News Briefs

Walmart’s Canadian subsidiary is creating a new opportunity for sellers on its third-party marketplace to connect with online shoppers.

In an email to Chain Store Age, Walmart Canada said that retailers and brands selling products on its digital marketplace can now purchase sponsored product ads on its e-commerce site and mobile app through the newly enhanced Canadian Walmart Ads Platform, supported by Walmart Connect.

Launched in 2021 in the U.S. and Canada as a revamped version of the Walmart Media Group, Walmart Connect is designed to enable advertisers to drive more effectiveness with their overall media spend. 

The platform offers advertisers the ability to serve personalized, time- and context-specific ads across customer touchpoints including media placements on in-store TV walls and self-checkout screens, Walmart digital properties, mobile devices and corporate events.

In September 2023, Walmart began offering premium sponsored search placement via a new sponsored videos program to all Walmart Connect advertisers that are brand-registered in the Walmart Brand Portal. 

According to Walmart, Walmart Connect grew 30% for fiscal year 2024. With the new ad platform, the retailer says Canadian marketplace sellers will be able to boost product visibility by securing prominent ad placements.

The platform also enables marketplace sellers to directly manage campaigns with an auction-based marketplace and obtain access to in-depth analytics to track performance and make data-driven decisions.

Current and new Canadian Walmart Marketplace sellers can enroll in the program on the Walmart Canada site.

[READ MORE: Walmart Canada adds new channel to in-store advertising mix]

Headquartered in Mississauga, Ont., Walmart Canada operates a chain of more than 400 stores nationwide as well as an e-commerce site.

The chief executive of The Container Store has left the chain nearly two months after it exited bankruptcy.

Satish Malhotra has resigned from the home storage products and custom spaces retailer “to pursue other opportunities,” reported The Dallas Morning News, citing an internal memo. Malhotra joined the company as CEO in 2022 after previously serving as the chief retail and operating officer of Sephora. 

The Container Store board has authorized the formation of the “Office of the Chief Executive Officer” to be responsible for executing the company's overall operations and strategy, according to the report. Board chair Joel Bines will become executive officer and lead the office, and Martin Schumacher, chief transformation officer, will become chief commercial officer and part of the new leadership team, the report said.

The Container Store filed for bankruptcy in December, saying it had negotiated and solicited support for a prepackaged plan of reorganization and expected the entire process to take less than 35 days. In emerged at the end of January as a private company, noting it successfully refinanced its short-term debt and significantly reducing previous long-term debt. 

[READ MORE: Container Store exits bankruptcy]

The Container Store operates more than 100 locations nationwide. 

X Team Retail Advisors, a nationwide brokerage combine spread across nearly 50 markets, has re-elected Dave Cheatham to his third term as its president.

“The mission of this national affiliate platform remains anchored on expansion of services and geographic growth to collaboratively serve the needs of retailers and landlords,” said Cheatham, who leads the Phoenix-based Velocity Retail Group.

X Team continues to expand its network of 300-plus retail real estate experts, most recently having added Pacific Asset Advisors in Seattle, Pierson Commercial Real Estate in New Jersey, MSC in Philadelphia, and Secure Net Lease, a brokerage with offices in Dallas and Los Angeles.

Last year X Team launched a national retailer services business line that quickly allows retail brands to conduct research, complete site selection assessments, execute lease roll-out plans nationally or regionally, restructure leases, or develop, plan, and construct new stores. 

Also re-elected to the company’s board were its slate of regional directors: Econic Company’s James Chung in the West; Rise Commercial Partners’ Jeff Townsend in the South Central; The Providence Group’s Darren Wood in the Southeast, and Mfi Realty’s Michael Albo in the Northeast.

Cheatham is an authority on retail real estate in the disciplines of brokerage, project leasing, development, consulting and advisory services.

Pizza Hut is offering what it calls a "second screen companion" for college basketball fans.

As part of its sponsorship of the "March Madness" NCAA college basketball tournament (running through April 7), Pizza Hut is releasing "Hutty," an artificial intelligence-based chatbot available on its Instagram page. When activated, Hutty will react to in-game events, offer college basketball insights and provide commentary.

In addition, the chatbot will provide customers who engage with it surprise deals such as discount codes, buy-one-get-one offers, and free sides. Customers can visit a Hutty-themed section of the retailer’s e-commerce site to register to win limited-edition Pizza Hut merchandise, as well as free pizza for a year.

"Basketball’s biggest tournament is a time when fans are more engaged than ever, but many are watching alone," said Melissa Friebe, chief marketing officer of Pizza Hut. "Pizza Hut has always been about bringing people together, and now, with Hutty, we’re extending that experience into the digital space – turning every game into a shared moment, no matter where or how you’re watching."

Casey’s General Stores also recently introduced a "fun" chatbot named Darn-ell, which offers discounts and prizes, personalized coffee recommendations and playful "roast" humor that Casey’s says is delivered with "Midwestern niceness."

[READ MORE: Casey’s General Stores introduces AI-based coffee 'roaster' chatbot]

Pizza Hut, a subsidiary of Yum! Brands Inc., is headquartered in Plano, Texas and operates more than 19,000 restaurants in over 100 countries.

Designer Brands Inc. reported a mixed holiday quarter with its first positive comparative sales gain in nine quarters, even as revenue missed analysts’ expectations and its loss grew.

The footwear giant and parent company of DSW reported a net loss $38.2 million, or loss per share of $0.80, for the quarter ended Feb. 1, compared to a loss of $29.7 million, or a loss per share of $0.52 per share, in the year-ago period. The adjusted net loss was $21.3 million, or loss per share of $0.44. Analysts had expected a loss of $0.49 per share. 

Net sales decreased 5.4% to $713.6 million, below estimates. Total comparable sales were up 0.5% compared a 7.3% decline in the previous year

“Positive comparable sales in the fourth quarter reflect a return to growth for the first time in nine quarters, highlighting the success of our strategic initiatives throughout the year," stated CEO Doug Howe. "This year's achievements are a direct result of our decisive actions and commitment to refresh and strengthen our leadership, revitalize and modernize our assortment, refine our marketing strategies, right size our brand portfolio, and elevate our customers' omnichannel experience."

With regard to 2025, Howe expressed confidence that the company's ongoing business transformation will drive continued stability and growth, with expectations to significantly increase earnings per share compared to its 2024 adjusted results.

"We anticipate our reinvigorated efforts to be customer-first and product obsessed will help us better understand our customers and strengthen our product offerings through a data-driven approach," he said. "Although we do see pressure on the consumer in the short term as a result of ongoing inflation, rising prices and less discretionary income, we believe these initiatives will drive improved financial performance through 2025 and continue to position us well for long-term, sustainable growth."

For the full year, net sales decreased 2.1% to $3.0 billion. Total comparable sales fell 1.7%.

As of Feb.1, the company had more than 650 stores  operating under the DSW Designer Shoe Warehouse, The Shoe Co., and Rubino banners in North America, with 494 stores in the U.S. and 175 stores in Canada.

Core Investment Management (CORE) has acquired a new shopping center in a key Florida market.

The Miami-based investment firm has acquired Dellagio Town Center, a mixed-use, open-air center in Orlando, for $37.5 million. The 109,489-sq.-ft. property is situated along Sand Lake Road's "Restaurant Row" in the Dr. Phillips area of the city. The corridor is celebrated for its dining and entertainment options, attracting local residents and tourists alike given its proximity to Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, and SeaWorld.

Tenants at Dellagio Town Center include 10 dining and entertainment venues, most notably Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse, along with several health, wellness, and services tenants, including Fifth Third Bank. CORE says plans to enhance the property by implementing “strategic enhancements and activations,” with a focus on a curated tenant mix, aesthetic improvements, and overall engagement.

"Dellagio Town Center is a significant milestone for CORE as we expand our retail footprint in Orlando," said Michael Lohmann, principal and director of leasing at CORE. "Our goal is to revitalize Dellagio through active leasing and management, ensuring it once again becomes a primary destination and a cornerstone of the community."

[READ MORE: Five new tenants to join Midtown at Bonita project]

With the acquisition of Dellagio Town Center, CORE’s portfolio now exceeds approximately 2 million sq. ft. across major markets in Florida.