Quincy, Mass. — Stop & Shop, a grocery store chain based in the Boston suburb of Quincy, has announced plans to close 32 locations by the end of this year. Situated throughout the Northeast, the stores — described in a press release as “underperforming” — are located in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York and Rhode Island. According to the grocer, the affected stores will shutter on or before Nov. 2. Associates at the locations will be offered other employment within the company. “As we announced in May, Stop & Shop …
Company news
Columbus, Ohio — Discount retailer Big Lots plans to close 35 to 40 stores this year, according to an SEC filing submitted by the company. Big Lots saw a 10.2 percent year-over-year decrease in net sales in the first quarter of 2024. In addition to the closures, the company announced plans to open three stores this year, though the filing cites “substantial doubt about the company’s ability to continue.” In a June press release, the retailer attributed declining sales to a “challenging consumer environment.”
Dallas — SRS Real Estate Partners has appointed Garrett Colburn president of the firm. Colburn will work with CEO Chris Maguire to “generate growth across all platforms, including retail, capital markets and industrial.” Colburn, who has 15 years of experience in retail brokerage, first joined SRS in 2012. He currently serves as managing principal and co-market leader of the company’s five California offices and a member of the board of directors — positions he will continue to hold. Additionally, he will serve on the Dallas-based company’s executive committee.
New York City and Dallas — HBC, the New York City-based parent company of Saks Fifth Avenue, has agreed to acquire Dallas-based Neiman Marcus Group. The merger between the two luxury fashion retailers is valued at $2.6 billion. An estimated closing date was not released. Following the acquisition, HBC will establish Saks Global, an entity that will combine the intellectual property and real estate assets of the two companies. Brands that are already owned by HBC or Neiman Marcus, including Saks OFF 5th, Bergdorf Goodman and Last Call Outlet, will continue …
Meriden, Conn. — Bob’s Stores is closing all locations and liquidating its inventory as part of the Chapter 11 bankruptcy restructuring petition filed on June 18. The Meriden-based clothing retailer, which is a subsidiary of GoDigital Media Group, was unable to secure the financing needed to maintain operations. Bob’s began going-out-of-business sales in stores on June 28 with discounts of 30 to 70 percent off merchandise. Hilco Merchant Resources, in a joint venture with Gordon Brothers, is managing the liquidation event that includes all 21 remaining stores throughout Connecticut, Massachusetts, New …
Deerfield, Ill. — Walgreens (NASDAQ: WBA) is set to close a significant portion of its store locations across the United States over the next three years. The company is finalizing its “footprint optimization program” after failing to meet earnings expectations in its fiscal third quarter, which ended May 31. Walgreens CEO Tim Wentworth reported in the company’s earnings call on Thursday morning that 25 percent of stores in the United States were not profitable, and that “changes are imminent” for those locations. The retail pharmacy chain currently runs about 8,600 locations …
New York City — ShopOne Centers REIT has promoted Chris Reed to chief executive officer. Reed joined the company in 2020 as vice president of acquisitions and most recently served as chief investment officer. Former CEO John Roche will now transition to the role of chairman with ShopOne. Additionally, chief operating officer Mike Makinen has been appointed president of the company. Makinen joined ShopOne in 2021 with more than 25 years of retail real estate experience, including roles with SITE Centers, Equity One and Olshan Properties.
New York City — PHOENIX — a new direct to consumer (DTC) platform led by WHP Global in collaboration with an affiliate of Simon Property Group, Brookfield Properties and Centennial Real Estate — has acquired the majority of apparel brand Express’ retail operating assets. PHOENIX is now the operator of the entirety of the brick-and-mortar and e-commerce portfolio of both Express and Bonobos, which features more than 450 physical stores.
Denver — Fast-casual food-and-beverage brand Smalls Sliders has signed a new, 10-unit franchise deal in Colorado, marking the concept’s first entry into the state. An entity doing business as Mountain Sliders LLC will own and operate the restaurants, which will be situated in metro Denver. Locations will include Boulder, Longmont, Greeley and Fort Collins, with the first unit scheduled to open in 2025.
San Diego — San Diego-based Jack in the Box has announced plans to open 15 restaurants in Georgia, marking the first entry into the state for the fast-casual brand. New sites have not yet been selected, but plans include a focus on the Macon, Augusta and Savannah markets. A franchisee will own and operate the restaurants. Jack in the Box also recently announced a commitment to 30 new units in Florida.