News

Five Below now open in Kentucky
After opening its first stores in Alabama this month, tween and teen retailer Five Below is taking Kentucky off its expansion list next, with new stores there opening this week.

"Entering Louisville is an important next step as we continue to grow our footprint across the country," said Joel Anderson, CEO of Five Below. "We're excited to serve new customers in this dynamic city. Kids and parents looking for a fun place to shop for trend-right, high quality products at a great value will surely enjoy Five Below."
ECRM hosts Bi-Lo, suppliers at grocery event
Business innovation and technology leader Efficient Collaborative Retail Marketing (ECRM) hosted a category review for Bi-Lo Holdings at ECRM’s Snack & Dry Grocery event in February.

Bi-Lo, which operates approximately 800 stores under the Bi-Lo, Harveys, and Winn-Dixie supermarket banners, met with more than 70 suppliers over three days, including potential participants in its Supplier Diversity Program.

JCPenney's chief marketing officer resigns

JCPenney has lost its chief marketing officer at a time when the company has been trying to rebuild its brand image.
New hub designed to fuel growth for CST Brands

CST Brands is celebrating the grand opening of a new distribution center that aims to fuel its ambitious expansion plan in Texas.

The new 365,000-square-foot warehouse will serve as the main distribution hub for food and merchandise for about 600 Corner Store locations across Texas.
Dollar General will expand hours, not wages

Goodlettsville, Tenn. – Dollar General Corp. plans to increase employee income by making more working hours available to them, as opposed to raising salaries. Seeing a need to improve its stores in the face of expanded competition from the merging Family Dollar Stores Inc. and Dollar Tree Inc., Dollar General hopes to keep shelves better stocked with more labor hours.
Amazon buys Internet of Things provider 2lemetry

Seattle – Amazon.com is moving forward in the burgeoning arena of the Internet of Things (IoT), but isn’t making a big deal about it. According to multiple media reports, Amazon has purchased 2lemetry, a Denver-based IoT startup, for an undisclosed sum.

2lemetry provides an enterprise platform that can track and manage Web-connected IoT devices, such as autos and appliances. The company was founded in 2011 and has raised $9 million in venture capital funding since that time.
How Retailers are Finding Business Value in Social Loyalty

By Chris Mike, Chirpify

These days, retailers spend a lot of time obsessing over letters, specifically CAC and CLV. Most know these terms as shorthand for customer acquisition cost and customer lifetime value. Both are key concepts and incredibly important metrics if you operate a retail business.
Couche-Tard to buy 21 stores, 151 dealer sites in U.S.

Laval, Canada - Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. is purchasing 21 stores, 151 dealer fuel supply agreements and five development properties through its Circle K Stores Inc. subsidiary from Cinco J Inc. The 21 stores and development properties are located in Texas, while the 151 dealer fuel supply agreements are located in the Texas, Mississippi and Louisiana.
Lids provides customers instant inventory access

Indianapolis - Lids Sports Group has upgraded its inventory management system so that the retailer now provides consumers access to companywide inventory in retail stores, as well as its centrally located distribution centers. By implementing this improvement, thousands of styles and teams that were previously only available in stores are now available to fans everywhere.
Hhgregg launches omnichannel ‘March Markdown’ promotion

Indianapolis – Just in time for the annual college basketball championship tournament, Hhgregg is running an omnichannel “March Markdown” promotion. From March 16 – April 6, customers can enter up to four times per day via Facebook, online, or by sharing the Hhgregg “Acrobatic Dunk Madness” video.
Drizly updates app, site, branding

Boston – Omnichannel beer/wine/liquor delivery service Drizly is relaunching its mobile app, website and branding. New features of the site and app include ratings, reviews and rich media content; storable “favorite” orders and address books; smart searches that deliver results as users type; and the ability to share Drizly with friends and send gifts.

Drizly’s new digital interface also enables immersive brand experiences with alcohol products; rich content placements; and sponsored listings.
Diplomat to raise $200 million in stock offering

Flint, Mich. — Diplomat Pharmacy announced Friday the filing of a registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with a proposed follow-on public offering of its common stock. Subject to market conditions, the offering could raise approximately $200 million.