 

“We are excited to embark on this transformative project and bring a new vision to Monroeville Mall,” stated Chris Maguire, CEO of Cypress Equities. “We believe this redevelopment will create a vibrant and dynamic destination that serves the community and drives economic growth in the region.”

Instacart is partnering with officials in a Southeastern U.S. city to help ensure all inhabitants can get the food they need.

The grocery technology company is operating the Grocery Access Pilot (GAP) program with the city of Columbia, S.C. Following a successful first year in 2024, Instacart and Columbia are continuing it in 2025.

Using Instacart’s platform and technology, the GAP program connects residents living in Columbia’s “food deserts” (neighborhoods with limited sources of fresh or nutritious food) with greater access to a selection of fresh and healthy food from local grocers spanning national, regional and local chains.

Participants receive a membership in the Instacart+ membership program and monthly Instacart Health Fresh Funds grocery stipends  to help cover the cost of online grocery and delivery. 

Other Instacart efforts to combat food deserts include partnering with No Kid Hungry and Mercy Housing to expand access to nutritious food and health information for families living in affordable housing communities located in food deserts.

[READ MORE: Instacart partners with Maryland county to fight childhood hunger]

"Combining the expertise of public sector leaders with our nationwide grocery partnerships, technology, and reach, we can help address nutrition insecurity head on," Casey Aden-Wansbury, VP of policy & government affairs at Instacart, said in a company blog post. "We’re excited to continue to build on this progress and expand efforts to make food more accessible nationwide. Together with cities like Columbia, we’re breaking down barriers and helping create healthier communities."

Based in San Francisco, Instacart partners with more than 1,500 national, regional, and local retail banners to facilitate online shopping, delivery and pickup services from more than 85,000 stores across North America on the Instacart Marketplace.

Famous Footwear has a new chief merchandising officer.

The retailer's parent company, Caleres, has announced that Brian Costello has joined Famous Footwear's C-suite, and will oversee all buying and merchandising, including women’s, men’s and kids’ athletic and fashion footwear and accessories, for the brand’s stores and e-commerce sites in the United States and Canada.

“Brian has a long track record of exceptional fashion and footwear industry leadership,” said Mike Edwards, president of Famous Footwear. “With expertise in merchandising and planning for both footwear and ready-to-wear, I’m confident he will help drive growth and achieve our ambitions at Famous Footwear.”

Costello brings with him nearly 30 years of retail experience. He joins Famous Footwear from Nordstrom, where he served in several roles over nearly 15 years, including most recently as VP and divisional merchandising manager of footwear & accessories.

“I’m proud to be joining Caleres and Famous Footwear,” said Costello. “As a retailer, many of our best wholesale partners were at Caleres. As a competitor, I always watched and shopped Famous Footwear. I’m honored to be leading such a strong merchant organization.”

Caleres’ portfolio of global brands includes Famous Footwear, Sam Edelman, Allen Edmonds, Naturalizer, Vionic and more. Famous Footwear operates more than 900 stores in North America.