Page 11 - #181 May 2023

NEWS INBRIEF

CHIPOTLE SET FOR EXPANSION
BARNES & NOBLE HAS PLANS FOR OVER The fast-casual chain Chipotle Mexican Grill has
reported an impressive first quarter and confirmed
30 NEW STORES its plans to open between 255 to 285 new
restaurants in 2023. It opened 41 new sites during
Barnes & Noble is responding to what it the first quarter, 34 of which featured drive-thru
calls a resurgence in sales with new store lanes (“Chipotlane”) that are dedicated to digital
construction and a redesigned loyalty order pickups.
offering. The bookseller, which opened more
than 17 new stores during 2022 after only TANGER TO ADD NEW OFFERINGS
opening one or two new stores per year Tanger Outlets is set to launch three new dining
since 2009, plans to open more than 30 new and entertainment destinations to its centres. Shake
stores during 2023. The openings include Shack will open at Tanger’s centre in San Marcos,
four new units which have already launched Texas this summer and Dave & Buster’s will open at
since the start of 2023. Tanger’s at Savannah, Georgia and Atlantic City, New
According to the privately-held, New Jersey. These openings will mark both companies’
York City-based Barnes & Noble, it has been debut in the Tanger portfolio.
experiencing increasing sales, supported by
“significant expansion of the market for
physical books driven by word-of-mouth HÄSTENS TO OPEN 20 NEW SITES
and social media recommendations.” A sixth-generation family-owned Swedish company
Meanwhile, the business is revamping its that makes luxurious beds and mattresses is
loyalty program to include both paid and expanding its US footprint. Luxury distributor
free levels of tiers. MadaLuce Group has entered into a strategic
H-E-B HAS DEBUTED ITS BRAND NEW partnership with Hästens to open 20 new stores
across the US during the next five to seven years.
CONVENIENCE STORE MODEL The first is set to open in Dallas early this month.

The Texas grocery powerhouse H-E-B is stocked with items such as fresh produce, PINK TACO LAUNCHES NYC UNIT
transitioning its convenience stores to “H-E-B salads, sandwiches and sushi made daily, meat The Los Angeles-based restaurant company known
Fresh Bites”, which is part of a rebrand and cheese snacks, fresh juices, kombucha for its music-filled party vibe as much as for its
that will include an emphasis on providing and “meal simple” options. Throughout the Mexican-inspired fare has opened a 10,519sq ft
customers with more fresh options such as store, customers will find nutritious and outpost at 7 Times Square in Manhattan. The location
produce, prepared food and convenient meal wholesome products in addition to normal has seating for 300 people across two floors. The
options. convenience offerings such as soft drink business was first established at the Hard Rock Hotel
Last month, the first H-E-B Fresh Bites fountains, beer and wine and other snacks. and Casino in Las Vegas and was founded in 1999.
opened at a new location adjacent to the A self-checkout option will also be available.
H-E-B store in Leander, Texas. With the Many of the locations will also include a
opening of the Leander store, H-E-B has True Texas Tacos, an eatery concept that TOYS “R” US TO OPEN IN MEXICO
12 convenience stores throughout Texas. H-E-B launched in San Antonio in 2018. The WHP Global, the parent company of Toys “R” Us,
Starting this year, the company will update concept features a menu of more than a has entered into a partnership with Mexican retail
the layout of its remaining convenience dozen breakfast and specialty tacos. brand El Puerto de Liverpool to launch the toy
stores to the H-E-B Fresh Bites model. “With the introduction of H-E-B Fresh brand in Mexico for the first time. The partnership
H-E-B Fresh Bites will offer customers an Bites, we’re bringing the freshest products to will include the opening of multiple flagship stores
array of fresh options that go beyond offerings our customers on the go but want a better in key locations across Mexico, as well as a robust
usually found at a traditional convenience alternative to traditional convenience stores,” e-commerce platform.
store, according to the company. The stores said Scott Campbell, H-E-B Convenience
will feature several refrigerated cases Store Operations Manager.

MAY 2023 RETAIL & LEISURE INTERNATIONAL 11