News Briefs

Loblaw Companies Ltd. is expanding its network of stores and doubling down on discounting as part of a planned $10 billion (Canadian dollars) investment during the next five years. 

As part of its plans to invest $2 billion (C) in the Canadian economy this year, the food and pharmacy giant will open 80 new stores under the No Frills, Maxi, Shoppers Drug Mart, Pharmaprix and T&T banners. The openings include approximately 50 “hard discount” stores. In 2024, Loblaw opened three no-frills discount grocery stores under the No Name banner in the Ontario province.

In addition, Loblaw will renovate more than 300 grocery and pharmacy locations. The renovations include adding approximately 100 new Shoppers Drug Mart pharmacy care clinics.

The company also will continue the development of its modernized supply chain, including the initial opening of the 1.2-sq.-ft. foot facility in East Gwillimbury, Ontario.

“From opening one of the largest fully automated distribution centers in North America, to introducing dozens of small format hard discount stores to communities that need them most, this investment will have a positive impact across the country,” said Per Bank, president and CEO, Loblaw Companies Ltd. “As a proudly Canadian owned and operated business, we’ll also work to showcase Canadian-made value and quality across our entire network.”

The company noted it anticipates similar levels of investment during the next five years – with plans to invest more than $10 billion by 2030 – adding to the more than $8 billion it has invested since 2020 to improve and expand its network of stores and modernize its supply chain.

Loblaw operates 2,500 stores across Canada under a variety of banners.

The overwhelming majority (80%) of shoppers are upset about Joann’s upcoming store closings. 

The crafts and fabric retailer, which filed for bankruptcy in January for the second time in less than year, last week revealed that it plans to close about 500 of its 800 stores nationwide. In the wake of the news, data and market research company Numerator issued a quick pulse survey to 500 people with verified Joann purchases in the past six months to better understand how they feel about the closures and where they plan to shift their spend.

According to the findings, if Joann is no longer an option, buyers said they are most likely to shift their purchases to craft stores such as Michaels or Hobby Lobby (74%). Also benefitting: online (44%) and mass retailers such as Walmart or Target (39%).

Independent or local craft or fabric stores (24%) and dollar or discount stores (23%) are also expected to get a boost.

Other findings from the Numerator survey are below:

• The top items purchased by Joann shoppers are sewing/crafting supplies (79%), fabric (58%), holiday/seasonal decor (54%), and home & garden items (23%).
• Buyers said they shop at Joann due to the good sales or deals (65%), the product selection (65%), the convenient location (50%), good prices (49%), and the fact that it is a trusted retailer/brand name (43%).
• Eighty percent of Joann shoppers say they are upset about the closure news (46% are very upset, 34% say they are somewhat upset).
• Sixty-nine precent said a closure of their local store would have a slight to significant impact on them.

Ahold Delhaize USA is enhancing its ability to track and analyze supply chain and consumer data.

The grocery retail group, whose banners include Food Lion, Giant Food, The Giant Company, Hannaford and Stop & Shop, is extending its strategic partnership with enterprise analytics provider Circana LLC. 

As a result, Ahold Delhaize USA seeks to provide its CPG partners, as well as internal personnel, with analytical support to strengthen decision-making, improve supply chain efficiencies and better understand shopper behaviors. 

In 2025, Ahold Delhaize USA will obtain new Circana functionality including a unified common product hierarchy that will help ensure consistency and precision in data analysis, as well as streamlined reporting capabilities.

The company will also be able to obtain a holistic perspective across all of its banners and have access to resources like a weekly shopper promotional evaluation tool and supply chain forecast. Ahold Delhaize USA intends to foster deeper collaboration with its CPG partners.

“This renewed focus underscores Ahold Delhaize USA’s dedication to staying ahead in a competitive and ever-evolving retail landscape by using data as a strategic advantage to create value for all stakeholders,” said Keith Nicks, chief digital officer, Ahold Delhaize USA. “Circana’s platform enables forecast for more accurate demand planning and promotional effectiveness.”

Circana is the preferred data provider for Ahold Delhaize USA companies.

[READ MORE: Ahold Delhaize USA taps new partner for digital offers]

Fast-casual chain Torchy’s Tacos has appointed its next chief executive.

The Texas-based restaurant has appointed Paul Macaluso as CEO, effective Feb. 24. He succeeds founder Mike Rypka, who will transition into a new role as chief innovation officer.

Macaluso has decades of experience in the restaurant industry. Most recently, he served as president and CEO of daytime-only restaurant concept Another Broken Egg Cafe for more than five years, where he oversaw significant business and footprint expansion. 

Previously, he held progressive marketing and leadership roles at GoTo Foods (formerly FOCUS Brands), a developer of global multi-channel foodservice brands, including president of McAlister’s Deli, as well as senior VP leading brand marketing strategy for Auntie Anne’s, Carvel, Cinnabon, McAlister’s Deli, Moe’s Southwest Grill and Schlotzsky’s. Macaluso also has served as chief marketing officer at Moe’s.

“After an in-depth search, we are thrilled to welcome Paul to Torchy’s,” commented the Torchy’s board of directors. “His long track record of delivering growth across iconic large-scale and up-and-coming restaurant brands makes him uniquely suited to lead Torchy’s through its next chapter.”

Founded out of an Austin, Texas food truck in 2006, Torchy’s Tacos operates more than 130 locations in 16 states.

[READ MORE: Torchy’s Tacos unifies omnichannel operations at POS]

“As we look ahead to our next phase of development, Paul is an enthusiastic, results-driven leader who shares our commitment to originality and guest experience,” said Rypka. “I am excited to work alongside him to grow the Torchy’s brand and continue building our ever-growing base of Taco Junkies.”

The Michaels Companies has ended its search for a new chief executive.

The arts-and-crafts retailer named David Boone as CEO, effective February 28, 2025. Boone, who will also serve on the company's board, succeeds Ashley Buchanan, who stepped down in January to take the top job at Kohl's. 

Boone is currently the interim CEO of Essendant, a wholesale, e-commerce and 3PL company. From 2018 to March 2024, he served as CEO of Staples Canada where he led a six-year transformation, redefining its retail experience, expanding merchandise offerings, and scaling its services and B2B businesses through acquisitions and strategic partnerships, Michaels stated in a release.

Before Staples, he held leadership roles at TD Bank USA. He also held a variety of executive positions during his 16 years at Loblaw Companies, Canada's largest retailer, where he led its national wholesale club division.

"As we enter an exciting period of opportunity for Michaels, we are pleased to welcome David to the company," said Andrew Jhawar, chairman of The Michales Companies. "David is a proven business leader with the strategic vision, customer focus and vast retail experience to continue to drive Michaels forward."

"I am honored to join Michaels, an iconic retailer and the leading creative destination for millions of customers across North America," said Boone. "I am excited about the tremendous opportunity to continue to build on the momentum to drive long-term growth and deliver a best-in-class customer experience."

Michaels operatea over 1,300 stores in 49 states and Canada.

The flared Celine jeans worn by rapper Kendrick Lamar during his Super Bowl performance sparked as much interest among some viewers as his lyrics.

Visits to American Eagle Outfitter stores rose 22.16% in the week following the Super Bowl, compared to the previous period, according to data from AI-powered consumer insights company Pass_By. Visits spiked nearly 30% (29.63%) on the Monday immediately after the big event as shoppers sought similar — if less pricey — denim styles. (The Celine jeans worn by Lamar cost $1,200).

In other findings, Lamar’s collaboration with Uniqlo at the Super Bowl helped fuel a 7.73% rise in visits to Uniqlo stores, highlighting the power of the half-time show and artist-brand partnerships, noted Pass_By. (The dancers backing Lamar during his performance were wearing Uniqlo t-shirts.)

“Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl halftime show wasn’t just a moment in music — it was a retail driver,” said James Ewen, VP marketing at Pass_By. “Whether it’s a high-profile collaboration like Uniqlo or a long-standing affinity like American Eagle, the data shows that aligning with culture has a direct impact on store foot traffic.”