News Briefs

Ace Hardware is marching forward with store expansion.

The Illinois-based hardware retail has opened 100 new stores so far this year, and is on pace to open more than 175 new locations by the end of 2025. Over the past five years, Ace has opened more than 930 new stores as it continues to expand its presence nationwide. The chain operates almost 5,200 retail stores in the United States.

Ace says its new store growth is fueled by a blend of existing retailers opening additional locations, competitor stores converting to the brand, and new entrepreneurs joining the cooperative for the first time. 

[READ MORE: Ace Hardware supports store fulfillment with new facility]

“This milestone reflects the continued strength of our local ownership model, our commitment to service, and the trust our customers place in Ace,” said Andy Enright, senior VP of retail strategy and operations at Ace Hardware. “Even in a world of rapid change, we believe that helpfulness, human connection and a commitment to community will always be at the center of enduring retail success.”

The 100th store opening of the year comes on the heels of Ace launching its debut retail media network, RedVest Media. The network aims to offer brand advertisers a retail media solution that includes onsite premium ads, search, and display; email and push messaging; in-store signage; and offsite programmatic display, video, connected TV and mobile ads.

Ace Hardware is the largest hardware cooperative in the world, serving more than 8,700 locally-owned and operated stores around the globe.

Bed Bath & Beyond is launching a brick-and-mortar comeback, but is skipping the nation’s most populated state.

Beyond Inc., parent of Bed Bath & Beyond, issued a statement from executive chairman Marcus Lemonis explaining the company’s decision to not open or operate stores in California, although online delivery will be available there. 

Beyond Inc. will change its corporate name to Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. and its common stock will begin trading under the ticker symbol BBBY on the New York Stock Exchange effective Friday, Aug. 29, 2025. The renewed brand will combine its billion-dollar BedBathandBeyond.com platform with localized stores offering curated assortments in small to midsize locations.

[READ MORE: Beyond to open Overstock stores, test BuyBuy Baby location]

In addition, during the next 24 months, the companies plan to convert additional Kirkland’s locations into small-to- midsize format Bed Bath & Beyond and buybuy Baby stores. Beyond Inc. entered into an agreement to acquire Kirkland’s intellectual property for $5 million in May 2025.

Victoria’s Secret has opened a new location in one of Miami Beach’s premier shopping strips.

The lingerie giant’s new flagship store spans 7,500 sq. ft., and is located on Lincoln Road, known for its upscale retail and restaurant offerings. After relocating from a nearby site, Victoria’s Secret secured a 12-year lease with Alta Real Estate Funds.

The flagship’s opening follows six months of extensive preparations, and represents a “major milestone” for both the retailer and Miami’s vibrant shopping district.

“Alto invests strategically in properties that elevate our portfolio, and Lincoln Road exemplifies such an asset,” said Yaniv Melamud, co-founder and CEO of Alto Real Estate Funds. “This long-term lease with Victoria’s Secret reinforces the value of this prime location and strengthens our presence on one of the most prestigious retail streets in the United States.”

[READ MORE: Victoria’s Secret names marketing chief; expects $10M Q2 hit from cyber breach]

At the end of its most recent quarter, Victoria’s Secret had a total of 1,387 stores, including 772 company-operated locations. 

Alto’s portfolio includes 79 properties and over 15 million sq. ft., with a focus on logistics centers and open-air retail.

Roti Modern Mediterranean is looking to expand its footprint.

The Eastern Mediterranean fast-casual chain, which currently operates 17 corporate-owned locations across Chicago, Washington D.C. and Minneapolis, is launching its debut franchising program. 

The chain says it is seeking entrepreneurs who are ready to enter the growing Mediterranean restaurant sector as the brand plans to expand through single and multi-unit franchise agreements. Roti is looking to expand in its current three markets, as well as enter Michigan, Ohio, the Carolinas, Georgia, Florida and Texas. 

Total investments for Roti franchising opportunities range from $494,300 to $813,700, including a $35,000 initial franchise fee that must be paid to the franchisor or affiliate. Franchisees are able to purchase development rights for a development fee equal to $35,000 plus a $15,000 deposit toward each additional restaurant's $35,000 franchise fee.

[READ MORE: Edible Arrangements partners for new online gifting platform]

"Expanding Roti's reach through franchising gives business owners the chance to be part of something big from the very start," said Somia Farid Silber, CEO of Edible Brands, which acquired Roti in February of this year. "Food is deeply personal, and with Roti, we're bringing flavors that connect cultures and create moments of belonging. As we grow as a platform company, we're driven by the question: What do people crave – not just to eat, but to experience? Bringing Roti into our portfolio as a franchise feels like the natural next chapter in that journey."

Based in Atlanta, Edible Brands is the parent company of Edible Arrangements, Edibles.com and Roti Modern Mediterranean.

A sizable chunk of shoppers are now utilizing artificial intelligence platforms while shopping – a trend that some brands and retailers are slow to respond to.

According to data from cross-channel marketing platform Cordial's latest report titled "Brands Battle for Attention as AI Redefines the Funnel," about one third of consumers now regularly use AI platforms like ChatGPT, Perplexity and Claude throughout their shopping journey, which includes discovering brands, researching products and making purchases. Millennial and Gen Z consumers are leading AI adoption at rates 33% and 11% higher than average, respectively.

Despite this increased use of the technology, almost half of all brands (47%) maintain minimal or no AI agent presence, while only 7% have developed comprehensive AI optimization strategies. Only 3% of brands, overall, have the ability to predict what customers actually want by leveraging behavioral data in real time, and just 7% have an advanced AI presence with enriched data, optimized content and direct integrations. This disconnect represents a massive blind spot, according to Cordial.

“We’re in a fundamentally different marketing landscape than we were just months ago,” said Rob Garf, head of strategy and insights at Cordial. “Consumers are more connected and shopping is more fragmented. AI has upended the traditional funnel as consumers increasingly embrace personal agents to discover and purchase products. Brands must break into these walled gardens by optimizing their data, AI and channels for a seamless and personalized experience wherever a consumer chooses to engage.”

[READ MORE: How to prepare for having shopping agents as your customers]

Cordial’s report combines Dynata survey results of 1,000 U.S. consumers and 30 marketing executives, fielded in July 2025.

A U.K.-based organic wellness products and aromatherapies brand is supporting global growth with fulfillment and transportation technology.

Seeking to expand its direct-to-consumer and business-to-business footprint beyond the U.K. and Europe into the U.S., Neom sough to implement a fulfillment and transportation infrastructure to enable global operations. The company selected 3PL and inventory management technology provider Radial to initially launch U.S. business-to-business sales, followed by direct-to-consumer sales the following year.

As a result of implementing Radial fulfillment and transportation solutions across both its business-to-business and direct-to-consumer U.S. operations, Neom obtained scalable functionality tailored to support its U.S. growth.

The company ships 90% of orders the same day, resulting in quicker delivery times with an average of 3.2 days in transit per order and a 100% fill rate for all orders processed using Radial technology.

Business-to-business orders are filled for eight different retail partners, and Noem projects 76% year-over-year sales growth in the U.S. In addition, Radial supports Neom’s B Corp certification by sourcing sustainable packaging solutions to its consumers.

Luxury handbag and accessories brand Brandon Blackwood also works with Radial to optimize the accuracy of direct-to-consumer orders and keep track of its broad SKU assortment.

[READ MORE: EXCLUSIVE Q&A: Brandon Blackwood optimizes inventory accuracy]