July 28 – Altuzarra Collection Enlivens West Elm Kids Assortment
The collection, part of the West Elm Kids lineup, includes layette and kids’ merchandise featuring Altuzarra’s own hand-drawn botanical illustrations on many items. From: HomePage News
July 28 – Walmart Hires Instacart Exec to Drive AI, Tech Innovation
Walmart has hired a new executive to help it leverage artificial intelligence in its application of retail technology, according to a post the executive published on LinkedIn. From: HomePage News
July 28 – Ulta Beauty Eyes AI Agents Amid Growth Plans
The company is working on improving its tech foundation to enable agentic AI adoption, which it hopes will lead to enhanced employee and customer experience. From: Retail Dive
July 28 – ‘Bed Bath & Beyond Home’ Store Premieres August 8 in Nashville
To celebrate the August 8 opening of the first Bed Bath & Beyond Home store, The Brand House Collective noted it is bringing back the iconic Bed Bath & Beyond coupon. From: HomePage News
July 25 – Ace Opens Kansas City Retail Support Center to Boost Independent Dealers
The Kansas City retail support center joins a network of more than a dozen Ace distribution centers across the country designed to support the Ace independent retail model. From: HomePage News
July 25 – New Nordstrom Rack Stores Planned for Eastern U.S.
Nordstrom announced the expansion of its off-price store portfolio with new stores coming across the eastern half of the United States. From: HomePage News
July 25 – Walmart Details Its Measures to Thwart Retail Crime
Walmart is collaborating with the Department of Homeland Security to develop anti-counterfeit best practices as outlined in its 2020 Combating Trafficking in Counterfeit and Pirated Goods report, the company stated. From: HomePage News
July 24 – Tractor Supply Maintains Second-Half Outlook After Q2 Street Beat
The company opened 24 new Tractor Supply stores and two new Petsense by Tractor Supply stores and closed one Petsense location in the second quarter. From: HomePage News
July 23 – Survey: Back-to-School Shoppers Searching for Value
Discount stores remain the most popular type of retailer for back-to-school shoppers, at 62%, followed by Amazon at 57% and dollar/variety stores at 42%. From: HomePage News
July 23 – Beyond’s BuyBuy Baby Digital Security Offering Meets Minimum Target
The BuyBuy Baby offering will conclude on August 4, with an early and final closing date of August 11. From: HomePage News
July 23 – Macy’s ‘Black Friday in July’ Spotlights Home, Back-to-School, Early Holiday Bargains
Shoppers will find sales at the company’s brick-and-mortar stores, online and in the Macy’s app, as well as special daily deals, the company noted. From: HomePage News
July 22 – J.C. Penney Builds on Promising Brand Push with ‘Back-to-It’ Campaign
The retailer is positioning itself for “Back-to-It,” a season in which all consumers — not just kids — can reinvent their fashion sense. From: Retail Dive
July 22 – Target Expands Hearth & Hand Collection, Previews Back-To-School Promotion
Due to guest requests and the popularity of the initiative last year, Target has also announced that it will hold personalization station events in approximately 500 stores, double the number conducted in 2024. From: HomePage News
July 22 – Beyond Presses Crypto-Collaborator tZERO To Explore IPO
As its own operations have evolved, Beyond has worked with tZERO in issuing tokenized digital securities associated with its Overstock.com and BuyBuyBaby.com operations. From: HomePage News
July 22 – Lidl Readies Store Debuts Amid East Coast Expansion
The discounter has four upcoming store openings, including three next week and one in mid-August, according to the grocer’s website. From: Grocery Dive
July 21 – Coresight: Prime Day Registered More Home Product Purchasers in 2025
Among household categories, 25% of shoppers purchased furniture, furnishings or decorative products for the home, up from 13.8% during the Prime Day event last year. From: HomePage News
July 21 – Ross Adds 31 Stores Under Namesake, dd’s Banners in June and July
“Looking ahead, we remain confident in our ability to grow to at least 2,900 Ross Dress for Less and 700 dd’s Discounts locations over time.” said Richard Lietz, Ross executive VP, property development. From: HomePage News
July 21 – Wayfair Spotlights Housewares in 5-Day Promotion Beginning July 24
Big summer retail promotions continue with Wayfair launching “Black Friday in July” as a five-day savings event with prices up to 80% off. From: HomePage News
July 18 – Numerator: Consumers’ Wary of Tariff Impact on Prices, Economy
Consumers in the study said they are most likely to cut back spending on non-essentials. From: HomePage News
July 18 – Nordstrom Names Dollar General Exec Kelly Dilts CFO
Erik Nordstrom, co-CEO of Nordstrom, said in a press release. “We’re confident she’ll help us strengthen our business, execute on our priorities, and continue delivering for our customers.” From: Retail Dive
July 18 – Store Managers Say Foot Traffic Remained Vibrant Through First Half of 2025
74.8% reported same or higher traffic, an LMC Mid-Year Survey high, and 82.4% expected sales to increase or maintain pace through year’s end. From: HomePage News
July 18 – Ross Opens First Stores in Puerto Rico
“These new stores reflect our ongoing commitment to reach more customers with high-quality merchandise, great brands, and incredible savings,” said Jim Conroy, Ross Stores CEO. From: HomePage News
July 17 – Kohl’s Launches Back-To-School Offers, Names New Chief Digital Officer
Arianne Parisi steps into the CDO role, supervising the digital operations for Kohls.com and the company’s app, in addition to supporting the broader business focus on enhancing the omnichannel customer experience, the company stated. From: HomePage News
July 17 – Ollie’s Opens 600th Store, Its First in New Hampshire
The new store is the latest the company is opening in a former Big Lots location. From: HomePage News
July 16 – Sur La Table Names Retail Veteran Goldman President
Goldman joins Sur La Table as it accelerates the execution of its strategic vision, aiming to scale its audience and reach across channels, according to the company. From: HomePage News
July 16 – Coresight: Consumer Sentiment Rebound Signals Potential for Solid Holiday Season
As of May, consumers in the United States were more positive about their spending intentions and financial situation for the holiday season of 2025. From: HomePage News
July 16 – Adobe Analytics: Prime Day Boosted E-Commerce, Home Categories Gained
Mobile was the dominant transaction channel in the Prime Day period, accounting for 53.2% of sales and outstripping desktop shopping. From: HomePage News
July 16 – Target Showcases Summer, Back-To-School, Highlights Budget-Friendly Offerings
For class returnees, the company maintains that Target is offering last year’s prices on must-have supplies and providing more ways for consumers to make the most of their budgets. From: HomePage News
July 15 – Albertsons Q1 Sales Up, Profits Down as Digital Drives Growth
In the first quarter, Albertsons Cos. posted an identical sales gain and topped Wall Street’s earnings and revenue estimates, but profits declined. From: HomePage News
July 15 – June Consumer Price Index Rises as Tariffs Weighed Among Driving Forces
Over the past 12 months, the household furnishings and operations index increased 3.3%. From: HomePage News
July 15 – Aldi US Names New COO
Aldi U.S. has promoted longtime executive Karla Waddleton to be its next chief operating officer. From: Grocery Dive
July 15 – NRF: Earlier Start to Back-to-School Season Amid Economic Uncertainty
As with recent years, the most popular destinations for K-though-12 back-to-school shopping are online at 55%, department stores at 48%, discount stores at 47% and clothing stores at 41%, NRF noted. From: HomePage News
July 15 – Ikea Planning Syracuse Store Serving Central New York
IKEA will be taking over an 88,500 square-foot former At Home location at the city’s Destiny USA shopping mall, the mall’s owner reported. From: HomePage News
July 14 – Home Products Star as Amazon Touts Record-Breaking Prime Day
Shoppers were mostly female (76%) middle income (47%) and older (29% were 65 or more and 21% were 55 to 64). From: HomePage News
July 14 – Target to Open 8 New Stores This Summer
The new stores will be in California, Connecticut, Florida, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. From: Retail Dive
July 14 – Deloitte: Value Emerges as Parents’ Back-To-School Priority
61% of parents surveyed by Deloitte said they anticipated completing back-to-school shopping by the end of July, down from 66% in 2024. From: HomePage News
July 11 – Numerator: Home Goods Sales Strong as Prime Day Winds Down
Purchasers are putting emphasis on everyday needs with groceries and household essentials combining for more than 40% of purchases. From: HomePage News
July 11 – Retail Monitor: ‘Wait and See’ Consumer Stunted Retail Sales Growth in June
NRF president and CEO Matthew Shay said, “June’s numbers indicate that prolonged uncertainty surrounding the economy, tariffs and trade policy could be pushing consumers to adopt a ‘wait and see’ approach.” From: HomePage News
July 11 – H-E-B to Break Ground on 2nd Fort Worth Location
The location is expected to open at the end of 2026 and will span 128,000 square feet, filled with H-E-B’s signature offerings and departments. From: Progressive Grocer
July 10 – Costco Comps Continued Gains Across Globe in June
In the five-week June period, Costco comparable sales, excluding the effects of fuel and foreign exchange volatility, gained 5.5% in the United States, 7.9% in Canada and 8.2% in other international markets. From: HomePage News
July 10 – Tariffs Shake Up Back-Half 2025 Port Traffic Projections
May 2025 was the first year-over-year port volume decline since September 2023 and the lowest volume since 1.93 million TEU in May 2024. From: HomePage News
July 9 – Analyst Sees More Showcase Deals as Housewares Gets Prime Day Refresh for Day 2
Katherine Black of global consultancy Kearney noted the 2025 version of Prime Day arrives with a few new twists. From: HomePage News
July 9 – A Worthy Pursuit: Former Gift Shop® Plus editor opens retail location – Gift Shop Magazine
Julie McCallum Packard, former Gift Shop® Plus editorial director and co-owner of parent company Great American Media Services, has always possessed a deep love for the retail and gift industry. From: Gift Shop Magazine
July 9 – Martha Stewart, Elton John Help QVC Celebrate Christmas in July
Through July 31, the company announced, QVC is delivering the holiday spirit early with hundreds of specially priced items across home décor and other household goods, gourmet food, fashion and beauty. From: HomePage News
July 9 – Numerator: Home Products Rank High Among Early Amazon Prime Day Purchases
Prime Day shoppers were mostly female at press time, at 79%, and middle-income at 46%, although they were closely trailed by high-income consumers at 40%. From: HomePage News
July 8 – Family Dollar, Dollar Tree Offer Post-Separation Outlooks
As a standalone company, Dollar Tree will grow through initiatives involving assortment expansion, new store growth and new customer acquisitions, the company maintained. From: HomePage News
July 8 – Kearney Consumer Institute Sees Possible Pros & Cons of Extended Amazon Prime Day
KCI data demonstrated that consumers historically have approached Prime Day as a chance to treat themselves rather than to purchase for other purposes. From: HomePage News
July 8 – ISM: Retail Helped Services Sector Expand in June as Manufacturing Contracted
In June, the service sector expanded for the 11th time in the past 12 months. From: HomePage News
July 8 – NRF: U.S. Economy Persevering at 2025 Midpoint Despite ‘Pervasive’ Uncertainty
The NRF July Economic Review stated “economic growth is holding up relatively well” so far this year despite uncertainty about the future. From: HomePage News
July 7 – Williams Sonoma Expands No Kid Hungry Kitchen Tool Collection
Williams Sonoma reported that it plans to donate $5,000 to No Kid Hungry in the winner’s honor. From: HomePage News
July 7 – Trump Signs Spending and Tax Bill with Major SNAP Changes
The legislation tightens eligibility requirements for the food assistance program but contains less severe modifications than originally proposed. From: Grocery Dive
July 7 – June Job Decline, Salary Gain Show Businesses Proceeding with Caution
By region, the Midwest had the largest job losses followed by the West and the Northeast. The South added jobs, according to ADP. From: HomePage News
July 7 – Survey: Parents Plan Bigger Back-To-School Spend While Seeking Bargains
Cross-channel shopping continues to dominate consumer behavior, but more than 90% of parents anticipate shopping in brick-and-mortar stores, according to JLL. From: HomePage News
July 3 – Here Come More Trader Joe’s Stores
The latest Trader Joe’s was unveiled in mid-June in the retailer’s home state of California. From: Progressive Grocer
July 2 – Saks Global Shores Up Financing as Luxury Market Confronts Hurdles
Saks Global arose during a spin-off of Hudson’s Bay properties that resulted in the new company’s formation. From: HomePage News
July 2 – Ollie’s Bargain Outlet Moves into Nebraska
Ollie’s opened 25 new stores in the first quarter of 2025. From: HomePage News
July 2 – Dollar General Courts Small Business Vendors, Service Providers
Dollar General expects to hold virtual meetings with DG Small Business Development Program leaders and merchandising teams beginning in late August. From: HomePage News
July 2 – Ace Dealing Discounts for Rewards Members July 8-11
“We’re focused on giving our Ace Rewards members even more value, more convenience, and more reasons to shop with us online,” said Bill Kiss, Ace Hardware head of digital. From: HomePage News
July 1 – Francesca’s Veteran Joins Kirkland’s as CFO Amid Transition to ‘Brand House Collective’
The company stated the new identity reflects the operation’s reinvention into a multi-brand merchandising, supply chain and retail operator leading the brick-and-mortar strategy for Kirkland’s Home and partner Beyond. From: Retail Dive
July 1 – Online Shopping Sees Biggest Slowdown in Over Decade as Tariffs Disrupt E-Commerce: Survey
Tariffs have been a catalyst for consumers to change their buying behavior, according to the AlixPartners data. From: CNBC
July 1 – Smart Promotions, Markdowns Critical for Back-to-School Success in 2025
The unsettled economic environment and the role of changing tariff proposals will have the attention of seasonal shoppers, according to Matt Pavich, senior director of strategy and innovation at Revionics. From: HomePage News
July 1 – Amazon Prime Day Spotlights Deals on Housewares, Back to Classroom
In addition, Amazon is throwing a spotlight on its Prime for Young Adults membership. From: HomePage News
July 1 – Consumers Want More Value — Beyond Low Prices
40% of consumers say their perception of a brand’s value stems from factors other than price. From: Retail Dive
