Adam Blair

Petco has introduced a new “Welcome to the family” program, available at stores beginning Nov. 25, 2024. The free booklets, for both dogs and cats, include practical guidance and shopping checklists created by the retailer’s veterinary, training and grooming teams, plus exclusive pet services and savings on Petco-owned brands.

Citi Trends has named Ken Seipel as its new CEO, a job he has held on an interim basis since June 2024. The value-priced apparel retailer also named Peter Sachse, currently Executive Chairman of the Board, as Chairman.

Have you started your holiday shopping yet? Odds are you haven’t, since only 32% of U.S. shoppers start in October or earlier. However, this year, you and retailers are facing the same problem: a quirk of the calendar means there are only 27 days between Thanksgiving and Christmas, five fewer days than usual, so retailers have a number of tricky balancing acts they’ll need to pull off to make sure it really is the most wonderful time of the year.

Much of the forecasting for this year’s holiday shopping has focused on its shortness: the quirk of the 2024 calendar that has just 27 days between Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. But in truth, the holiday shopping season has actually been getting longer, not shorter, for several years now. And despite the kvetching about Christmas decorations going up next to displays for Halloween candy, these longer seasons actually offer retailers a significant opportunity in the form of more full-price sales.

GlassesUSA.com has introduced a next-day delivery service for prescription eyewear, just in time for the end-of-year spending rush as consumers look to use up the funds in their FSA and HSA accounts. For a $19.95 delivery fee, customers can choose from thousands of brands and styles, including $39 budget-friendly frames and designer brands such as Ray-Ban, Oakley and Prada.

Instacart has added an eligibility screener for Supplemental Nutrition Access Program (SNAP) benefits, allowing people to quickly and anonymously check whether they are eligible for SNAP benefits. The Instacart EBT/SNAP information page also offers relevant state resources designed to streamline enrollment in these programs, powered by Advocatia Solutions.

As the holiday season approaches, retailers are under intense pressure to deliver results, with only 27 days between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Rising debt and higher cost of living are contributing to forecasted slower retail sales this year, making it more crucial than ever for brands to stand out. While events like Black Friday and Cyber Monday are still expected to attract crowds and drive online traffic, competition for consumers’ carefully guarded share of wallet will be fiercer than ever.

Chewy and nonprofit robotics hub MassRobotics have created the CHAMP (Chewy Autonomous Mobile Picking) Challeng e, offering $30,000 and the potential to work with Chewy going forward to the winning robotics manufacturer. The challenge addresses the physical demands involved in handling large, heavy products, such as bags, boxes and pails of dog food and cat litter, within confined warehouse spaces.

Bealls has adopted a workforce management (WFM) platform from Legion Technologies for demand forecasting, automated scheduling, time and attendance tracking and frontline communications across its 650 stores. The AI-native WFM solution is designed to provide employees with increased autonomy and flexibility in their schedules, a top demand from hourly employees.

BJ’s Wholesale Club will raise its annual membership fees by $5 to $60 per year, and its Club+ fee will rise $10 to $120 per year, effective Jan. 1, 2025. The increases are the first in seven years. BJ’s also has added a new benefit for Club+ members, including BJ’s One+ Mastercard cardholders: two free same-day deliveries on eligible orders of $50 or more during each annual membership period.