It’s been another week with far more retail news than there is time in the day. Below, we break down some things you may have missed during the week and what we’re still thinking about.
From net sales falling in Q3 at Designer Brands to an (almost) six-foot Q-Tip, here’s our closeout for the week.
What you may have missed
Anthropologie lands at Walmart — kind of
Anthropologie is joining Starbucks and Chipotle as part of Walmart’s home office retail lineup. Adding local, regional and national stores and services to its headquarters in Bentonville, Arkansas, is a way the company is emphasizing convenience and connection, the big box retailer said Wednesday. It marks Anthroplogie’s first location in Northwest Arkansas.
"Anthropologie’s planned arrival, along with the full mix of businesses coming to our new Home Office, reflects our commitment to delight our associates and the Bentonville community with new-to-market concepts," Cindi Marsiglio, senior vice president of corporate real estate at Walmart, said in a statement. "By bringing in brands like Anthropologie, we’re creating vibrant spaces that create lively weeknight and weekend experiences lasting beyond the workday.”
Pet Supplies Plus and Wag N’ Wash become independent
Pet Supplies Plus and Wag N’ Wash announced Monday that they have split from parent company Franchise Group. The reorganization formally separates the brands as their own identity, according to a press release by the companies.
Pet Supplies Plus acquired Wag N’ Wash for an undisclosed sum in 2022.
Last year, Franchise Group, which then owned Pet Supplies Plus, The Vitamin Shoppe and Buddy’s Home Furnishing, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The company exited bankruptcy seven months later, operating only Pet Supplies Plus and Buddy’s Home Furnishings.
Retail therapy
Not quite six-foot long Q-tips swabs
The Q-tips brand debuted $35 six-foot swabs “Quge-tips,” per a Tuesday press release. However, the product listing (which says they’re sold out) notes they’re actually 5 foot 8 inches tall.
"Our customers use Q-tips swabs in many different ways throughout their days – from beauty routines to home repairs – and many have even asked for bigger, longer, more task-specific cotton swabs," Q-tips Marketing Director Olga Alpeter said in statement. "Quge-tips is our lighthearted take on that feedback, celebrating creativity and reminding everyone that even a classic can still surprise you."
What we’re thinking about
3.2%
That’s how much net sales fell at Designer Brands in Q3, according to a Tuesday press release. Comps also declined, by 2.4%, though CEO Doug Howe touted “positive momentum” that has kept up into Q4. Operating profit improved across the company’s portfolio, reaching $42.7 million, and net income also grew year over year. Howe said on a call with analysts that strong cash flow allowed the company to pay down $47 million in debt in the period.
"Our third quarter performance represents another meaningful step forward in our transformation, as we demonstrated continued sequential improvement across multiple financial and operating metrics," Howe said in a statement.
What we’re watching
Consumers lean more on BNPL this season, which could spell trouble ahead
As holiday shopping winds down, consumers’ finances appear to be in decent shape, with little sign that they’re over-relying on credit cards or buy now pay later options, according to research released Tuesday by Bank of America Institute economists.
In November, spending via credit and debit cards rose 1.3% compared to last year, down from 2.4% in October, with the use of credit versus debit about the same. However, reliance on buy now, pay later ticked up.
At the moment, Bank of America economists believe this could be as much about convenience as about resorting to credit to pay for purchases.
However, research from marketing intelligence platform Sooth suggests that BNPL default rates could surge as much as 50% in the first quarter of 2026. Nearly three-quarters of consumers expect to carry holiday-related debt into next year, with 17% of them saying it could take more than six months to pay it off, Sooth also found.
