News Briefs

REI Co-op has named a retail veteran as its new chief commercial officer.

The specialty outdoor retailer appointed Kim Waldmann to the role, effective March 9. She joins REI from Foot Locker, where she served as global chief customer officer, leading the company’s enterprise-wide transformation of the customer experience across brand, digital, loyalty and in-store touchpoints.

Prior to joining Foot Locker in 2023, Waldmann was chief marketing and digital officer at Gap Inc.’s Athleta division. Earlier in her career, from 2015 to 2020, she held multiple leadership positions at Sephora, including VP and general manager of Sephora.com, where she led record growth and increased market share for the retailer’s online business.

[READ MORE: REI, Intrepid Travel launch guided international, domestic travel programs]

“Kim brings deep commercial expertise and a strong member-first mindset that will help us deliver on our promise to be the most trusted retailer for people who love the outdoors,” said Mary Beth Laughton, president and CEO of REI. “Kim understands how to connect strategy and execution across channels in ways that feel seamless and authentic to our members, and her leadership will help us continue evolving while staying true to what makes REI distinctive.”

Lululemon founder Chip Wilson’s campaign for changes at the activewear company has taken a new turn.

Wilson, who is also one of the company's largest shareholders, said he has launched a campaign website that details his view on the “quantum of change” needed at the retailer. “Lululemon has lost its way,” the website states. "It’s in need of immediate change."

The website, www.CreativityFirstlulu.com, also spotlights the three “highly qualified” independent director candidates that Wilson nominated in December for election to the board at its 2026 shareholders meeting. In addition to nominating the directors, Wilson also submitted a non-binding proposal that calls for the board to immediately declassify so that all directors are elected annually by shareholder

[READ MORE: Lululemon launches proxy fight to overhaul board]

According to the release announcing the website Wilson believes that Lululemon requires a refreshed skillset in the board room to renew focus on creativity, product excellence and a recommitment to the original "muse"ahead of a new CEO being named, as well as the declassification of its board.

“My intention has always been to act in the best interest of my fellow shareholders of Lululemon," Wilson said in the release. "This campaign is about safeguarding the company's future and a conviction that Lululemon's best years remain ahead, provided the right strategic and governance changes are made quickly."

Ollie’s Bargain Outlet has expanded into a new Midwestern market.

The off-price retailer specializing in closeouts and excess inventory has opened a new location in the small city of Austin, Minn., located near the Iowa border. The expansion, which marks the 35th state Ollie's operates in, comes as Ollie's reportedly will open 75 stores this year.

Located adjacent to a Hy-Vee grocery store, the new Ollie’s will offer merchandise ranging housewares, food, bed & bath, health & beauty, books, toys, lawn & garden, seasonal decor and more at up to 70% lower prices than other retailers.

"Our first Minnesota store represents an important milestone in our Midwest expansion,” said Eric van der Valk, president and CEO of Ollie's, who took the reins of the company in February 2025. “We could not be more excited to enter our 35th state and bring ‘Good Stuff Cheap’ to the people of Austin and beyond.”

The Austin location will create between 50 and 60 new local jobs.

“Our people are the heart of our business," added van der Valk. "We're looking for great talent to join the best and fastest growing retail team in the country."

[READ MORE: Ollie’s to hit store milestone as it expands into new state]

 As of Dec. 9, 2025, Harrisburg, Pa.-based Ollie’s operated 645 stores nationwide and employed over 14,000 associates.

The latest round of layoffs at Amazon is impacting a department dedicated to technology innovation.

In an email to Chain Store Age, an Amazon spokesperson confirmed that the online giant will cut an unspecified number of robotics positions. 

"We regularly review our organizations to make sure teams are best set up to innovate and deliver for our customers," the spokesperson said in the email. "Following a recent review, we've made the difficult decision to eliminate a relatively small number of robotics roles. We don't make these decisions lightly, and we're committed to supporting employees whose roles are affected with severance pay, health insurance benefits, and job placement support."

Business Insider reported it had seen a message Scott Dresser, VP of Amazon Robotics, sent employees on Tuesday, March 3, calling the layoffs "difficult but necessary” and saying robotics remains a "strategic priority" for the company.

Amazon has been enacting a series of job cuts since fall 2025. In October 2025, the company laid off roughly 14,000 corporate employees as part of what Reuters reported was a larger initiative to reduce expenses and rectify excessive increases in staffing levels it made during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Amazon then announced in January 2026 that it is eliminating roughly 16,000 positions across the company. Those two rounds of layoffs represented close to 10% of the retailer’s roughly 350,000-person corporate workforce. 

Interestingly, media reports surfaced in October 2025 that Amazon expects increasing usage of robots could enable to it replace more than 500,000 U.S. human employees and avoid having to bring on another 160,000 workers by 2027. Amazon has publicly denied those claims.

[READ MORE: Amazon reportedly plans to replace 600,000 workers with robots]

An Ohio-based pizza chain is plotting continued growth in 2026.

Marco’s Pizza is planning to open more than 80 new stores this year, surpassing last year’s total of more than 60 new locations. The chain says that in 2026, it will expand into new territories while continuing its development across domestic and international markets.

Marco's added that it plans on rolling out advanced digital tools, operational enhancement and menu innovations to strengthen franchisee support and “set the stage for sustainable, long-term operations.”

[READ MORE: Marco’s Pizza selects POS platform for international stores]

"Marco's momentum is driven by a commitment to thoughtful expansion and strong franchisee support," said Gerardo Flores, chief development officer of Marco's Pizza. "As we look ahead, we remain focused on building the infrastructure, technology and innovation needed to support the next phase of growth."

The planned 2026 growth comes on the heels of a strong year for Marco’s. The chain entered New Jersey and signed a development agreement for New Mexico in 2025, expanding its national footprint into new markets. The brand also celebrated anniversaries in Mexico and Puerto Rico while continuing to explore new international opportunities and growth across the Caribbean and Latin American regions.

Headquartered in Toledo, Ohio, Marco’s operates over 1,200 stores in 35 states and Puerto Rico with international locations in the Bahamas and Mexico.

Vestar, one of the largest privately held owners of retail real estate in the West, announced the signing of four food and beverage tenants for a project under construction in Arizona.

The 500,000-sq.-ft. Verrado Marketplace going up in Buckeye will welcome Ohso Brewery, Paris Baguette, BJ’s Restaurant, and Chili’s Grill & Bar.

“We are thrilled to be opening the eighth location of Ohso at Verrado Marketplace,” said Derek Boettcher of Ohso Brewery. “This expansion is a strategic move for us, as the West Valley continues to experience tremendous growth.”

The newly signed eateries will be joining a brand menu that includes Salt Tacos + Tequila, Shake Shack, Sourdough & Co., Handel’s Ice Cream, Einstein Bros Bagels, Nekter Juice Bar, Thai Chili, and Tropical Smoothie Café. 

"Having successfully introduced Paris Baguette to Scottsdale, Phoenix, Chandler, and Paradise Valley, we are thrilled to expand our footprint to the West Valley,” said the Korean-based brand’s Sam Yoon.

Anchor tenants at Verrado Marketplace are Target, Harkins Backlot, Safeway, Ross, Marshalls, and HomeGoods.

Others in the center’s directory will include Ulta, Famous Footwear, Buckle, Bath & Body Works, See’s Candies, and America’s Best Contacts & Glasses. 

Tenant openings will begin in May 2026.