News Briefs

An online fast delivery platform is streamlining the process of ordering items for multiple customers in a single delivery.

Based in Philadelphia, Gopuff operates hundreds of micro-fulfillment centers servicing thousands of U.S. cities, providing fast delivery (in as little as minutes) of immediate everyday needs, including cleaning and home products, over-the-counter medications, food, beverages and, in some markets, alcohol.

[READ MORE: Gopuff launches 20-minute delivery]

Gopuff is now introducing GoGroup. This new feature enables multiple customers to seamlessly add items to a shared cart, then have everything delivered in a single order in as fast as 15 minutes. 

Starting Friday, Feb. 7, 2025, members of the Gopuff FAM paid membership program have exclusive early access to GoGroup. 

How it works:

1. To start a group order, customers click the GoGroup button on the top right-hand side of the Gopuff homepage and enter a group order name (e.g. “Go Birds!”).
2. Group orders can be shared via QR code or link, allowing others to join instantly. Collaborators will be taken to their Gopuff app or invited to create a Gopuff account.
3. Collaborators who accept the group invitation can start adding items to the cart GoGroup will automatically set all collaborators’ addresses to the owner’s address, ensuring they see only the items available at that local micro-fulfillment center.
4. The group owner can see the full order, organized by each person’s additions, make adjustments, add coupons or discount code(s), and check out when ready. Once the order is placed, the group owner can also share a link to the order status page with their collaborators. Owners will be charged for the full order.

A wider rollout to all customers will follow.

(Photo Credit: Business Wire)

President Trump is restoring an exemption from duties and taxes on lower-value goods he previously revoked from Chinese imports.

In an executive order, Trump amended a section of his previous executive order placing a 10% tariff on imports from China that also said no shipments from China would be eligible for the de minimis exception, which exempts imported shipments with an aggregate value of less than $800 from having to pay tariffs.

The exception also allows these shipments to enter the U.S. while revealing less information about the contents than other imported shipments.

Trump is now reverting to U.S. policy on de minimis shipments established by President Biden in September 2024.The Biden administration used executive authority to exclude from the de minimis exemption all shipments containing products covered by tariffs imposed under Sections 201 or 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, or Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962. 

[READ MORE: Biden targets Temu and Shein with action on low-cost Chinese shipments]

Section 301 tariffs cover approximately 40% of U.S. imports, including 70% of textile and apparel imports from China. 

CNBC previously reported that Shein and Temu, low-priced shopping apps  paid no import duties in 2022 due to de minimis exemption claims, and a 2023 report from the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party found that the two companies likely generate almost half of all de minimis shipments to the U.S. from China.

DoorDash is expanding its SNAP/EBT program to include a handful of new merchants.

Wakefern Food Corp. (ShopRite, The Fresh Grocer, Price Rite Marketplace, Fairway Market and Gourmet Garage banners), Southeastern Grocers (Harveys Supermarket and Winn-Dixie stores) and BJ’s Wholesale Club now accept SNAP/EBT benefits as payment on the DoorDash Marketplace.

DoorDash says approximately 1.8 million consumers have added their SNAP/EBT cards to their DoorDash accounts since it launched support for the payments in 2023, and 93% of monthly active consumers on DoorDash have access to at least one store accepting SNAP on the platform.

“Our network of stores that accept SNAP/EBT online payments on the DoorDash Marketplace has grown to over 15,000 across the United States,” said Fuad Hannon, VP of new verticals at DoorDash. “We’re proud to offer online grocery delivery to SNAP beneficiaries, helping them access fresh, affordable food regardless of their circumstances – whether they face time constraints, limited transportation, or mobility challenges. The addition of SNAP/EBT payments to these partners on DoorDash underscores our ongoing commitment to breaking down barriers to food access nationwide.”

[READ MORE: DoorDash customers gain access to Ibotta discounts]

In addition to adding new retailers, DoorDash also recently introduced a new, one-year discounted DashPass plan for SNAP/EBT recipients. Eligible consumers who sign up for the plan can enjoy one year of DashPass benefits, including $0 delivery fees and reduced service fees on eligible orders, exclusive offers and more, for just $4.99/month.

A spate of JCPenney-leased properties are hitting the market.

Hilco JCP, LLC, an affiliate of Hilco Real Estate, LLC and manager of Copper Property CTL Pass Through Trust, have recently announced that the trust is selling 121 net-leased JCPenney properties located across 35 states, representing more than 16 million sq. ft. 

The majority of the portfolio's properties are strategically located in major metropolitan areas surrounding such cities as Austin, Miami, Houston, Los Angeles, and New York, with 50% of the portfolio assets located in the high-growth Sunbelt region.

Hilco says the JCPenney-anchored real estate portfolio is the subject of an absolute, triple net long-term master lease with the sole tenant. JCPenney is owned in a joint venture comprised of two of the largest retail mall owners in the U.S.: Simon Property Group and Brookfield Asset Management. 

[READ MORE: JCPenney, SPARC merge to form Catalyst Brands; Forever 21 exploring options]

Hilco has chosen Newmark's national retail capital markets team to market this portfolio. A call-for-offers date has been set for Feb. 26, 2025. For sale details, click here.

Headquartered in Plano, Texas, JCPenney operates an e-commerce site and more than 650 stores in the U.S. and Puerto Rico.

Liberated Brands has started winding down its U.S. operations.

The sports, outdoor and lifestyle apparel company — which operates brands that include Volcom, Billabong, Quiksilver, Roxy and more — has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, blaming fast-fashion rivals and other economic factors for its financial downfall.

Gordon Brothers has begun closing sales at all 122 Quiksilver, Roxy, Honolua Surf, RVCA, Beachworks, Becker Surfboards, ZJ Boarding House, Spyder and Boardriders store locations under Liberated Brands’ retail fleet in the U.S.

Gordon Brothers is also offering the wholesale inventory from Liberated Brands’ business-to-business platform, including Volcom, Billabong, Quiksilver, ROXY, Honolua Surf, RVCA Spyder and Captain Fin Co. The available merchandise includes men’s, women’s and children’s apparel and accessories.

“We’re excited to bring the merchandise from these popular brands to market,” said Mollie Bailey, director of merchandising at Gordon Brothers. “This sale offers a unique opportunity for retailers to acquire in-demand branded products to enhance their store inventory assortment.”

In addition, Gordon Brothers is providing real estate advisory services to Liberated Brands, including a strategic portfolio review to analyze and maximize the value of the company’s store leases. The leases available nationwide provide an opportunity for retailers looking to expand their real estate portfolios in prime, high-demand locations, the company said.

For store lease inquiries, please contact Garland Wood at [email protected].

For wholesale inventory inquiries, please contact Mollie Bailey at [email protected].

The vast majority of Americans plan on buying a Valentine’s Day gift this year, but not exclusively for romantic partners.

A new survey from RetailMeNot reveals that 87% of consumers say they’ll participate in Valentine’s Day (Feb. 14) shopping, and 61% say they’re shopping for their romantic partners. A third (35%) of shoppers are shopping for themselves, and 28% will be shopping for their kids and grandkids.

The average spend per person this year is expected to be $165. Only 13% of those surveyed said they won’t be making any purchase for Valentine’s Day.

[READ MORE: Numerator: Here’s how consumers plan to celebrate key holidays in 2025]

For those planning on spending this year, clothing, including shoes & accessories, is the most popular category at 43%, followed by chocolate or sweets (36%), electronics (35%), food or drinks to enjoy at home (34%), jewelry (33%) and visits to a restaurant or bar (22%). Gift cards (22%), makeup and skincare products (20%) and experiences/services (17%) are also noted as popular gifts.

A recent analysis from the National Retail Federation estimated that consumers are expected to spend a record $27.5 billion on Valentine’s Day this year. The amount is up from last year’s $25.8 billion, and slightly above the previous record of $27.4 billion set in 2020.

RetailMeNot’s survey was fielded in November of last year and included 1,179 adults.