FINANCE

Sweetgreen files IPO; plans to double store footprint

Sweetgreen officially filed for its initial public offering, joined the growing list of restaurant chains entering the public arena.
Consumer confidence rises in October

Consumer confidence increased in October after three consecutive monthly declines.

Walmart expands financial services options in deal with Vanilla Direct

Walmart will let customers pay their bills or fund prepaid accounts with cash in its stores nationwide.
Allbirds targets $2 billion-plus valuation in IPO

Allbirds has high hopes for its initial public offering.
Lovesac scales to $1 billion with optimized core business processes

A modular furniture retailer is basing rapid growth on an integrated business platform.
Kite and RPAI merge to become a power in open-air centers

Big grocery-anchored center owner Kite Realty Group has closed its $7.5 billion merger with mixed-use project standout Retail Properties of America.
Tractor Supply posts strong Q3; business ‘has never been stronger’

Tractor Supply Co. reported its sixth consecutive quarter of double-digit comparable store sales growth amid rising sales and earnings and raised its guidance for the year.
NRF: Holiday spending will be on par with last year

Average consumer spend this holiday will lag behind pre-pandemic 2019 amid fewer non-gift purchases.
CGP Study: Holiday growth to slow amid rising energy prices, supply chain woes

Growing headwinds threaten to take a big bite out of holiday sales growth this year.
Deloitte: Holiday spending to rise but not among all consumers

Not all consumers will be increasing their holiday spend this year. In fact, some will be spending less.
Amazon: U.S. third-party sellers average over $200,000 in annual sales

Amazon is releasing its 2021 Small Business Empowerment Report, and the metrics look good for its 500,000-plus U.S. third-party selling partners.
Ulta to open 50 stores annually; promises faster delivery, invests in AI company

Ulta Beauty unveiled new initiatives and investments along with its long-term financial targets for fiscal 2022 through 2024 at its virtual analyst and investor conference on Tuesday.
Rent the Runway’s IPO targets up to $1.5 billion valuation

Rent the Runway has set the terms for its initial public offering.
Instacart acquires ‘smart cart’ provider Caper AI

Instacart is continuing its evolution into a technology platform with the purchase of an artificial intelligence-based shopping cart and checkout platform.

Coverage and analysis on finance news, including quarterly results, general retail sales and bankruptcy filings, for the retail channel brought to you by Chain Store Age.