News Briefs

Sweetgreen is entering a new state as its continues to grow its national footprint.

The health-eating focused fast-casual chain will make its Arkansas debut, opening a location in Fayetteville later this year. A second location will follow, at Walmart’s new home office in Bentonville.

Sweetgreen’s upcoming Arkansas sites are part of the company’s broader national expansion. Other new markets on the horizon for 2025 include Sacramento, Calif., Phoenix, and Cincinnati, Ohio. The brand said it remains on track to grow its footprint by 15% to 20% annually, with plans to open at least 40 new restaurants this year.

“Northwest Arkansas is quickly becoming a hub for innovation and growth, and we’re excited to be part of it,” said Christopher Tarrant, chief development officer at Sweetgreen. “Opening on Walmart’s forward-thinking New Home Office campus and in Fayetteville, home of the University of Arkansas, is a meaningful milestone for our brand, and we’re looking forward to serving these communities with fresh, real food.”

Sweetgreen currently has over 250 locations across the United States.

[READ MORE: Sweetgreen names new COO]

The nation’s second-largest bookstore chain is giving new titles to two internal real estate executives while also bringing a new real estate manager on board.

Books-A-Million has promoted Rick Franz to executive VP of real estate and Jack Fleming to VP of real estate at Books-A-Million. Since joining Books-A-Million in 2024 as a consultant, Franz has provided strategic insight and leadership to the real estate department. 

In his new role, Franz will continue to lead store positioning and growth. He previously served as VP of real estate at Ulta Beauty, Wild Oats Markets, and Dick’s Sporting Goods.

Fleming, who has served as real estate manager in Books-A-Million’s Preferred Growth Properties real estate subsidiary for the past three years, will focus on managing Books-A-Million's existing assets while continuing to identify opportunities for new store openings. His previous experience includes serving in the financial services department of First Citizens Bank.

In addition, Books-A-Million hired Pete Turner as real estate manager in April 2025. Since graduating from Auburn University in 2020, Turner was a commercial underwriter at Regions Bank. 

These real estate appointments follow Books-A-Million’s appointment of Brandon Waters, a veteran technology executive with more than 15 years of experience at the retailer, as CIO in February 2025.

[READ MORE: Books-A-Million takes same-day delivery national with Walmart]

"Please join us in congratulating Rick and Jack, and welcoming Pete," Books-A-Million said in a statement. "As Books-A-Million continues to expand and innovate, we are confident that their leadership will play a pivotal role in our continued success."

Books-A-Million operates more than 200 stores in 32 states as well as its e-commerce site, Booksamillion.com.

Family Dollar has named a familiar face as its new leader as it prepares to become a standalone company.

Dollar Tree Inc., in partnership with Brigade Capital Management and Macellum Capital Management, said that Duncan MacNaughton will serve as chairman and CEO of Family Dollar following the close of the previously announced divestiture. Jason Nordin, who joined joined the company in October 2023 as chief of stores for Dollar Tree, will continue as president of Family Dollar.

In March, Dollar Tree Inc. entered into a deal to sell its struggling Family Dollar business to Brigade Capital and Macellum Capital for $1 billion.  The transaction is expected to close in the second quarter of 2025. 

McNaughton previously served as president and COO of Family Dollar from 2017 to 2019. In April, it was announced he would rejoin Family Dollar as chairman.  Naughton’s more than 30-year career in retail includes leadership positions at Albertsons, H-E-B, Walmart and Supervalu. (At Walmart, he was executive VP, chief merchandising and marketing officer.)

"MacNaughton is a seasoned retail executive with more than 30 years of experience leading large-scale businesses through growth and transformation," Dollar Tree said in a release. 

Nordin, who has been leading the stand-up of the new Family Dollar organization, will work closely with MacNaughton to guide Family Dollar’s long-term strategic direction and operational execution, the company said in a statement.

“This leadership structure brings together two highly experienced and complementary leaders who share a deep commitment to Family Dollar’s success,” said Mike Creedon, CEO of Dollar Tree Inc. “Duncan’s leadership experience and passion for value retail, combined with Jason’s strategic and operational expertise, position Family Dollar for a strong future as an independent company.”

Join Chain Store Age today, May 20, at 11 a.m. (EDT) for a webinar, "Retail's Evolving Landscape," that will highlight findings from the 2025 Store Experience Study, including where retailers are placing big tech bets to ensure their stores thrive. 

Retail experts Nikki Baird from Aptos and Lee Holman from IHL Group will explore key trends and priorities shaping retail strategies to enhance customer experiences and boost profitability. CSA senior tech editor Dan Berthiaume will moderate the discussion.

Highlights will include:

• Key tech priorities for 2025 and beyond;
• Role of the store;
• How emerging technologies like AI and RFID are transforming retail;
• The critical role of modern POS in unifying commerce and driving results; and more. 

To register for the webinar, click here.

Pottery Barn is taking a trip across the pond.

Pottery Barn, part of Williams-Sonoma Inc., will launch in the United Kingdom during the fall of 2025. The company’s UK website will offer customers a curated selection of furniture, bedding, lighting and decorative accessories.

Williams-Sonoma already has a presence in the U.K., operating two West Elm stores in London. It also sells Pottery Barn Kids’ merchandise at John Lewis department stores.

“We are committed to long-term growth and expanding the reach of our brands where we see meaningful market opportunity,” said Laura Alber, president and CEO, Williams-Sonoma. “We believe great design and quality craftsmanship have universal appeal and we look forward to bringing Pottery Barn’s signature aesthetic to the UK.”

The Pottery Barn UK launch will also introduce Pottery Barn's complimentary design services to customers looking for personalized interior styling assistance both at home and online.

“Our curated assortment for the UK market celebrates Pottery Barn’s commitment to helping customers inspire great style for spaces small and large that are beautiful and functional,” said Pottery Barn president, Monica Bhargava. “Whether furnishing a new flat, refreshing a family home, or entertaining with family and friends or thoughtful gifting, we are proud to be providing the UK market with thoughtfully designed pieces that meet the needs of modern living.”

New data reveals where consumers are planning to make Memorial Day purchases and what they intend to buy.

Half of 5,900 U.S. consumers surveyed by Numerator plan to celebrate the Memorial Day holiday weekend (May 24-26) and nearly all (93%) Memorial Day celebrators plan to purchase something for the holiday weekend.

The most popular locations for planned Memorial Day weekend purchases are grocery stores (65%), big box stores (51%), liquor stores (25%), discount or dollar stores (22%) and local shops/small businesses (14%). 

Most popular product categories for planned Memorial Day purchases are food (83%), alcoholic beverages (43%), non-alcoholic beverages (36%), decorations (17%) and party supplies (13%).

Top Memorial Day celebration plans include grilling/barbecuing (58% of celebrators), gathering with family and friends (55%), cooking or baking at home (27%), hosting others at their home (19%) and attending a public celebration (13%).

Among respondents planning to buy alcohol, the top choices are beer (73%), followed by spirits or spirit-based drinks (38%), hard seltzers or canned cocktails (38%), wine (38%) and margaritas (19%). 

The survey also revealed some generational trends:

• Gen Z respondents are over twice as likely as respondents from other generations to choose hard seltzers or canned cocktails (71% vs. 38%).
• Respondents of boomer and older generations (54%) are more likely to celebrate Memorial Day than younger generations with Gen Z respondents being the least likely (36%).
• Gen Z respondents are three times more likely to purchase games or activities (25% vs. 8%) for the holiday.

[READ MORE: Amazon, Home Depot get early start on Memorial Day promotions]