How Buc-ee's Became a Roadtrip Destination Store
Texas-born Buc-ee's is changing the way people think about gas stations and convenience stores. This chain is known for its huge stores along highways, some with over 100 fuel pumps. With its funny billboard ads, award-winning clean bathrooms, and branded items Buc-ee’s is hard to miss. The company wants people to actually plan to stop at Buc-ee's during road trips, not just go there as a last resort. And it's working - the chain has a huge fan base, with Facebook groups dedicated to Buc-ee's having hundreds of thousands of members.
Princess Polly Continues U.S. Growth with 5 New Shops
Princess Polly, the trendy Gen Z-loved clothing brand, plans to open five new stores in late 2024 in the U.S. The Australian brand wants to build on the success of its first American location, which opened last year in Westfield Century City in LA. "Our U.S. customers have fully embraced our first Princess Polly store in Los Angeles, and we are excited to expand into new cities on the West and East coasts," said Eirin Bryett, co-CEO of Princess Polly.
Sheetz Wants to Expand in Detroit, but Not Everyone Agrees
Sheetz Inc., the Pennsylvania-based convenience store chain, is making big moves in the Motor City. The company announced plans to open four more locations across metro Detroit, weeks before opening its first Michigan location. The first Michigan Sheetz will open its doors in late summer at 33380 Wick Road in Romulus. More locations are planned for Taylor, Warren, and Macomb Township, each employing around 30 people, mostly full-time.
Ace Hardware Unveils Experiential "Elevate" Store Model
Ace Hardware is reimagining itself with a new store concept. The home improvement retailer plans to invest over $1 billion in the next five years to roll out "Elevate Ace" across new and existing locations. The revamped stores will feature brand showrooms, expanded product lines, and enhanced customer service. Some locations will even boast outdoor spaces with live plant displays. Ace gave retailers a sneak peek at the concept during its recent Chicago convention. While a few stores will debut the new look later this year, the full rollout begins in January.
Daiso U.S. Store Count Rises with Three New Locations
Daiso, the beloved Japanese retailer known for its variety of affordable household goods, is expanding further in the U.S. market. This week, the company is celebrating the grand openings of three new stores in Texas and California. On Saturday, Aug. 10, Daiso debuted an 8,000-sq.-ft. location in Beaumont, Texas, at Dowlen Towne Center, as well as two Southern California stores - a 6,319-sq.-ft. space in Van Nuys at Mid Valley Marketplace and a 5,200-sq.-ft. store in Westminster at Westminster Center.
Costco Tops Appliances, Great Wall Supermarket Leads Grocers in J.D. Power and Newsweek Rankings
When it comes to buying appliances, people who prioritize price over other factors end up less satisfied in the long run. That's what the J.D. Power 2024 U.S. Appliance Satisfaction Study found out. Shoppers who bought appliances on sale just because of the low price had an overall satisfaction score of 714 out of 1,000. But those who looked for long-term benefits like energy savings or good warranties were much happier, scoring 777 and 770.
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.