August 29, 2025

  • Claire’s is slated to close 291 stores following its acquisition by Ames Watson. The list of stores is available via a court filing, and includes 235 Claire’s locations in addition to 56 Icing stores (via Omni Agent Solutions).
  • Five Below delivered a sunny Q2 report which included beats on EPS, sales, comparable store sales, and net profit. The retailer said it had zeroed in “on executing with excellence” in remarks attached to the report (via Chain Store Age).
  • PepsiCo increased its stake in Celsius Holdings, leaning harder into the energy drink market. The deal to increase its stake is valued at a reported $585 million (via Reuters).
  • Affirm stock price trended upward significantly (~15%) following Aug. 28 news that the BNPL provider had delivered a Q4 EPS and revenue beat, with EPS in particular nearly doubling against estimates (via CNBC).
  • Gas prices on Labor Day are expected to reach a five-year low, at an average of $3.15 per gallon. Lower oil prices are attributed as driving lower prices at the pump this year (via CNN Business).
  • Wealthier U.S. consumers return retail products at a higher rate than any other economic cohort, according to a BoA study. That demographic returned 5.3% of all purchases made in 2025, thus far (via CNBC).
  • Forever 21 is eyeing a fourth run into the Chinese market, despite three previous exits, as well as a relaunch in the North American market. Announcements related to the latter are expected soon, as owner Authentic Brands Group signaled (via Reuters).
  • Dollar General raised its full-year guidance in response to rosy Q2 sales figures and ongoing customer growth across all income demographics (via Chain Store Age).