News

U.S. grocer taps former Lidl exec as new CEO
As German discount giant Lidl prepares to enter the U.S. market, Save-A-Lot is bringing in a new chief executive officer whose resume includes a 13-year stint at the European chain. The discount supermarket chain has appointed Kenneth McGrath as CEO, effective April 21, 2017. He succeeds Eric Claus, whose departure was described as a “mutually agreed” parting of the ways.
Off-price apparel chain revamps the front end
Forman Mills is on a growth spurt — now it needs its point-of-sale (POS) to grow with it. The off-price retailer has grown from a single store to a 36-store chain of “big box” warehouse-style stores across multiple states. As the retailer enters its next stage of expansion in connection with a recent investment from New York-based Goode Partners LLC, Forman Mills needed a front end solution that could support its growth, and drive more efficient checkout processes.

Ralph Lauren to reduce headcount, close flagship, deploy new online platform

Ralph Lauren Corp. is shaking things up—and cutting costs. The company, which has been struggling with weak sales, on Tuesday said it would reduce corporate staff, close its Polo flagship on Manhattan’s Fifth Avenue, and move its online platform to Salesforce’s CommerceCloud solution.
Pet supplies giant acquires digital start-up

Petco has acquired a digital pet services company and, in so doing, got itself an experienced tech entrepreneur to drive its digital initiatives. Petco has purchased PetCoach, a pet advice web site and app that helps pet owners take better care of their pets, connecting them with veterinarians for personalized answers to their questions. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Extreme-value chain to open 700 more stores

Canadian discounter Dollarama is upping its store growth plans—and by a considerable number. The chain, which operates some 1,000 stores across Canada, has revised its long-term target from 1,400 locations to 1,700. “This provides Dollarama with several years of additional footprint growth,” stated Neil Rossy, president and CEO, Dollarama, which sells a variety of merchandise at fixed price points up to C$4.00.
British retailer to make U.S. debut

A British lifestyle brand will open its first store in the United States this summer. The White Company will open a 3,000-sq.-ft. flagship in the Flatiron section of Manhattan. Described as the first international flagship of the brand, the store will stock a curated selection of lifestyle, homeware and fashion products. A selection of The Little White Company products featuring white baby clothes and nursery equipment will also be housed in the space.
End of an era at coffee giant

It’s a new day at Starbucks Corp. Kevin Johnson officially took over as CEO of Starbucks on Monday, April 3. Outgoing CEO Howard Schultz continues on at the company as executive chairman, and will focus on the development of Starbucks’ new formats, Reserve Roasteries and Starbucks Reserve, and the company’s social impact initiatives.
Washington Spotlight: What Supreme Court Pick Could Mean for Retail

This week, the Senate Judiciary Committee considered the nomination of Judge Neil Gorsuch to the United States Supreme Court. Since vacancies on the bench are rare and the political stakes so high, few spectacles in Washington D.C. invite this level of drama. He was confirmed by the committee but when his nomination eventually goes to the floor of the Senate for a vote, the real fun will begin. (See “nuclear option.”) Lost in the hype is what his eventual seat on the court will mean to retail operators.
Discounter in big RFID deployment

Target Corp. is stepping up its inventory management. The discount retailer is partnering with Avery Dennison to deploy radio frequency identification (RFID) technology to more than 1,600 stores. The deployment, described by the technology provider as the largest of its kind, will help Target maximize inventory availability and deliver an enhanced shopper experience.
Key executive out at J. Crew

The woman whose quirky, eclectic personal style came to define J. Crew — and who is the No.2 executive at the company — is leaving. Jenna Lyons, president and executive creative director, is stepping down from the struggling retailer. She will remain with J.Crew as a creative advisor until her contract expires in December 2017.