Store Expansion News: February update
Retailers and restaurants alike made headlines in February with store expansions and new formats.
Here are the major stories as reported by CSA, starting with the most recent.
Ollie's acquires 40 more Big Lots leases; eyes 75 total openings in 2025 The close-out retailer has purchased 40 additional former Big Lots store leases from Gordon Brothers. Including the new locations, Ollie’s has acquired a total of 63 former Big Lots store leases to date following its September 2024 bankruptcy filing.
Warby Parker to open in-store shops at Target Target is expanding its in-store shop strategy and is partnering with Warby Parker to open in-store shops offering eyewear as well as eye exams. The first five Warby Parker at Target shop-in-shops will open in the second half of 2025, with additional shop-in-shops slated to open in 2026.
Ikea to expand small store format in 2025 The home decor retailer plans to open eight new-format stores this year, all of which are expected to be open by spring or summer. Ikea will open seven new locations featuring its "Plan & order points" format store, which is focused on kitchen, bedroom and living room planning, and one “Pick-up point” format store.
Sprouts Farmers Market to open at least 35 stores on heels of ‘remarkable’ 2024 The fresh, natural and organic foods grocer opened 33 new stores in 2024, for a total of 440 stores in 24 states. It plans to open “at least” 35 new stores in 2025, including several locations in Florida.
Loblaw Cos. to open 80 new stores, renovate 300 locations As part of its plans to invest $2 billion (C) in the Canadian economy this year, food and pharmacy giant Loblaw Cos. will open 80 new stores under the No Frills, Maxi, Shoppers Drug Mart, Pharmaprix and T&T banners. The openings include approximately 50 “hard discount” stores.
Mango to open 20 U.S. stores in 2025 The Barcelona-based global fashion retailer expects to open 20 stores in 2025, for a total of approximately 65 U.S. locations. Growth will focus on the Sun Belt and the Northeast regions of the country, including Mango’s entry into Washington, Illinois and Nevada with stores at Bellevue Square, on Michigan Avenue and at Fashion Show Las Vegas, respectively.
Dutch Bros reports strong Q4 growth; opening 'at least' 160 shops in 2025 The drive-thru coffee chain continued its aggressive expansion in 2024, opening 151 new shops (128 of which were company-operated) across 18 states. In 2025, Dutch Bros said it expects to open “at least” 160 locations, representing system growth of 16%.
Chicken Salad Chick targeting these states for expansion… Known for its Southern-style chicken salad, the chain closed out 2024 with nearly 40 openings, giving it a total of 288 restaurants. In 2025, Chicken Salad Chick is aiming to break records with new deals across the United States. Franchise development has identified Pennsylvania, Ohio, Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois and West Virginia as target growth states with high economic potential.
PayMore plans to nearly triple its U.S. store count in 2025 The buy-sell-trade electronics franchise says it will open 90 more stores in the United States in 2025, and currently has over 300 locations in development. PayMore is quickly entering key markets such as San Diego and Orange County, Calif., as well as South Carolina, Austin, Orlando, Los Angeles, Houston, Phoenix and Dallas.
Aldi plans more than 225 new store openings for 2025 The discount grocer says it plans to open more than 225 new stores in 2025 as part of its five-year growth plan, marking the most stores it will open in one year in the company’s nearly 50-year U.S. history. Aldi previously announced that it aimed to reach 800 new stores by 2028.
Skechers to open 180 to 200 stores worldwide in 2025 The global footwear brand continues to expand its footprint, with 180 to 200 new company-owned stores on tap for 2025, COO David Weinberg told analysts on the company’s earnings call. Skechers opened 77 new stores worldwide in its most recent quarter.
Chipotle to open 315 to 345 locations in 2025 The quick-serve restaurant company expects to open between 315 and 345 new locations in 2025, more than 80% of which will have a drive-thru “Chipotlane” for digital orders. Along with growing at home, Chipotle, which has set a goal of 7,000 restaurants across North America, is also focusing on global expansion.
Bad Ass Coffee eyes more than 20 new stores for 2025 The coffee chain says it has 23 new store openings planned for this year. In 2024, Bad Ass Coffee signed 13 multi-unit development agreements and capped off the year with a combined total of 44 units in development.
