News Briefs

Etsy, Inc. has made two leadership appointments.

The operator of online marketplaces has named Rafe Colburn as chief technology officer of Etsy, effective May 5. He currently serves as chief technology and product officer of Etsy’s fashion resale marketplace, Depop.

Prior to Depop, Colburn spent nearly 10 years at Etsy, where he led engineering teams during periods of significant growth and transformation across a wide range of critical areas, including ads, marketing technology, seller experience, trust & safety, localization and translation, and customer support. 

"During his time at both Depop and Etsy, Rafe has proven he can set a technical strategy that enables us to scale our impact and connect more buyers with our global community of sellers,”  said Josh Silverman, CEO of Etsy. “He has a clear vision for creating shopping experiences that are highly differentiated, personalized, and relevant.”

Additionally, Peter Semple has been appointed interim CEO of Depop, effective May 5. Semple currently serves as chief marketing officer of Depop and has been with the brand since 2019. He will lead Depop on an interim basis until the company identifies its next leader.

[READ MORE: Etsy names new growth, finance, marketing leaders]

As previously announced, Depop's current CEO, Kruti Patel Goyal, is transitioning to the role of president and chief growth officer at Etsy. 

In addition to its namesake brand and Depop, Etsy’s portfolio includes Reverb, the largest online marketplace dedicated to music gear.

Liquidation sales are underway at all Forever 21 stores as the chain is set to end operations.

The fashion retailer of women's, men's, and children's apparel and accessories, is holding going-out-of-business sales at all of the chain’s roughly 360 stores in the United States, as well as online. Earlier this month, F21 OpCo (Forever 21’s operator) filed for bankruptcy protection, citing strong competition from online retailers Shein and Temu. It was the chain's second filing in six years.

[READ MORE: Forever 21 files for bankruptcy, to wind down operations]

All Forever 21 inventory is significantly discounted, offering savings of up to 60% off the lowest marked prices. Store fixtures and equipment are also available for purchase. Hilco Consumer-Retail is managing these sales in a joint venture with Gordon Brothers and SB360.

RCS Real Estate Advisors has been retained by Forever 21 to market and sell its U.S. lease portfolio, which includes approximately 360 store leases across major markets. Store sizes range from 4,000 to 150,000 sq. ft., with an average size of approximately 21,000 sq. ft.

Forever 21 filed for bankruptcy in 2019 and was acquired by a consortium of parties including Authentic Brands Group, Simon Property Group and Brookfield Property Partners.  

One of the pioneers of fast-fashion, the chain was founded in Los Angeles in 1984 by South Korean immigrants. By 2016, it was operating around 800 stores globally, including about 500 in the U.S.

Uniqlo is offering customers more than apparel at its New York City flagship.

The global apparel retailer, part of Japan’s Fast Retailing Co., has opened a coffee shop inside its store on Manhattan’s Fifth Avenue. It’s Uniqlo’s first in-store coffee shop in North America, with several other locations open across the world.

Uniqlo Coffee New York's menu includes coffee drinks, espresso and other beverages along with “sweet treats.”

[READ MORE: Uniqlo plans slate of new Canadian stores]

The retailer said it is potentially looking into opening more coffee shop locations in the U.S., but will first listen to customers and collect their feedback to ensure it can meet their expectations in the 5th Avenue location.

Madison Reed has named a new marketing chief.

The beauty brand known for its innovative hair color products has named Sheila Shekar Pollak as chief marketing officer. Her appointment comes as Madison Reed continues to expand its offerings and omnichannel footprint, which now includes 92 locations. 

Most recently, from 2022 to 2025, Pollak served as chief brand officer of outdoor apparel and good retailer Orvis. She also spent more than nine years at Athleta, including serving as chief marketing officer from 2018 to 2020. Pollak also served in executive positions at Gap and Banana Republic. 

"Sheila's extensive experience and proven impact in the marketing industry perfectly align with the growing needs of Madison Reed," said Amy Errett, CEO and founder of Madison Reed. "Beyond her expertise, it's her unwavering passion, courage, and leadership that she brings to our beautiful team and community. Sheila embodies our mission and values in everything she does, and we are excited for her to drive the momentum as she shapes the future of our marketing strategy."

With Pollak's appointment, Brad Lande-Shannon, who has had dual-role as Madison Reed's chief people officer and chief marketing officer, will continue to serve as chief people officer.

Dollarama Inc. is expanding into new geographies.

The Canadian value retailer has entered into an agreement to acquire The Reject Shop Limited in an all-cash transaction valued at C$233 million. The largest discount retailer in Australia, The Reject Shop more than 390 locations across the country, selling private-label and brand-name products. 

"Identifying the right opportunity to expand into new geographies and build on our track record as a leading value retailer in Canada and Latin America has been a key objective for the Dollarama team,” said Neil Rossy, president and CEO of Dollarama, which has 1,601 locations across Canada and two territories. “With this acquisition, we have a unique and compelling opportunity to bring our differentiated value proposition to a new market which presents a clear path for growth through an established platform.”

Headquartered in Melbourne, The Reject Shop had consolidated sales (C$779 million) for the year ended December 29, 2024. Dollarama said it sees the potential to expand the chain’s  footprint to approximately 700 stores by 2034. 

“Together, we will leverage our core strengths as value retailers with best-in-class merchandising, sourcing and operational expertise,” Rossy said. “With compatible cultures and values, we are confident that the business will have an exciting future as Dollarama's new and complementary growth platform.”

The transaction is expected to close in the second half of 2025.

Meijer is set to open another small-format, neighborhood market grocery store in its home state.

The retailer will unveil Independence Market on April 30. Located in Clarkston, Mich., the 50,000-sq.-ft. store is intended to serve customers from Clarkston and all of Independence Township.

Independence Market will feature a large assortment of grocery items, including fresh meat and deli items, fresh produce, pet food and supplies, health and beauty items. It will carry Meijer and national brand items, as well as thousands of local products

Additionally, the store will feature a floral and gift shop, bakery, and a cafe space offering coffee and Latin street food from local favorite Honcho.

Independence Market is similar to other small-format neighborhood market stores Meijer has opened under various banners in Michigan, including Bridge Street Market in Grand Rapids, Capital City Market in Lansing and Rivertown Market in Detroit.

"Independence Market is committed to serving our new neighbors with value and convenience that makes it easy to get in and out quickly," said Independence Market store director Robert Lajcaj. "Our team has been working hard to get the store ready to open with a great assortment of local and national brand products and we can't wait to welcome our neighbors next month."

[READ MORE: Meijer expanding in May — here’s where]

Based in Grand Rapids, Mich., Meijer operates more than 500 supercenters, grocery stores, neighborhood markets, and express locations throughout the Midwest.