News Briefs

An auto repair and tire retailer is enhancing its end-to-end planning with an artificial intelligence-driven platform.

Pep Boys is deploying AI-enabled Relex Solutions technology to optimize forecasting and replenishment across its and distribution center network. Leveraging the Relex platform, Pep Boys seeks to account for complex demand influences like seasonal demand shifts, regional buying patterns, and promotion-driven spikes.

By obtaining this insight, the retailer hopes to ensure optimal inventory placement and availability across its network. Pep Boys will also use the platform to refine exception management with intelligent alerts, improve DC prioritization, streamline vendor collaboration, and optimize product allocation across its network. 

"Pep Boys' ecosystem requires sophisticated planning to handle high mix volumes, in a dynamic consumer driven environment," said Greg Huffman, director, Relex Solutions. "Our platform assists with data-driven decisions that improve both service levels and operational efficiency."

Relex partner Wysupp will implement the solution, which integrates forecasting, replenishment, and inventory visibility into a single, unified platform.

[READ MORE: Gordon Food Service Store unifies forecasting and replenishment]

"Implementations like this go beyond technology, they require close collaboration and a strong understanding of retail and supply chain realities to drive real results,” said Sandra Oliveira, CEO at Wysupp. “It's great to be part of a transformation that will help Pep Boys operate with greater visibility, efficiency, and confidence moving forward,” 

Founded in 1921 and headquartered in Bala Cynwyd, Penn., Pep Boys operates more than 850 locations across the U.S. and Puerto Rico.

Burlington Stores continues to aggressively expand its store network.

The off-price retailer is on track to open 26 new stores in May. In March, the company, whose 2025 sales rose 9% to $11.5 billion, said it planned to open 110 net new stores as well as a new distribution center in Savannah, Ga., fiscal 2026.

Here is a list of the Burlington Stores opening in May, along with their opening date, as listed on the company’s website.

•Arizona: Avondale (5/15)

•California: Santa Clara (5/08), Bakersfield (5/15), Manteca (5/22)

*Florida: Jacksonville (5/15)

•Illinois: Bourbonnais (5/15)

•Kentucky: Louisville (5/15)

•Michigan: Fort Gratiot Twp. (5/15)

•Minnesota: Rochester (5/29)

•New Jersey: Jersey City (5/22), Watchung (5/29)

•New York: Horseheads (5/15)

•North Caroline: Asheville (5/15)

ªOhio: Columbus (5/08), St. Clairsville (5/29), Willoughby Hills (5/29)

•South Carolina: Myrtle Beach (5/15), Conway (5/29)

•Texas: McKinney (5/15), Katy (5/22), Houston (5/29), Round Rock (5/29)

•Washington: Kent (5/08); Longview (5/08)

•Wisconsin: Eau Claire (5/15), Oshkosh (5/15)

Meijer had a busy first week in May.

The Michigan-based company opened the doors to three new stores on May 6, including a small-format, 47,000-sq.-ft.  location under the Meijer Grocery banner in Rochester Hills, Mich. The food-focused outpost is the retailer's fourth Meijer Grocery store in the Midwest and its third in Michigan.

"We're excited to bring our streamlined shopping experience to more customers in Rochester Hills for added convenience closer to home," executive chairman Hank Meijer said.

In addition, Meijer opened a 159,000-sq.-ft. supercenter in Brownsburg, Ind. It also opened a 159,000-sq.-ft. supercenter in Northeast Ohio in Aurora, on the site of the former Geauga Lake amusement park which closed in 2007.

Meijer supercenters offers an expansive produce section as well as an extensive deli and meat department and a full array of specialty, national brand and Meijer-branded grocery items. They also features a full-service pharmacy as well as general merchandise, including baby and pet departments, apparel, beauty care, a floral department and an outdoor garden center.

The three store were all built with accessibility in mind. As in all Meijer stores, the locations all offer free access to Aira, an app-based service that provides live navigation assistance to blind and low-vision customers using the camera of their smartphones.

Meijer donates at least 6% of its net profit to Midwest communities annually, and each of its stores works with local food banks and pantries to help fight hunger. Since 2008, the retailer's Simply Give program has generated more than $100 million for its food pantry partners throughout the Midwest.

The privately owned, family-operated Meijer operates more than 500 supercenters, grocery stores, neighborhood markets and express locations throughout the Midwest.

A lifestyle apparel brand has tapped a new leader to oversee its in-store experience.

Psycho Bunny, which offers apparel for men, women and children, has named Kevin Ramstack as VP of stores. In his new role, he will oversee all retail store operations, focusing on driving performance, strengthening field leadership, and elevating the customer experience across Psycho Bunny’s footprint.

Ramstack most recently served as VP of commercial and luxury apparel brand Club Monaco, where he spent a total of eight years. Prior to Club Monaco, Ramstack spent over 15 years at Abercrombie & Fitch, rising through the ranks from district manager to senior director of operations. During his tenure there, Ramstack led international expansion, “Store of the Future” initiatives, and omnichannel programs such as buy online, pick-up in-store.

[READ MORE: Q&A: Designing retail spaces to attract Gen Z]

“Kevin’s depth of experience across both stores and digital, along with his ability to lead teams through periods of growth and change, makes him a strong addition to our leadership team,” said Alen Brandman, owner and chairman of Psycho Bunny. “As we continue to expand our retail presence, his leadership will be critical in strengthening our field organization and delivering a best-in-class in-store experience.”

Headquartered in Montreal, Psycho Bunny operates nearly 150 stores worldwide.

"I’m excited to join Psycho Bunny during such a dynamic moment," said Ramstack. "The store environment is where our brand truly comes to life. I look forward to collaborating with the team to translate Psycho Bunny’s fearless spirit into a high-energy, immersive experience for every customer who walks through our doors."

Boot Barn Holdings Inc. is transforming the checkout experience in its stores.

The rapidly growing retailer of Western and work-related footwear, apparel and accessories will deploy the cloud-based, mobile-first Aptos One POS platform across its 500-plus U.S. locations. 

By transitioning to this solution, Boot Barn aims to streamline IT operations and enable store associates to deliver high-touch shopping experiences. Beyond the store, Boot Barn also intends to leverage Aptos One to support large-scale pop-up activations, including rodeos and music festivals.

"As a high-growth retailer, scalability was nonnegotiable in our search for a next-generation POS platform," said Julie Ting, senior VP of IT at Boot Barn. "We required a flexible solution capable of evolving alongside our business. By adopting Aptos One, we are reducing technical debt and lowering our total cost of ownership — all while empowering our teams to go above and beyond for customers, whether in our stores or at a major pop-up event."

The retailer is currently executing a growth strategy with a long-term goal of more than doubling its current footprint to reach 1,200 stores nationwide and seeks to implement the technology infrastructure needed to support this expansion.

[READ MORE: Boot Barn raises guidance, hikes store count goal to 1,200 amid Western boom]

“It is a privilege to deepen our longstanding partnership with Boot Barn as they embark on this exciting new phase of growth,” said Aptos GM Jeremy Grunzweig. “Aptos One will give Boot Barn’s associates the tools they need to deliver exceptional experiences — in-store, at events and beyond — while providing the operational agility the business needs to scale confidently toward its long-term vision.”

Kiko Milano is expanding its presence in the United States.

Described as the No.1 makeup brand in Italy, Kiko will kick off its U.S. expansion on June 6 via a partnership with Macy’s, starting at its Herald Square and on macys.com. Later in 2026, the company plans to open  standalone retail locations in key markets, including Miami and New York City.

Kiko said its partnership with Macy's goes beyond distribution, reflecting a shared commitment to experiential retail. Beauty advisors will assist and educate customers across the brand's expansive assortment. At launch, Macy's shoppers will have access to nearly 650 SKUs, representing the the brand’s full assortment, 

In addition, select Macy's locations will also offer on-site engraving, introducing a personalized element that enhances the in-store experience.

Kiko, which is known for its bold color stories, luxe textures and accessible pricing, has more than 1,400 stores across the globe. It introduces more than 250 new products annually, operating at a “speed and quality standard that challenges the traditional divide between mass and luxury beauty,” according to the company.

[READ MORE: Macy’s unveils Google Gemini-based AI shopping assistant]

“Expanding into the U.S. through Macy's marks an important milestone for Kiko Milano," said Simone Dominici, CEO at Kiko Milano. "We have built our business by delivering high-quality, trend-driven beauty inspired by the Italian culture of excellence at accessible price points, and we see strong alignment with today's U.S. consumer. With Macy's, we have a partner that offers the scale, visibility, and in-store experience needed to introduce Kiko in a meaningful way."