Store Expansion News: June update
Retailers and restaurants alike made headlines in June with store expansion plans and new formats.
Here are the major stories as reported by Chain Store Age, starting with the most recent.
•Einstein Bros. Bagels to open 300-plus stores by 2030 The country’s largest retail bagel chain plans to open more than 300 new locations across the United States by 2030. The expansion is being driven by Einstein’s “Elevate the Morning” refreshed store design, which prioritizes freshness, speed and a warm, welcoming atmosphere.
•Casey's aims to open 'at least' 400 new stores over next three years The Iowa-based convenience chain’s new strategic plan is centered around three priorities: adding "at least" 400 new stores over the three-year period, expanding its food and beverage offerings, and enhancing its operational efficiency by implementing new technology. Casey’s plans to open 120 stores in its current fiscal year.
•First Look: FAO Schwarz partners to open shops in Nordstrom — here’s where The department store retailer has entered into a partnership with legendary toy company FAO Schwarz that will play out across physical and digital touchpoints. Starting in June, the toy brand will be available on Nordstrom.com, with the curated assortment launching across all Nordstrom stores later this year.
•Target opening 11 stores in July — here are the locations The discounter is opening 11 stores this July, part of more than 30 new stores planned for 2026. All July stores will top Target’s 125,000 sq. ft. store average. The company also announced several upcoming locations with no opening dates.
•Winn-Dixie plots new stores; continues to convert Harveys Supermarket locations The regional grocer is strengthening its presence in Florida. It plans to open new stores in Keystone Heights and Alachua in the coming months, followed by a new outpost in Zephyrhills later this year. In addition, Winn-Dixie has completed the conversion of eight Harveys Supermarket locations to the Winn-Dixie banner.
•The Container Store + Bed Bath & Beyond concept expands to 22 locations — here's where After the two retailers opened their first location in Fort Worth, Texas, on May 16, the concept is rolling out to nearly two dozen stores in “phase one” of the expansion. In April, Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. announced plans to purchase The Container Store for $150 million in stock and convertible notes, and later announced plans for a “phased integration” of The Container Store’s 98 locations to include Bed Bath & Beyond merchandise.
•Buc-ee’s makes Arizona debut; other upcoming locations include… The Texas-based convenience store operator, known for its mega-size stores (“travel centers”), has opened its first location in Arizona, in Goodyear. With the opening of the 74,000-sq.-ft. store (with 120 fueling positions), Buc-ee’s now operates 56 stores across 12 states.
•Five Below sales soar 32.5%; opening 50 stores in Q2 The value retailer for tweens and teens opened 49 net new stores across 25 states during its first quarter, for a total of 1,970 stores in 46 states. Five Below expects to open approximately 50 new stores in the second quarter, with a total of 150 new stores planned for the full year.
•Citi Trends to open 25 stores, remodel 50; momentum continues in Q1 The off-price value retailer of apparel, accessories and home trends primarily for Black families plans to open 25 stores this year in a mix of existing and new markets, and remodel 50 locations. Citi Trends said it is preparing to accelerate expansion in 2027.
•Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii plots 25-plus new openings in 2026 Between both traditional and non-traditional locations, the coffee chain anticipates between 25 and 30 new store openings this year. Bad Ass Coffee currently has more than 100 locations in various stages of development.
•First Look: Korean beauty retailer Olive Young makes U.S. store debut The longstanding Korean brand has opened a 8,647-sq.-ft. store in Pasadena, Calif., marking its first brick-and-mortar location in the country. The Olive Young store will offer approximately 400 brands and 5,000 SKUs across skincare, makeup, hair care, wellness and inner beauty through the brand’s omnichannel retail experience.
•Perfumania, The Fragrance Outlet to open 40-plus new stores nationwide Perfumania and The Fragrance Outlet, both brands of Obsession Holdings LLC, will open a total of 43 new locations at malls and outlet centers nationwide. The stores are expected to open throughout 2026 and 2027, and come on the heels of the two brands opening 31 locations in 2025.
