Retailers and restaurants alike made headlines in February with store expansions and new formats. 

Here are the major stories as reported by CSA, starting with the most recent.

• Ollie’s acquires 40 more Big Lots leases; eyes 75 total openings in 2025 The close-out retailer has purchased 40 additional former Big Lots store leases from Gordon Brothers. Including the new locations, Ollie’s has acquired a total of 63 former Big Lots store leases to date following its September 2024 bankruptcy filing.

• Warby Parker to open in-store shops at Target Target is expanding its in-store shop strategy and is partnering with Warby Parker to open in-store shops offering eyewear as well as eye exams. The first five Warby Parker at Target shop-in-shops will open in the second half of 2025, with additional shop-in-shops slated to open in 2026.

• Ikea to expand small store format in 2025 The home decor retailer plans to open eight new-format stores this year, all of which are expected to be open by spring or summer. Ikea will open seven new locations featuring its “Plan & order points” format store, which is focused on kitchen, bedroom and living room planning, and one “Pick-up point” format store.

• Sprouts Farmers Market to open at least 35 stores on heels of ‘remarkable’ 2024 The fresh, natural and organic foods grocer opened 33 new stores in 2024, for a total of 440 stores in 24 states. It plans to open “at least” 35 new stores in 2025, including several locations in Florida.

• Loblaw Cos. to open 80 new stores, renovate 300 locations As part of its plans to invest $2 billion (C) in the Canadian economy this year, food and pharmacy giant Loblaw Cos. will open 80 new stores under the No Frills, Maxi, Shoppers Drug Mart, Pharmaprix and T&T banners. The openings include approximately 50 “hard discount” stores. 

• Mango to open 20 U.S. stores in 2025 The Barcelona-based global fashion retailer expects to open 20 stores in 2025, for a total of approximately 65 U.S. locations. Growth will focus on the Sun Belt and the Northeast regions of the country, including Mango’s entry into Washington, Illinois and Nevada with stores at Bellevue Square, on Michigan Avenue and at Fashion Show Las Vegas, respectively.