News

On the heels of opening its 12,000th store, Dollar General has named five executives to key leadership positions within its merchandising and supply chain organizations.

The company announced internal promotions in both its merchandising and global supply chain functions as the company enhances its management team. The following promotions are effective immediately:

Just ahead of Dad’s big day on Sunday, Macy’s is promoting its Father’s Day offerings by encouraging shoppers to use its appointment service to find the perfect gift for Dad.

Retailers looking for ways to enhance the customer experience could learn from a new attraction at Hershey’s Chocolate World.

This summer, guests at Hershey’s Chocolate World will be treated to a delicious new Chocolate Tasting Experience, find their favorites in Hershey’s Largest Candy Store and mix their favorites at the new Amazing Candy Machine.

In the new Chocolate Tasting Experience, guests can immerse themselves in the flavorful world of chocolate tasting.

San Francisco — Gap Inc. on Monday lowered the boom on its biggest and most troubled division, announcing it would close 175 of its 675 namesake stores in North America over the next few years, with 140 of the closures occurring in the current fiscal year. In line with the closings, the brand’s headquarters workforce will be reduced by about 250 roles this year.

The closings will not impact Gap Outlet and Gap Factory Stores. Gap will also close a limited number of European locations, but it did not give a specific store count.

HARRISBURG, Pa. — Extreme-value retailer Ollie’s Bargain Outlet Holdings on Monday filed for an initial public offering. With a tagline of "good stuff cheap,”  Ollie’s operates 181 stores in the Eastern United States, expects to open 25 to 30 stores in fiscal 2015 and sees the potential for more than 950 locations across the country. (For more on Ollie’s, click here.) 

Hoffman Estates, Ill. – Kmart is shaking up its marketing operation with moves including the recent appointment of former DSW Chief Marketing Officer Kelly N. Cook as its chief marketing officer. There was never a formal announcement, but Cook’s LinkedIn profile indicates that she joined Kmart in that position in April.

Charlotte, N.C. – June is the traditional wedding month, and Belk Inc. is making things easier for marriage-minded customers with a new wedding registry app. The Android and iOS app offers features including a registry checklist and tips for brides and grooms-to-be.

In addition, a thank you note assistant automatically tracks gifts and givers. Users can also set up a registry and scan items directly from mobile devices.

Target chairman and CEO Brian Cornell commented on the chain’s new partnership with CVS Health in a Q&A on Target’s blog, A Bullseye View. Here are some excerpts: 

The nationwide expansion of the Facebook Place Tips in-store mobile promotion service, complete with free proprietary Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) beacons, was interesting news.  Here are three implications of Facebook’s latest effort to serve as a commercial platform:

San Antonio, Texas — CST Brands Inc., through its CrossAmerica Partners LP wholly-owned subsidiary, has acquired the Charleston, West Virginia-based One Stop convenience store network. CST is also moving 29 recently constructed stores into its wholly-owned CrossAmerica partnership via two “dropdown” transactions.