News Briefs
- 8/22/2025
BJ’s hits membership milestone in mixed Q2
BJ’s Wholesale Club Holdings Inc. reached a new high in membership as it reported quarterly increases in sales and profits but a dip in comp sales.
During the second quarter of fiscal 2025, BJ’s reported net income of $150.7 million, up 4% from $145 million in the prior year quarter. Earnings per share rose 5.6% to $1.14 from $1.08. Net sales rose 3% year over year to $5.26 billion from $5.09 billion. Comparable store sales fell 0.3% including fuel due to declining fuel costs but increased 2.3% without fuel based on strong store traffic.
The membership club retailer also hit a new membership milestone of 8 million, with 90% renewal rate. Membership fee income increased to $123.3 million, a 9% increase from $113.1 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2024.
The company provided an updated outlook for fiscal 2025 including:
- Comparable store sales, excluding the impact of gasoline sales, to increase 2% to 3.5% year over year.
- Adjusted earnings per share to range from $4.20 to $4.35.
- Capital expenditures of approximately $800 million.
"Our business model continues to perform and build upon momentum, as we grow membership and gain market share even in a dynamic environment,” said Bob Eddy, chairman and CEO, BJ’s Wholesale Club. "We enter the back half of the year on solid footing and confident in our ability to deliver strong results. We are on a powerful trajectory and our teams remain steadfast towards executing on our long-term objectives."
[READ MORE: BJ’s Wholesale Club to open 25 to 30 clubs over next two years]
Headquartered in Marlborough, Mass., BJ’s Wholesale Club Holdings Inc. currently operates 255 clubs and 190 BJ's Gas locations in 21 states.
- 8/22/2025
Tractor Supply Company launches apparel line with Food Network host
Tractor Supply Company is teaming up with TV host and award-winning cookbook author Molly Yeh to introduce an exclusive women’s apparel collection.
The collection includes items such as denim overalls, double-knee jeans, flannel shirt jackets, cardigans, crewneck sweaters, and graphic tees ranging in price from $19.99 to $59.99. Select items from the collection are now available in Tractor Supply’s more than 2,300 stores nationwide, with an extended assortment featured online.
Yeh, host of Food Network’s series "Girl Meets Farm," collaborated with Tractor Supply to develop every aspect of the clothing line, from the color choices to the fits and fabrics. Additional styles will roll out during the fall.
"The idea of creating clothing has been a dream of mine for as long as I can remember, so partnering with Tractor Supply was an easy ‘yes’," said Molly Yeh. "Tractor Supply has been one of my favorite places since I first moved to East Grand Forks, and they always have a great selection of durable, well-made clothing. I wanted to help fill the gap by creating a collection with personality, style and the versatility to go from the garden to a casual get-together."
The Yeh partnership follows a similar collaboration with lifestyle icon Martha Stewart, the Martha Stewart Garden Apparel Line, Tractor Supply debuted in March 2024.
[READ MORE: Martha Stewart’s latest partnership is with Tractor Supply Company]
"Molly is as known for her celebrated recipes as she is for her vibrant, colorful personal style," said Jenn Ward, director of product development at Tractor Supply. "We wanted to expand our women’s apparel offering with a lineup of functional pieces that didn’t sacrifice style, and it was clear from the start that Molly was the person to help us create it."
- 8/22/2025
White Castle to open first Texas restaurant next year
A pioneering quick-serve chain is planning to open its first location in the Lone Star State.
White Castle will debut in Texas in the summer of 2026 with a location at the Grandscape dining and entertainment complex in The Colony, a northern suburb of Dallas. The chain says the new restaurant is anticipated to create 80 to 100 jobs.
White Castle, America's first fast-food hamburger chain, opened in 1921. Based in Columbus, Ohio, the family-owned business owns and operates 335 restaurants as well as a retail division providing frozen hamburgers in retail stores nationwide.
[READ MORE: White Castle expands Uber delivery partnership with robots]
"White Castle has been creating memorable moments with our iconic hot and tasty sliders for more than a century, and today, we are reaching a new milestone as we prepare to bring that ‘Crave’ to Texas for the very first time," said Lisa Ingram, CEO of White Castle and a member of the founding family's fourth generation. "We couldn't imagine a more fitting location than Grandscape in The Colony for our debut in the Lone Star State, and we can't wait to welcome new Cravers into the White Castle family."
The planned expansion into Texas comes amid White Castle’s ongoing summer promotion. In June, the chain introduced new hours, branded merchandise and discounts through its Craver Nation Rewards loyalty program designed to meet the needs of late-night (and early-morning) eaters.
From 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. daily through Sunday, Sept. 7, members of the White Castle Craver Nation Rewards loyalty program have access to two exclusive offers. These are a $6 “Cheesy Cravings Meal” featuring four cheese sliders, three cheese sticks, a small fry and a small soft drink; and $5 off all in-app delivery orders.
- 8/21/2025
12,000-sq.-ft. fitness lease takes Pa. center to 100% occupancy
Brands eyeing spaces at the quarter-million-sq.-ft Tilghman Square Shopping Center in Allentown, Pa., are going to have to wait.
The 248,533-sq.-ft. center, whose tenants include Harbor Freight, Moe’s Southwest Grill, and New Vision Theatres, is full up, reaching 100% occupancy with a lease for a 13,000-sq.-ft. space signed by F13 Performance.
Expected to open in October, the health and fitness club chain expects its Tilghman shop to be its flagship location in the Lehigh Valley area. F13 Performance is a premier health and fitness club focused on small-group training, personalized training programs, and sports performance.
“We’re excited to launch our new location at Tilghman Square to provide our members with a state-of-the-art fitness and performance experience,” said Robert Eschbach, owner of F13 Performance. “This expansion reflects our commitment to bringing our unique training methodology to communities across the region and helping people develop and maintain healthy lifestyles.”
[READ MORE: 2025’s top traffic-builders: Movie theaters, attractions, gyms]
Tilghman Square is owned and operated by Larken Associates, which was founded 60 years ago by Lawrence W.. Gardner who left a career on Wall Street to develop real estate in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.
Other key retail properties owned by Larken include Parsippany Commons in The Shoppes at Woods Commons in Lawrenceville, N.J.; Westfall Towne Center in Matamoras, Pa., and the Village at Hawke Point in Washington, N.J.“Tilghman Square is one of the most sought-after commercial centers in Lehigh County,” said Victor Kelly, executive VP of Larken’s commercial division. “We are thrilled to welcome F13 Performance to Tilghman Square and bring the property to full occupancy.”
- 8/21/2025
Chipotle launches 'Zipotle' drone delivery in Dallas
Chipotle Mexican Grill is partnering with an autonomous drone provider to offer a new delivery option.
The quick-service retailer is utilizing quiet, zero-emissions automated drone aircraft from Zipline to fly digital orders to a small number of customers in greater Dallas, starting Thursday, Aug. 21.
Chipotle is planning a broader rollout of this service in the coming weeks. Eligible customers in the Rowlett, Tex. area can download the Zipline app and place their Chipotle order. Employees will then place the order into a “Zipping Point,” which allows Zipline drone to autonomously pick up the order for delivery.
A single Chipotle restaurant will be the first to offer Zipotle deliveries. The service will operate seven days a week, initially from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. CT, and will soon expand to 10 p.m. CT. The entire menu is eligible for Zipotle delivery.
"Zipotle is a quick and convenient source of delivery that lets guests enjoy our real food from places that are traditionally challenging to serve, including backyards and public parks," said Curt Garner, president, chief strategy and technology officer at Chipotle. "Zipline's commitment to building an efficient, environmentally friendly delivery experience is synonymous with our mission to cultivate a better world."
Chipotle has also previously invested in has invested in self-driving technology company Nuro, whose vehicles are used for autonomous delivery by several retailers.
[READ MORE: Chipotle drives innovation forward with robotic delivery investment]
"With Zipline, you tap a button, and minutes later food magically appears - hot, fresh, and ultra-fast,” said Keller Rinaudo Cliffton, CEO and co-founder of Zipline. “Starting today, families in the Dallas area can have food delivered by Zipotle and served for lunch or dinner. What once felt like science fiction is soon going to become totally normal.”
- 8/21/2025
Pacific Retail Capital Partners to remake Lakewood Center into mixed-use center
Pacific Retail Capital Partners (PRCP) has added a new SoCal mall to its portfolio.
The retail real estate operator, along with its partners Lyon Living and Silverpeak, have announced the acquisition of Lakewood Center in Lakewood, Calif., a southern suburb of Los Angeles. The 2 million-sq.-ft. shopping center’s roster of tenants includes major retailers such as Macy’s, Target, Costco, Home Depot and JCPenney, along with a host of food and beverage offerings.
“Lakewood Center is more than a shopping destination – it’s a landmark of postwar American development, a cornerstone of the Lakewood community, and a symbol of how retail can evolve alongside the people it serves,” said PRCP CEO Steve Plenge. “Since opening in 1950, the property has adapted to the cultural, economic, and demographic shifts of Southeast Los Angeles, emerging as one of the most highly trafficked malls in the country and consistently generating over $1 billion in annual sales."
[READ MORE: The power of strategic leasing]
Looking ahead, PRCP and its partners say Lakewood Center will be “reimagined” through the development of a comprehensive master plan, transforming the property into a walkable destination that “blends legacy retail with new residential, wellness, entertainment and green spaces.”
“As we look ahead, our vision is to honor that heritage while transforming Lakewood Center into a next-generation mixed-use destination,” added Plenge. “One that meets the needs of a thriving, diverse community and continues to anchor regional vitality for decades to come.”
PRCP’s portfolio totals 24 properties encompassing over 20 million square feet.
(Image courtesy of Pacific Retail Capital Partners)
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