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Covering the latest news in the retail industry

  • October 14, 2025

    • Ulta Beauty has opened its own third-party online marketplace, UB Marketplace. “UB Marketplace allows us to deliver more newness, faster entry into emerging subcategories and trends, and deeper category authority – while keeping the guest experience unmistakably Ulta Beauty,” said Lauren Brindley, chief merchandising and digital officer at Ulta Beauty (via Chain Store Age).
    • Amazon plans to hire 250,000 U.S. workers this holiday season, the same number as it had the two years prior. Said workers will be engaged in roles across its transportation and fulfillment networks from coast to coast (via Reuters).
    • J.M. Smucker Company has sued Trader Joe’s in federal court, alleging that the grocery chain had infringed on its Uncrustables brand of frozen sandwiches. The lawsuit was filed in Ohio, and claims that Trader Joe’s private label product mimics Smucker’s product and packaging (via Reuters).
    • Walmart has struck a deal with OpenAI to allow customers to purchase items directly within ChatGPT. The move scores a major win for both Walmart and OpenAI, with both entities being among the largest players in their respective spaces (via CNBC).
    • Costco has now staked a claim to being one of the world’s largest clothing retailers. The warehouse club managed about $9.7 billion in apparel sales last year, according to GlobalData estimates (via CNBC).
    • Barnes & Noble saw increased foot traffic even as it continues to open more brick-and-mortar locations post-pandemic. From January through August 2025, visits to B & N stores grew nearly each month, improving appreciably YoY (via Chain Store Age).

  • October 10, 2025

    • U.S. consumer sentiment edged lower early in October, per University of Michigan data. “Pocketbook issues like high prices and weakening job prospects remain at the forefront of consumers’ minds. Consumers do not expect meaningful improvement in these factors,” said survey director Joanne Hsu (via CNN Business).
    • The Body Shop is restarting operations in the U.S., this time in a digital format. The company previously filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in 2024 (via Cosmetics Business).
    • Amazon Prime Big Deal Days is a wrap, and analysis of the results indicated that consumers were still a bit hesitant on holiday shopping, that tariffs continued to impact spend, but also that Amazon loyalists were ramping up for future buys as the holidays approach (via Chain Store Age).
    • Wells Fargo’s Agri-Food Institute is reporting that U.S. consumers can expect the price of chocolate to rise into the Halloween season. Cocoa costs have more than doubled since early 2024 (via Reuters).
    • Cava is revamping its loyalty program, introducing three tiers — Sea, Sand, and Sun — as incentives for loyal customers. “As someone who has always loved the thrill of a strong loyalty program through tracking status, unlocking perks, and feeling at home with certain brands, I couldn’t be more excited to bring that same sentiment to Cava,” said Andy Rebhun, Cava’s chief experience officer (via Chain Store Age).
    • Levi Strauss raised its full-year profit forecast, beat third-quarter profit and revenue estimates, and saw online sales trend upward by 16% in its Q3 report. However, it has also taken steps to secure the majority (70%) of its holiday inventory in a pull-forward move, and admitted to slight price increases, in response to ongoing tariffs (via Reuters).

  • October 9, 2025

    • Lowe’s has completed its stated acquisition of Foundation Building Materials, a building materials distribution company boasting ~370 existing locations in the U.S. and Canada. The deal is reportedly worth approximately $8.8 billion (via Chain Store Age).
    • Frontline retail workers are benefiting from the deployment of AI tech at the store level, UKG data suggests. Of the retail workers surveyed, those who were using AI in their operations were less likely to report burnout (41%) versus those who did not engage with the tech (54%) (via UKG).
    • PepsiCo beat Wall Street projections tied to its Q3 revenue and profit metrics, with U.S.-based interest in its healthier drinks and core demand for its traditional inventory internationally being cited as bolstering sales (via Reuters).
    • Ferrero North America is preparing to spend more than $100 million on ad campaigns tied to the Super Bowl and World Cup in 2026. The push comes as its parent company seeks to established a more expansive foothold stateside (via CNBC).
    • Amazon is sticking with its own internal AI tool, Rufus, while Walmart and Target are buying in with ChatGPT. It remains to be seen which business move will be hailed as the “correct” choice (via Forbes).
    • Love’s Travel Stops announced the creation of a “first-of-its-kind” RMN targeting professional drivers and everyday travelers. “We’re uniquely positioned at the intersection of mobility, loyalty and commerce. With our nationwide footprint and deep relationships with both professional drivers and travelers on the road, we can offer advertisers something no one else can – direct access to a high-volume, high-intent audience in motion,” said CMO Patrick McLean (via press release).

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