News Briefs

A nonprofit advocacy group for independent grocers is enhancing its collaboration with a traceability compliance management platform.

The National Grocers Association (NGA) has selected ReposiTrak as its strategic partner of traceability compliance management. The two organizations will jointly deliver new education, training, and resources designed to help independent grocers deal with issues such as inflation, SKU proliferation, labor constraints, and food safety rules. 

The expanded ReposiTrak–NGA strategic partnership, which initially began in 2022, is designed to equip retailers with practical tools to free up working capital, improve cash flow, and reduce compliance risk without adding labor or disrupting store operations.

"For independent grocers, access to free cash flow is the difference between standing still and investing in the future," said Randy Fields, chairman and CEO of ReposiTrak. "ReposiTrak has spent decades helping retailers reduce the working capital trapped in inventory so they can reinvest in store upgrades, technology, and growth. We’re excited to deepen our strategic partnership with NGA and deliver the education and resources independents need to compete—and win—in today’s environment."

ReposiTrak’s platform can also be used to automate compliance with evolving regulations, including FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) 204 traceability requirements.

[READ MORE: Save A Lot automates food traceability]

"NGA is focused on equipping independent grocers with timely insights and practical tools to help them succeed," said Greg Ferrara, president and CEO, National Grocers Association. "Through this continued collaboration with ReposiTrak, we will provide education and resources that help our members comply with regulatory requirements and leverage operational strategies that can support long-term performance."

Target Corp. continues to expand its footprint — including its smaller-store format.

The discounter is opening seven stores in March (locations at end of article). The new outposts are part of the 30-plus stores that Target plans to open this year — and the more than 300 new stores the company is on track to build by 2035.

Target’s March openings include a 40,000-sq.-ft. store in Jersey City, N.J. The retailer’s small-format concept is designed to cater to commuters, with locations near public transportation, early opening hours, amenities and easy fulfillment services. The six other Target stores opening in March feature the company’s larger format and average 148,00 sq. ft. 

“Our continued commitment to opening new stores is really about showing up for our guests and our communities —  and it starts with our incredible store team members,” said chief stores officer Adrienne Costanzo, who started her Target career 20 years ago at the company's store in Evansville, Ind. “These new stores give our teams the tools and environments to bring our merchandising strengths to life, create easier and more inspiring shopping experiences, and use technology to move smarter and faster every day. 

Locations

The following Target stores are set to open on March 15: 

•Bakersfield, Calif. (store is approximately 148,000 sq. ft.);

•Delano, Calif. (approximately 148,000 sq. ft.);

•Springfield, Mo. (approximately 148,000 sq. ft.);

•Jersey City, N.J. (approximately 40,000 sq. ft.);

•Fuquay Varina, N.C. (approximately 148,000 sq. ft.) and

•Oak Cliff, Texas (approximately 110,000 sq. ft.).

The following store will open on March 29, and will be Target’s 55th location in New Jersey:

•West Orange, N.J. (approximately 150,000 sq. ft.).

The parent company of Journeys and other footwear brands is making a change to its C-suite.

Genesco Inc.’s chief financial officer, Cassandra “Sandra” Harris,is stepping down from her role, effective March 6, to pursue other opportunities. She has served in the role since October 2024. 

Upon Harris’ departure, Genesco CEO Mimi E. Vaughn will assume the role of interim CFO. She served as Genesco’s CFO from 2015 to 2019 before taking the reins as CEO in February 2020. Genesco says it has initiated an active search for a permanent CFO and is moving to identify a “strategic leader to continue driving shareholder value.”

[READ MORE: Footwear giant Genesco overhauling IT ops to accelerate AI; job cuts likely]

“We thank Sandra for her contributions to Genesco and appreciate her support during this transition,” said Vaughn. “I am confident in the strength of our management and financial leadership team as we continue to execute on Genesco’s long-term growth strategy.”

Founded in 1924 and based in Nashville, Tenn., Genesco’s brands include Journeys, Little Burgundy, Schuh and Johnston & Murphy. The company operates more than 1,240 retail stores and branded e-commerce websites.

Eddie Bauer is reportedly planning to abandon brick and mortar.

The store operator of the iconic, 106-year-old outdoor apparel and lifestyle brand is getting ready to file Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in a move to shutter its approximately 200 North American stores, reported WWD. Eddie Bauer’s store operations are owned by Catalyst Brands under license from brand owner Authentic Brands Group.

Catalyst Brands was formed in January 2025 when JCPenney and SPARC Group (a joint venture of brand management firm Authentic Brands Group, Simon Property Group and Shein) combined to form a new organization. In addition to Eddie Bauer, its portfolio includes JCPenney, Lucky Brand, Aéropostale, Nautica and Brooks Brothers.

A bankruptcy filing would not impact Eddie Bauer’s manufacturing, e-commerce and wholesale operations in the U.S. and Canada, according to the WWD report. Those operations, in a deal announced earlier this month, are in the middle of global brand development and licensing platform Outdoor 5. 

Eddie Bauer celebrated its 100th anniversary in 1920. 

The Home Depot is cutting its corporate workforce. It’s also ending remote work for its corporate staffers.

The home improvement giant on Wednesday laid off 800 employees, with about 150 of the workers based at Home Depot’s Atlanta headquarters, reported CNBC, with the rest in remote jobs, mostly in the company’s technology organization. The layoffs represent about 0.2% of the company’s total workforce.

Home Depot is also putting a five-day in-office policy in place, starting the week of April 6, the report said. The move puts an end to flexible and remote arrangements that have been in place since the pandemic.

“In-person engagement enables more meaningful support for store and field associates, drives results and reinforces our people-centric culture and inverted pyramid,” Home Depot CEO Ted Decker said in a memo to employees as reported by CNBC.

The news about the Home Depot job cuts come the same week that Amazon said it is eliminating 16,000 positions across the company. 

[READ MORE: Amazon laying off 16,000 corporate employees]

A rapidly growing specialty battery retailer is debuting a refreshed homepage for its e-commerce site.

Batteries Plus has redesigned its site to better serve what it says are the 51% of visitors browsing via mobile device, including updated navigation with a streamlined and more intuitive menu designed to enable location of products, service and store support with fewer clicks.

The site also has a new 24/7 learning hub called "Experts Plus," which features resources including buying guides, how-to articles on topics like installing car batteries; resources for local businesses such as electrical contractors; and coupons, sales promotions and mail-in rebates available at Batteries Plus stores and online.

"Over half of our website traffic comes from people on their phones and other mobile devices, so it only makes sense to ensure they're able to navigate our site with ease," said Chris McGee, VP of marketing for Batteries Plus. "Customers can now locate products, services, and find local store support with fewer clicks and a more intuitive layout. It feels clear, it feels organized, and it helps customers feel confident they are in the right place."

[READ MORE: Batteries Plus ends 2025 with 30 new store openings]

Batteries Plus has 800 locations open and in development across all 50 states and Puerto Rico,