October 3, 2025
- Dollar Tree announced the purchase of a distribution center just outside of Phoenix, Arizona, pegged at 1.25 million square feet. The center is expected to open by spring 2026, and is expected to create ~400 new jobs in the area (via The Globe and Mail).
- Pearle Vision is tackling an extensive store redesign effort, with focus being on an improved customer journey experience as well as streamlined operations for its optometrists. “We actively engage with our patients and optometrists, whose insights are essential to shaping every aspect of our brand and new store layout. Their feedback drives our innovation, informs our strategy, and fuels our momentum,” said Gunjan Kumar, President of Pearle Vision and Retail License Brands (via press release).
- Carhartt opened its first New York City store, a flagship located in the Flatiron District. With NYC home to a distinct number of skilled tradespeople, the company also highlighted plans to reach 100 stores by 2030 (via HypeBeast).
- Digital price tags are proliferating in the U.S., particularly in grocery stores. Whole Foods, Kroger, and other grocers are adopting electronic shelf labels over traditional paper fixtures at an increasing rate, with dynamic pricing being a major concern for some onlookers (via CNBC).
- Small retailers showed growth in September, although that growth had slowed from last year’s figures. Sales for the sector trended upward by 1.6% YoY, per Fiserv Small Business Index data (via Chain Store Age).
- Cracker Barrel has severed ties with the design firm responsible for its ill-fated rebranded logo and store redesign. Stating it was “ending its engagement with Prophet,” the restaurant chain appears focused on recapturing consumer loyalty (via CNN Business).