Retail News and Headlines

How Sundae Body Turned ‘Beige’ Body Wash Into a 3 Million–Unit Powerhouse
NewsFeb 24, 2026

How Sundae Body Turned ‘Beige’ Body Wash Into a 3 Million–Unit Powerhouse

Australian beauty brand Sundae Body has sold over 3 million units and expanded to 9,000 stores worldwide by treating brand as the operating system rather than a marketing afterthought. The company differentiates its body‑care line with sensory‑first formulas, candy‑colored packaging and...

By Inside Retail Australia
City Chic Pares Back Losses, but US Downscaling Weighs Down Sales
NewsFeb 24, 2026

City Chic Pares Back Losses, but US Downscaling Weighs Down Sales

City Chic Collective posted a modest improvement in profitability for the fiscal first half, with underlying EBITDA jumping 86% to $6.5 million and losses from continuing operations halving to $3.5 million. Global sales slipped 0.4% to $69.2 million, driven by a 31.4% plunge...

By Inside Retail Australia
Amazon Opens 2nd Largest Asia Office in Bengaluru for 7,000 Employees
NewsFeb 24, 2026

Amazon Opens 2nd Largest Asia Office in Bengaluru for 7,000 Employees

Amazon has opened its second‑largest office in Asia, a 12‑storey, 1.1 million‑square‑foot campus in Bengaluru that will house more than 7,000 employees across e‑commerce, payments, technology and seller services. The facility features flexible workspaces, extensive recreation amenities and sustainable building practices...

By ETRetail (India)
Behind the Resurgence: Zomato, Swiggy Regain Food Delivery Momentum in the Dec Quarter
NewsFeb 24, 2026

Behind the Resurgence: Zomato, Swiggy Regain Food Delivery Momentum in the Dec Quarter

India’s food‑delivery duopoly posted a strong rebound in the October‑December quarter, with Zomato’s gross order value climbing 21.3% and Swiggy’s rising 20.5%, both surpassing the 20% growth threshold. Monthly transacting users grew 21.5% to 24.9 million for Zomato and 18.1 million for...

By ETRetail (India)
Cotton On Accelerates India Growth with Apparel Group Partnership
NewsFeb 24, 2026

Cotton On Accelerates India Growth with Apparel Group Partnership

Cotton On Group has signed a licensing partnership with Apparel Group to accelerate its expansion in India. The agreement outlines a phased omnichannel rollout that will launch brick‑and‑mortar stores, a dedicated e‑commerce site, and presence on key digital marketplaces. Apparel...

By Inside Retail Asia
Inside Koala Eco’s Disciplined Push Into the US Natural Channel
NewsFeb 24, 2026

Inside Koala Eco’s Disciplined Push Into the US Natural Channel

Koala Eco, an Australian natural‑care brand, has moved beyond its US entry phase to a disciplined scaling strategy focused on profitable growth. Co‑founders Paul Davidson and Jessica Bragdon prioritize performance per door, deepening presence in premium natural retailers like Sprouts...

By Inside Retail Australia
Pull&Bear Closes Last Store in Singapore
NewsFeb 24, 2026

Pull&Bear Closes Last Store in Singapore

Pull&Bear has closed its last Singapore store at VivoCity, ending a 20‑year physical retail presence in the city‑state. The brand confirmed the shutdown on its website and directed returns to Zara’s VivoCity location. Inditex, Pull&Bear’s parent, has been trimming its...

By Inside Retail Asia
Marks & Spencer Looks Set to Exit the Philippines
NewsFeb 24, 2026

Marks & Spencer Looks Set to Exit the Philippines

Marks & Spencer’s Philippine franchise, operated by the former Rustan’s Group now owned by SSI Group, has shuttered several key locations, cutting its footprint from over 20 stores to 13. Recent closures at TriNoma, Robinsons Manila, Marquee Mall and possibly...

By Inside Retail Asia
Westfield Operator Scentre Group Grows Income for Fifth Consecutive Year
NewsFeb 24, 2026

Westfield Operator Scentre Group Grows Income for Fifth Consecutive Year

Scentre Group, operator of 42 Westfield malls in Australia and New Zealand, reported its fifth year of consecutive growth in 2025. Customer visits rose 2.7% to 540 million, occupancy reached 99.8%, and business partner sales hit $30 billion. Funds from operations increased 4.9%...

By Inside Retail Australia
Why Tumi Is Doubling Down on Function as Asia Travels Again
NewsFeb 24, 2026

Why Tumi Is Doubling Down on Function as Asia Travels Again

Tumi has relaunched its Alpha collection, positioning it as a performance‑driven luxury line built for modern movement. The brand’s global campaign, fronted by Lando Norris and Chinese actor Wei Daxun, stresses purpose‑filled travel. In Asia‑Pacific, Tumi tailors its approach: Hong...

By Inside Retail Australia
How Freedom Furniture Is Turning Casual Browsers Into Loyal Customers
NewsFeb 24, 2026

How Freedom Furniture Is Turning Casual Browsers Into Loyal Customers

Freedom Furniture is leveraging AI to unify its omnichannel retail experience, from discovery to post‑sale service. By expanding its catalog from 12,000 to over 70,000 SKUs through a dropship model, the retailer relies on AI‑driven search and recommendation engines that...

By Inside Retail Australia
Adore Beauty Sales Soar but Black Friday ‘Overperformance’ Hurts Profits
NewsFeb 24, 2026

Adore Beauty Sales Soar but Black Friday ‘Overperformance’ Hurts Profits

Adore Beauty posted an 8.7% year‑on‑year revenue increase to $111.9 million, delivering a record underlying EBITDA of $4.1 million, up 14.5%. The strong Black Friday‑Cyber Monday sales drove a 120‑basis‑point dip in gross profit margin, falling to 35% as discounting intensified. The...

By Inside Retail Australia
7-Eleven Bets Australia Can Prove Global Convenience Model
NewsFeb 24, 2026

7-Eleven Bets Australia Can Prove Global Convenience Model

7‑Eleven Australia aims to reach 1,000 stores by 2030 after Seven & I Holdings’ $1.7 billion acquisition. The Japanese parent is using the market as a testbed for its food‑led convenience format, emphasizing fresh meals and private‑label items over traditional fuel...

By Inside Retail Australia
Yes, Dunkin’s Massive 48-Ounce Coffee Bucket Is Real: List of Sightings Grows at Locations in Multiple States
NewsFeb 23, 2026

Yes, Dunkin’s Massive 48-Ounce Coffee Bucket Is Real: List of Sightings Grows at Locations in Multiple States

Dunkin' is piloting a 48‑ounce coffee bucket, a giant iced latte served in a plastic container resembling a garden tool, at select stores in New Hampshire and Massachusetts. The concept emerged after smaller coffee shops sparked a social‑media craze for oversized...

By Fast Company  Retail
T-Beauty: The Rise of Taiwan's Unsung Beauty Movement
NewsFeb 23, 2026

T-Beauty: The Rise of Taiwan's Unsung Beauty Movement

Taiwan’s beauty sector, long known for OEM and ODM production, is emerging as a distinct consumer‑facing movement dubbed T‑beauty. The island is gaining global recognition for dermatological and scalp‑care brands, as well as technically precise makeup innovations. Industry leaders such...

By Cosmetics Business
Seafood Surveillance Goes High-Tech
NewsFeb 23, 2026

Seafood Surveillance Goes High-Tech

Seafood operators are adopting high‑tech traceability systems that assign digital identities and monitor temperature throughout the supply chain. By using QR codes, cloud platforms and sensor‑based cold‑chain monitoring, retailers can verify species, harvest location, and freshness in real time. These...

By Supermarket News
Walmart Data Ventures Launches Scintilla In-Store Platform
NewsFeb 23, 2026

Walmart Data Ventures Launches Scintilla In-Store Platform

Walmart Data Ventures unveiled Scintilla In-Store, a mobile platform that fuses live inventory data, actionable metrics, and supplier‑assigned tasks for field representatives. The app replaces the former Volt system and aims to cut out‑of‑stock situations while improving planogram compliance at...

By Mass Market Retailers
EXCLUSIVE: Milk Makeup Appoints Frank B as Global Artistic Director
NewsFeb 23, 2026

EXCLUSIVE: Milk Makeup Appoints Frank B as Global Artistic Director

Milk Makeup announced that Frank Buscarello, known as Frank B, has been appointed global artistic director, reporting to CMO Diana Briceno. The founder‑family insider brings decades of luxury fashion campaign experience and a non‑traditional graffiti background to the role. His mandate...

By WWD
QXO Names New Chief Sales Officer
NewsFeb 23, 2026

QXO Names New Chief Sales Officer

QXO has appointed Taylor Sommer as its new chief sales officer, bringing nearly three decades of experience in building high‑performance sales organizations. Sommer most recently served as executive vice president and chief sales officer at Republic National Distributing Company, where he...

By Hardware Retailing
Buzz Around Opening of New Honey Outlet at Denver International Airport
NewsFeb 23, 2026

Buzz Around Opening of New Honey Outlet at Denver International Airport

Denver International Airport has opened its first long‑term retail outlet for Björn Colorado Honey, a Colorado specialty brand. The store, designed by local firm Neoera, features a Scandinavian‑inspired café with honey‑infused beverages and premium honey tastings. Situated in Concourse C...

By Airport World
Frozen Food Is Becoming the Main Dish at Home
NewsFeb 23, 2026

Frozen Food Is Becoming the Main Dish at Home

The fourth edition of the “Power of Frozen in Retail” report shows frozen foods have moved from a side option to a core component of American meal planning. Usage rose to 40% of shoppers buying frozen every few days or...

By Supermarket News
Data to Decisions in an Instant
NewsFeb 23, 2026

Data to Decisions in an Instant

Retail executives at the FMI Midwinter Conference warned that the rise of agentic commerce will collapse the traditional lag between data collection and purchasing decisions. Generative AI agents embedded in phones and devices will make instant, autonomous buying choices, shifting...

By Mass Market Retailers
The Anatomy of Perfect Content: How Marketers Can Reach Consumers in the AI Era
NewsFeb 23, 2026

The Anatomy of Perfect Content: How Marketers Can Reach Consumers in the AI Era

The Expedia Group Advertising "Science of Wanderlust" study surveyed over 7,000 consumers and used eye‑tracking to pinpoint the creative elements that cut through today’s AI‑saturated content stream. It found video drives purchase intent three times more than static images, while...

By Modern Retail
IKKS Belgium Bankrupt, Dozens of Jobs at Risk
NewsFeb 23, 2026

IKKS Belgium Bankrupt, Dozens of Jobs at Risk

The Belgian arm of French fashion retailer IKKS has been declared bankrupt, prompting the closure of about a dozen company‑owned stores and putting dozens of jobs at risk. While franchise locations may continue operating, the subsidiary’s failure follows a broader...

By Retail Detail (EU)
KFC Is Piloting Two Value Platforms
NewsFeb 23, 2026

KFC Is Piloting Two Value Platforms

KFC is testing two distinct value platforms in Ohio and Florida from late February through March, offering flat‑rate bundles at $8 and $10 respectively. The Ohio market provides an everyday all‑day menu with choices of tenders, wings or nuggets, while...

By Nation’s Restaurant News (NRN)
What Retailers Need to Know About AI-Powered Pricing
NewsFeb 23, 2026

What Retailers Need to Know About AI-Powered Pricing

Retailers are embracing electronic shelf labels that enable AI‑driven dynamic pricing, allowing prices to adjust in real time based on material costs, competitor rates, inventory and demand signals. Machine‑learning models replace static price cycles, delivering 2‑4 % margin gains and reducing...

By Grocery Dive
Sprouts Announces 2 Key C-Suite Appointments
NewsFeb 23, 2026

Sprouts Announces 2 Key C-Suite Appointments

Sprouts Farmers Market announced two senior‑level hires, appointing Amanda Rassi as its inaugural Chief Customer Officer and Don Clark as Chief Merchandising Officer, succeeding retiring executive Scott Neal. Rassi arrives with more than two decades of CPG and retail marketing...

By Grocery Dive
What Amazon’s Big-Box Move Means for Retail Media and Brands
NewsFeb 23, 2026

What Amazon’s Big-Box Move Means for Retail Media and Brands

Amazon is opening its largest ever big‑box store, a move framed as a physical challenge to Walmart and Costco but primarily a data play. The new footprint expands Amazon’s ability to observe shopper behavior, serve retail media ads, and claim...

By Total Retail
Gow’s Home Hardware Partners With The Brick for Expanded Furniture and Appliance Selection
NewsFeb 23, 2026

Gow’s Home Hardware Partners With The Brick for Expanded Furniture and Appliance Selection

Gow’s Home Hardware in Bridgewater, Nova Scotia, announced a partnership with The Brick that will bring the furniture and mattress retailer inside its existing store. The Brick will operate as a franchise within Gow’s hardware space, launching in spring 2026. Dealer‑owner Amanda...

By Hardware Retailing
White Cap Completes Acquisition of Colony Hardware
NewsFeb 23, 2026

White Cap Completes Acquisition of Colony Hardware

White Cap, a leading distributor of specialty construction supplies, completed its acquisition of Colony Hardware on February 6, 2026. Colony adds over 60 locations across 20 Eastern and Central states, expanding White Cap’s geographic footprint. The deal merges Colony’s same‑day delivery and...

By Hardware Retailing
Meet Every Shopper Where They Are: The Retail Imperative for Multimodal, Accessible Self-Service
NewsFeb 23, 2026

Meet Every Shopper Where They Are: The Retail Imperative for Multimodal, Accessible Self-Service

Self-service technology now appears in checkout lanes, lockers, ordering tablets, and payment devices across retail environments. Many of these systems remain single‑mode, assuming shoppers can see, hear, and touch without assistance, which excludes a growing segment of customers. Multimodal, accessible...

By Retail TouchPoints
Saks Saved with 1 Billion Dollar Emergency Loan
NewsFeb 23, 2026

Saks Saved with 1 Billion Dollar Emergency Loan

Saks Global secured a $1 billion emergency loan, part of a $1.75 billion financing package approved by a Houston court. The package also refinances existing debt and aims to stabilize the retailer's supply chain. Supplier approval was secured, allowing the deal to...

By Retail Detail (EU)
ZigZag Partners with Vinted Go to Meet Rising Demand for Locker Returns
NewsFeb 23, 2026

ZigZag Partners with Vinted Go to Meet Rising Demand for Locker Returns

ZigZag has integrated Vinted Go into its carrier library, extending its out‑of‑home (OOH) returns network to more than 14,000 locker and shop locations across France, the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain and Portugal. The partnership gives ZigZag‑connected retailers immediate access to Vinted...

By ChannelX (formerly Tamebay)
AI-Powered Video Analytics: A Force Multiplier for Retail Security and Operations
NewsFeb 23, 2026

AI-Powered Video Analytics: A Force Multiplier for Retail Security and Operations

Retailers are rapidly adopting AI‑powered video analytics to strengthen loss‑prevention and streamline operations. The technology automatically flags suspicious behavior, recognizes license plates linked to organized retail crime, and provides searchable video clips via natural‑language queries, cutting investigation time dramatically. Integrated,...

By Total Retail
Asda Opticians Announces Store Investment and Strengthens Leadership Team
NewsFeb 23, 2026

Asda Opticians Announces Store Investment and Strengthens Leadership Team

Asda Opticians is committing £2.5 million to upgrade its optical estate, refit 18 stores and modernise diagnostic equipment. The investment also funds a new suite of technical, leadership and personal‑development training, plus a third Level 6 Dispensing Optician apprenticeship cohort beginning September 2026....

By The Retail Bulletin (UK)
Experiential Marketing Trend of the Week: Tarot Card Readings
NewsFeb 23, 2026

Experiential Marketing Trend of the Week: Tarot Card Readings

A Pew Research survey shows 30% of U.S. adults consult astrology, tarot or fortune tellers at least yearly, fueling a surge in experiential marketing that leverages cartomancy for personalization. Brands such as Netflix, Pandora and Hendrick’s Gin have turned tarot...

By Multichannel Merchant
K-Beauty Brand Anua Partners with EL&N Cafe on Sweet Treat Deal
NewsFeb 23, 2026

K-Beauty Brand Anua Partners with EL&N Cafe on Sweet Treat Deal

K‑beauty brand Anua has teamed up with luxury UK café chain EL&N to launch a limited‑edition Honey Glaze Cake that comes with a complimentary Anua skin‑care duo. The cake, priced at £8.50, includes coconut frangipane, peach jelly glaze, mousse and...

By Cosmetics Business
Calvin Klein Fragrances Taps Singer Rosalía as Face of Euphoria Elixirs Collection
NewsFeb 23, 2026

Calvin Klein Fragrances Taps Singer Rosalía as Face of Euphoria Elixirs Collection

Calvin Klein Fragrances, owned by Coty, has appointed Spanish singer Rosalía as the ambassador for its newly launched Euphoria Elixirs collection. The line adds three intense eau de parfum variants—Solar, Magnetic and Bold—each built around a high‑concentration vanilla base and...

By Cosmetics Business
Opinion: The Era of Discernment – Why Beauty’s Retail Future Is in Feeling, Not Following
NewsFeb 23, 2026

Opinion: The Era of Discernment – Why Beauty’s Retail Future Is in Feeling, Not Following

Beauty sales rose in 2025, yet consumer confidence remains low, signaling a nuanced market shift. Luxury shoppers now prioritize value and performance over brand logos, often pairing high‑end items with affordable alternatives. This “shopping high and low” behavior reflects a...

By Cosmetics Business
Estée Lauder Eyes M&A Opportunities to Help Turnaround, CEO Says
NewsFeb 23, 2026

Estée Lauder Eyes M&A Opportunities to Help Turnaround, CEO Says

Estée Lauder’s new CEO Stéphane de La Faverie says the company is actively exploring acquisitions to accelerate its turnaround. The strategy includes scaling emerging brands, shedding under‑performing assets, and leveraging strong early‑year fragrance sales in China. While the stock has risen over 50 percent...

By The Business of Fashion (BoF)
Beauty’s Biggest Brand Closures and Administration Troubles in 2026 so Far
NewsFeb 23, 2026

Beauty’s Biggest Brand Closures and Administration Troubles in 2026 so Far

The beauty sector has faced a wave of closures and insolvencies in early 2026, with Malin + Goetz shutting all UK stores, AS Beauty pulling the plug on CoverFX and Mally Beauty, and Claire’s UK entering administration again. Rumors suggest Gwen Stefani’s Gxve Beauty has folded...

By Cosmetics Business
New Data Shows Mid-Market Fashion Outpacing Luxury in Sector Growth
NewsFeb 23, 2026

New Data Shows Mid-Market Fashion Outpacing Luxury in Sector Growth

Lectra’s Retviews data shows mid‑market fashion brands raised prices up to 50% in Europe for FW25 and doubled them in the US, overtaking luxury as the sector’s growth engine. Price gains span denim, winter footwear, coats, jackets, handbags and accessories,...

By Just Style
From Hobby to Omnichannel Success: How Les Jumelles Is Coloring the Belgian Fashion World
NewsFeb 23, 2026

From Hobby to Omnichannel Success: How Les Jumelles Is Coloring the Belgian Fashion World

Les Jumelles, founded by Magalie Aerts as a garage‑based webshop ten years ago, has grown into an omnichannel fashion brand with three flagship stores in Belgium and a thriving online channel that generates 60‑70% of sales. The company emphasizes personalized...

By Retail Detail (EU)
Are We at Risk of Beauty Pop-Up Fatigue?
NewsFeb 23, 2026

Are We at Risk of Beauty Pop-Up Fatigue?

Beauty brands have long leveraged pop‑up events to generate buzz, but the tactic has become ubiquitous, filling social feeds with cafés, trucks, and immersive experiences. Companies like MCoBeauty now use pop‑ups primarily to build community and credibility rather than drive...

By Cosmetics Business
Renewed Sense of Confidence Feeds Through Into eBay Q4 2025 Earnings
NewsFeb 23, 2026

Renewed Sense of Confidence Feeds Through Into eBay Q4 2025 Earnings

eBay reported a full‑year GMV of roughly $80 billion, up 6% globally and nearly 10% in the United States, marking a return to double‑digit growth. Focus categories such as fashion and refurbished tech drove over 12% GMV expansion and now account...

By ChannelX (formerly Tamebay)
Walmart and UK Grocers Report Parallel Q4 Strength Despite Differing Retail Landscapes
NewsFeb 23, 2026

Walmart and UK Grocers Report Parallel Q4 Strength Despite Differing Retail Landscapes

Walmart posted a 5.6% revenue increase and a 10.8% rise in operating income for Q4 FY26, driven by a 27% jump in U.S. e‑commerce and 24% global digital sales growth. The retailer also saw advertising revenue surge 37%, with Walmart...

By InternetRetailing
ShinWon Calls for Data-Driven Supply Chain Approach at OECD Paris
NewsFeb 23, 2026

ShinWon Calls for Data-Driven Supply Chain Approach at OECD Paris

ShinWon’s corporate‑strategy VP Eunice Kim spoke at the OECD Forum in Paris, highlighting the company’s data‑driven supply‑chain approach. She detailed how real‑time production dashboards, integrated ERP systems, and daily monitoring of line efficiency, capacity and absenteeism enable dynamic scheduling and...

By Just Style
[EBook] Winning the Shelf Playbook
NewsFeb 23, 2026

[EBook] Winning the Shelf Playbook

Tastewise’s new eBook, “Winning the Shelf Playbook,” argues that point‑of‑sale data alone can no longer secure shelf space in 2026. Brands must leverage real‑time consumer signals—claims, usage occasions, prep contexts, and basket behavior—to craft SKU stories that resonate with empowered...

By Food Industry Executive
Pro:Direct Sport Unveils World-First PD:FC Concept Store in Manchester
NewsFeb 23, 2026

Pro:Direct Sport Unveils World-First PD:FC Concept Store in Manchester

Pro:Direct Sport launched the world‑first PD:FC concept store in Manchester, a two‑floor, 9,180 sq ft flagship on New Cathedral Street inside the Arndale centre. The immersive space blends the brand’s online heritage with performance‑driven retail, featuring a 3D foot‑scanning machine and curated...

By A1 Retail Magazine (UK)