The Kalibrate retail round-up: January 2024

Tim Hortons’ quest to Become America’s ‘Best National Beverage Company’

Tim Hortons aims to make its mark in the evolving beverage sector, seizing the changing consumer need for coffee as a later-in-the-day “affordable luxury.” Despite Starbucks, Dunkin’, and Dutch Bros leading growth stories, Tim Hortons is strategically positioning itself to reintroduce and captivate U.S. consumers amidst a shifting market landscape.

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M&S extends price lock until Easter and drops price on food essentials

The UK’s M&S Food is continuing its commitment to providing “trusted value” to customers by extending its price lock campaign and reducing prices on 65 essential food items by an average of 6%. This move follows the supermarket’s previous price cuts on over 200 products in October.

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IKEA making big bet on new U.S. store concept

Swedish furniture and homeware retailer IKEA is giving customers the option to order online and collect at a new store format, Plan & Order. Not only will the locations serve as collection points, kitchen, bedroom, and bathroom planning services will also be available.

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How Puttshack and Pinstripes sustain AUVs over $8M

RestaurantDive’s write up of the success of eatertainment chains Puttshack and Pinstripes explores the revenue splits across games, food, and drinks. While the business splits may be different, both brands have seen sustained expansion and there are many takeaways relevant to the wider restaurant space.

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Sainsbury’s CEO backs calls for tougher laws on retail crime

In the UK, Sainsbury’s CEO, Simon Roberts, has expressed support for changes in the law to safeguard shop workers, citing a rise in abuse and physical attacks on the supermarket’s staff throughout the past year. Roberts has collaborated with the government and fellow retail leaders to address the issue and find a solution to tackle what some industry figures have labeled a shoplifting “epidemic.”

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