Barnes & Noble is opening its largest Chicago store at 150 N. State St. this summer, taking over a former Old Navy space, as part of a broader expansion in the city. The new 30,000-square-foot store will be a significant addition to the struggling State Street corridor and is one of four new locations opening in Chicago, including stores in Hyde Park, Skokie, and Oak Park. While the expansion is welcomed by some, local independent bookstores are concerned about losing business, with some closing or experiencing declines in sales.
Barnes & Noble is set to open its seventh San Antonio store in summer 2026 at the Huebner Oaks Shopping Center, as part of a nationwide expansion plan to open 60 stores in 2026, following a period of decline due to competition from Amazon and Kindle devices.
Skims, the shapewear brand co-founded by Kim Kardashian, has reached a $5 billion valuation after raising $225 million in funding, which will be used to expand its physical retail presence and grow globally, amid fierce competition in the industry.
Toys R Us has opened a seasonal holiday shop at Deptford Mall in Gloucester County, New Jersey, as part of a broader plan to establish 10 new flagship stores and 20 holiday shops nationwide, featuring popular toy brands like LEGO, Barbie, and NERF, to rebuild its retail presence.
Amazon has launched a new private-label grocery brand called Amazon Grocery, offering over 1,000 items mostly under $5 to attract budget-conscious shoppers, available online and at Amazon Fresh stores, as part of its broader strategy to expand its grocery footprint amid rising food prices.
Michaels is reviving the Joann brand within its stores by creating a new Knit & Sew Shop section using Joann’s branding and products, and expanding its party supplies section, making it North America’s largest specialty fabric and party retailer. This move follows Michaels' acquisition of Joann’s intellectual property after Joann's bankruptcy, aiming to capitalize on the decline of other specialty stores like Joann and Party City. The new sections are already in 840 stores and will expand further, with plans to hire 10,000 seasonal workers for the upcoming holiday season.
Build-A-Bear has seen over 60% stock growth in 2025 despite tariffs and declining mall traffic, driven by strong store performance and consumer interest in craft-oriented products, with the company adjusting strategies to mitigate tariff impacts.
Costco, Sam's Club, and BJ's Wholesale are expanding their store networks and attracting more members, especially younger demographics, driven by increased demand for value, convenience, and digital shopping options. These clubs are innovating with new products, technology, and store formats to sustain growth amid economic and tariff challenges.
Gap is expanding into the beauty and personal-care market by launching products in 150 Old Navy stores later this year, with plans to scale the business next year, as part of a strategic move to capitalize on the fast-growing and resilient beauty industry.
Lego achieved a record first half of 2025 with $5.4 billion in revenue, driven by popular sets including flowers, cars, and new licensed products, alongside expansion into new markets and retail stores.
Krispy Kreme is struggling with declining sales and a significant drop in stock value, prompting the company to focus on expanding its presence in big-box stores and grocery chains while selling international operations and restructuring logistics to boost growth and regain investor confidence.
Costco is set to open a $105 million, 152,000-square-foot warehouse in Irondale, Alabama, making it the second store in the Birmingham metro area and the sixth in the state, with significant projected revenue and incentives for the city.
Irondale, Alabama, is set to welcome its sixth Costco, a $105 million project that will create 200-300 jobs, generate significant sales tax revenue, and signal strong economic growth for the city, which is eager to attract high-quality development and revitalize underutilized land.
Gas stations like Wawa and Sheetz are expanding their size and adding EV chargers to accommodate the rise of electric vehicles, transforming into larger shopping centers to keep customers engaged while they wait for their cars to charge.
Michaels has acquired Joann's intellectual property and private label brands, including popular yarns, to expand its crafting supplies and meet rising demand, with plans to increase product offerings and store presence.
