News Briefs

Lowe’s Companies Inc. reported third-quarter sales growth as profits declined and the retailer scaled back its fourth-quarter earnings projections.

The home improvement giant reported net earnings for the third quarter of fiscal 2025 of $1.6 billion, down about 5% year-over-year from $1.7 billion and diluted earnings per share (EPS) of $2.88, down from $2.99 in the prior-year period. During the third quarter, Lowe's recognized $129 million in pre-tax expenses associated with the acquisitions of Foundation Building Materials (FBM) and Artisan Design Group (ADG), which negatively impacted EPS growth.

Total sales for the quarter were $20.8 billion, up 3% from $20.2 billion in the prior-year quarter. Comparable sales for the quarter increased 0.4%, driven by 11.4% online sales growth, double-digit growth in home services and continued growth in Pro sales.

[READ MORE: Lowe’s bets big on home improvement professionals]

"The company delivered another quarter of positive comp sales, and we're pleased to start November with positive comps as well, despite headwinds related to hurricane activity in the prior year,” said Marvin R. Ellison, Lowe's chairman, president and CEO. "With the closing of the FBM acquisition last month, we look forward to enhancing our offering to Pro customers and creating more sustainable, long-term sales and profit expansion for the company."

The company is updating its outlook for the operating results of full year 2025 to reflect what it says is ongoing uncertainty in the macroeconomic environment. Chief rival Home Depot has also scaled back its full-year guidance to reflect lack of storm activity, ongoing consumer uncertainty and housing pressure. 

Full-year 2025 outlook

• Total sales of $86 billion (previously $84.5 to $85.5 billion).
• Comparable sales expected to be flat as compared to prior year (previously flat to up +1%).
• Adjusted diluted earnings per share of approximately $12.25 (previously $12.20 to $12.45).

Insomnia Cookies has reached a new store count milestone – with more expansion planned for next year.

The late-night bakery chain recently opened its 350th store worldwide, just over a year after opening its 300th location. The new Williamsburg location in Brooklyn, New York City marks the brand’s third location in the borough and 22nd store in New York state.

Insomnia Cookies says it opened 55 new bakeries in 2025, including a record 25 locations in the fourth quarter, marking its most prolific quarter to date. Looking ahead, the chain is projected to open more than 75 new locations in 2026, surpassing its previous record for annual openings.

Insomnia Cookies’ long-term goal is to reach 1,800 bakeries globally over the next decade. It currently operates in the U.S., U.K. and Canada.

[READ MORE: Krispy Kreme sells remaining Insomnia Cookies shares]

"Over the past 22 years, we've built an incredible community of Insomniacs who share our love of warm, delicious cookies," said Seth Berkowitz, CEO and founder Insomnia Cookies, who launched the company as a student at the University of Pennsylvania in 2003. "As we continue expanding globally, our focus remains on delivering memorable experiences, deepening connections with our Insomniacs, and pushing the boundaries of what's possible in the late-night indulgence category to reach Insomniacs in an unparalleled way.”

A Florida-based regional grocer is building on its omnichannel partnership with Amazon.

[READ MORE: Amazon launches online Winn-Dixie grocery delivery in Florida]

A fast-growing sporting goods retailer has added a handful of additional locations to its 2025 new store lineup.

Texas-based Academy Sports + Outdoors has opened five new locations to wrap up the year, expanding its presence in Arkansas, Indiana and Texas. With the addition of these stores, Academy will have opened 24 total new locations by the end of fiscal 2025. The retailer says the new locations have created more than 1,400 total jobs.

“We are thrilled to expand our footprint with 24 new stores while also giving back to local communities who demonstrate a passion for sports and outdoors,” said Eric Friederich, senior VP of retail operations at Academy Sports + Outdoors. “As the holiday season approaches, we are confident in our value-leading product assortment of top brands curated to bring joy to every member of the family at undefeatable prices.”

The new stores include the following locations:

• Russellville, Ark.
• Fort Worth, Ind.
• Seguin, Texas
• El Paso, Texas
• New Braunfels, Texas

[READ MORE: Academy Sports opening 11 stores — here’s where; Q2 sales rise 3.3%]

Founded in 1938 and headquartered in Texas, Academy operates more than 300 stores across 21 states. Academy stores offer apparel, footwear, sports and camping equipment, hunting and fishing gear, and more from top national brands as well as the chain’s private label brands. In addition, the retailer offers free services such as grill and bike assembly, scope mounting, bore sighting, line winding/spooling and propane exchange. Hunting and fishing licenses are also available to purchase in stores.

Target is testing a new sortation center model that focuses on next-day delivery facilitated by its online delivery subsidiary.

In an email to Chain Store Age, the discounter said it has opened a sortation center that will enable next-day delivery of online orders in the Cleveland metro area. Opened in time for the holidays, the facility is a three-year trial of a sortation center model in which last-mile delivery is only activated by the Shipt delivery platform, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Target.

Target piloted the concept of sortation centers —  which streamline the process of fulfilling and delivering online orders, removing the sorting process from the backroom of stores — in April 2021 with a pilot in its Minneapolis hometown.

[READ MORE: Target tests new process for faster order delivery]

The goal of the Cleveland pilot is to determine long-term viability of a Shipt-only sortation center for Target. Currently, the other sortation centers work with Shipt, national carriers, and third-party partners for last-mile delivery. 

For now, the building will be operated by Ryder, a long-standing third-party Target partner of Target. In the email, the retailer said working with Ryder sped up the launch process.  

The 40,000-sq.-ft. building is now open. There will be two Target team members on site working with Ryder staff and drivers with Shipt. 

A leading discount grocer is transforming a New York City bar into a holiday pop-up for superfans to enjoy.

Aldi is debuting its first-ever “A Very Aldi Holiday Pop-Up” on Wednesday, Dec. 3, where it will transform Everything’s Jake NYC Bar & Lounge in the Union Square neighborhood into a festive environment where guests can enjoy appetizers, seasonal favorites, desserts and drinks.

The pop-up will feature holiday decor in Aldi’s signature colors, along with a lineup of more than 30 seasonal wines and beers, charcuterie ornaments, hors d’oeuvres, and more.

The event is free with a ticket, and Aldi fans 21+ can reserve theirs starting Nov. 18 on Eventbrite, with a second ticket drop on Dec. 1 at ALDIHolidayPopUp.eventbrite.com. The event will have two evening time slots available at 5:00 p.m. and 7:15 p.m.

Earlier this year, Aldi announced plans to open its second location in Manhattan. The grocer plans to open more than 220 new stores this year.

"Our fans have shown us so much excitement and love this year, and this pop-up felt like the perfect way to celebrate the season with them," said Dave Rinaldo, chief operating officer at Aldi U.S. "This holiday event is just a taste of what's found in our aisles every day of the year: a range of quality food at unbeatable prices, and of course, some unexpected fun."

[READ MORE: Aldi beats 2024 price with $40 Thanksgiving meal for 10]

With global headquarters in Essen, Germany, Aldi operates more than 7,200 store locations around the world, including more than 2,200 stores in 39 U.S. states with over 45,000 associates.