Today's Retail Pulse
Chipotle relaunches Summer of Extras to offset price‑hike sales dip
Chipotle increased menu prices by roughly 2% in early 2025, which coincided with a 1.7% decline in comparable restaurant sales year‑over‑year. To win back price‑sensitive diners, the chain revived its Summer of Extras promotion, offering free entrees through monthly streak challenges and local leaderboards—a program that previously generated about $12 million.
Also developing:
Kettlemans Bagel Eyes Franchising Push as Sandwich Sales Drive Growth: Amer Wahab Interview
Kettlemans Bagel, an Ottawa‑based chain, is shifting its growth engine toward franchising and sandwich‑centric formats. The company reports an average unit volume of $4.3 million, with 63 % of sales coming from sandwiches, and is piloting 100‑sq‑ft sandwich hubs that generate $7,000 weekly. It has signed franchise partners for six new stores and targets 100 locations sold within three years, ultimately eyeing 500 units across North America. The expansion relies on a hub‑and‑spoke model that keeps bagel production in corporate bakeries while franchisees operate lower‑cost sandwich shops.
Beavertails Eyes Growth Through Retail Expansion and Strategic Store Openings: Pino Di Ioia Interview
Beavertails is accelerating its brick‑and‑mortar footprint, posting double‑digit growth in 2026 across 164 Canadian locations while its amusement‑park and mobile‑truck segments lag with low single‑digit gains. The chain is targeting high‑traffic tourist sites such as an Alberta beach resort and...
The Drive-Thru Coffee War Is Coming to the Grocery Store
7 Brew, the fast‑growing drive‑thru coffee chain, has begun selling its ready‑to‑drink canned coffee in Walmart stores across Arkansas. The launch features three espresso‑based flavors and marks the brand’s first foray into grocery retail. The move follows Dutch Bros’ recent expansion...
How Do You Fix Thin Content Across Similar Ecommerce Product Pages? – Ask An SEO via @Sejournal, @Rollerblader
The article advises ecommerce sites facing thin‑content penalties to stop individually optimizing every product page. Instead, it recommends implementing variant schema, focusing SEO effort on category or collection pages, and using robust internal linking. Authority is built through high‑quality blog...
Henkel Acquires Not Your Mother’s, Strengthening US Hair Care Portfolio
Henkel announced the acquisition of Not Your Mother’s, a U.S. hair‑care brand, along with its parent DeMert Brands, from private‑equity firm Main Post Partners. The move bolsters Henkel’s portfolio that already includes Schwarzkopf, Authentic Beauty Concept and Got2Be, targeting stronger...
Medical Apparel Brand Knya Appoints Chintan Adeshara as Head of Retail
Medical apparel brand Knya has hired retail veteran Chintan Adeshara as head of retail to accelerate its offline expansion. The company aims to grow its footprint to more than 100 stores across India within three years, adding two new outlets each...
Brax Achieves Highest Turnover Ever
Leineweber, the parent of fashion group Brax, posted a record €388 million turnover for fiscal 2025, a 7.5% increase year‑over‑year. Excluding the newly acquired outdoor specialist Fuchs Schmitt, organic growth was 5.3%. Own‑retail channels powered the rise, with online sales up 12%...
TikTok Shop Launches Fine Art Category
TikTok Shop has introduced a Fine Art category, enabling original artwork to be sold directly on the platform. The launch includes a live sale on March 11 featuring independent artist Sophie Tea, who will showcase a 20‑piece oil collection priced at...
EBay and Liberis Launch Flexible Growth Financing for UK Small Businesses
eBay UK has teamed with finance provider Liberis to launch Flexible Growth Financing, a new product under the Seller Capital programme that will be available to eligible UK sellers from 6 April 2026. The offering provides data‑driven, on‑demand working capital with limits...
The Digital Signage Summit 2026 Sets the Global Agenda as Registration Opens for Landmark 20th Edition
Early‑bird registration is now open for the Digital Signage Summit 2026, the industry’s premier strategy forum celebrating its 20th anniversary. The two‑day event will take place May 20‑21 at the Hilton Munich Airport and convene senior leaders from retail, DOOH...
Buc-Ee’s Is Loved by Shoppers—But It Got a Big Red Flag From the Better Business Bureau. Here’s What You Need...
Buc‑ee’s, the Texas‑based mega‑convenience store chain praised for its massive locations and high customer satisfaction, received an “F” rating from the Better Business Bureau. The BBB cited nearly 90 complaints over three years—including overcharging, rude service and unresponsive refunds—and noted...
How Brits Are Redefining Shopping Habits
Britons are reshaping retail, blending physical stores, online marketplaces, social commerce, and second‑hand platforms. Adobe Express’s survey of 2,000 consumers shows digital purchases grew 29% while visits to independent stores fell 23%, and second‑hand clothing trips rose to 29%. Social...
Ocado Might Disagree, but Kroger’s Tough Decisions Around Its E-Commerce Re-Think Were the Right Thing to Do. New CEO Gregory...
Gregory Foran, Kroger’s new CEO, has backed the company’s 2023 decision to scrap its Ocado‑run automated fulfillment centers and pivot to a hybrid model that uses stores as local hubs and partners with UberEats, DoorDash and Instacart. The move is...
Established Beauty Brands Risk Stagnation without Operational Discipline, Says Natural Spa Factory Founder
Natural Spa Factory founder warns that beauty brands hitting £5m revenue often stall because they cling to the tactics that got them to £500k. Over‑reliance on existing retail partners, rising customer‑acquisition costs and thin margins signal deeper operational gaps. Adding...
Mobile Basket Abandonment Surges Past 85% as Retailers Shift Recovery Tactics Beyond Email and SMS
Mobile basket abandonment has surged past 85%, up from a 75% global average last year. Retailers find traditional email and SMS recovery methods increasingly costly and less effective. New data from MobiLoud shows native push notifications, especially when used first...
Wickes Adds Buy Now, Pay Later Option for Customers
Wickes has introduced a buy‑now, pay‑later (BNPL) service for its TradePro customers through a partnership with Berlin‑based fintech Billie. The new option lets tradespeople purchase materials online or via the TradePro app and defer payment for 30 or 60 days,...
Reputation at Checkout: How Predictive AI Helps Retailers Maintain Trust in a Crisis
Predictive AI is reshaping retail crisis management by spotting sentiment shifts and anomalies before they explode online. Retailers that reply within an hour are 85% more likely to keep consumer trust, while delays can cost billions, as seen with United...
Ross Opens New Stores in Southern California
Ross Stores Inc. opened two new discount locations in Southern California—a second Ross Dress for Less in Alhambra and a dd’s Discounts in North Hollywood. The openings kick off the retailer’s 2026 rollout plan to add roughly 85 Ross stores and...
Why Chrome’s HTTPS-First Policy Matters for Retail Media
Google Chrome’s new HTTPS‑First policy forces browsers to load sites over encrypted connections by default, warning users when only HTTP is available. Because Chrome commands a dominant share of global browsing, the change compels retail media networks to ensure every...
Amazon Spring Deal Days Returns With Seven Days of Savings
Amazon launched its seven‑day Spring Deal Days promotion, offering up to 45% off everyday essentials and up to 60% off select Amazon devices. The event runs through March 16, 2026 and features new deals every morning and evening across categories...
Disruptors & Innovators in Retail 2026 Report Launched
Retail Insider and the Retail Technology Show released the 2026 Retail Disruptors & Innovators Report, naming Perfect Ted co‑founder Marisa Poster as Retail Disruptor of the Year. The report ranks ten pioneers, from matcha‑tea brand Perfect Ted to AI‑driven Kingfisher...
Waitrose Deploys AI Route Optimisation to Improve Delivery Efficiency
Waitrose has teamed with AI specialist Satalia to deploy an AI‑powered route optimisation platform across its home‑delivery network. The system analyses traffic, vehicle capacity and time windows in real time, producing more efficient routes. Early data shows an 8 % reduction...
Ikea’s Global Campaign Is a Love Letter to the Feeling of Home
Swedish furniture retailer Ikea has unveiled a new global campaign titled “There’s No Feeling Like Home,” featuring the emotive short film “Coming Home.” The ad, directed by Justyna Obasi and set to Lucy Dacus’s cover of Carole King’s “Home Again,”...
Gap Turns Its Spring Campaign Into a Music Video With Young Miko
Gap has turned its Spring 2026 campaign into a full‑length music video starring Grammy‑nominated Puerto Rican rapper Young Miko. Directed by Bethany Vargas, the film "Sweats Like This" showcases GapSweats as a creative canvas while riding the cultural wave sparked by the recent...
‘Choose Your Own Drive’ Film From Lamborghini Honors International Women’s Day
Lamborghini released a "Choose Your Own Drive" film for International Women’s Day, spotlighting female customers and their growing role. Women now represent one in ten owners, a 30% rise over five years, with many under 40 and a strong presence...
Building the Marketplace of Tomorrow: How Lowe’s Is Reshaping the Future of Home Improvement
Retail giant Lowe’s has launched a new Marketplace platform that unifies digital and physical home‑improvement shopping. Leveraging AI‑driven content enrichment, algorithmic buy‑box selection and dynamic delivery, the platform expands assortments while simplifying the customer journey. The initiative rests on a...
Zalando Launches New Campaign with Brand Ambassador Lily Collins
Zalando has unveiled its spring‑summer 2026 campaign featuring Lily Collins as the company’s first global brand ambassador. The actress, known for her European lifestyle, fronts a series of hero videos and digital out‑of‑home assets that explore the everyday question “What...
Consumer Card Spending Subdued in February but Clothing Sales on the Up
UK card‑based consumer spending rose modestly 1% in February, with non‑essential categories hitting a six‑month high of 1.8%. Clothing sales increased 3.7% and health‑beauty purchases jumped 6.4%, while essential spend slipped 0.6%. Confidence fell across the UK and major economies...
Why Hourglass Swapped Mecca for Sephora and Embraced DTC
Hourglass Cosmetics has terminated its 16‑year exclusive partnership with Australian retailer Mecca, ending a relationship that began in 2010. Starting February 17, 2026, the brand launched its own Australian direct‑to‑consumer website and, nine days later, entered Sephora Australia’s stores without...
Walmart’s Vizio Acquisition Finally Opens Up Retail Advertising’s Growth
Walmart’s purchase of Vizio gives the retailer control of a smart‑TV operating system that blends content discovery, advertising, payments and commerce on the living‑room screen. The move transforms retail media from search‑based placements to first‑screen TV inventory, especially as 2026‑model...
Teva Pharmaceuticals’ Dipesh Patel on Building Digital Capabilities in a Trust-First Category
Teva Pharmaceuticals’ senior director of digital transformation, Dipesh Patel, discussed building digital capabilities in the over‑the‑counter (OTC) health category on the Brave Commerce podcast. He emphasized that while AI can accelerate content creation, strict guardrails and human oversight are essential...
EXCLUSIVE: Max Parker Fronts Mytheresa’s Spring 2026 Menswear Ad Campaign
Mytheresa has launched its "Best of Spring" menswear ad campaign for Spring 2026, featuring British actor Max Parker as the face of the collection. The visuals, shot by Zoe Joubert in Spain’s Tabernas Desert, showcase luxury labels such as Prada, Giorgio Armani, Bottega Veneta...
How Walmart Became a Beauty Destination
Facing a decline in Target’s beauty share, Walmart has aggressively repositioned itself as a premier beauty destination. The retailer expanded its assortment by adding over 1,200 new SKUs and launched dedicated in‑store beauty hubs, driving a 15% rise in foot...
Creators Meet Commerce: How They Guide Customers From Inspiration to Checkout | Behind the Numbers Special Edition
In this special edition of the eMarketer "Behind the Numbers" podcast, senior analyst Minda Smiley moderates a panel with Corey Weaver, Head of Influence at Gap Inc., and Alexis Call, Director of Digital Merchandising at Stanley 1913. The discussion explores...
On TikTok Shop, a Brand for the Looksmaxxers Emerges
Based Bodyworks, a digitally native men’s grooming brand founded by influencer‑barber Lance Baker, has become a TikTok Shop sensation, posting roughly $5 million in U.S. sales in February and ranking fourth among beauty brands on the platform. The brand’s product line,...
EXCLUSIVE: Fabletics Enters Denim as Customer Demand Drives New Category Expansion
Fabletics is debuting a denim collection after more than two years of development driven by member feedback, offering 11 styles for men and women with stretch‑focused fabrics. The line, priced between $79.95 and $174.95, will launch online and in 17...
Stacked Store to Open Retail Concept Inside IMBA Immersive Art Venue
Singapore‑based home‑goods retailer Stacked Store will open the IMBA Store, a dedicated gift shop for the immersive IMBA art venue at Gardens by the Bay, on April 3, 2026. The shop, curated and operated by Stacked Store, will sell design‑focused keepsakes, collectibles...
Every Man Jack Plots a 2026 Refresh as Men’s Personal Care Category Becomes More Saturated
Every Man Jack is positioning 2026 as a breakout year by launching a brand refresh that targets two distinct consumer personas—“Jack,” the seasoned grooming enthusiast, and “Jake,” the sustainability‑focused newcomer. The overhaul includes PET packaging for better recyclability, a sub‑$10...
Airport Shoppers Shift To Value, Convenience And Self‑Treating
Travelers are increasingly prioritising value, convenience and self‑treating in airport duty‑free shops, according to the Duty Free World Council’s 2025 Global Shopping Monitor. Good value for money now drives 27% of shoppers, up from 25% a year earlier, while convenience...
The Retail Lab: Why Your First Store Should Be a Laboratory, Not a Launch
The article argues that a retailer's first physical store should function as a laboratory rather than a pure concept launch. A true retail lab rigorously tests hypotheses about layout, merchandising, and customer behavior while also incorporating construction, supply‑chain, and delivery...
Culture Kings US Parent Expands Australian Store Network, Lifts Sales
AKA Brands, the U.S. parent of Culture Kings and other youth fashion labels, posted a 4.4% revenue increase to US$600 million, driven by a 5.3% rise in U.S. sales and a modest 1.6% lift in Australian sales. The group expanded its...
This TikTok Easter Toy Made $97,000 in a Week
A TikTok‑driven Easter toy egg featuring a water‑activated unicorn sold 5,769 units between March 1 and March 7, generating roughly $97,200 in revenue. Each $18.30 set contains six eggs that hatch after a 12‑24‑hour soak, revealing a grow‑and‑shrink unicorn. Influencer videos accounted...
Oz Hair & Beauty Passes $100m Revenue, Celebrates Store Milestone
Oz Hair & Beauty, a family‑owned Australian retailer, has exceeded $100 million in annual revenue and is set to open its 30th store, with two additional locations planned in Perth. Founded in 1986, the company grew from a single Sydney outlet...
Wairoa Welcomes The Baskete Supermarket - an Independent - to Compete with Foodstuffs
Wairoa will host its second supermarket when the independent Baskete Supermarket opens mid‑2026 on the former New World site. The venture aims to challenge the Foodstuffs duopoly by offering lower grocery prices and a broader product range. Developer Aman Bakshi...
Amazon Launches Multi-Channel Fulfillment in Germany
Amazon has launched its Multi‑Channel Fulfillment (MCF) service in Germany, extending the program to brands that sell on Amazon and through direct‑to‑consumer channels. The service lets sellers store stock in Amazon’s fulfillment centers and use the same inventory for orders...
From Rebel Kid to Tamannaah Bhatia: The Celebrity Rush in Jewellery Biz
Ekatra Retail Ventures, co‑founded by Sussanne Khan and partners, entered India’s lab‑grown diamond jewellery market with a debut collection featuring the 108‑facet Shristi Ratna cut. The launch is backed by celebrities such as Jennifer Winget, influencer Rebel Kid, and filmmaker...
50 Buyers Snap Up New eCom Retention Vault
It's been a long time since @yojimmykim and I have launched anything new. 50 people grabbed the eCom Retention Vault in the first few hours. Didn't expect that. https://t.co/Nvu2sCggkD Thank you 🙏
Nestlé USA Enters At-Home Condiments Space with New Sauce Brand
Nestlé USA is launching Minor’s Kitchen, a chef‑inspired sauce line, marking the company’s first consumer culinary brand in the United States. The four‑flavor assortment—Lemon Garlic Aioli, Creamy Korean BBQ, Spicy Chili Truffle, and American Smokehouse—targets the fast‑growing at‑home condiment market,...
Costco Is Quietly Selling High-End Hoodies at Bargain Prices
Costco Canada quietly introduced Off‑White hoodies at CAD 85 (about USD 62), dramatically undercutting the label’s typical $700‑$800 price point. The limited‑run pieces, offered in white, blue and black, were constructed from heavyweight 470 gsm French cotton terry and manufactured in Vietnam rather than...
How to Make Your E-Commerce Product Visible to AI Agents? Use This New System Trusted by L’Oréal, Unilever, Mars &...
Azoma has launched the Agentic Merchant Protocol (AMP), a machine‑native framework that lets brands push product data directly to AI shopping agents. The system, already adopted by L’Oréal, Unilever, Mars and Beiersdorf, centralizes catalogs, enforces brand guidelines and promises measurable...