Latest news with #49States
Daily Mail
11 hours ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Lowe's rival opening 90 stores by the end of this year
Tractor Supply Company is coming for Lowe's with a whopping new store count. The nation's largest rural lifestyle retailer is set to open 90 new locations by the end of the year. With these 90 stores, the number of Tractor Supply locations will rise to about 3,200 across 49 states. At least 18 of these new locations were former Big Lots stores, which the retailer bought during a last minute rescue deal after Big Lots filed for bankruptcy last year. A spokesperson told USA Today that those locations are strategically positioned in areas to serve the needs of farmers, animal owners, ranchers, gardeners, homeowners, and tradesmen. The openings also occurred just in time for Tractor Supply to launch its new Field & Stream-branded hunting and outdoor gear. The chain is also planning to open 10 new Petsense by Tractor Supply stores, crossing the 200 unit mark. As of now, the retailer has already opened 15 new stores in Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio, and West Virginia. The openings are part of Tractor Supply's 'Life Out Here' strategy, created to help with its growth. 'Over the last five years, we have delivered strong financial performance and enhanced our competitive advantages through the execution of our Life Out Here strategy,' said CEO Hal Lawton. 'Our Life Out Here 2030 strategy continues the momentum of our existing initiatives as well as launches new initiatives such as Pet Rx and Direct Sales.' Tractor Supply initiated the original plan in 2020, which featured a new store layout and remodeling program in half of its stores. It helped the chain land 22 million Neighbor's Club loyalty program members, open 13 distribution facilities, and increase sales by more than 300 percent. With its updates, the chain is now aiming to finish the year with $225 billion in revenue instead of its original $180 billion expectation. The chain started its goal off on a high note after delivering a 2.1 percent increase in first quarter scales amounting to $3.47 billion. The company said that new store openings and the contribution from Allivet pet pharmacy helped make its quarterly goal a reality. Some new locations are strategically positioned in areas to serve the needs of farmers, animal owners, ranchers, gardeners, homeowners, and tradesmen Tractor Supply backtracked on its DEI initiatives following 'disappointment' from its conservative customer base in 2024. Fans have been concerned over the future of home improvement stores long before fears of a looming recession. Home Depot and Lowe's both suffered significant sales drops last year amid high inflation. Home Depot bounced back with a 9.4 percent revenue during the first quarter of 2025 and confirmed there would be no major price changes this year from tariffs. Lowe's was not as lucky with a 1.7 percent revenue decrease, but it did earn the top spot in customer satisfaction among home improvement retailers by J.D. Power. As for Tractor Supply, the chain's abundance of baby chicks has given shoppers a solution on what to do during the egg shortage.
Vogue
11-05-2025
- Politics
- Vogue
Five Mothers on How They Are Protecting Their LGBTQIA+ Children
Today is May 11, the 131st day of 2025. In the last 131 days, 575 anti-LGBTQIA+ bills have been filed in 49 states—all of them attacking the community's right to breathe, go to school, walk safely down the street, and not only live, but thrive. Today is also Mother's Day. For many of us, mothers are the world's guiding lights, the fixers of all problems. The five mothers below reflect that: They are mothers standing up for their LGBTQIA+ children in a time when their very existence is being called into question. Marcia Gay Harden, mother of three Courtesy Subject 'My children are the first thing I think about when I wake up and the last thing I think about when I go to bed. All parents have preconceived ideas about who our children are. When they begin to define themselves differently, there may be some sort of mourning. But immediately after, hopefully, there's a celebration of the fact that you gave them this place to feel comfortable to explore and be who they are going to be—and you get to receive that gift. The Drag Isn't Dangerous telethon was the first time I said out loud that all of my children identify with the LGBTQ+ community. And then the hate mail came rolling in. I think it came from very right-wing Republican groups with an organized hatred of the LGBTQIA, as you can see by the laws and politics that are currently rolling back all kinds of all kinds of rights, permissions, passports, and healthcare for the community. They should be more interested in insider trading and corruption than the signs on a bathroom. But then one of my kids said 'Work it, Mom. If they're mad, you must be doing something right.' My coping mechanism is just to refocus and ask myself: Who is more important? My kids, or some extended family member, who is choosing to say something inappropriate? My kids, or the neighbors acting rudely? We're talking about who my children are—this is not a political belief, it's their being.
