The MULO Dozen: December in Review

What a year we had! MULO (multi-location) retailers, restaurants, and service businesses have BOOMed and BUSTed, the C-suites have seen many changes, and consumers continue to shop, research, and spend both in-store and online. They are compelled to find places and products via local search, as well as by social media pundits, retail ad networks, and hyper-targeted and just-in-time digital messaging.

We hosted our first post-pandemic Street Fight LIVE and announced the date of our 2025 Street Fight LIVE gathering (September 18th at Microsoft in LA). A call for speakers will go out soon.

1. Many MULO businesses change up their management teams each year, and the convenience store category is no exception. Here are some of the most significant C-store management changes (LEADERS)
2. We’ve seen brands emerge from obscurity and financial distress. Diner nostalgia and loyalty are also trending. Chi-Chi’s is now making a comeback. (BOOM)
3. Party Fowl was recently rescued from bankruptcy, proving that the chicken can cross the road with the right backing. (BOOM)
4. Retailers often look to experienced leaders in similar categories. For example, the Forever 21 CEO went to Five Below. (LEADERS)
5. As we heard at Street Fight LIVE 2024, C-stores are no longer just mundane truck stops. Food is the focus of these C-stores.(INNOVATION)
6. Also new on the C-store front is this just-launched brand. (BOOM)
7. Macy’s plans to close more stores. The struggling retailer is trying out new ways to keep the brand alive and thriving. (BUST)
8. Speaking of major retail department stores, Nordstrom took its brand private in a $6.25B deal (BOOM)
9. This month included the announcement of two major retailer’ struggles. Container Store declares bankruptcy. We also recently reported on the closure of Party City. (BUST)
10. Here are five retailers who made major CEO changes in 2024 (LEADERS)
11. The Super Saturday (pre-holiday) shopping data from Placer.ai reveals that malls are not dead. Visits to indoor malls climbed 177% over 2019. Outlet mall excursions were up 192% and open-air shopping center (OASCs) trips were up about 105%. The winners were beauty and self-care retailers and discount stores. (CONSUMER VOICES)
12. KFC launched a new brand around nuggets and sauces.  Cluck cluck and lots of luck! The Colonel would be proud! (CONSUMER VOICES)

As we head into the 2025 year, we will continue to report on the people, places, marketing strategies, and technologies that are transforming the MULO ecosystem.

Have news to share in January? Please reach out to me at [email protected]!