In Other Business News

Supermarket, Grocery, & C-Stores

• Albertsons Companies, Inc. has announced that Susan Morris, Exec VP and COO, will assume the role of CEO, effective May 1, 2025.

• Heritage Grocers Group has appointed Allison Garcia to the role of VP of Marketing.

• The Kroger Co. reported its Chairman and CEO, Rodney McMullen, has resigned from the company.

• The Parker Companies announced that Brandon Hofmann has been named CEO. John Rudolfs will take on the roles of President and CFO.

• United Supermarkets, LLC will open a new Albertsons Market grocery store and fuel station in Lovington, NM, in 2026.

• Wawa Inc. will open its first convenience store in Ohio next month. The company plans to open eight to ten Wawa locations in the state this year.

Retail

• Books-A-Million, Inc. announced Brandon Waters has been named CIO of the company.

• Costco Wholesale Corp. plans to open nine new locations in the U.S. this year, with six of them opening this month. Store openings are planned for Brentwood, CA, Highland, CA, Prosper, TX, Weatherford, TX, Genesee County, MI, and Sharon, MA, this month. Another new store is scheduled to open in Stuart, FL, next month.

• David’s Bridal reported Jim Marcum will step down as CEO, and into the role of Executive Chairman, effective April 1. He will be succeeded by Kelly Cook. Elina Vilk will be transitioning into the role of Chief Business Officer. Bob Walker is being promoted to President and COO. Heather McReynolds is being promoted to Senior VP of Merchandising.

• Do it Best Corp. has appointed Matt Loprest and Tim Pieper as Directors of Operations.

• Dollar Tree Stores Inc. has named Stewart Glendinning as its new CFO, effective March 30. He will succeed Jeff Davis who is leaving the company.

• Foot Locker Inc. reported it plans to remodel 300 stores this year.

• Jill, Inc. has appointed Mary Ellen Coyne as its new CEO, replacing retiring CEO Claire Spofford, who will step down on April 30, 2025.

• The National Association of Chain Drug Stores has promoted Terry Arth to Senior VP of Member Services and Conferences.

• Nordstrom Inc. reported Cathy Smith, CFO, will leave the retailer.

• Quality Oil Co. LLC has promoted Don McIver to President and CEO, following the retirement of Graham Bennett.

• Warby Parker Inc. plans to open shops inside five Target Corporation stores in Willowbrook, IL, Bloomington, MN, Brick, NJ, Columbus, OH and Exton,PA, in the second half of this year.

• Westlake Ace Hardware has plans to open a new 9,000 sq. ft. store in Ballantyne, NC, late this summer. A new 15,000 sq. ft. store in Wesley Chapel, NC, is tentatively scheduled to open in early 2026.

Restaurant

• A&W has named Betsy Schmandt as CEO. Current CEO Kevin Bazner will transition to a chairman role.

• Applebee’s has taken control of 47 franchised units with the intention to remodel them and refranchise in a few years.

• Caribou Coffee CEO John Butcher is stepping down. CFO Scott Kennedy is stepping into the interim position.

• Chipotle has launched their Chipotle Honey Chicken nationwide for a limited time. During the initial test the item became the company’s best-selling limited time offering.

• CKE has named Joe Guith as CEO.

• Craveworthy Brands has added Big Chicken, Shaquille O’Neal’s chicken concept, as its newest brand by becoming a managing partner, investor, and stakeholder.

• On the Border has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, the company has over $25 million in debt.

• Shake Shack is facing a class action lawsuit in California for not disclosing delivery fees earlier in the online ordering process.

• Starbucks CFO Rachel Ruggeri is leaving the company and Cathy Smith will succeed her.

• Wendy’s plans to launch 1,000 new restaurants by 2028.