Primark Arrives in Michigan as Part of US Growth
Primark, the Irish-born fashion retailer known for its wallet-friendly prices, is about to open its first store in the Great Lakes State. The new 36,600-square-foot shop will open its doors on September 12 at Great Lakes Crossing Outlets in Auburn Hills, near Detroit. The Michigan debut is part of Primark's broader U.S. expansion plan. Hot on the heels of an Orlando opening on August 29, the Auburn Hills store will bring Primark's U.S. presence to 27 stores across 11 states.
Four New UNIQLO Stores Coming to Canada
UNIQLO is expanding in Canada. The global clothing brand plans to open four new stores this fall, bringing its "LifeWear" concept to more shoppers across the country. UNIQLO debuted in Canada in 2016 at Toronto's Eaton Centre and has steadily gained popularity since. Now, it's set to enter new markets in Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, and Langley.
Pakistani Fashion Brand Khaadi Makes U.S. Debut
After 25 years of global success, Khaadi is entering the U.S. market. The Pakistani fashion brand opened its first American store in February at Virginia's Tysons Corner Center. They followed the success by opening a second location in Houston's Galleria mall in June. After 25 years of global success, Khaadi is entering the U.S. market. The Pakistani fashion brand opened its first American store in February at Virginia's Tysons Corner Center. They followed the success by opening a second location in Houston's Galleria mall in June.
Love's Travel Stops Brings Games to Work
Love's Travel Stops is rolling out a new system that turns work into a game for its restaurant employees. Picture this: Three big screens in each restaurant, tracking how fast workers greet customers, take orders, and hand out food. It's not just for show - early results say it's making service 11 seconds faster on average. "These monitors track key performance metrics in real-time, such as greet times, order processing times and the time it takes for food handoff," Love's explains. The system creates a more interactive environment, fostering friendly competition between stores.
Ace Hardware Celebrates 100 Years with 5,000th US Store
Ace Hardware is hammering out an impressive growth story. The retailer-owned cooperative is celebrating its 100th anniversary with a bang, reaching 5,000 U.S. stores and planning to open 200 new locations in 2024. The company hit a milestone when it opened its 100th new store this year in Henderson, Nevada. Another newcomer, Fixit Ace Hardware in Roswell, Georgia, became the 5,000th domestic Ace store.
Wawa's Expansion Brings $1.2 Billion Investment to Midwest
Wawa, the beloved Delaware County convenience store chain, is pushing westward. This month, the company broke ground on its first locations in Kentucky, Ohio, and Indiana, kicking off an ambitious Midwest expansion plan. The numbers are impressive. Wawa plans to open up to 160 stores across the three states over the next five to eight years. This represents a $1.2 billion investment and could create around 5,600 new jobs. Each store costs about $7.5 million to build and employs roughly 35 people.
Pet Supplies Plus Gets the Most Out of America's Pet Mania
The U.S. has gone pet-crazy, and Pet Supplies Plus is the one to benefit. The pet supply chain and its dog-washing concept Wag N' Wash have been growing fast lately. By mid-2024, Pet Supplies Plus opened 16 new stores and sold 23 franchise deals, reaching 730 locations in 43 states. The company plans to open at least 45 more stores and sell 70 franchise units by year's end.
New England Icon L.L. Bean Eyes National Expansion
L.L. Bean, the Maine-based retailer famous for its boots and backpacks, is opening four new U.S. stores this year and plans to expand into the Southeast and Midwest markets in 2025. The company had a grand opening of an Ulster, NY store in April. The other three locations are coming to Pennsylvania, Indiana, and Connecticut this fall.
The Rise of Destination Convenience Stores: 43% of Americans Drive Past Other Options for Their Favorite Spots
Gone are the days when convenience stores were just quick pit stops. A new survey from Vontier reveals that they becoming destinations themselves, with road trippers willing to go the extra mile (literally) for their favorite spots. Imagine driving past several gas stations, emptying your tank, just to reach your preferred convenience store. Well, 43% of Americans say they would do just that. Moreover, nearly 80% would go out of their way to visit their favorite store, even if it means passing other options.
Sephora to Open Stores in Tanger Outlet Centers
Sephora, the beauty giant known for its glitzy mall stores, is making a surprise move into the world of outlet shopping. The company just announced plans to open its first stores in Tanger outlet centers across the U.S., bringing its high-end cosmetics to bargain-hungry shoppers. Tanger, which runs 38 outlet centers in the U.S. and Canada, will welcome Sephora to five locations later this year. Shoppers in Phoenix, Palm Beach, Charleston, Deer Park, and National Harbor will soon be able to snag their favorite beauty products alongside discounted designer goods.