News Briefs
- 6/5/2025
Papa Johns names new chief administrative officer
Papa Johns has promoted a longstanding C-suite employee to a new role.
The pizza giant has named Caroline Miller Oyler as chief administrative officer, effective immediately. She has served as the company’s chief legal and risk officer since 2018 and will continue in her role as corporate secretary.
In her expanded role, Oyler will now oversee human resources and culture (People Experience), legal, risk, safety and security, internal audit and facilities. Papa Johns says the consolidation of these key business support functions is designed to “enable efficiency and closer collaboration across teams.”
Oyler has been with Papa Johns for 26 years and has served as interim leader of the human resources function on three occasions, from 2008 to 2009, 2018 to 2019, and in 2022.
“Caroline has been an integral part of Papa Johns for more than two decades,” said Todd Penegor, CEO of Papa Johns. “Her deep institutional knowledge and proven leadership across multiple functions make her ideally suited to lead this newly formed role as we continue to transform our company for long-term growth.”
[READ MORE: Papa Johns expands Google AI partnership]
Papa Johns is co-headquartered in Atlanta, Ga. and Louisville, Ky. and is the world's third-largest pizza delivery company with more than 6,000 restaurants in approximately 50 countries and territories.
- 6/5/2025
Whole Foods opens third small-format store in Hell’s Kitchen
Residents of Hell’s Kitchen, the famed neighborhood west of the Theater District in New York City, were welcomed with free coffee, breakfast bites, and limited-edition tote bags at the opening of Whole Foods Market Daily Shop.
The 8,500-sq.-ft. market at 301 West 50th Street is just the third location for the chain’s new small format, the other two also being in Manhattan in Lenox Hill on the East Side and at StuyTown on the Lower East Side. The markets feature more than 400 local items from the Northeast.
“The Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood is very dynamic. We’re steps away from great entertainment and some of the best restaurants in the city,” said Joel Jimenez, the store team leader of Whole Foods Market Daily Shop.
“If you need a quick lunch, some ingredients on your way home from work, or if you’re stopping in for dinner to-go ahead of a show, we’re ready to serve you,” Jimenez said.
As part of its commitment to supporting local communities, Whole Foods Market contributed in-kind product to support the work of New York Common Pantry and plans to make a donation to the Hell’s Kitchen Farm Project.
Future Whole Foods Market Daily Shop locations are also planned for Hoboken, N.J., and Brooklyn’s Williamsburg neighborhood. Additionally, the first location in the D.C. area is planned for the Crystal City neighborhood of Arlington, Va.
- 6/5/2025
eBay to host national live sales event series
eBay Inc. is launching “eBay Live on Tour,” a live event series bringing livestream shopping and collector experiences to cities across the country.
Beginning Saturday, June 14, 2025, the tour will showcase top eBay sellers, curated inventory, special guests, and real-time broadcasts from hobby shops, conventions and trade nights.
"eBay Live is about more than just buying — it’s about bringing people together over shared passions," said Caroline Pougnier, U.S. GM, eBay Live. "This tour is our way of showing up for the community — meeting collectors where they are and celebrating The Hobby together."
The first stop is in Cooper City, Fla., at local hobby shop and eBay seller AA Mint Cards from 3–7 p.m. ET. The event will include livestreamed coverage, an appearance from collegiate basketball star Boogie Fland and hands-on experiences for local collectors.
The events will also be broadcast via the eBay Live interactive livestream shopping platform. Tour stops include (with more to be announced):
- June 14 – Cooper City, Fla: Hobby Block Party at AA Mint
- June 27–29 – Tampa: Card Party East
- July 19 – Los Angeles: Trade Night at Bullpen HQ
- July 24–27 – San Diego: San Diego Comic-Con
- Aug. 9 – Los Angeles: Hobby Block Party at Lucky Vault
- Aug. 19–23 – Oklahoma City: ANA World’s Fair of Money
- Sep. 27 – Hamilton Square, N.J.: Trade Night at TNT North Jersey
- Oct. 9–12 – New York: New York Comic Con
- Nov. 15 – Las Vegas: Hobby Block Party at Legacy Sports Shop
[READ MORE: ‘Pokemon Day’ returns to eBay – for three days]
- 6/5/2025
Dollar General teams with Kathy Ireland for new celebrity home line
Dollar General continues expanding its assortment with help from some famous names and brands.
The discount retailer is revamping its "Home Valley" home selection with collections from celebrities, name brands and designers including supermodel Kathy Ireland, Betseyville, Beverly Hills Polo Club, Simply Belle by Simply Southern, and Nicole Miller.
"With a shared commitment of serving the underserved, we are delighted to partner with Dollar General to offer affordable luxuries that will make a house truly feel like a home," said Kathy Ireland, chair and CEO of Kathy Ireland Brands.
Launching during summer 2025 across more than 20,000 Dollar General stores, the expanded Home Valley collections is designed to appeal to shoppers seeking quality items at affordable prices from recognizable national brands through a “treasure hunt” experience.
"Dollar General is committed to offering our customers a constant flow of exciting industry brands that amplify the surprise element of our non-consumable initiative," said Johanna Blankush, senior VP, general merchandising manager at Dollar General. "We are dedicated to delivering exceptional value to our customers while staying on top of the latest trends."
During the first quarter of 2025, Dollar General added approximately 100 new private brand products, more than half of which were under the Clover Valley name.
[READ MORE: Dollar General’s new private label items will include…]
As of May 2, 2025, Dollar General Corp. operated 20,582 Dollar General, DG Market, DGX and pOpshelf stores across the U.S. and Mi Súper Dollar General stores in Mexico.
- 6/4/2025
Pret-A-Manger secures global payment processing
A U.K.-based quick-service chain is ensuring payment acceptance at stores in several countries with a payment processing platform.
Pret-A-Manger is leveraging the FreedomPay payment acceptance solution in the U.S., U.K. and Hong Kong. The retailer plans further deployments of the system in Europe later in 2025. Utilizing FreedomPay payment acceptance technology, Pret-A-Manger seeks consistently available and operational processing of customer payments.
The platform’s store-and-forward functionality helps ensure uninterrupted transaction processing even during connectivity disruptions, helping the retailer maintain business continuity and maximize revenue.
"At Pret, we are committed to providing a frictionless and enjoyable experience for our customers," said Chris Matthews, global retail technology director at Pret A Manger. "Partnering with FreedomPay allows us to leverage their best-in-class technology to ensure secure and reliable payment processing, no matter where our customers are in the world. This partnership is a key ingredient in our recipe for international success, allowing us to focus on what we do best: delivering delicious, freshly made food and organic coffee."
With the help of Dallas Holdings Limited, the retailer opened its first shop in Los Angeles in 2024 as part of its U.S. growth trajectory, with the chain aiming to reach 300 stores by 2029.
[READ MORE: U.K. restaurant chain to grow SoCal footprint]
"We are thrilled to partner with Pret A Manger to bring our secure and innovative commerce solutions to their expanding global market," said Chris Kronenthal, president at FreedomPay. “This collaboration reflects our commitment to empowering QSR brands with the technology they need to thrive in today’s digital landscape. We look forward to providing Pret with data-driven insights to enhance their operations and customer satisfaction through our integrated Next Level Commerce platform."
- 6/4/2025
Survey finds most beauty shoppers feel overwhelmed in stores
Too many choices are not always a good thing.
A majority (69%) of beauty shoppers say shopping for beauty products is overwhelming — and it's driving them away from physical stores, according to a study by experience agency ChangeUp. Also, 63% of respondents wish beauty stores were about more than just buying products. Almost half think beauty trends change quickly, and physical retail hasn't caught up.
"Today's beauty shoppers aren't just buying products — they’re seeking experiences," said Lynn Gonsior, COO of ChangeUp. "Consumers are looking for spaces that deliver discovery, inspiration, and authentic connections that even the best digital experience can't replicate. Our research proves that physical retail still plays a crucial role in the beauty journey, but it needs to change."
The report also finds that social platforms have completely reshaped product discovery, creating a new shopping paradigm. Seventy-percent of Gen Z and millennial shopper purchase directly though TikTok and influencer links.
Other highlights from ChangeUp’s “Beyond Transactions: Navigating Beauty Retail's New Normal” report are below.
- Out-of-stock items ranked as the top (47%) frustration of beauty shoppers, closely followed by stores that are too busy or crowded (46%). Another big frustration: long checkouts (40%).
- All beauty shoppers report they prefer specialty beauty, yet the satisfaction of drug and mass retailers vary by customer segment.
- 83% say they've become more value conscious when buying beauty products.
- 59% actively seek “dupes” ( affordable alternatives to premium products).
- 65% say trying on new beauty products is “one of my favorite things.”
The survey of over 1,600 U.S. beauty shoppers explores key customer segments and what retailers must do to stay relevant as social media, wellness, and value consciousness transform the industry.
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