Discover retail trends, strategies, and innovations shaping the industry.
Food
Black Rock Coffee Bar has successfully raised $294.1 million in its U.S. initial public offering (IPO), the company announced Thursday, marking a significant milestone for the fast-growing cafe chain. The coffee company priced roughly 14.7 million shares at $20 each, above its marketed range of $16 to
Retail
Potbelly, the Chicago-based sandwich shop chain, announced Wednesday that it will be acquired by convenience-store operator RaceTrac in a $566 million all-cash transaction. The deal, which values Potbelly shares at $17.12 apiece—a 47% premium to Tuesday’s closing price—is expected to close in the fourth quarter of
Style & Beauty
The luxury rental membership platform Vivrelle is doubling down on artificial intelligence. On Thursday, the company announced the debut of Ella, an AI-powered personal styling assistant developed in collaboration with fashion retailers Revolve and FWRD. The launch underscores the fashion industry’s accelerating embrace of AI to deliver hyper-personalized shopping
E-commerce
Amazon is deepening its investment in artificial intelligence with the launch of Lens Live, a new real-time visual search feature for its shopping app. Announced Tuesday, Lens Live builds on Amazon Lens — the company’s existing image-based product discovery tool — by allowing customers to instantly identify and shop items they
Retail
Walgreens has undergone a major leadership shakeup following its $10 billion acquisition by private equity firm Sycamore Partners. The deal, finalized on Thursday, also marks a structural overhaul that splits the business into several independent companies. According to a company statement, Walgreens — the well-known U.S. retail pharmacy chain — will
Retail
Claire’s has hit pause on its planned wave of store closures following an acquisition deal announced Wednesday that could reshape the future of the accessories retailer. The company, which filed for bankruptcy earlier this month, had been preparing to shutter 700 stores and was weighing liquidation of its entire
Retail
Lowe’s announced Wednesday that it has agreed to acquire Foundation Building Materials (FBM), a leading distributor of interior building products, in a deal valued at nearly $8.8 billion. The move marks a major step in the home improvement retailer’s strategy to expand its presence in the professional
E-commerce
Best Buy is opening its doors to third-party sellers as part of a major effort to diversify its offerings and regain sales momentum. Starting Tuesday, shoppers visiting Best Buy’s website and mobile app will see an expanded assortment of merchandise—including products the retailer hasn’t traditionally carried. The
Food
Amazon is taking a major step into the quick-commerce arena by allowing shoppers in 1,000 U.S. cities to order perishable food items through its Same-Day Delivery service. The expansion positions the e-commerce giant to compete more directly with Instacart and Walmart+ as consumer demand for rapid grocery delivery
Retail
Gildan Activewear has agreed to acquire U.S. undergarment maker Hanesbrands in a cash-and-stock deal valued at $2.2 billion, the companies announced Wednesday. The Canadian apparel manufacturer will pay roughly $6 per Hanesbrands share, a 24% premium to Monday’s closing price, in a move aimed at strengthening its
Retail
Bed Bath & Beyond is making a comeback—though not quite as you remember it. The once-bankrupt home goods chain, which shuttered after filing for bankruptcy in April 2023, has been revived under new ownership and a new banner: Bed Bath & Beyond Home. The first location of this reimagined
Retail
Tween-focused retailer Claire’s has filed for bankruptcy protection for the second time in seven years, aiming to restructure its business and avoid liquidation. The company, a longtime fixture in American malls known for its ear piercing services and affordable accessories, is currently saddled with approximately $500 million in debt