News Briefs

The Raley's Companies is launching an in-store retail media network.

The regional Western supermarket retailer is teaming up with Grocery TV to connect brands directly to shoppers via promotions on in-store TV screens at the point of purchase. The rollout spans Raley’s eight banners across 208 stores in California, Nevada,and Arizona.

"Our retail media business has been evolving quickly, and in-store was the clear next step," said Zac Wilson, VP of digital commerce, The Raley's Companies. "With the Grocery TV partnership, what could have taken years to build, we were able to stand up in a matter of weeks. Speed is critical in an ever-evolving and fast paced industry. That speed, combined with their ability to help us build advertiser demand as we grow, is critical to a successful partnership. Together, we're creating an in-store retail media experience that feels cohesive for both our brand partners and our shoppers."

Mid-Atlantic regional grocer Giant Eagle also leverages the Grocery TV in-store retail media platform, enabling its Leap retail media network to manage and execute brand campaigns across its stores. 

[READ MORE: Giant Eagle links retail media network to in-store TVs]

"The Raley's Companies have built deep trust across the diverse communities they serve throughout the West," said Marlow Nickell, co-founder and CEO, Grocery TV. "That trust, combined with strong store traffic, creates a powerful in-store environment for brands."

The Raley's Companies is a private, family-owned grocery retailer headquartered in West Sacramento, Calif. and founded in 1935. Raley’s operates than 230 locations across four states and four Tribal Nations under eight banners: Raley's, Bel Air, Nob Hill Foods, Raley's O-n-e Market, Bashas', Food City, AJ's Fine Foods and Bashas' Diné Market. 

The offices of Chain Store Age will be closed on Monday, May 25, in observance of Memorial Day.  We will reopen and resume publishing our our daily newsletter, Daybreaker, on Tuesday, May 30.

We wish our readers a happy and safe holiday weekend!

The Home Depot Foundation is funding non-profit disaster response organizations in preparation for the upcoming hurricane season.

Home Depot is distributing more than $5.5 million in grants to non-profit groups that help communities better prepare for, withstand and recover from natural disasters. The home improvement giant’s Home Depot Foundation non-profit organization also provides mitigation training for groups supporting post-disaster rebuilding efforts and activates its Disaster Response Command Center providing continuous, daily communication between teams, impacted stores and suppliers during significant events.

[READ MORE: Home Depot increases SoCal wildfire aid]

The new grants will fund non-profits including Habitat for Humanity International, Team Rubicon, Operation Blessing, Inspiritus, HomeAid Hawaii; as well as partnership with the Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (FLASH) “Strong Homes program. Additional Foundation grants will fund programs with American Red Cross, Convoy of Hope, World Central Kitchen and Appalachia Service Project. 

"Preparedness is a year-round commitment to building stronger, disaster-ready neighborhoods," said Erin Izen, executive director of The Home Depot Foundation. "With our research showing a "recovery lag" in areas rebuilding after a wildfire, hurricane or tornado, we're working to prioritize both reactive recovery and proactive resilience."

The Home Depot is the world's largest home improvement specialty retailer. At the end of the fiscal year 2025, the company operated a total of 2,359 retail stores and over 1,250 SRS locations across all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, 10 Canadian provinces and Mexico.

Authentic Brands Group is adding a century-old brand to its portfolio.

The brand and entertainment platform has entered into an agreement to acquire Lee from Kontoor Brands Inc. in a deal valued at up to $1 billion — with an initial transaction value of $750 million and a $250 million earnout opportunity in future years based on the performance of Lee under Authentic’s ownership

A pioneer in denim and workwear, Lee was founded in 1889. It generates approximately $1.5 billion in annual retail-equivalent sales across 73 countries, with nearly 40% coming from outside the U.S. and Canada.

Authentic said it plans to convert the Lee business into a licensing model, leveraging its brand-building expertise, network of more than 1,700 best-in-class partners and powerful marketing and storytelling platform. The company is in discussions with leading brand operators to support Lee's existing business and expand it across content, experiences and heritage-driven lifestyle categories.

"What makes Lee so compelling is its legacy," said Jamie Salter, founder and executive chairman of Authentic. "It's one of the most important names in denim, with more than a century of heritage, consumer awareness and cultural relevance already built in. At Authentic, we focus on preserving what consumers love about their favorite brands while putting the right partners, distribution and marketing strategies behind them to drive long-term growth.”

Authentic's portfolio spans more than 50 brands. Its roster includes Reebok, Champion, Shaquille O'Neal, David Beckham, Kevin Hart, Sports Illustrated, Elvis Presley, Muhammad Ali, Marilyn Monroe, GUESS, Aéropostale, Nautica, Eddie Bauer, Lucky Brand, Nine West, Brooks Brothers, Juicy Couture, Vince Camuto, Izod, Van Heusen, Dockers, Ted Baker, Hart Schaffner Marx, Vince, Barneys New York, Judith Leiber, Quiksilver, Spyder, Billabong, Volcom, Roxy, RVCA, DC Shoes, Prince, Sperry and Hunter.

Lowe's Companies reported strong first-quarter earnings and sales that beat expectations and reaffirmed its full-year outlook.

The home improvement retailer reported net income of $1.63 billion, or $2.90 per share, for the quarter ended May 1, compared $1.64 billion, or $2.92 per share, in the year-ago period. Excluding one-time factors like acquisition costs, the company reported adjusted earnings per share of $3.03, topping analysts expectations of $2.76 per share.

Revenue rose to $23.08 billion from $20.9 billion, ahead of analysts estimates  of $22.97 billion. Comparable sales increased 0.6%, driven by strong spring execution as well as a 15.5% online sales growth and continued strength in appliances, home services and pro sales, the company said.  

"Strong spring execution and continued momentum in pro, appliances, online, and home services supported a solid start to the year as we delivered our fourth consecutive quarter of positive comp sales," said Marvin R. Ellison,  chairman, president and CEO. "In spite of a challenging housing macro, we remain focused on advancing our Total Home strategy to provide the best experience for our customer. I'd also like to thank our associates for their dedication to serving our customers throughout the busy spring season."

Lowe’s reaffirmed its full-year guidance. It expects total sales between $92 billion and $94 billion, an increase of between 7% and 9% compared with the prior year. Comparable sales are expected to be flat to up 2% compared with last year.

As of May 1, 2026, Lowe's operated 1,759 stores,

The direct-to-consumer fan apparel platform within Fanatics has tapped a veteran retail executive to a new, expanded leadership role 

Fanatics Commerce named Jamie Gersch as chief marketing officer, effective May 12.  The role brings all of the company’s marketing functions — including brand, performance and lifecycle —  under one leader for the first time.

Most recently, from December 2022 to April 2026, Gersch served as chief marketing officer at sustainable footwear brand Rothy's, where she led global marketing and e-commerce. Prior to Rothy's, she spent nearly seven years at Old Navy, where she was senior VP and chief marketing officer at Old Navy.

Before Old Navy, Gersch spent more than a decade at Gap, helping shape the brand’s voice and creative direction across its divisions.

“As we continue to build the Fanatics Commerce brand and sharpen our focus on delivering for sports fans around the world, Jamie is perfect leader to unify our marketing efforts and drive the next generation of fan engagement, said Andrew Low Ah Kee, CEO of Fanatics Commerce. “Jamie brings a rare combination of brand instinct, customer focus, and performance discipline that perfectly aligns with our long-term vision, and we couldn't be more excited to have her join the team at such a pivotal time for the organization.”

In a statemetn, Gersch said that "Fanatics sits at the intersection of sports, culture, and commerce in a way that very few others can claim, and that's an extraordinary place to build from,” 

“Throughout my career I’ve been fortunate to help guide marketing for a world-class group of brands, and I have never been more confident in my decision to join Fanatics, where there are endless opportunities to create lasting, meaningful relationships with sports fans as we work to become a truly beloved brand," she said.