October 17, 2025

  • Toys’R’Us has announced the opening of 10 flagship stores, in addition to 20 seasonal stores, by year’s end, in partnership with Go! Retail Group. “Through both flagship stores and seasonal holiday shops, we are delivering the same experience nationwide, strengthening our presence while meeting consumer demand during the most important season of the year,” Gideon Schlessinger, CEO of Go! Retail Group, said (via Chain Store Age).
  • Electronic Arts has sold more than 7 million copies of its latest entry in the “Battlefield” series, “Battlefield 6,” in the three-day time span since its launch. EA is hoping the success of “Battlefield 6” will help dislodge competitor “Call of Duty,” published by Microsoft-owned Activision Blizzard, from the top of the charts (via Reuters).
  • Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol, following an episode of “Mad Money,” indicated that he felt the company’s China business could be worth more than $10 billion. We expect the value of the China business to Starbucks to be north of $10 billion. That includes the upfront investment by a potential partner, Starbucks’ retained stake in the China business, and future royalty payments,” Niccol wrote (via CNBC).
  • The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is warning that the government shutdown is harming small business and the broader economy. “The government shutdown is harming small businesses and costing American economic growth that can’t be recovered,” said Neil Bradley, EVP and chief policy officer at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce (via FOX Business).
  • EssilorLuxottica stated that a good amount of its Q3 revenue growth could be attributed to its partnership with Meta, selling Ray-Ban smart glasses to consumers looking for a tech edge when it comes to eyewear. “Clearly there is a lift coming from Ray-Ban Meta wearables as a product category,” CFO Stefano Grassi said (via CNBC).
  • Amazon is expanding its pay-per-visit telehealth services to children aged 2 through 11. “This service makes it easier for families to connect with trusted family care providers, day or night, saving time and money while providing peace of mind and helping kids feel better sooner,” Bergen Elsa, GM for Amazon One Medical Pay-per-visit, said (via Chain Store Age).