News Briefs

Loehmann’s is back.

The 104-year-old off-price retailer is making its return to retail with a limited-time warehouse pop-up sale at Tanger Outlets in Deer Park, N.Y. The sale, which will run from Aug. 22 through Sept. 1, is part of a series of warehouse pop-ups hosted by the company’s owner, Century 21 Department Stores. The sales are designed to reintroduce the Loehmann’s brand, whose assets were acquired by Century in 2020. 

The pop-up sale will feature a curated assortment of premium men’s and women’s designer apparel, shoes and
accessories priced up to 70% off original retail prices. The selection includes pieces from top-tier designer houses,
beloved brands and emerging labels. The selection is curated by a New York-based buying team closely connected to the fashion community, according to the company.

The pop-up will also highlight Loehmann’s iconic Back Room section that will spotlight a hand-picked selection of unique, high-value luxury pieces — a feature that echoes a tradition that made Loehmann’s famous.

“Loehmann’s has always been about making fashion accessible for everyone,” said Century 21 chief operating officer Larry Mentzer. “We’re bringing back that thrill — real designers, really discounted — and we can’t wait to meet a
whole new generation of savvy shoppers.”

The pop-up series is the off-pricer’s re-entry to retail since filing for its third bankruptcy in December 2013 and liquidating in 2014. The final filing came on the heels of "increased competition in the off-price retail channel, coupled
with limited access to capital, has severely impacted the company's financial position,” according to the company.

Walmart is giving its approximate 1.6 million U.S. employees a new perk.

The country's largest private employer is extending its 10% employee discount to include purchases of nearly all grocery items — in its stores and online. The discount is available effective immediately.

The move extends the 10% discount Walmart already gives to employees (after 90 days on the job) on purchases of fresh produce and most general merchandise, including fashion, but only to other food during the November and December holiday season.

“We’ve heard your feedback that these savings make a real difference for you and your families,” Walmart chief people officer Donna Morris wrote in a memo to employees that the company sent to Chain Store Age. “And we have continued to hear that you would like to see this benefit expanded. In fact, it’s one of our most requested benefits. The expanded discount on food you receive during the holidays will now be available all year round."

The expanded discount now includes all food categories, including dairy, frozen, dry grocery, meat and seafood. With the expansion, the associate discount now covers 95% of regularly priced items across the store, noted Morris.

Walmart also revealed the news about the expanded discount on LinkedIn. 

Retail job postings are down both annually and pre-pandemic, but wage growth has remained semi-consistent.

According to new data from hiring site Indeed’s Hiring Lab data wing, job postings across the retail sector have largely continued to decrease with the rest of the labor market. Indeed job postings through July 11, 2025 have decreased 9% in the past year, and are down 5.8% compared to Feb. 1, 2020. Retail job postings were relatively flat through the second quarter of this year, remaining just below their pre-pandemic baseline.

Other sectors have seen postings drop year over year as well. Food preparation & service listings decreased 8.4% in the past year and 1.8% pre-pandemic, while hospitality & tourism saw a 8.1% decrease compared to last July and a 14.4% dip compared to February 2020.

Overall, employers continued to slowly pull back on job postings as the U.S. Indeed Job Posting Index hovered between 8% and 4% above its pre-pandemic baseline. Total job postings are down 8% year over year and remain 4% above the pre-pandemic baseline.

[READ MORE: Study: Job cuts in retail up 249% year over year]

The wage growth trend across the retail sector largely mirrored trends in job postings, with a relatively sluggish second quarter, according to Indeed. Retail and food preparation & service wage growth have remained constant over the past year, resting at 1.9% and 2.7% in July 2025, respectively.

A Midwest-based pizza chain is highlighting its “powerful” store growth in the first half of 2025.

Marco’s Pizza opened 41 new locations over the first six months of the year, adding that if current trends continue, the chain is poised for a 28% year-over-year increase in new store openings for 2025. 

Last year, the pizza chain opened 70 new locations. Current franchisees are continuing to expand with Marco’s, as nearly 65% of 2024 signed agreements came from existing franchisees.

Earlier this year, Marco's welcomed back longtime team member Joe Stephens as VP of real estate to support franchisees' site selection and other real estate consultation. The pizza chain also credits a tech-forward site selection strategy for its strong growth. By utilizing predictive tools and consumer behavior insights, Marco's says it is looking “far beyond” traditional site selection methods.

To further support expansion, Marco's also launched a Franchise Development Royalty Incentive Program earlier this year designed to reduce barriers for qualified multi-unit owners.

"We entered 2025 with momentum from a very intentional development strategy – and that pipeline is now turning into stores," said Gerardo Flores, chief development officer of Marco's Pizza. "The potential of our model and the power of our culture create an opportunity to grow with a brand that's not just expanding but doing so the right way."

[READ MORE: Marco's Pizza continues global growth]

Founded in 1978 and headquartered in Toledo, Ohio, Marco’s Pizza operates over 1,200 stores in 35 states, with 66 locations in Puerto Rico, the Bahamas and Mexico.

America’s largest retail and entertainment complex is set to welcome an in-demand new tenant.

Mall of America will be the home of Minnesota’s first brick-and-mortar Pop Mart location, which is set to open this fall. Known for its artistic, character-driven collectibles, including the red-hot Labubu line of plush accessories, Pop Mart operates approximately 350 locations worldwide.

The new store will feature exclusive product offerings, rotating collaborations, and a “thoughtfully curated retail environment that highlights creativity and collectability.” Pop Mart offers a wide collection of figurines, bag charms, blind boxes and more, including from its broad and diverse portfolio of original IPs such as Crybaby, Skullpanda and Peach Riot.

[READ MORE: 2025 Top 10 Retail Center Experiences: No. 4 Mall of America]

“We are thrilled to welcome Pop Mart to Mall of America,” said Ashley Hofmann, leasing director at Mall of America. “Their innovative retail concept and globally loved characters bring a bold, creative energy to our tenant mix. At Mall of America, we’re focused on curating a dynamic mix of tenants that excite and inspire our guests. Pop Mart is a perfect fit; they’re not only a globally recognized brand, but they’re also redefining how people shop and engage with products.”

Based in Beijing, Pop Mart operates its stores and 2,300 Robo Shops (blind box vending machines) in over 30 countries. The brand opened its first store in the U.S. in 2023.

At 5.6 million sq. ft., Mall of America, located in Bloomington, Minn., is the largest shopping and entertainment complex in North America with up to 520 world-class retail stores and restaurants, as well as multiple entertainment venues.

Economic uncertainty hasn’t stopped consumers from splurging on their furry friends.

A new report from CouponCabin reveals that over half of the pet parents surveyed spend between $500 and $1,999 a year on their pets per year, covering everything from routine vet visits to food, toys and treats. More than 14% spend between $4,000 and $9,999 annually.

When it comes to where the pet owners surveyed are buying pet food, Chewy is the top choice, with 39% citing it as their go-to retailer. Petco ( 31%) and PetSmart (29%) are right behind the online retailer, followed by local pet stores (21%). 

More than half of those surveyed (54%) have considered switching where they buy their pet’s food, with 55% pointing to quality concerns. While nearly three-quarters of those surveyed say they opt for a pricier brand of pet food, that doesn’t necessarily mean the most expensive brand, suggesting that quality matters, but budgets still play a role for consumers.

More than a quarter (28%) of pet owners buy new toys once or twice every six months, while 7% pick up a new toy every single week. Subscription boxes are gaining traction for pet owners looking to treat their pets often. BarkBox is the most widely used at 49%, followed by BoxDog (38%), PupJoy (31%), Meowbox (24%) and KitNipBox (20%).

[READ MORE: Sam’s Club launches pharmacy and insurance plan for pets]

CouponCabin’s survey was conducted by a third party on July 8, 2025, among 1,008 U.S. adults.