5 store concepts that debuted in 2025

From shop-in-shops to formats targeting Gen Z, retailers leaned into physical retail to win over consumers this year.

Creditors object to Schottenstein bid for bankrupt Value City Furniture owner

The bid for American Signature Inc. contemplates a liquidation and is bad for unsecured creditors, according to objections.

Pet Supplies Plus releases first mobile app

The app offers rewards access, push notifications and biometric login capabilities, as the retailer tries to create a more intuitive shopping experience.

New owner taps CEO for Office Depot, OfficeMax

Private equity firm Atlas Holdings on Wednesday completed its $1 billion acquisition of the struggling office supplies and services company.

Ruggable, Anthropologie team up on rug collection

The partnership includes seven tufted rugs and three doormats in varying sizes and is part of a broader distribution effort by the DTC brand.

L.L. Bean keeps opening more stores

With this year's seven new locations exceeding expectations, the outdoor retailer will add eight more in 2026 and plans at least that many in 2027.

Reporter’s notebook: New York City’s last department stores

A trek around the island of Manhattan at retail's busiest time of year.

Collectibles now make up nearly a third of GameStop’s sales

The category was the lone bright spot in the gaming retailer's top-line results, as hardware and software both declined.

How Gap is leveraging the brand’s Katseye success for the holidays

Global Chief Marketing Officer Fabiola Torres details the recent extension of “Give Your Gift,” a campaign that has generated over 30 million views since its November launch. 

Target unveils SoHo store concept featuring curated beauty, apparel

The updated New York City location aims to recapture the retailer’s merchandising authority with influencer-driven product edits and rotating styles.

Walmart debuts on Nasdaq

The stock market transfer “signals a strategic alignment with the tech-heavy exchange,” according to analysts. 

Gap’s supply chain productivity gains fuel holiday confidence

Technology upgrades in fulfillment centers and more rigorous inventory management have the company feeling strong amid the year-end retail rush.

Saks Global is stuck

The fourth quarter is pivotal for almost any retailer, but especially one that has a lot to prove to vendors, investors and customers. Some observers see a 2026 bankruptcy as inevitable.

Stitch Fix begins to stem active client losses as attention turns to personalization

Recent launches like Stitch Fix Vision and AI Style Assistant are attracting shoppers who stay with the company longer and spend more, execs say.

Bed Bath & Beyond, Brand House Collective appoint chief merchant

Nora Gomez has more than 20 years’ experience, most recently as the chief merchant at NFM, formerly known as Nebraska Furniture Mart.

Off-price retailers neutralize tariff impact

Inventory and pricing strategies helped TJX, Ross and Burlington protect margins in Q3, and they expect even greater success in Q4.

Skims ventures into live entertainment with shoppable TikTok livestream

The apparel brand co-founded by Kim Kardashian sought to draw inspiration from classic holiday variety shows for a 45-minute shopping experience.

Gap, beauty brand Summer Fridays launch apparel collab

The collection marks the DTC brand’s first foray into clothing — and a deeper alignment with the beauty category for Gap Inc.

The Weekly Closeout: Prada closes Versace deal and Somnigroup offers to buy a supplier

Capri Holdings completed a sale of the fashion brand for nearly $1.4 billion, and Somnigroup seeks to acquire Leggett & Platt.

Mango taps AI for sourcing quality, compliance

Using Inspectorio’s software, the retailer can digitize and standardize lab-testing analytics to drive supply chain improvements.

Saks Global sues to block Bergdorf chief merchant’s move to Nordstrom

The luxury company alleges that Yumi Shin violated her noncompete agreement, stole proprietary information and must give back nearly $50,000 in payouts.

Digital wallet use outpaces regulators

Consumers are increasingly turning to these mobile tools for convenience and new features, and regulators are trying to catch up.

Bed Bath & Beyond veteran returns as chief of stores

Glen Cary takes on the role at a company that may be similar in name, but is vastly different than the Bed Bath & Beyond he worked at for over a decade.

Retail job cuts up nearly 140% from last year

In the first 11 months of the year, the industry has recorded nearly 92,000 job cuts, with over 3,200 in November alone, according to Challenger, Gray and Christmas.

The running list of major retail bankruptcies

In the back half of 2025, At Home announced a bankruptcy exit plan, Claire’s filed and found a new owner, and American Signature entered Chapter 11 on the back of a “severe” housing market decline.

Updated Nov. 25, 2025