News

C-store chain bullish on store expansion; to enter Ohio
Casey’s General’s Stores on Tuesday detailed an aggressive store expansion and renovation schedule along with record earnings for its first quarter. The Iowa-based chain expects to build or acquire 77 to 116 stores, replace 35 existing locations, and complete 100 major remodels in its current fiscal year. Currently, it has 39 new stores under construction, including its first store in the state of Ohio.
Athleisure giant to open smaller store model
Lululemon Athletica Inc. revealed that it plans to open smaller, “local” stores amid results that disappointed Wall Street. Net revenue for the quarter ended July 31 increased 14% to $514.5 million, just shy of projections, from $453.0 million in the year ago period. Total comparable sales rose 4%, with in-store sales up 3% and direct to consumer sales up 6%. Net income increased 12.5% to $53.6 million.

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Whole Foods taps former Walmart exec to head up marketing

Photo: Sonya Gafsi Oblisk Whole Foods Market named the former VP of marketing for Walmart’s Sam’s Club division as global VP of marketing.
CBL sells its interest in Harrisburg center

CBL & Associates and High Real Estate Group has the sold their joint interest in High Pointe Commons in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, to Unison Realty Partners for $33.8 million. The proceeds will be used by the sellers to retire secured loans totaling $17.4 million, and CBL will use its net proceeds to reduce outstanding balances on its lines of credit.
Former Amazon and J Crew execs join fast-growing plus-size brand

Eloquii, a fast-growing, plus-size women’s fashion apparel manufacturer and online-only player, has expanded its executive team with two experienced retailers. The retailer named Michael Concannon as chief technology officer. He most recently served as CTO of Quidsi, an Amazon-owned e-commerce company where he oversaw long-term technical strategy and maintained technical leadership for the entire platform of six sites including diapers.com.
Coalition calls for reliable retail and restaurant work schedules

A coalition of New York-based advocates have launched a national campaign to press large retailers, restaurant chains and other companies to end on-call and last-minute scheduling. The effort comes in the wake of recent agreements by several retailers with New York's attorney general to end the practice in that state, the Associated Press reported.
Aeropostale back from the brink after auction

Aeropostale Inc. will live to see another day after all. A consortium, including Simon Property Group Inc. General Growth Properties Inc. and Authentic Brands Group, won the bankruptcy auction for Aeropostale Inc. The group, which also includes liquidators Gordon Brothers Retail Partners LLC and Hilco Merchant Resources LLC, plans to keep at least 229 of the teen retailer’s stores up and running along with Aeropostale's e-commerce business and international licensing business.
With Me, Santa Monica Place, Santa Monica, Calif.

WithMe, an interactive brick-and-mortar shopping experience that features limited runs of traditional and pure-play retail brands, has opened three new pop-ups in its flagship space at Santa Monica Place, Santa Monica, Calif.
Breitling Boutique opens at WTC

Swiss watchmaker Breitling opened its boutique at Westfield World Trade Center in New York and promises to make it an all-senses experience for shoppers.