News

Coinciding with its recently announced growth plan, Dollar General opened a new distribution center.    The new $100 million facility resides in Janesville, Wisconsin. It is the company’s 14th warehouse. The approximately 1 million-sq.-ft. depot, which began shipping merchandise in January, serves approximately 800 stores in nine states in the upper Midwest, and employs more than 500 employees. Along with more than 130 store locations in the state, Dollar General now has more than 1,300 employees in the state of Wisconsin.

Billabong has a new finance chief.   The board sports apparel retailer has named Jim Howell as CFO, effective June 12. He will replace Peter Myers, who has served in the role since January 2013. Howell has spent the last 10 years leading the finance and treasury division at luxury retailer Nordstrom. In this role, he oversaw significant cost management improvements, capital management and growth initiatives.  

GBT Realty purchased 11.7 acres of land in Kemah, Texas, with plans to build a 79,000-sq.-ft. shopping center, reported mySA, a San Antonio news site. Purchase price was $2.1 million.   According to GBT, the center is 92% leased. Committed tenants include Petco, Marshalls, Ross Dress for Less, and Ulta.    Located south of Houston on Trinity Bay, Kemah has just 2,000 residents, but draws tourists with a boardwalk and entertainment district containing carnival rides, restaurants, and shops.

Americans are expected to spend more than ever on gifts for Father’s Day this year — proof that consumer confidence is growing.   This was according to a study from the National Retail Federation. The report, conducted by Prosper Insight & Analytics, is based on responses from 7,335 consumers surveyed between May 2 and May 9.  

A home furnishings retailer is making it easier for their shoppers to make their homes “summer-ready.”   Through its partnership with the HGTV series, “Beachfront Bargain Hunt: Renovation,” Joss & Main is enabling viewers to purchase the budget-friendly, stylish looks presented on the show directly through their e-commerce site. The retailer will feature merchandise throughout the show’s six-week season, starting on June 10.  

BCBG Max Azria Group LLC is getting a shot at keeping its brand alive.  

A digitally native organic baby and toddler's clothing brand has opened its second brick-and-mortar location.    Monica + Andy has opened its first store in New York City, on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. The brand was launched online in 2014 by new mom Monica Royer, sister of Andy Dunn, co-founder of Bonobos, the online menswear brand that is rapidly growing its physical store footprint. It features clothing made of kid-friendly fabrics that are free of lead, phthalates and flame-retardants.  

Shoppers are demanding that retailers treat them as individuals, and eBay is listening.   eBay is launching an enhanced, more personalized eBay shopping experience through a new homepage that is responsive to its individual customers’ interests. Leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning technology, eBay is tailoring recommendations across all categories during each shopper’s new site visit, and serving up an inventory mix that's unique only to them.