News Briefs

A high-tech take on the neighborhood ice cream truck is opening its first two franchises next month.

Alsies is bringing six new franchise locations to the Greater Dallas-Fort Worth area and a franchise location to Harrisburg, Pa. in March 2025. 

The Alsies mobile app includes real-time tracking and live route information, notifications when the Alsies truck is nearby, and the option for customers to call the truck directly to their location. 

In addition, Alsies sends text alerts to notify communities when a route will be running in their neighborhood. The company is offering franchise opportunities in communities across the U.S.

Alsies is not the first company to link the traditional ice cream truck concept to modern high tech. CPG giant Unilever’s direct-to-consumer ice cream storefront, The Ice Cream Shop, uses a fleet of Robomart on-demand mobile mini-marts to deliver products from its ice cream brands in the Los Angeles area. 

[READ MORE: Unilever to offer robotic direct-to-consumer ice cream sales]

Leveraging Robomart’s one-tap grocery ordering technology, consumers can hail The Ice Cream Shop Robomarts to their location using Robomart’s proprietary mobile app. When it arrives, the user swipes across the app to open the vehicle’s door. 

Robomart’s proprietary, RFID-based checkout-free system allows consumers to retrieve their selected products and walk away, without having to physically check out or swipe their credit card.

In a similar effort, CPG company Mars delivers ice cream using the Conjure fleet of robotic mobile stores in areas including Hollywood. Customers order Mars brand ice cream goods from their smartphones with a single tap, using the proprietary Conjure mobile app.

Within as little as two minutes, the automated shop will arrive. Customers can then use Conjure's checkout-free system to select their Mars ice cream products and walk away.

A new retailer has partnered with AllCampus to offer its employees expanded education benefits.

Hot Topic Inc., a leading retailer of music, entertainment and pop culture merchandise, will now offer its more than 9,000 employees access to AllCampus' Workplace Platform, allowing them to take advantage of low-to-no-cost degree options. AllCampus says the collaboration enhances the employee experience by offering cost savings and support in selecting from thousands of discounted degree programs, driving higher benefit utilization, and improving employers' ability to attract and retain top talent.

"At Hot Topic Inc., our people are at the heart of everything we do, and we believe in investing in their futures,” said Janet Acosta, benefits manager at Hot Topic Inc. “This isn't just about education; it's about creating a culture where our team members can thrive, advance, and reach their fullest potential. Partnering with AllCampus allows us to go beyond traditional benefits by providing accessible education opportunities that align with our values. We're excited to take this step forward with AllCampus and see the lasting impact it will have on our team and our company."

AllCampus will help manage Hot Topic's education benefits program by fielding university requests, agreements, and communications, which streamlines the process for Hot Topic. and ensures employees can easily access and utilize their education benefits. It will also provide Hot Topic with data, reporting and tools to measure the impact and value of their education benefit program, maximizing the potential of the program.

Founded in 1989, Hot Topic operates over 900 store locations across the United States and Canada.

A major workforce reduction is coming to Walmart’s corporate offices in Hoboken, N.J. later this year.

Walmart plans to eliminate 481 positions that are currently based in the Hoboken office by June 13, according to a WARN (Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification) notice filed with the New Jersey Department of Labor, reported njbiz.com. (In New Jersey, the federal WARN Act applies to companies that plan to lay off more than 50 employees in a 30-day period.) 

The filing came about a week after Reuters reported that Walmart is asking employees at some of its smaller corporate sites across the country to move to its recently-opened headquarters in Bentonville, Ark. or its office in Sunnyvale, Calif.

“The 481 number referenced in the WARN notice Indicates all associates affected by last week’s changes, including those who have been offered relocation and the option [to] remain with the company,” a Walmart spokesperson told njbiz.

[READ MORE: Walmart debuts new sustainable, high-tech Arkansas HQ]

The moves are part of Walmart's broader relocation strategy that started last year. 

"We are making these changes to put key capabilities together, encouraging speed and shared understanding," Donna Morris, Walmart's chief people officer, wrote in an internal memo to U.S.-based office employees that was reviewed by Reuters. "Through this review process, we have eliminated some roles as we streamline how we work and will also be exiting our office in Charlotte, N.C."

There’s been a leadership change at the nation's largest mattress specialty retailer.

John Eck has decided to step down as CEO Mattress Firm. The news comes one week after Tempur Sealy International completed its acquisition of Mattress Firm Group Inc.

Scott Thompson, chairman and CEO of Tempur Sealy, will act as interim CEO of Mattress Firm during a transition period. The company said it has entered into a consulting agreement with Eck to ensure a smooth transition. It expects to appoint a new CEO of Mattress Firm within the next six to nine months.  

"We thank John for his successful 6 years at Mattress Firm, leading the business to outperform the market over the period of his leadership," commented Thompson. "I look forward to working with the Mattress Firm leadership team during this transitional period."

Temper Sealy will change its name to Somnigroup International Inc. ("Somnigroup"), effective Feb. 18. Mattress Firm and Dreams will continue to operate as multi-branded retailers and Tempur Sealy, primarily a manufacturer, will continue to serve third-party retailers as well as Mattress Firm, Dreams and Tempur Sealy direct-to-consumer channels.

Tailored Brands has named a new member to its executive committee.

The parent company of Men's Wearhouse, Jos. A. Bank, Moores and K&G Fashion Superstore appointed Whit Alexander as executive VP and chief customer officer, effective Feb. 24. He will be responsible for accelerating growth by understanding customers' preferences and enabling world-class, innovative marketing practices aligned with Tailored Brands’ brand strategy, and also will oversee the enterprise data and analytics and strategy functions, according to the retailer.

Alexander joins Tailored Brands from McKinsey & Company where has been a partner since 2023, advising consumer companies seeking growth transformation. Prior to that, he spent six years at Best Buy, most recently as executive VP and chief strategy officer. Alexander’s prior roles at Best Buy included chief transformation officer, chief marketing officer and senior VP of personalization, loyalty and strategy. 

In his time with Best Buy, Alexander helped redefine the company's brand strategy and purpose, steered positioning, membership and enterprise strategy work, led the organization's media and financial services businesses, and implemented analytics-driven personalization initiatives to engage and retain customers, Tailored Brands said in a press release.

Before Best Buy, Alexander spent two years at Target, where he served as VP of guest planning and loyalty marketing and VP of guest insights and marketing business intelligence.

“Whit is a forward-thinking leader with a proven record of advancing retail marketing and personalization capabilities as well as fostering high-performing teams,” said Peter Sachse, CEO, Tailored Brands His well-rounded view of retail environments and insightful approach to commercialization within omnichannel environments will help us accelerate efforts to build personalized experiences that speak to our customers and achieve new levels of brand loyalty."

According to the National Retail Federation, the average American shopper is planning to spend $188.81 on his or her loved ones this Valentine’s Day--and the nation’s largest mall has its heart set on topping that number.

Mall of America’s popular Log Chute ride has been rechristened as the “Love Chute” through the coming weekend, challenging sweethearts to “ride the waves of love with dreamy décor, romantic music, and a 40-foot drop perfect for holding on tight with their special someones.

A Valentine Swing Night dance will be held in the mall’s Huntington Bank Rotunda on the evening of February 14. Swing dance lessons will commence at 6:30 p.m., and students can practice their Jitterbugging later into the night to music from Katia + the Upswing

The walk-in kaleidoscope at its Museum of Illusions will have a Valentine’s Day theme; M&Ms will present heart-shaped gift boxes to lovers able to imprint the signature candy with special names and messages, and the Wilson sporting goods shop will stock red-and-black pickleball paddles (complete with red pickleballs).

American consumers are expected spend a record of $27.5 billion dollars celebrating Valentine’s Day, according to the NRF.