News

Kitchenware retailer cooks up delivery service
A new partnership is helping Sur La Table take the term “farm to table” to a new level. Sur La Table is the go-to source for all things culinary — from cooking tools and kitchen gadgets to tableware. All it was missing was a way to be at their shoppers’ beck and call — and at a moment’s notice — as they prepared a stellar meal.
BJ's adds former Belk and Dick's Sporting Goods execs to its leadership team
BJ's Wholesale Club has tapped two experienced retailers to drive its digital innovation and omnichannel strategy. BJ's announced that Scott Kessler has been named executive VP, CIO, effective immediately. He succeeds Peter Amalfi, who plans to retire later this year.

Bankrupt footwear retailer may close more stores

Payless ShoeSource is seeking bankruptcy court approval to close more stores. The chain, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection at the beginning of April, may close up to 408 more stores, according to the Chicago Tribune. Payless had originally said it planned to shutter nearly 400 underperforming locations.
And the Store of the Year is...

A premium brand born from the celebration of colder climates, Mackage (Yorkdale Shopping Centre, Toronto) was named Store in the Year in the Retail Design Institute’s 46th annual International Store Design Competition. The awards were presented during a gala celebration on Wednesday, May 24, in New York City.
Big Lots has big quarter

Big Lots provided an upbeat outlook and posted a strong first quarter, beating profit expectations. The chain reported income of $51.5 million, or $1.15 per diluted share, for the quarter ended April 29, 2017, which easily beat Wall Street expectations. This compares to $38.7 million, or 79 cents a share, in the year-ago period.
Office supplies giant still weighing takeover offer

Staples Inc. has rejected a buyout offer. The company turned down a takeover offer from Cerberus Capital Management, saying it was too low, Bloomberg reported. However, another private equity firm, Sycamore Partners, is still in the running to acquire Staples. The bid from Cerberus valued the retailer at more than its current market value of about $5.8 billion, according to Bloomberg.
Blowout quarter for Costco

Costco Wholesale Corp. came roaring back in its third quarter as it topped analysts' earnings and sales expectations amid strong U.S. sales.
Children's apparel retailer taps former Sears exec as CEO

Hanna Andersson named a former top executive of Sears Holdings Corp. as the specialty retailer's next chief executive.
Fast-casual chain reveals culprit of recent data breach

Chipotle Mexican Grill is coming clean about a cyber-attack that targeted the chain last month. An extensive investigation lead by leading cyber security firms, law enforcement and the payment card networks revealed that malware accessed payment card data used at point-of-sale (POS) devices at certain Chipotle and Pizzeria Locale restaurants between March 24 and April 18. Not all locations were involved, and the specific timeframes vary by location, according to the chain.
Amazon’s grocery pickup concept finally opens — for Prime members only

Amazon’s latest grocery initiative is now up and running for customers. AmazonFresh Pickup, the online grocer’s drive-by grocery delivery service, allows Amazon Prime members to order groceries online and pick them up in as little as 15 minutes. The concept launched in March, with two locations in Seattle. Initially in a beta mode, the service was available only to Amazon employees. But as of May 25, it is now open also to Amazon prime members in the general public.