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Sbarro Expanding from Malls to Open-Air, Petco Launches Rural Concept and 4 More Retailer Updates

March 25, 2022

At Home: The home furnishings retailer has been moving into anchor space vacated by other chains. The latest example is its plan to take on 87,000 square feet of the former Bergner’s department store at Peoria, Illinois’ The Shoppes at Grand Prairie this summer.

Foot Locker: The apparel and footwear chain is the latest tenant to signal plans to cut carbon emissions from its store portfolio. It aims to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. It has 3,000 locations in 28 countries.

Macy’s: The department store operator plans to add 37 Macy’s Backstage off-price stores-within-stores in the second quarter, including flagships in Chicago in April and New York City in May. Macy’s operates Backstages in nearly 300 Macy’s stores nationwide. Backstages range from 11,000 to 16,000 square feet and offer a constantly changing display of off-price products aimed at factory outlet fans and other value-oriented consumers.

Petco: The retailer is testing a concept for small and rural towns where it has a low share of existing pet spending. Petco said such small rural towns represent an opportunity to add $1.3 billion in annual sales. Called Neighborhood Farm & Pet Supply, the freestanding stores will sell pet, farm and feed supplies. They’ll also include veterinarian clinics, fenced-in yards where guests can play with their pets and self-service pet-bathing stations. The first unit will open in the second quarter in a southern state. Petco didn’t say how quickly it will open more, but it does plan multiple units. The concept is part of a steep growth trajectory for Petco. Sales at Petco stores that have been open at least one year grew by 19% from 2020 to 2021, and the company has earmarked $275 million to $375 million for capital improvements this year.

Petco Neighborhood Farm & Pet Supply

Sbarro: The self-described “impulse pizza” chain is cooking up 100 new company and franchise locations in 2022. It aims to grow beyond its traditional locations at malls, airports and travel plazas. The company, which has 600 units, wants to open in more supermarket-anchored and other open-air centers.

Warby Parker: The eyewear chain will open 40 stores in 2022, bringing its total to 201. Executives said the retailer sees physical stores as its biggest growth opportunity.

By Brannon Boswell

Executive Editor, Commerce + Communities Today

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